Seattle’s got Starbucks, Microsoft, grunge, and yes, lots of rain. But it’s also got a whole lot more than that. There’s your standard tourist fare in the form of the Space Needle, Seattle Center and Frank Gehry’s monster of a museum, Experience Music Project, among others. But dig in a little deeper and you’ll find some hidden doors, some sultry sweet spots and some spectacular waterways. Here’s our guide to Seattle’s sexier side.

We scoured the globe until we found the 31 best new hotels for under $150. By Kate Appleton, Shoshana Berger, Elena Bowes, Jeryl Brunner, Naomi Lindt, Danielle Lipp, Mario López-Cordero, A. Christine Maxfield, Alison Rohrs, Rima Suqi, and Charlotte West; edited by Amy Chen, November 2009 issue

Anyone planning a trip to the Swedish capital might be a bit aghast at cost of a place to lay their head at night, but Creators Inn by Elvine - the world’s first hotel-in-hotel - might just sport the most shocking price tag of all.

The precise meaning of luxury is up for debate as consumers and companies struggle to find their footing in these troubled economic times, but newly opened hotel Rough Luxe offers a fresh take on the concept. Billing itself as "A little bit of luxury in a rough part of London. A little bit of rough in a luxurious London," the chic abode is a model of creative contrasts.

The 2012 Olympics are poised to ramp up London's appeal as a destination for large scale meets and conferences. Charlotte West reports...

Charlotte West scopes out Seattle, from eye-catching icons and architecture to classic clam chowder.

Charlotte West takes stock of the Swedish capital on a stroll through history, from ill-fated maritime hulks to the country's smallest statue.

The most spectacular views in Stockholm are not from the City Hall Tower, the cliffs of Mosebacke or even the Kaknäs Tower. The best way to get a bird’s eye view of the city is from the basket of a hot air balloon.

Refrigerated ice bars, rocking venues and royals getting tiddly the self-proclaimed "Capital of Scandinavia" is put through its pleasure-filled paces by local resident Charlotte West.