Seattle Trip 12/21/2016

I am writing the blog to document our trip, uncover places where we could get better and places where we could save money.

While traveling I also noticed improvements that businesses could make to improve service.

For example we stayed at the Motif Hotel in Seattle.

 www.motifseattle.com/


A nice hotel, centrally located. Not much to complain about, except for one thing I thought they could improve on. Here is the scenario, we left Sacramento at 2:40 on our flight to Seattle, we got there around 4:00 pm and then rode the Metro Link to downtown. Trudging thru the rain to the Motif we entered the hotel greeted by some hot apple cider. Here is where they can improve. There is an area where we had to wait in line to check in. One check in person was engaged in chit-chat with a guest, the other was assisting someone. While this might not seem like a big deal, there was other hotel staff popping their heads in and out. Now maybe they were staff that takes your luggage to your room or do other things. I however when tired and hungry don't want to wait.

So here is my idea for a solution. Get tablets and allow for any staff to walk up to you while you sit on the couch and check you in. So you wait on your customers instead of the customer waiting on you.

We flew on Wednesday from Sacramento Metro Air Port after being dropped off by our son at the airport, one checked bag cost $25.00. I really like Sacramento Metro Aircraft its clean not busy and easy to navigate.

For first time or new travelers it took us a little time to figure out where to go. Normally I was just dropping people off or picking them up so you don't know about going up the escalaotrs and then thru security and on to the trams that take you to the gates where the planes dock.

Waiting for the plane we grabbed some food from Jacks Urban Eats, I have been Turkey deficient since Thanksgiving and I wanted more. Unfortunately the Sandwich was dry with no pickles cranberry sauce or gravy.

The flight was pretty full and since I was loaded down with a duffle bag and a backpack when they asked for people to check any bag due to limited overhead storage, I jumped at the chance, wishing I did not have to check a bag for $25.00 (both ways).

The flight to Seattle was only 1 hour and maybe 20 minutes and worth every penny. If you love flying and like to look out of the window, definitely book a window seat. I do and have never been disappointed.

Arriving at SEATAC was different matter again not totally familiar with an airport now we realize that if you have checked bags you need to get out of the gate (and security) and normally go down the stairs to grab your bags. As with any travel be prepared for slightly different things to happen. We found the area where the carousel was but the handlers had grouped the bags on the floor together. We simply asked one of the handlers and they pointed it out to us.

Then we had to find out where the light rail station was, for awhile it seemed like the signs kept on pointing forward, eventually it pointed up to the escalators. If your rushing or tired or uptight you might miss this, just slow down and relax.

Just keep on following the signs, thru the parking garage on and on until you hit the paystation. There was a small line but we were able to pay and then move on to the platform. The light rail was clean and sparsely occupied. Our stop was about 6 to 8 stops away. Hunger was gnawing at me. We got off a the Westlake station

Got turned around looking for the hotel and had to push thru some people protesting for black lives matter and respect Muslims. Good for you but I am hungry and tired so stop blocking the g*d d*m sidewalk. Its funny how all these people protesting were older white people.

See above for the check-in at the Motif.

Hungry and a bit tired we ignored the suggestions of hotel staff and walked down the stairs to the Elephant and Castle restaurant. Bad decision! 

We walked in and saw many tables available, but the lady told us to wait (for what ?) Then finally we were seated and it took awhile (10 minutes) to have our drink order taken another wait for the waitress to come back and tell me that the beer I ordered was out another 5 to 10 minutes to bring that beer to me. All the while the waitress seemed to be doing nothing and people who had a different wait staff already eating food. Now the food was just as bad, tasteless wild caught salmon, cold lumpy potatos and gresy flat onions. Why I did not send this food back was my fault. As travelers I sometimes think we would eat slop rather than man up and complain.

I did complain as they gave us a survey to complete and I have yet to hear from them.

The next day we went to the Speciality shop (really just a big Petes for people from California) and ordered cripsy bacon sandwiches and some caffeine, Delicious low cost  and great service,

From there we walked the wrong way up a hill towards a mall. Back down the hill we made it to the touristy part of the market to see the fish toss. Which brought a smile to my face!

We wandered far and wide stopping to buy some soap and a hat the market had some cool flute playing somewhere.