Ballard Inn

We’ve stayed at this inn for a couple of years while coming to Ballard for our annual event. Having access to the pool and gym has been a lifesaver during the local music festival, especially after a few late nights. This visit was disappointing, though, because the hospitality didn’t match the price. We extended the trip, and the CAD to USD conversion wasn’t in our favor. We work hard and value our vacations, even when part of the plan is just relaxing in bed with the TV on. The television didn’t work for three nights. We were told we had the channels too high, but the problem continued. No one offered anything to make up for it. Even a couple of drinks at the restaurant would have helped. Check-in was poor from the start: no greeting or welcome to Seattle, and no interest in why we were there for six nights. The agent took my partner’s card and handed it back to me without engaging with either of us. Later, even basic requests seemed beyond them, from asking for a restaurant suggestion to arranging housekeeping while we went to brunch. The interactions became so awkward that we stopped asking for help when we saw that person at the desk. It was frustrating.

This was an affordable place that suited me well, and I really enjoyed my stay. The historic hotel is cute and well maintained, with clean, comfortable rooms. It does have more of a hostel feel, so it may not suit everyone: the rooms are small, and bathrooms and showers are shared. During my stay those spaces were consistently clean and looked after. There’s no central air, and street noise is significant, so bring earplugs.

The room smelled like wet dog, and earplugs were provided, which gives you an idea of the street noise. It has a boarding-house feel, with shared showers and bathrooms, and it’s terribly overpriced for what you get. I’d avoid it if other options are available.

The building is clearly old, but it has some charm and was clean. I had a few minor gripes: the portable AC unit needs a better setup, and if they’re going to provide a TV, they should invest in more channels, or you can just skip watching TV. The building is owned by Hotel Ballard, but it’s quite different, with shared shower and toilet rooms off the hallway. Some people may not like that, and if you’re staying more than one night, you might not want to book it. I try to give an honest op-ed. 🤷‍♂️😬😅