Save yourself from the barren isolation of a generic Seattle hotel room and check in to one of these vibrant Bed and Breakfast estates instead. Their old world charm, delectable cuisine and unparalleled hospitality, truly make these Seattle B&Bs essential places to stay before you die.

1. Bacon Mansion

While taking the name Bacon Mansion, a stay here is more akin to filet mignon. Stained glass windows and Victorian architectural flair transport you to the middle of a Jane Austen novel, with only the sight of computers and LCD televisions, reminding you of your 21^st century existence.

11 distinctly decorated rooms offer something for every taste, while the impressive leaded glass library provides the perfect space for settling down with a good book and a hot cup of tea.

Daily Rates: $99-$234

2. Chambered Nautilus

Much like the sea creature of the same name, the Chambered Nautilus B&B has survived relatively unchanged since the dawn of its existence. Taking a step forward into its grand foyer is to take a giant step back to its early 20^th century Georgian Colonial roots.

Its blissful pastoral-like setting provides the ultimate escape from the stresses of city life, without taking you far away from town. In fact, the theatres, parks, trails, and world class attractions of Seattle are just a short distance away.

Before you drift off, select a book from your room’s personal library, then snuggle up with your lover or the downy-soft teddy bear graciously supplied by the innkeepers.

Daily Rates: $109-$184

3. Shafer Baillie Mansion B&B

Along 14^th Street East, Seattle’s original “Millionaires Row”, sits some of the city’s largest and most gracious homes. At some 14,000 square feet, this expansive 8 bedroom mansion is the crown jewel of them all.

The allure of its eclectic mix of antiques and period style art is surpassed only by the rich flavours of breakfast; where fresh baked breads, gourmet cheeses, smoked salmon and thin sliced prosciutto regularly please the palate.

While you may never own a mansion of your own, a stay at the Shafer Baillie is certainly the next best thing.

Daily Rates: $139-$219

4. Pensione Nichols Bed & Breakfast

In the heart of Seattle’s Pike Place Market, European charm and relaxed North Western hospitality fuse seamlessly together. Relax and settle into one of at Pensione Nichols’ ten stately guest rooms or enjoy the expansive luxury of one of its masterful 900 square foot suites.

Next, step outside or just open your window and let the serene views of the Olympic Mountains calm your every worry. You’ll find it hard to believe the exciting buzz of Pike Place market is only steps away.

Daily Rates: $99-$230

5. Greenlake Guesthouse

An urban oasis, sitting across from the jogging trails, plentiful wildlife and peaceful serenity of Greenlake. Take an early morning stroll through the park, then be welcomed home to a freshly prepared breakfast where you’ll savour every bite like it’s your last.

Next, head off to enjoy Seattle’s magical sights, or just stay in and enjoy the  guesthouse’s epic collection of best picture films from one of its four stately guest rooms.

Daily Rates: $134-$214

6. Bed and Breakfast On Broadway

A place where stained glass gleams, pianos play and fine art sparkles throughout; a relic of a bygone era that continues to bustle with life today. Around every nook a new treasure reveals itself, from rare books, to elegant armoires, to colourful paintings;  each element seemingly more interesting than the next.

A short stroll down Broadway, brings you to a neighbourhood strip equally as eclectic, where hipster bars, designer fashion and fine dining peacefully co-exist.

-Sam

Experienced these or other Seattle B&Bs yourself? Tell us about it in the comments below.

Accommodation, B&B, seattle

With mega resorts and generic chain hotels increasingly asserting their rule on the American accommodation landscape, finding a unique hotel stay experience is getting harder than ever. Heck, even our beloved B&Bs are starting to suffer from the symptoms of sameness.

To renew your faith in American accommodation, we’ve checked into 5 of the country’s weird but wonderful hotels to bring you a good night’s sleep like no other.

1. Jules Underwater Lodge: Key Largo, Florida

Life is better under the sea and the Jules Underwater Lodge is living proof.

After strapping on your scuba suit, you’ll dive 21 feet below to the surface to reach the air locked entrance of this former research lab, turned luxury SCUBA hotel. Set amongst a tropical mangrove ripe with colorful marine life, you’ll enjoy spectacular underwater views from generous 42” windows.

This may be the only place in the world, where you can “sleep with the fishes” and still live to tell about.

2. Library Hotel: New York, New York

Shhhhhh! Recently named Trip Advisor’s Top Luxury accommodation, New York’s Library hotel has certainly been making a lot of noise.

Come renew your appreciation for the library and explore the hotel’s 10 luxurious floors, each dedicated to the major categories of the Dewey Decimal System, including Social Science, History, Math & Science, among many others. Each of the Library’s sixty rooms comes stocked with a collection of books on a particular topic, but much to our dismay, none came with a personal librarian.

3. Winvian: Litchfield, Connecticut

Across 113 sprawling acres, sits this impressive collection of uniquely themed luxury cottages, ranging from log cabins, to stables, to rooms carved out of the cabin of a U.S Coast Guard helicopter. In all, 15 architects from around the world collaborated to create these modern masterpieces fusing modern luxury with the whimsical.

We only wish that the hotel’s helicopter themed room could actually take flight.

4. Kokopelli Cave Bed and Breakfast: Farmington, New Mexico

Dig into New Mexico’s finest subterranean accommodation sitting a full 70 feet below the earth’s surface. At a spacious 1650 square feet and complete with luxury carpeting, private Jacuzzi and a waterfall shower; about the only thing you won’t find in this cave is Osama Bin Ladin himself.

5. Aurora Ice Museum: Chena Hot Springs, Alaska

Break the ice on your Alaskan holiday, with a stay in one of the four rooms at the chilled out Aurora ice museum. Encounter grand works of expertly caved ice sculptures at every nook, including jousting warriors, the coca cola pandas, and even a giant sized chess set.

Once you’ve check mated your companion, take a seat at the ice bar and grab a cool martini in a frozen glass. In fact, grab a couple. You’re going to need a little something to keep you warm as you spend the night atop your deluxe solid ice bed. Brrrrr!

-Sam

Had a weird, but wonderful American hotel experience yourself? Go ahead, tell us about it – just don’t put us to sleep.

Accommodation, strange