Norblad Hotel, Astoria
One of Oregon's oldest hotels, Astoria's Norblad Hotel and Hostel debuts facelifted digs this spring. The owners of the popular Commodore Hotel purchased the property (formerly the Hideaway Inn and Hostel) in 2007 and have been slowly restoring the near 100-year-old hotel with marble showers, a community kitchen in the hostel, and updated euro-style rooms. The euro rooms ($55, shared bathroom) and suites ($94, private bath) are already available, but you'll have to wait a few more weeks for the bunk rooms, which should be completed by mid-May and will cost around $30. Modern and minimialist, the hotel provides those with thinner wallets an affordable Astoria option. Bonus: It's mere steps from Ft. George Brewery. 

Hotel Ballard, Seattle
Seattle's chic Ballard neighborhood gets its first big luxury hotel with the opening of Hotel Ballard in May. Built by the owners of the Olympic Athletic Club and nearby Ballard Inn, the hotel's 29 guestrooms and suites offer 400 to 600-square-feet of luxury: silks, velvets, and chenniles, soaking tubs, plasma screens and 600-thread-count sheets. The new Stoneburner restaurant will fill out the bottom floor, while the rooftop pavillion affords a prime perch to watch the sun go down on the city. From $189