Where To Stay In Seattle: A Complete Guide To The 8 Best Places To Stay In Seattle
The best places to stay in Seattle vary based on personal preference and exactly what you are looking for. This comprehensive breakdown of some of Seattles major neighborhoods should help guide your decision.
Looking to find the right place to stay for your style, budget, and group size, but dont have time to read the entire guide below?
We hear you, and weve got you covered. Though wed would recommend heading down and reading the section youre most interested in to get a locals take on the best places to eat, drink, visit, and stay within that neighborhood.
- If its your first time in Seattle: Stay in Central Seattle in either Downtown, Belltown, or South Lake Union.
- If youve been to Seattle before and done the downtown stuff: Stay in either Capitol Hill, Ballard, or Fremont.
- If youre looking for a more local feel with fewer tourists: Stay in Ballard or Fremont.
- If youre a family with kids: Wed recommend Fremont, Queen Anne, or Ballard, which are more residential and low-key.
- If youre on a budget: Look at the University District, Fremont, or Ballard .
Where To Stay In Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill is one of the most populated neighbourhoods in Seattle and is very busy as a result. But that makes it even cooler, thanks to its vibrant quarters. Accommodation fills up rapidly. Book early and be prepared to use public transport. But it will all be worth it as this area is legendary for sure.
Luxury: Hotel Palihotel Seattle
Palihotel Seattle offers accommodation in Seattle near Pike Place Market and Space Needle. This hotel was featured in the top 30 hotels in the Pacific Northwest. It offers a restaurant, a bar as well as a coffee bar and a cosy lobby lounge. It’s perfect for tourists who want to be close to attractions!
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Which Area Should You Choose
First of all, here is a map of all the best neighborhoods in Seattle that I am going to talk about in this post, so you can get a better idea:
As I mentioned before, Seattle is made of many different neighborhoods and each of them is different from the others. Even if you choose only one of them to be the base for your stay, Id definitely recommend visiting as many parts of the city as you can, so you can get an accurate overview of just how exciting this city can be!
In order to make your choice easier, I have made a list of personalized recommendations for you, check it out below:
- Where to stay in Seattle for luxury: Downtown Seattle
- Best area to stay in Seattle for budget travelers: Belltown
- Where to stay in Seattle for nightlife: Pioneer Square
- Where to stay in Seattle for families: Seattle Downtown
Now that you understand more about how the city is organized and which neighborhood is best for what need, let me tell you about each of them in-depth:
You Wont Be Left Sleepless In Seattle
Traveling with kids and dog in tow? Planning a weekend with friends? How about a romantic getaway? Whatever you want for your stay, you can find it at Seattles wide variety of hotels. The citys diverse lodging options range from historic and elegant accommodations in the heart of the city to on-trend hotels with urban art and sleek designs. Many Seattle hotels feature fantastic on-site restaurants and bars, while others are steps from famous sights like the calm waters of Elliott Bay and the iconic Space Needle.
If you would like personalized suggestions for hotels, you may , email, or call our friendly Seattle concierges at 206-461-5840 . Well steer you in the right direction!
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Perfect Weekend Getaways Near Seattle
This article originally appeared in the August 2015issue of Seattle Magazine.
From farm stays in the San Juan Islands and deluxe pampering at heritage resorts to small-town exploring and more, we pack plenty of pleasurebut zero stressinto your precious weekend. So, get going!
1. Destination: San Juan IslandsIn some hot and humid archipelagos, island cuisine is shorthand for frozen fish flown in from far away and sweet, boozy drinks with plastic monkeys hanging from sugar-coated rims. Not so in our San Juans. The green islands with blue bays are as beloved for their food as for their beautyespecially two of the largest, San Juan and Orcas islands. Shucking oysters at Westcott Bay Shellfish Company on San Juan Island Photo: Holly Price
Think: Oysters you shuck and slurp on the beach, fat pears, spicy cider. You wont find these taste sensations in Seattle, because they are farmed, fished and foraged in such small quantities that they get gobbled up on the islands and dont even make it to the mainland.
Once upon a time, back before dams brought irrigation to eastern Washington, much of Seattles produce came from farms and orchards in the San Juans. These days, a new generation is reviving that agricultural tradition and hosting city-weary visitors at farms, where you can immerse yourself in rural bliss for a night or two savor heirloom, organic and wild harvests and return home recharged.
3. EllensburgThe majestic Yakima River Canyon Photo: Phil Augustavo
Washington Lodging & Seattle Vacation Rentals You Don’t Want To Miss
There are many cool places to stay in Seattle, but there are also many unique stays in Washington immediately surrounding the city! Outside Seattle, you can camp on the beach or in the forest while still in proximity to the city. Find Mt. Rainier cabins and national park camping, kayak the San Juan Islands, or go camping on the Olympic Peninsula. Theres so much to do when you book one of Glamping Hubs unique hotels in Washington State. So look no further for cool places to stay near Seattle! WA lodging options are close to some of the best places to visit, including Camano Island State Park, Ocean City State Park, Second Beach, and Birch Bay State Park. These areas offer a variety of outdoor activities like biking, kayaking, surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, swimming, whale-watching, and fishing. With these unique places to stay near Seattle and fun places to stay in WA, you will just want to forget about routine. Forget about Washington motels and discover these cool Seattle hotels, where irreplaceable family memories will be made without making hotel reservations. Find the best Washington lodging, Seattle is calling your name so book best places to stay outside Seattle! Lodging has never been easier to find than right here. Seattle accommodations are just a click away so don’t miss out. You’ll love staying at these unique rentals as an alternative to hotels outside of Seattle. Find fun places to stay in Washington State with Glamping Hub.
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Where To Stay In Seattle: Queen Anne
Great area for: Space Needle Childrens Museum MoPOP Central and Walkable
Queen Anne is best split into two parts: the attraction-ladden Lower Queen Anne , and Upper/North Queen Anne, filled with historic houses and upscale boutiques. Lower Queen Anne holds the most interest for visitors, and its what weve focused on in this guide!
If you are visiting Seattle on a kid-free trip, check out the Chihuly Garden and Glass and the newly renamed Museum of Pop Culture / MoPOP If youre up for something more thought provoking, walk across the street to check out the Bill & Melinda Gates Visitors Center, which offers an eye-opening look at creative problem solving around the world.
Further north, Kerry Park is Seattles ultimate Instagram spot, although its best reached via car.
And for a spectacular dining experience, its hard to beat Canlis.
Mediterranean Inn Past guests seem to love the outstanding views of the Space Needle, downtown Seattle, and across to Mount Rainier available at this property. Each room has a kitchenette and updated bathroom, and the amenities from a rooftop deck and courtyard, to an on-site fitness center offer added value at this reasonably priced hotel. KeyArena and the Westlake Center are nearby.
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Get tickets to the Seattle Space Needle observation deck here, and experience Seattle from 500+ feet up!
The Alderbrook Resort & Spa
The Alderbrook Resort & Spa is more than just your average vacation spot:
Their spa offers great options for treating both children and adults to a wonderful day out, and the rest of the hotel is more than enough to keep everyone occupied for the whole vacation.
You wont be bored for a single second, guaranteed!
Amenities like free wi-fi and a large TV are included in every room, and extra amenities like consoles can be granted on request.
On-site restaurants all offer great dining options for adults and kids, and they even cater to those with dietary needs.
The Alderbrook has large enough rooms that older kids can stay in their own part of the unit.
Related: Best Restaurants in Seattle
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Where To Stay In Seattle: University District
Great area for: Foodie Scene University of Washington Young & Relaxed
Encompassing the University of Washington, the U-District is known for not-as-cheap-as-you-might-expect eats.
Voulas was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and serves up a hearty breakfast that can easily be split between 2 people. Almost next door is Northlake Tavern which has one of the most amazing deep dish pizzas in Seattle. For those who love ramen, hit up Samurai Noodle
Once youre full from all the food, be sure to check out the University campus itself, which is lovely. This part of town also has some quaint movie theatres worth a visit, and there is a solid Farmers Market that runs year-round.
Residence Inn by Marriott A large 3-star hotel that has all of the expected amenities for a stay near the university. The rooms are colorful and functional, with a small kitchen space and seating areas that offer some additional space. There is an indoor pool and fitness center, and past guests mention the complimentary breakfast as a value-add bonus. Walking distance to the University.
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The Kimpton Hotel Monaco
The Kimpton Hotel brand, like the Hilton, places a great deal of emphasis on providing a great all-round vacation no matter your reason for visiting and theyve got just as much to do for kids at this hotel as they do for the adults.
Grown-ups can enjoy the pool and on-site restaurants, while kids around 12 will be absolutely astonished by the treasure hunt and other activities.
For smaller visitors, the Kimpton Hotel also happens to offer added childcare services for when adults need some time to themselves .
Things like gaming consoles are even provided at the Kimpton on request but remember to ask for it at the front desk if youd like this for yourself or the kids.
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Where To Stay In Seattle: Complete Guide To 7 Great Areas
Grunge music. Coffee. Rain. These are a few things that Seattle is known for. Today, Seattle is world-renowned as the birthplace of Amazon and Microsoft, but there is so much more to this city for visitors to explore. I grew up in a suburb of Seattle, and lived in the city for 5+ years in the early 2000s, when Amazon was not the dominant force that it is today, and now we split our time between the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and traveling.
I have a strong perspective on the best areas to stay in the city, and Im sharing them with you below to help you find the perfect place to stay for your trip. Below, youll find a guide to where to stay in Seattle from a Seattleite, with options for every budget and travel style.
I should say that this is by no means a complete picture of everywhere you could stay in Seattle. You could totally stay in West Seattle and spend your time exploring Alki Beach and going to Sound and Fog, one of the best coffee shops in Seattle. But getting from West Seattle to the rest of the city can be a pain, especially now that the bridge is closed, so I wouldnt recommend staying there for your first time in Seattle.
Think of this as a list of the places we will consider staying next time we find ourselves visiting Seattle. Which is, honestly, no matter when youre reading this, is probably soon.
The Marriott Residence Inn
The Residence Inn is part of the Marriott line of hotels, and its a great place if youre looking for a kid-friendly hotel thats exciting enough for kids and modern enough for adults.
While some might find the decor to be too loud and bright, if you can deal with the mixtures of red, orange and green part of the rooms, youll surely enjoy your stay.
Rooms are large, and amenities like free wi-fi and a daily breakfast are included in the deal.
Theres also a pool that happens to be kid-friendly and also great for adults.
For kids who need a little more to do, the Musem of History and Industry is located right around the corner from the hotel, with special programs for kids.
Related:Fun Things to Do in Seattle with Kids
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Budget: Silver Cloud Inn
If Silver Cloud Inn seems like a luxe budget hotel, it is because it is. It may seem a little pricey compared to others in our where to stay in Seattle guide. However, Silver Cloud Inn is easily the best budget-friendly hotel in South Lake. The area has many expensive hotels and also lots of cheap hotels with poor reviews, so Silver Cloud is your best choice.
Each room features a microwave and refrigerator perfect for saving money by avoiding cafes and restaurants. Guests also have coffee-making facilities in each room, so you can start your day with a caffeine fix. Most room options include a continental breakfast as well. Check out availability and rates on TripAdvisor / Booking
Hotel Ballard An Intimate And Romantic Hotel With Plush Historic Style Interiors
The Ballard is made for couples reconnecting with a romantic getaway. Hotel Ballard is the only hotel serving the Ballard, Fremont, and Wallingford neighborhoods, but its location still manages to ensure easy access to Seattles many attractions. Though boutique, it provides access to premium amenities.
Lovers can enjoy a workout together at the Olympic Athletic Club & Spa, and when your appetite is piqued, enjoy authentic French cuisine in the Stoneburner. The twenty-nine rooms are apex luxury with lush linens, Molten Brown products, soft robes, and sumptuous bathrooms, as well as Wi-Fi, TV, hairdryers, safes, and coffee makers.
Prices from $230 per night. To book, check prices or availability for the Hotel Ballard Seattle
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Best Hotel In Belltown: La Quinta Inn & Suites Seattle Downtown
With its central location, comfortable rooms and plenty of amenities, La Quinta Inn & Suites is a fantastic choice for your time in Seattle. This hotel is close to the neighbourhoods best restaurants, bars and shops. It has spacious rooms and private bathrooms, and there are even on-site laundry facilities.
Where To Stay In Seattle On A Budget
La Quinta Inn and Suites Seattle Downtown is a reliable budget hotel in a convenient downtown location. A nearby Whole Foods allows for a few cost-cutting meals in the room, making use of the included microwave and college-size refrigerator.
All major attractions are close by, including the Space Needle less than a half mile away. Breakfast, Wi-Fi, cable, and parking are provided at no extra charge in this pet-friendly hotel that offers a military discount as well.
If free bike cruisers and outdoor space with views of the city skyline are important factors for your stay, try the BellTown Inn. Although there are only vending machines available for food, all the rooms are equipped with kitchenettes, and plenty of restaurants have opened in this area, conveniently nestled between the City Center and Queen Anne Hill. Pet owners love the dog-friendly vibe and location of a nearby dog park.
Budget-minded guests can’t beat the central location of Executive Hotel Pacific. In-room amenities include free Wi-Fi and cozy robes. A soothing décor compliments the property’s signature Dream Escape bedding. Paid parking offers in-and-out privileges, and there is a cardio fitness center. Across the street is the much-admired architecture of the Seattle Public Library.
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Where To Stay In Seattle: Seattles Coolest Neighborhoods
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Where to Stay in Seattle: Advice from a local about the best neighborhoods to stay in Seattle, USA!
We created this guide in collaboration with , a lifelong resident of Seattle and local family and travel blogger. Were thrilled to welcome her as our local city expert for this Where to Stay in Seattle Guide.
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Ive lived in the Seattle-area since I was born, but it wasnt until I moved away during college that I realized how much I truly enjoy Seattle and everything the city has to offer .
At the tip of the northern finger, youll find the artsy neighborhoods of Freemont and Wallingford, the Scandinavian flavour of Ballard, and the University District.