Seattle airport hotel, resturant, wine, tour and traffic?

[Midwest Sunseeker]

We will be flying into Seattle on a Saturday, cruise Monday Pier 91.  We would like to stay at an airport hotel with a good restaurant and wine pick up within a short walk/Uber distance.  We have looked at the Holiday Inn Express and the Red Lion.  On Sunday we would like to take a hotel pick up tour of the area outside of Seattle.  Any tours or tour companies recommendations would be appreciated.  On Monday we will Uber to the pier.  Is there a recommended time that would best to leave based on Monday morning traffic? We like to arrive early.  Thank you for your help.

[DaveOKC]

Last Sept we drove from south of the airport to the pier and the traffic was brutal (at least to us from Oklahoma).  We left around 9:30  am and it took 1.5 hours (or a bit more).

[Ferry_Watcher]

Honestly, a Monday sailing (HAL Amsterdam) it is the easiest day at Pier 91 since it is the only ship in port.  The building will probably open at 10:15 am, and boarding will generally begin by noon (more likely just after 11:30 am).  Interestingly, there is always a 'early bird' crowd waiting to enter the building.  FYI - if you arrive before the building opens be prepared for the weather.  The building has a large overhang so it will be shady (no sun to warm you), and it can be quite windy.  There is limited bench seating for maybe 10 people, and the mobility impaired folks have priority for that seating. 

 

If you are not an 'early bird' and as this is a 14 day cruise, a lot of folks will leisurely arrive throughout the day, with almost everyone checked-in by 2pm.  The very last passengers are those usually on the airport transfers.

 

It would be your choice to decide how early to show up.  Too early and you are sitting in the waiting area; or sleep in and arrive later.  No wrong answers, just do what suits you.

Edited May 11, 2019 by Ferry_Watcher
added more information.

[Midwest Sunseeker]

Thank you so much. Great information on the Building.  Can you tell me if between 9am-1pm if is a time when Interstate traffic is lighter and a shorter drive?  When we drive from FLL to POM we leave early because traffic is lightest at that time and gets heaver as the day progresses.

[Gardyloo]

Traffic coming into town from the airport shouldn't be an issue after 9 AM.  There's an alternative route that uses SR 99 that is also quite convenient; your Uber driver will decide which one is best in "real time."

 

Also note that there's a big wine shop (Wine Outlet) on Elliott Ave. just before the turnoff to Pier 91; you could ask your driver to pull off there and wait for a few minutes while you run in for your purchase.  Or just past the turnoff (with easy return) there's a big Whole Foods market with a terrific wine selection - same deal.  The Wine Outlet doesn't open until 11 on weekdays; the WF is obviously open much earlier.

 

Map - https://goo.gl/maps/8jyaGm1uCzHfTx3y6

[Ferry_Watcher]

On 5/11/2019 at 6:48 AM, Ferry_Watcher said:

Honestly, a Monday sailing (HAL Amsterdam) it is the easiest day at Pier 91 since it is the only ship in port.  The building will probably open at 10:15 am, and boarding will generally begin by noon (more likely just after 11:30 am).  Interestingly, there is always a 'early bird' crowd waiting to enter the building.  FYI - if you arrive before the building opens be prepared for the weather.  The building has a large overhang so it will be shady (no sun to warm you), and it can be quite windy.  There is limited bench seating for maybe 10 people, and the mobility impaired folks have priority for that seating.  

 

If you are not an 'early bird' and as this is a 14 day cruise, a lot of folks will leisurely arrive throughout the day, with almost everyone checked-in by 2pm.  The very last passengers are those usually on the airport transfers.

 

It would be your choice to decide how early to show up.  Too early and you are sitting in the waiting area; or sleep in and arrive later.  No wrong answers, just do what suits you.

 

UPDATE:  the two  benches that had been in front of the Terminal 91 building have been removed.  So, the only bench seating is in the driveway area where disembarking passengers wait for their private car, town car type rides.  There is a tented snack spot with some tables and chairs.

So the upshot is if any passenger plans on arriving before the building opens (10 ish) that they should be prepared to stand.  it could be uncomfortable for some of the much older passengers.  Passengers should plan accordingly.*

 

*OP, this isn't directed at you, it's just general info.  :  )

[norwega]

On 5/11/2019 at 4:21 AM, Midwest Sunseeker said:

We will be flying into Seattle on a Saturday, cruise Monday Pier 91.  We would like to stay at an airport hotel with a good restaurant and wine pick up within a short walk/Uber distance.  We have looked at the Holiday Inn Express and the Red Lion.  On Sunday we would like to take a hotel pick up tour of the area outside of Seattle.  Any tours or tour companies recommendations would be appreciated.  On Monday we will Uber to the pier.  Is there a recommended time that would best to leave based on Monday morning traffic? We like to arrive early.  Thank you for your help.

http://sodo-urbanworks.com/tenant-directory.html  wineries near the stadiums.  SODO is short for "south of downtown/dome.  Our favorite wineries are Patterson and Old World.  You can grab a slice of pizza too!   

For your tour outside of Seattle, Woodinville has numerous wineries in the Hollywood District (named because holly grows like a weed here!)  There's an old brick schoolhouse at the roundabout, with wineries all around, including Chateau St Michelle which does free tours on the hour.  The Woodinville wine country just posted this https://woodinvillewinecountry.com/sip-back-and-enjoy-the-woodinville-cellar-hopper-and-wine-express/