Before the plane even touches down at SeaTac Airport, most visitors already glimpse Seattle’s finest features: the breathtaking views of water, mountains, and endless lush evergreens. The city runs south to north, a narrow strip of land sandwiched between the salt water of the Puget Sound and the fresh water of Lake Washington, encircled by mountains: the Cascades to the east, the Olympics to the west, and the singular Rainier and Baker to the south and north, respectively.
Seattle’s downtown, set on the cool blue of Elliott Bay, is the city’s center for many tourist amenities: public transportation, hotels, and attractions like Pike Place Market and the Seattle Art Museum. But, overwhelmingly, the city’s spirit lives in the surrounding neighborhoods, including Ballard, Capitol Hill, and the Chinatown-International District. This gives visitors the option to stay downtown and travel farther afield for the best restaurants and parks or, on the other hand, seek out less-central hotels that give a true taste for city life.
Where to stay for the first time in Seattle: Downtown
Seattle’s downtown rises steeply from the waterfront, giving most west-facing hotels spectacular views over the water. While Downtown tends to be a place for work more than play for locals, it serves as the hub for public transportation, so it is ideal for tourists looking to check out the entire city and stay within walking distance of some of Seattle’s most classic tourist attractions.
Highlights:
Fairmont Olympic Hotel
Built on the original location of the University of Washington and taking up an entire city block, this century-old hotel underwent a $25 million dollar remodel in 2021 that only deepened its commitment to classic luxury. The 450 mid-century modern rooms and suites are spacious and well-appointed with Le Labo toiletries and marble bathrooms, as is the hotel itself, with a spa, pool, and fitness club.
- Price: From $270 per night for a double
- Vibe: Modern luxury
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Keurig coffee makers, indoor heat pool, hot tub, sauna, fitness center, spa, Le Labo toiletries
- Website
The State Hotel
This is a historic building updated into a modern and fun hotel aimed at people who are more interested in exploring their surroundings than staying in. Custom-designed wallpaper, local art, and the view from the rooftop deck appeal to aesthetes, and the rooms are crisp and modern.
- Price: Starting at $167 per night for a double
- Vibe: Artistic and urban
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Rooftop deck, fitness center, light continental breakfast, snack cart, discount at the hotel restaurant
- Website
Where to stay with kids in Seattle: U-District
Seattle’s University District gives many of the advantages of staying in a neighborhood—a peek at daily life, plenty of budget restaurants, and ample parks—while also keeping families close to public transportation with the Link Light Rail. Many of the city’s most kid-friendly attractions are nearby, and it’s one of the few neighborhoods that is both well-connected by light rail and easy to find parking in.
Highlights:
- Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
- University of Washington campus
- Henry Art Gallery
- Burke Gilman Trail
- Fritz Hedges Waterway Park
- Waterfront Activities Center
- Husky Stadium
- University Village
The Graduate
The art-deco building holds a modern interior that takes cues from the nearby University of Washington, giving the rooms a local feel. Rooms with two queen beds, connecting rooms, and available pack-n-plays make it easy to fit the whole family here, and it sits just across the street from the University District Link Light Rail Station.
- Price: Starting at $219 per night for a double
- Vibe: Comfortable and eclectic
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: 24-hour fitness room, free wifi, complimentary bikes
- Website
University Inn
While some of the mid-century modern décor and the neon sign outside might indicate a dated hotel, this charming and convenient spot simply focuses its energy in other areas, including on cozy robes that you can wear to the outdoor pool. Wifi is free, as are the cruiser bikes, which is great as the 26-mile vehicle-free Burke Gilman Trail passes through less than two blocks away.
- Price: Starting at $133 per night for a double
- Vibe: Retro trendy
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Dog-friendly, cruiser bikes, seasonal outdoor pool, snacks, welcome drink, in-room Keurig coffee maker
- Website
Where to stay near attractions in Seattle: Uptown
Uptown—often still called “Lower Queen Anne” for the hill it sits at the base of—features an odd mix of downtown-style density, neighborhood feel, and impressive convenience to most of the Seattle Center-based attractions. With the monorail there, it also stays connected to any of the Downtown attractions and is well-served by buses to the rest of the city. Staying in Uptown lets you access more tourist attractions faster than most other parts of town while still getting to experience the delightful coffee shops and restaurants of a typical Seattle neighborhood—all for significantly cheaper than Downtown hotels.
Highlights:
- Seattle Center
- Space Needle
- MoPOP
- Seattle Monorail
- Artists at Play Playground
- Chihuly Garden and Glass
- Climate Pledge Arena
The Maxwell
Fun and playful décor keep this hotel feeling bright and peppy. The rooms are on the small side, but nobody stays here to stick around the hotel (if they do, it’s for the indoor pool). Seattle Center sits just a block away, and the amenities include free beach cruisers that make it easy to get downtown or to South Lake Union.
- Price: Starting at $109 per night for a double
- Vibe: Bright and playful
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Dog-friendly, cruiser bikes, indoor pool, fitness center, snacks, welcome drink, in-room Keurig coffee maker
- Website
The Marqueen
Vintage charm permeates this old-school hotel right on Uptown’s main thoroughfare. Although that brings disadvantages—like the lack of elevator in the three-floor building—it also means there’s an attractive grand staircase, wood floors, and crown molding. Most rooms include small kitchenettes with dining areas.
- Price: Starting from $138 per night for an apartment-style double
- Vibe: Vintage charm
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Dog-friendly, in-room kitchenettes and dining areas
- Website
Where to stay for one night in Seattle: Belltown
Sandwiched north of Downtown and south of Seattle Center, this neighborhood gives visitors easy access to the must-see sites, such as Pike Place Market, during the day and hums with activity in the evenings. Some of the city’s best restaurants and hottest bars draw people to the neighborhood, though that also has disadvantages, including the night noise. But if you only have one night in town and want to make the most of it, Belltown will make that easy.
Highlights:
Hotel Crocodile
When the storied music club that once hosted bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Lizzo moved to a new Belltown location in 2021, it added on a 17-room boutique hotel as eclectic as the bands featured on its stages. Orange shag couches and velvet loungers furnish the large rooms, which all have sitting areas; the overall feel is funky yet modern. Along with standard amenities, rooms come with a unique perk: the guaranteed ability to purchase face-value tickets to that night’s mainstage show.
- Price: Starting at $199 per night for a double with sitting area
- Vibe: Funky and modern with a touch of rock ‘n' roll
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: No (all guests must be age 21 or older)
- Amenities: Two guaranteed tickets to the main showroom, available for purchase at face value, workspace, sitting area, free morning coffee and tea
- Website
The Sound Hotel
Music shaped Seattle, and this hotel from Hilton’s Tapestry Collection aims to incorporate that into the décor. But mostly, this is a classic hotel experience, where you will find all the creature comforts expected, plus an excellent view from the upper floors.
- Price: Starting from $190 per night for a double
- Vibe: Muted artsiness
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Fitness center
- Website
Where to stay for 3 days in Seattle: Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill is the cultural center for much of Seattle, especially for local music, creative restaurants, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Staying on Capitol Hill for three days will give you plenty of time to explore the neighborhood’s excellent book stores and thrift shops, see live music in the evening, and people watch in the many parks that serve as backyards to the area’s apartment dwellers. The Link Light Rail, First Hill Streetcar, and many buses keep it well connected to the rest of the city, but the central location also makes it easy to walk to much of the city from here.
Highlights:
- Volunteer Park
- Seattle Asian Art Museum
- Cal Anderson Park
- Broadway Ave. E.
Vacation Rentals
Because of Capitol Hill’s overwhelmingly high-density residential character, there are very few hotels in the neighborhood—and even fewer that truly capture the spirit of the area or cater to the kind of people who want to stay there. Vacation rentals, like those on Sonder, Airbnb, and similar sites offer a way around that.
Silver Cloud Inn
With one of the best locations in the city, right on Broadway and just steps from the heart of the city’s music scene, this hotel could skate by with the bare minimum. Thankfully, it does the opposite, with a surprisingly cheery atmosphere for a standard chain hotel. The best of the 179 rooms have in-room jacuzzi tubs.
- Price: Starting at $209 per night for a double
- Vibe: Cheery chain
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Free wifi, Aveda toiletries, access to a fitness center, refrigerators and microwaves, complimentary laundry facilities
- Website
Where to stay for a romantic trip to Seattle: Ballard
Ballard sits straight north of Seattle but, for many purposes, on another planet. Away from the skyscrapers and busy streets of the center and located on the shores of Shilshole Bay, this former fishing village is now a charming modern neighborhood with tons of adorable independent boutiques, hot restaurants, and lovely waterfront walks. A romantic getaway in Ballard offers all the creature comforts of a city stay, with the scenic beachfront walks of an island adventure.
Highlights:
- Ballard Locks
- National Nordic Museum
- Ballard Farmers Market
- Golden Gardens Park
- Ballard Avenue
- Ballard Brewery District
Hotel Ballard
Classic elegance meets modern technology in the comfortable luxury of Hotel Ballard. Blackout drapes, tufted headboards, and plush robes in every room make it ideal for a romantic getaway, and the suites also include soaking tubs and fireplaces. The location on Ballard Avenue is right in the middle of the buzzing neighborhood, including the Sunday farmers market.
- Price: Starting at $299 per night for a double
- Vibe: Classic elegance
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Access to adjacent fitness center with pool and spa, blackout drapes
- Website
Vacation Rentals
Considering the number of great tourist sites and excellent restaurants and shops, Ballard has surprisingly few hotels. But romance seekers would do well to search Airbnb or similar sites for the perfect waterfront-view townhouse or Market Street apartment. Just use caution and a map: Ballard extends two miles north and east from the busy commercial sections, so check locations before booking.
Where to stay on a budget in Seattle: International District-Chinatown
Seattle’s historic Chinatown and Japantown come together with the more recent Little Saigon to form a united Asian American community just south of Downtown. With a Link Light Rail Station, the First Hill Streetcar, and King Street Station for trains, the neighborhood is easy to get to, plus Pioneer Square and the city’s two main major league sports stadiums sit adjacent. Along with a bounty of incredible restaurants serving trendy versions of Vietnamese pho, classic Chinese-American cuisine, and pristine sushi, it sports the must-visit Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience. Although there are few hotels and the area tends to get quiet late at night, budget travelers will find rooms and restaurants to suit their wallet here.
Highlights:
- Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
- Uwajimaya Shopping Center
- Seattle Pinball Museum
- Kobe Terrace Park
HI-Seattle at the American Hotel
A traditional youth hostel just down the block from the Chinatown Gate, this clean-but-barebones facility offers shared and private rooms, with free internet and access to a shared kitchen and social spaces.
- Price: Starting at $44 for a single bed in a shared room
- Vibe: Spare but friendly
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Access to shared kitchen and social spaces, lockers
- Website
Embassy Suites
Although technically located just across Fourth Avenue and down the King Street Station stairs from the Chinatown-International District, it’s the best budget option for a traditional hotel stay in the area. The huge complex across the parking lot from Lumen Field (home of the Seattle Seahawks) offers simple yet well-equipped rooms.
- Price: Starting at $222 per night for a double
- Vibe: Modern comfort
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Kitchenettes, workspaces, Amazon Echo speakers, free breakfast and afternoon reception, sun deck, fitness center, indoor pool
- Website
Where to stay for nightlife in Seattle: The Pike/Pine Corridor
The Pike/Pine Corridor follows these sibling streets from 15th Ave E., at the top of Capitol Hill, down the hill toward Downtown, where they cross I-5. This area also happens to be the core of the city’s most exciting nightlife. From massive queer dance clubs to tiny intimate music venues, high-end craft cocktails to storied dive bars, this is the place to stay for visitors whose plans include sleeping only after the sun comes up. The heart of the area centers on Broadway Ave E. to 12th Ave. and extends a block or two in each direction.
Highlights:
Homewood Suites
This otherwise perfunctory standard chain hotel really stands out for its location at the foot of Pike Street. It’s a hike uphill to the clubs, but that means guests only need to roll downhill at the end of the night. The rooms are designed as suites for extended stays, so they are large with kitchenettes and living areas and, to put it bluntly, decorated blandly.
- Price: Starting at $124 per night for a suite
- Vibe: Roomy and useful
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Fitness center, free breakfast, kitchenettes, seasonal outdoor pool
- Website
Gaslight Inn
A block from the top of the Pike/Pine Corridor, this modern bed and breakfast fills an old mansion with charming rooms. Although it eschews the lace and potpourri of stereotypes, there are house cats and the rooms here still lean homey (many include shared bathrooms). The upside is a warm, personal welcome, seasonal outdoor pool, and terrific location.
- Price: Starting at $188 per night for a double with shared bath
- Vibe: Modern charm
- Wifi: Yes
- Kid Friendly: No (children are not permitted at the Gaslight Inn)
- Amenities: Koi pond, seasonal outdoor pool, free breakfast
- Website
Where to stay in the city center in Seattle
If staying in the middle of everything is the most important thing, Seattle’s downtown hotels will get you close to the most popular tourist attractions and the public transit hubs. The trendy and fun Palihotel Seattle sits just across the street from Pike Place Market, and just up the block, guests will find the serious luxury of the Thompson Hotel and upscale Charter Hotel, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection. The Four Seasons brings its crisp brand of elegance to First Avenue, while Hotel Andra lures guests with Scandinavian-Seattle style on Fourth Avenue.
