Where To Stay In Seattle: Coolest Hotels By Neighborhood
Check out our getaway guide for where to stay in Seattle to help you plan your trip like a pro. With tons of amazing Seattle hotel options from artsy hotels, hipster hotels, amazing boutique hotels, and B& Bs you cant go wrong with which area you choose to stay in.
Be sure to also check out what to do in Seattle for a first time visitor if this is your first trip!
Pioneer Square And Chinatown: The Best Districts In Seattle For Nightlife
Pioneer Square is the social capital of Seattle.
Its Occidental Park is buzzing and bustling night and day, especially during the summer months, with live music playing, children running, families enjoying a picnic outside, and food stalls selling delicious and freshly-made foods.
There is also a considerable amount of local history to be found here, including the Underground Tour and Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.
Things to do in Pioneer Square and Chinatown
- Take the Underground Tour: Decades ago, an enormous fire burned up Seattle and buried half of it. The city was then rebuilt anew on top of the old one, but the ruins of the old underground city can still be toured, and the tour starts in Pioneer Square
- Explore Occidental Park: This park in Pioneer Square is rammed full of people enjoying the summer sun, live music, and street food. A great place to soak up the atmosphere.
- Visit the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park: This is a lesser-known historic park that honors the memory of those explorers who passed through Seattle on their way to Alaska in search of their fortune.
Queen Anne Where To Stay In Seattle For Your First Visit
Queen Anne is a haven for sightseers and culture vultures. Its centrally located and home to some of Seattles most iconic landmarks. Its where you can enjoy the best views of the city, and is our pick for where to stay if youre visiting Seattle for the first time.
Notable Queen Anne attractions include the Seattle Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture, the Seattle Monorail, the Childrens Museum, and Discovery Park.
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Queen Anne: Historic And Cultural
An affluent neighborhood that spreads over two main sections, Queen Anne is a blend of residential and commercial areas. Upper Queen Anne features historic mansions with fantastic views of the city, while Lower Queen Anne slopes down into Seattle Center and some of the citys major attractions, as well as the majority of the accommodation options. Queen Anne offers a slightly more local feel than downtown but still offers proximity to the city center.
Pros and Cons
Pros:Its proximity to Seattle Center, home to many of the citys major attractions, is definitely in Queen Annes favor. The homes and views in Queen Anne are undeniably beautiful as well, offering a blend between urban and residential feel.
Cons:Queen Anne is quite spread out so depending on where you are staying and where you want to go, you might be conquering some big hills or having to take transportation. I dont find the restaurant and nightlife scene in Queen Anne as vibrant, nor the energy of the neighborhood as welcoming as other places in Seattle.
Queen Anne Highlights
The Best Places to Stay in Queen Anne
StayPineapple Maxwell Hotel:The Maxwell Hotel is situated right in the heart of Queen Anne in Seattle Center. The bright, bold art and murals bring this mid-range, dog-friendly hotel to life. Borrow their bikes to cruise around town and then come refresh in their pool after your day out.
Other Seattle Neighborhoods To Skip

To help you continue narrowing down where not to stay in Seattle, here are a few other neighborhoods Id avoid if possible and why:
There you have it what I consider to be the best areas to stay in Seattle, and where not to stay too. I hope this helps you narrow it down as you browse the maps of hotels all over the city. Have any questions about where to stay in Seattle? Let me know in the comments!
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Safest Downtown Area To Stay
I will be attending a wedding in the Pioneer Square area of Seattle. I have read multiple reports that hotels in the area are frequently exposed to sites of active drug users, etc. Is there a better section within the downtown area that is less exposed to pan handlers and drug addicts? Our group will include young children.
Where did you read that?
I work in Pioneer Square. I am sitting here right now. I have never been “frequently exposed to sites of active drug users”.
Yes there are homeless people and pan handlers pretty much everywhere in downtown but they do you no harm.
Edited: 3 years ago
1. Youre really not going to see much if any drug paraphernalia. The worst I see is someone smoking pot in public, and those are more likely college students.
2. Homeless/panhandlers are all over the tourist areas. Maybe intimidating to some visitors but at worst unsightly. Largely harmless.
Im unclear of what youre worried about. Hotel security? That just wont be an issue, especially if you stay at a high end or moderate hotel, which is mostly what is in that area. Walking past a panhandler on your way to the wedding? Um, pack blindfolds for the kids?
It’s a less obvious in the South Lake Union area , and a bit less obvious along 1st Avenue and then near the Nordstrom between 5th & 6th Avenue .
I think you might be more comfortable at a hotel either in the downtown core near the department stores , in Belltown , or even up around the Seattle Center area .
Edited: 3 years ago
A Note About Our Hotel Recommendations In This Seattle Neighbourhood Guide
Our hope with this Where to Stay in Seattle Guide is to make it painless for you to find the best area to stay in Seattleno matter your travel budget, style or goals for the trip.
To do that, we hire locals to write these guides. We are always on the lookout for experts who can impart their knowledge to make your trip better, by sharing the best areas to stay in a city as well as some tips in terms of what to do when you get there! But heres the thinglocals dont live in hotels, and rarely have reason to stay in a hotel in their own home city! And as disappointing as this is to us, were not descended from wealth media czars, and so its not financially feasible for us to send someone to 30 different hotels to try them out. In the past, weve simply outlined the neighborhoods, and left the hotel research up to you. But based on all the emails we received, people also wanted help choosing a specific hotel, and so weve tried to strike a compromise.
Basically, we end up doing loads of research into hotels and apartments, and list the properties that based on our research we would love to stay in, or would be happy suggesting to a friend or family member. We havent personally been to these hotels, but weve ask ourselves things like: Have past guests left fantastic reviews? Does it look like somewhere Id like to stay? Does it seem to be in a great location for enjoying Seattle? If it ticks those boxes, weve added it to the list.
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Best Hotel In Capitol Hill: Bacon Mansion
The comfortable and quaint Bacon Mansion is a great place to stay in Capitol Hill. The bed and breakfast has individually decorated apartments, as well as a library and garden. A lavish breakfast is provided daily including fresh fruit salad and muffins, and tea and coffee are available throughout the day.
The Edgewater A Noble House Hotel
The Edgewater a Noble House Hotel.
Smack dab in the centre of the city, this four-star hotel is the perfect base to sample Seattles top offerings. The Edgewater is moments away from local attractions like Olympic Sculpture Park but with sweeping views of the waterfront, you may not want to leave. Adding to the Edgewaters luxury feel, guests can enjoy an on-site lounge and restaurant, express check-in and check-out, valet parking, and free shuttle service.
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Utilize The Bus System
Finding parking in Seattle can be difficult, especially if youre staying within or around downtown. Paid parking lots will end up costing you a premium. Luckily, the public transit system is convenient, inexpensive, and extremely easy to use. You can even use the OneBusAway app to help you plan out your routes!
Best Boutique Hotel In Seattle: Hotel Max
Located downtown just 10 minutes from Pike Place Market, one of the best areas to stay in Seattle, Hotel Max is a fun modern hotel with an artsy edgy vibe. They have an extensive pop art collection and even have hand-assembled Shinola bicycles for getting around the city.
Hotel Max even has a complimentary craft beer hour, as well as locally brewed coffee and original art in each of the rooms. The hallway of each floor is dedicated to a different Seattle photographer, and the hotel also hosts original works of art from Warhol and Kiki Smith.
The best part? Hotel Max is dog-friendly.
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Find Cheap Deals And Discount Rates That Best Fit Your Budget
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Best Hostel In Pioneer Square: Hi Seattle At The American Hotel

Located in Seattles hip Pioneer Square District is the HI Seattle Hostel. Its our favorite place to stay in Seattle on a budget, thanks to its free wifi and delicious complimentary breakfast. You wont have to spend a lot on public transport either, as many top bars, clubs, and attractions can be reached on foot.
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Where To Stay In Seattle: Best Areas
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Are you wondering where to stay in Seattle? Here well guide you through the best places to stay in Seattle, along with the recommended sights and activities to get the most out of your visit.
Located on the Pacific Northwests Puget Sound, Seattle is a celebration of both the modern and pioneer. Famed for its seafood, music, architecture, and unique attractions such as the Space Needle, its no wonder an estimated 40 million visitors from around the world visit Seattle each year.
With so many things to do and see, Seattle may seem like an intimidating metropolis to navigate however, you may be surprised to find just how easy the Emerald City is to get around in, with many of the most popular areas in close proximity to one another.
Like most major U.S. cities Seattle boasts an exceptional public transportation system, and if you plan to stay longer than a night in Seattle, its definitely worth looking into an ORCA pass, which can save you both time and money while you get the most out of your stay in Seattle.
Seattle Center Central Location And Great For Getting Around
Planned for the 1962 Worlds Fair, this civic area contains more than 30 cultural, educational, and entertainment organizations, along with a legion of public and community programs through which thousands of Seattles events are planned each year.
Today guests can stroll the grounds, enjoy a live music or theater performance, pop into one of the many campus galleries, and savor an abundance of dining and shopping experiences besides.
You shouldnt have any trouble finding a hotel, of which there are many in the immediate and surrounding areas.
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Final Thoughts On Where To Stay In Seattle
Seattle is a safe destination and an incredible place to be. Its where history and modernity, nature and city blend seamlessly. From massive parks and unique art installations to world-class shopping, great restaurants, and a legendary music scene, theres something for everyone.
Still not sure where to stay in Seattle? Our pick for the best hotel is Staypineapple at the Maxwell Hotel. Set in vibrant Queen Anne, this hotel is modern, spacious, and enjoys a central location.
If youre traveling on a budget, we recommend Clean & Spacious Private Room in Belltown. Not only is it within walking distance of the best bars, clubs, and restaurants in the city, but it has great facilities and large rooms.
Have we missed anything? Still dont know where to stay in Seattle? Let us know in the comments below.
And dont forget to take out Travel Insurance for your trip! I have been using World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. Theyre easy to use, professional and relatively affordable. They may also let you buy or extend a policy once youve started your trip and are already abroad which is super handy.
Getting an estimate from World Nomads is simple just click the button or image below, fill out the necessary info, and youre on your way!
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What Is The Area Best For
From Downtown, hop on the monorail at Westlake Centre and float above the traffic en route to a dose of culture courtesy of the Seattle Centre. This 74-acre site is home to a number of museums, performing arts and concert venues, and the International Fountain, which blasts music as it delights you with 137 jets of water. Ride the great glass elevator to the 160m observation deck of the iconic Space Needle for the best views of the city, Mount Rainier, the islands of Puget Sound and the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. Check out the colourful exhibits at Chihuly Garden and Glass. The Museum of Pop Culture is a fantastic way to spend a few hours, particularly on one of Seattles rainy days. The Museum was founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and covers all areas of pop culture from music and movies to video games and literature. Learn about how Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana started their careers on the streets of Seattle, record your own demo, and check out props and costumes from film and TV. Seattle Art Museum is a real winner, but bear in mind if you want to see it all, you will need at least four hours. Be sure to check out their exceptional collection of Native America art hailing from the Pacific Northwest. SAM has two other sites in the city, the Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park in Capitol Hill, and the Olympic Sculpture Park, which is located on Elliott Bay.
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Things To Do In The University District
While its possible to catch glimpses of Mount Rainiers majestic beauty from various vantage points in the city, the 14,410ft stratovolcano is best seen from the University of Washingtons Red Square. If youre knocking around this neck of the woods on a clear day, its the very best place in town for a photo. If Mount Rainier is calling your name, its possible to visit on a day tour from Seattle for around $40, with a spot of snowshoeing thrown in. Youll visit the lakes, forests and waterfalls of Mount Rainier National Park, as well as some of the mountains 26 glaciers. Keep those eyes peeled for black bears, coyotes and elk! If youre in town in spring, the 200 cherry blossoms at the University are a remarkable sight, even if flowers dont usually float your boat. Speaking of boats the U District is a great place to hop on a boat tour of Seattles waterways.
When Seattle is living up to its rainy reputation, visit the Grand Illusion Cinema Seattles oldest-running. The cinema has a reputation for showing the most cutting-edge movies, plus its housed in an old dentist office. If you love an escape room, hit up Ninja Zombie Escape or Quest Factor. Check whats on at The Neptune Theatre, as they regularly host great rock, hip hop and comedy acts.