Does the Ren have an exec lounge? I didn't see that mentioned anywhere else in this thread.

I am considering this hotel for a stay upcoming in October. In the past, I have stayed at the W (lovely, but probably out of my price range, unless I get lucky and find a great rate like last year) and the Crowne Plaza (also nice, and much more affordable). I have had friends stay at the Westin (which, I also think is the host hotel for the conference I will attend), and they said it was just 'OK.'

Anyone able to make a direct comparison?

Thanks,
Stevekoe

I was told Ren does have an exec lounge, but that it's closed on weekends (naturally - sigh). Thanks for the updates. I won't have a car, & will call Plat line to request room not facing I-5. Cheers.

Sharon -- I've stayed at this hotel many times and with no higher than silver status have always gotten a corner suite. I just comment when checking in how much I liked it the last time I stayed there. I LOVE the wake-up coffee service enough to make that almost worth my stay. The location isn't bad as Seattle is such a walkable city, and it's closer to Safeco Field than the Westin or Sheraton.

Doing a 2-nighter at Seattle Renaissance right now. Still a very nice hotel: I'm in a nice corner suite with a view of the water and the rest of downtown (e.g., away from I-5). That hill is still as steep as it ever was...nice way to cap off a 8-mile run along the waterfront. ;)

Be sure to check all of the usual discount codes at the hotel. I have a $179 Club Level rate, when the "code-less" rates were $209 for a regular non-club room. The rate was under LPR and simply lists as "Property Promo". It does not require a weekend stay (mine is Mon-Wed) and has a normal cancel policy. Could be quite valuable for you Silvers out there wanting confirmed lounge access...

And yes, the lounge is open and it fairly typical. It has a nice outdoor patio area on the 26th floor.

I have a $179 rate for this weekend; not sure if that's for exec or just reg rate. It was a non-code rate; maybe I'll try the LPR. Alas, exec lounge will be closed when I'm there. Will hope for nice upgrade per TravelWeary. Has anyone checked out the health club - does it have a treadmill? Not sure I'll get up early enough after late SeaDo nights, but one never knows. Cheers.

We stayed there (4 nights) and checked out August 1. I loved this hotel. The employees were friendly and efficient. We had a corner suite on the 25th floor facing the bay. Our kids had an adjoining room. The decor is fresh enough and cheery. We paid quite a bit less than our colleagues who stayed at the Hyatt (where our meeting was).

Sharon: the health club is very nice although a bit small. Plenty of treadmills and other cardio equipment. They have flat screen TVs attached. Very limited in the weight training equipment. Beautiful hard wood floor. They don't keep it cool enough. I tried to hog the machine by the fan. :)

The terrace adjoining the Club Lounge is a little haven. They had nice food during the cocktail hour.

I will definitely go back. I'd like to try the Waterfront Marriott, but it is too far from the meeting at the Hyatt. My husband wanted to stay at the Hyatt (we have done that in the past) but I insisted on staying within the Marriott family.

I have to say that as a platinum, I got a room on the concierge floor (a big and nice lounge though closed when I was there) and received a notably fancy cheese and fruit plate as my arrival gift. The room and showers were nice, and I had a tv in my bathroom which was funny albeit from the 80's.

Quick update. Checked in 8/12; out 8/14. Here for SeaDo. AAA rate of $170. With EEO that's $85/night. Tried for the summer promo but not available here (it was at Marriott for $299 :eek: ).

Check-in fast & pleasant; chatted w/ Glenn at front desk saying how much TravelWeary & others enjoyed the stay (in hopes of getting a decent room).

Went for 500pts rather than other Plat amenity gift since I knew being at SeaDo I would't be in room very much. Front desk clerk familiar w/ EEO (and it was applied properly).

Received a corner room overlooking the bay from bedroom.

I'm not sure this is the suite that others were referring to vs the L shape. It does have a (small) living room w/ sofa, coffee table, desk. The TV is actually located on the ledge next to the window. Go through a small hallway w/ desk on left side & armoire; bathroom to right (reg small std bathroom) into the bedroom, which again is relatively small but fit the king bed. Also had a window seat on the bay side which was nice. Another TV on the ledge.

The exec lounge was closed since it was a weekend, but they gave me a bkfst cert for Sat & Sun & marked it for 2people. It's good for American bkfst or bkfst buffet. seanthepilot was at nearby Hilton & his rate didn't include bkfst, so he came over to raid the bkfst buffet w/ me on Sat am.

The hotel was fully booked, so restaurant was crowded & there was a bit of line to get seated. But not on a schedule too much so didn't matter. Went for the buffet , which had eggs, bacon, saugage, roasted potatoes, waffles, cereal, fresh fruit, and sticky buns. Juice & tea/coffee came w/.

While I brought gym clothes, given the lateness of the nights w/ SeaDo I didn't make it, so no reports there. Nor did I eat or drink at hotel other than the bkfst buffet.

I missed the famous coffee service since I didn't set a wake-up call either day.

Hi-speed i-net is available for $9.95/day. I just did dial-up once on departure day for $1/local call.

Check-out quick & efficient. I thought I was taking the city shuttle bus to Sea-Tac ($1.25) but evidently I can't read or recognize busses that well! I was on the Grayline Airport Transporter ($10.25 - still cheaper than a cab) that stopped at several hotels before heading out to airport (was picked up at 3:30pm & arrived to airport at 4:30pm). Driver was quite amusing & kept up a running commentary.

Location of hotel is actually a good one, especially for SeaDo activities. You certainly do get your exercise w/ the Seattle hills. Cheers.

I'm not a treadmill guy, but for those of you runners, I'd highly recommend going down to the waterfront and heading north.

The obvious way to do this is to go straight down Madison until you reach the water, then turn north. You then cruise up through Elliott Bay park, past a public fishing pier, and to a train yard. When you get to the train yard, you've gone about three miles, give or take. You can continue on through there, heading inland a bit, and then around a huge school bus lot. At that point the run is less scenic, but on dedicated trails with little car interaction, which is great. I went up about 4 1/2 and turned around and came back.

The less obvious way to access the waterfront is to start out heading north from the Renaissance and then gradually working your way northwest through the city. You'll encounter more gradual hills, but a greater chance that you'll have to wait for traffic.

For a shorter run one day, I just ran to the Space Needle and around that outdoor theme park for a while. That was a 5-miler round-trip.

(Friends don't let friends run on treadmills!! :))

I think the Seattle Running Company also does Tuesday Night Run up in Capitol Hill...that's an easy jog from the Ren to their gathering point, but without the help of a group I wouldn't know where to run in that neighborhood (e.g., which streets are runner-friendly, etc.).