The Inn at Virginia Mason

The location is hard to beat, close to hospitals and downtown attractions, and I enjoyed a tasty penne chicken Alfredo. I’d stayed here before and liked it, but this visit felt quite different. It’s an old building, though it used to be well maintained and comfortable. We ran into a few maintenance problems this time, but they were fixed right away. The dining room and food service have been cut back to the bar room, and the entrees are now more of an order-at-the-bar, short-order menu.

Parking is an issue, but this was the best hotel I found near the hospital. My wife had a procedure at Virginia Mason, so we checked in the day before. We had a big room, and there was a nice restaurant down in the lobby. Overall, it was a very good experience.

The walk from Symphony light rail station, where we got off after riding from the airport, is 6-7 blocks. Google Maps called it “mostly level,” but parts are very steep. It should be fine if you’re in good health, though I’d find a ride if you’re traveling with someone older. The hotel is very convenient for Virginia Mason Hospital, especially if you have a procedure, since an elevator inside connects to the hospital. It’s an older hotel, and the room was as expected. The heat wasn’t working at check-in, but maintenance came quickly and the front desk gave us extra blankets while we waited. The bathroom is tiny, and the toilet doesn’t have a solid lid. The hair dryer outlet is right above it, which felt unsafe. The front entrance is under construction and fenced off, with a temporary entrance to the right that has very poor signs. We arrived on foot and didn’t see it, so went through the hospital to the desk. The next evening I left the hospital after 6 p.m. and found all the hospital entrances locked. In the dark I couldn’t spot another way into the hotel, so I went to the emergency department looking for help. Some rather surly security officers eventually helped; the one at the main entrance seemed more interested in his phone than helping me. All he had to tell me was that the temporary entrance was beside the fenced area. In the dark, all I could make out was a sandwich sign for a cafe.

I arrived exhausted, stressed, and facing a medical procedure at 5:45 a.m. after making a reservation specifically at the Inn the day before. At check-in I was told my room was at the Barrenness Hotel across the street, and that I’d have to pay more to stay at the Inn. I was too worn out to deal with more stress, so I went across and used the key. When I opened the door, a man was inside just a foot away, looking angry. I don’t blame him, since I nearly barged into his room. The door chain stopped it from opening fully, and I believe the situation could have become dangerous. Shaken, I went back to the desk and explained what had happened. Thankfully, the gentleman there was kind and said I could stay at the Inn for the original price quoted the day before, and that he’d let them know. When I went back across, Ashley, the manager, was very negative and refused to listen, even when I repeated that this was a mistake and someone else had reserved that room. She kept insisting I pay more. A simple apology and genuine effort to fix the mistake would have been appropriate. After I said I would leave a review, she kept pushing and tried to change the narrative. I told her several times that I had a procedure early in the morning and needed to keep my stress down, and that I didn’t want to keep talking because her tone was cold, negative, and unsupportive. One staff member was on the phone, presumably with the gentleman at the other hotel, and I was told the original price would be honored. It was late, and I needed to check in for my procedure at 5:45 a.m. When I tried to comment on what had happened, Ashley said, “we’re not talking about it. Remember, we’re not talking about it.” I never felt safe, and I’ll never return. I strongly advise people who value safety or compassion not to stay here.