It's getting closer: Hotel Ballard is nearing completion.

Ballard's first four-story, four-star hotel will officially be opening in May at 5216 Ballard Avenue NW by the Olympic Athletic Club, which owns the hotel, bringing "classic old world charm to Ballard."

With 29 rooms, the guest rooms and suites range from $189 to $429 a night, and feature a king bed, ample room to work with a desk and complimentary wi-fi, in-room entertainment on HD plasma screen TVs, "exquisite" linens and down comforters, and more. Hotel Ballard also boasts panoramic views of the city and the Olympic Mountains. Underground parking will provide space for 60 cars.

For passersby on Ballard Ave, the building is likely to have caused a lot of intrigue and mystery. What's inside of it? What does it look like? Is Ballard really getting a fancy-schmancy hotel?

Well, we'll let you be the judge of that. Photographer Heather Nelson got an inside look for the Ballard News-Tribune. Her reconnaissance work reveals that the interior keeps some of that "old world charm," but Hotel Ballard also adds fancy chandeliers, comfy beds, swanky bath tubs and use of the Olympic Athletic Club's pool, hot tub and other facilities.

Have a look:

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