Photo: Dllu · CC BY-SA 4.0Where to Stay
A practical guide to the best hotels in Seattle by area, budget and style, from Pike Place Market and waterfront stays to historic downtown landmarks.
Choosing the best hotels in Seattle starts with deciding where you want to spend your time.
Downtown and the Pike Place Market area put you within walking distance of the market, the waterfront, the Seattle Art Museum and light rail, while Belltown and Seattle Center are close to the Space Needle and the monorail.
South Lake Union suits business travelers and newer hotels, and hotels near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport are practical for early flights.
Seattle hotels range from historic landmarks, including a grand hotel that opened in 1924, to a hotel built over Elliott Bay, small inns inside Pike Place Market, design-forward boutique hotels and large full-service properties near the convention center.
Prices rise in summer, when cruise ships sail to Alaska, and during big conventions and events, so check the calendar before booking. Parking is expensive downtown, and many visitors manage without a car.
This guide is organized by area and by type of stay, to help you find the right base. We start with our top picks across the city, then sort them by the best areas to stay, couples, views and rooftops, families, luxury, boutique character, spas and budget options.
The best hotel in each category, if you just want to book.
| Category | Our pick | |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Fairmont Olympic Hotel | Check Price |
| Couples | The Edgewater | Check Price |
| With a View or Rooftop | The Edgewater | Check Price |
| Family-Friendly Hotels | The Maxwell Hotel | Check Price |
| Luxury Hotels | Four Seasons Hotel Seattle | Check Price |
| Boutique Hotels | Inn at the Market | Check Price |
| Spa Hotels | Four Seasons Hotel Seattle | Check Price |
| Budget & Value Hotels | Mayflower Park Hotel | Check Price |
📍 Downtown
Opened in 1924, the Fairmont Olympic is Seattle's grand historic hotel, with elegant public rooms, an indoor pool, a spa and polished service. It is a classic choice for a traditional luxury stay close to the Seattle Art Museum and the shopping district.
Book Now📍 Downtown
Steps from Pike Place Market and the Seattle Art Museum, the Four Seasons is known for its outdoor heated infinity pool overlooking Elliott Bay, its spa and its rooms with bay and city views.
Book Now📍 Pike Place Market
The only hotel inside Pike Place Market, this small hotel has many rooms with views of Elliott Bay and a guest-only rooftop deck overlooking the market, the water and the mountains. A favorite for its location and Seattle character.
Book Now📍 Waterfront
Built over Elliott Bay on Pier 67, The Edgewater is Seattle's waterfront hotel, with rooms featuring gas fireplaces, water views and its Six Seven restaurant. It is the closest hotel to the Pier 66 cruise terminal.
Book Now📍 Downtown
A modern luxury hotel in a downtown tower, with polished rooms, excellent bathrooms, strong upper-floor views and the Charlotte Restaurant & Lounge. The area is quieter at night.
Book Now📍 Belltown
A design-forward hotel with floor-to-ceiling windows, some west-facing rooms with water and mountain views and The Nest, a popular rooftop bar. Close to Pike Place Market and Belltown.
Book Now📍 South Lake Union
A newer luxury hotel with an eco-minded design, close to Lake Union, the tech offices of South Lake Union and the streetcar.
Book Now📍 Downtown
Set in a historic brick-and-stone building near the waterfront, the Alexis offers rooms of varied sizes, some large suites and a quieter location at night.
Book Now📍 Belltown
A boutique hotel with Scandinavian-inspired design and Lola restaurant on site, with rooms ranging from compact studios to larger suites.
Book Now📍 Downtown
A stylish hotel close to Pike Place Market, with design-forward rooms and a central location for exploring downtown on foot.
Book NowLocation matters in Seattle, because hills are steep and each neighborhood offers a different experience.
Downtown and Pike Place Market are best for sightseeing on foot, Belltown and Seattle Center for the Space Needle and nightlife, South Lake Union for newer hotels and the airport area for early flights.
Close to shopping, museums, the convention center and light rail.
In the heart of the action, steps from the market and the waterfront.
Bay views and easy access to ferries and cruise terminals.
Restaurants, bars and boutique hotels between downtown and Seattle Center.
Close to the Space Needle, museums and arenas.
Newer hotels near Lake Union and the streetcar.
Neighborhood character, nightlife and historic hotels.
Near the University of Washington and on the light rail.
Upscale hotels across Lake Washington, linked by light rail.
Convenient for early flights, with light rail to downtown.
Seattle has many romantic hotels for couples, from water-view rooms and fireplaces to elegant historic lobbies and rooftop bars. Ask for a room facing the bay and look for packages with dinner or spa treatments.
Fireplaces and rooms over the water.
Bay views and the market at your door.
An infinity pool overlooking Elliott Bay.
Historic elegance downtown.
Modern luxury with high-floor views.
Design and a rooftop bar.
A historic, intimate atmosphere.
Water and mountain views set Seattle hotels apart. On clear days, rooms facing west look out over Elliott Bay to the Olympic Mountains, and rooftop decks catch spectacular sunsets.
Rooms built over Elliott Bay.
A rooftop deck over the market and the bay.
Bay views from the pool and many rooms.
The Nest rooftop bar.
Upper-floor views over the city.
High-floor views of the city and the water.
A rooftop deck near Seattle Center.
Seattle has many family-friendly hotels, especially near Seattle Center and the waterfront. Look for pools, kitchens and connecting rooms, and check parking costs if you are driving.
Near the Space Needle and Seattle Center museums.
Kitchen facilities near Seattle Center.
A pool and an easy walk to the aquarium.
An indoor pool and large rooms.
Larger rooms for longer stays.
An indoor pool in a historic setting.
Seattle's luxury hotels combine Pacific Northwest style, polished service, bay views and excellent restaurants. Most are downtown, within walking distance of Pike Place Market.
Luxury with an infinity pool and bay views.
The grand historic hotel since 1924.
Modern luxury in a downtown tower.
Eco-minded luxury in South Lake Union.
Luxury on the water.
Seattle's boutique hotels offer character and design, from small inns inside the market to restored historic buildings and Scandinavian-inspired interiors.
A small hotel inside Pike Place Market.
Scandinavian-inspired design in Belltown.
Stylish rooms near the market.
Design-heavy and compact.
Simple style in Belltown.
A historic building near the waterfront.
Several Seattle-area hotels have excellent spas, perfect for unwinding after a day of sightseeing in the drizzle. Some of the best are a short drive from the city. Book treatments in advance.
A spa and an outdoor infinity pool.
Spa amenities in a historic hotel.
A modern downtown spa hotel.
A spa lodge at Snoqualmie Falls, east of the city.
A spa lodge in Woodinville wine country.
Seattle hotels can be expensive, especially in summer, but there are good-value options. Look outside the core, near light rail stations, or travel in the off-season for lower rates.
Good value in the heart of downtown.
Simple, stylish rooms in Belltown.
Good value near Seattle Center.
An older hotel with some Space Needle views.
Compact, modern rooms.
Lower rates with a train to downtown.
Visit from November to March for lower prices.
Downtown and the Pike Place Market area are the most convenient for a first visit, with the market, the waterfront, museums and light rail within walking distance. Belltown and Seattle Center are good for the Space Needle and nightlife.
Pike Place Market is better for walking to the waterfront, restaurants and downtown sights, while Seattle Center is closer to the Space Needle, museums and Climate Pledge Arena. The monorail connects the two areas in a few minutes.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is south of the city and connected to downtown by Link light rail. Staying near the airport makes sense for early flights or a short layover; otherwise, stay downtown and take the train.
Most downtown hotels charge for parking, often with valet only. Check the total price, including taxes and fees, before booking, and consider going car-free, since the city center is walkable and well served by transit.
Families often choose hotels near Seattle Center, close to the Space Needle, the Pacific Science Center and MoPOP, or on the waterfront near the aquarium. Hotels with kitchens or pools are popular for longer stays.
Prices are highest in summer, from June to September, when the weather is best and cruise ships depart for Alaska, and during major conventions and events. Late fall and winter often offer lower rates.
