Historical Boutique Hotel near Heart of Seattle

It's the property's red crown jewel: an antique neon sign, glimmering with the word Roosevelt, sits at the soaring summit of vintage red brick. The sign has adorned the boutique Roosevelt Hotel since it was first constructed in 1929, just as the Seattle skyline was beginning to take shape. The Old World grandeur also permeates the lobby, which comes adorned with turn-of-the-century-style furnishings—a piano, a fireplace, and Victorian armchairs.

In the deluxe king junior suite, modern amenities mingle with antique-style accents, such as a leaf-patterned bench at the foot of the bed in certain units. Guests can train for marathon naps on a king-size bed and a sleeper sofa. Bathrobes and slippers foster snuggling up in front of the HDTV.

The included dining credit is valid for grub at four restaurants in the immediate area: Il Fornaio is an Italian eatery that specializes in wood-fired pizzas, homemade pastas, and rotisserie meats. Right around the corner, Daily Grill dishes out classic American fare including new york strip steak ($29.95), and less than a half mile away, the Purple Café and Wine Bar uses its extensive wine selection to complement upscale American fare such as grilled farmland pork chop ($24; alcohol not covered by voucher).

Seattle: Cultural Hub of the Scenic Pacific Northwest

Street performers often provide a musical score as shoppers walk beneath the iconic neon Public Market Center sign at the open-air Pike Place Market. Perhaps one of the most renowned attractions in Seattle, the marketplace attracts both locals and out-of-towners with an array of stalls vending fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers, and meat. Before the proliferation of a Starbucks on every corner, Seattleites grabbed a cup of java at the company's original coffeehouse, which first opened here in 1971.

Local, gourmet coffee shops are speckled throughout other inviting neighborhoods: Belltown is an artistic district near Pike Place with cafés, shops, and art galleries galore. One such gallery, Roq La Rue, showcases exhibits that rotate monthly with a focus on pop surrealism and underground contemporary art.

A terrific view of Elliott Bay and the iconic Seattle skyline unfurls at Kerry Park, with the Space Needle jutting out prominently at the forefront. On clear days, one can search for rock carvings of the Frasier cast on the iconic Mount Rainier out in the distance.