Hotels in Seattle: Seattle is known as a tech hub with great outdoor culture and a strong coffee scene. The city has more than 200 miles of shoreline, and there are several secret beaches, such as Andover Place, for beachgoers. Many of our favorite Seattle hotels are located in the heart of downtown, within easy walking distance of the waterfront and top attractions like Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, and the Glass and Museum of Pop Culture.
If you need guidance, most hotels have helpful concierge services to help with reservations and insider tips, like skipping the absurdly long line outside the original Starbucks a few blocks away in favor of Storyville Coffee. Seattle’s culinary scene is a true powerhouse: be sure to visit Classic Aqua by El Gaucho for views of Elliott Bay paired with the freshest local ingredients during your Seattle stay.
Whether you’re visiting for the sprawling attractions or the food crawl, check out our list of favorite Seattle hotels for the absolute best experience.
The 7 Best Seattle Hotels
- Fairmont Olympic
Spanish design studio Lázaro Rosa-Violán has transformed the main lobby, lobby bar, and event space of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel with a $25 million renovation in 2021. Statement pieces such as the historic 300-pound chandelier remain in the Spanish foyer and ballroom, while the original terrazzo and marble floors have been brought back to their original splendor.
Guest rooms are a classic modern design, with ample counter space and necessary bedside outlets. The marble bathrooms also feature Le Labo toiletries.
Although not operated by the hotel, Penelope and The Beauty Bar on the lower level has a wider range of spa and beauty services than most hotels, including nail, hair, eyelashes, and med spa injections and fillers. For dinner, the new restaurant The George is a contemporary French brasserie with romantic touches and plenty of booth seating for canoodling. The local geodak crudo with homemade white shouyu (soy sauce) is fantastic and the homemade nori sourdough with grilled artichokes is perfect for scooping up excess melted butter.
- Lotte Hotel Seattle
Seattle’s newest and coolest luxury hotel consists of two buildings: a 44-story tower filled with modern rooms, a restaurant, gym, and spa. In addition, next door is a historic 1908 Beaux-style building that was formerly America’s first United Methodist church with beautifully preserved stained-glass windows, a pipe organ, and vaulted ceilings.
Designer Philippe Starck pairs dark copper-hued hallways with bright, spacious rooms with eye-catching mirrors everywhere. The front desk, crafted from 3,000-year-old sequoia tree logs, pays homage to Seattle’s logging town origins, with rustic tree stump side tables and motifs throughout the room. With high-end touches like Luigi Bormioli wine glasses, no expense is spared in the guest rooms.
Soft white corridors feel like a way to heaven at Le Spa Lotte. You’ll definitely be floating on clouds and glowing like an angel after facials with the exclusive French skincare line Biologique Recherche. Pad at the spa in a robe and slippers after breakfast by relaxing in bed—the avocado toast is excellent.
The Charlotte Restaurant and Bar is open for breakfast and dinner on the 16th floor, offering excellent renditions of troll-cotted king salmon, Talegio Gnocchi, and Wagyu beef short rib. Pastry chef Artis Culson is fantastic, so save space for desserts like the Lemon Yuzu Tart with Matcha Gelato Meringue and Raspberry Red Velvet Soufflé.
- Four Seasons Hotel Seattle
In discreet Four Seasons fashion, children and families are well cared for, with adjoining rooms and facilities welcoming children of all ages. There’s everything from cookies and milk to popcorn for toddlers and a complimentary movie pass (from an on-demand selection) for tweens and teens. Plus, the hotel’s location is close to family-friendly attractions such as Pike Place Market, the Seattle Aquarium, the Seattle Art Museum, and the Seattle Great Wheel.
Parents can request babysitting services so they can enjoy adults-only time at the spa, where the massages are heavenly and include a special digital detox massage to relieve tension in the shoulders, neck, and back.
For a meal, stop by the hotel restaurant’s Goldfinch Tavern, which is run by award-winning Seattle restaurateur Ethan Stowell and showcases the freshest regional seafood and produce in simple, contemporary, American style.
- Thompson Seattle
Located right next to Pike Place Market, this stylish hotel mixes playful casual with mid-century modern vibes. Seattle architecture firm Olson Kundig, which designed the hotel to look like a geometric glass lantern, also recently renovated the Space Needle. Along with the cozy residential design, the food and drink program is another highlight.
Executive Chef Kalina Bliss serves a menu far more interesting than most hotel restaurants in Conversation, featuring locally foraged ingredients on seasonal flatbreads, and standouts like grilled pork collar with spice roasted cauliflower and fermented daikon and gochujang vinaigrette. The cuisine showcases global flavors.
The Nest is Thompson’s prime glory, which serves small plates and cocktails in a spacious indoor-outdoor setting with sweeping views of Puget Sound. However, reservations are difficult even for hotel guests on the weekends, so you’ll want to plan in advance. (Note that the roof can get very cold during the winter and on rainy days, so it’s best to leave it in inclement weather.) Choose the boozy chocolate truffles with single malt scotch and cognac from SELEUŠS CHOCOLATE next door to pair with your terrace.
- Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle
Kimpton’s is known for being pet-friendly and the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle exceeds expectations with an enthusiastic staff who will treat your furry friend like a true VIP. Pet amenities include food and water bowls, pet bedding, treats, and disposable pickup bags. The hotel also offers complimentary premium access to Wag! With discounts for on-demand dog walking and pet sitting.
The lobby fresco is inspired by ancient Greece and throughout the hotel, you will find a whimsical collection of artwork from around the world. The gym is open 24 hours a day but it is quite small and is in the basement next to the ballroom. One notable piece of equipment is the Peloton bike.
Every day, there is a complimentary happy hour in the lobby living room with beer, wine, and live music performances that can range from jazz singers to DJs.
- Inn at the Market
This tranquil hotel is an intimate oasis within the bustle of Pike Place Market, one of Seattle’s top attractions. The guest rooms were renovated in 2017 and another soft renovation is planned for later this year. Although it is a small property, there are three restaurants on site: Baco for all-day breakfast, Café Campaign for Parisian bistro fare, and Sushi Kashiba for authentic sushi by renowned Seattle chef Shiro Kashiba.
Half of the rooms have unobstructed views of Elliot Bay, while the city-side rooms are more affordable. All guests can enjoy views from the communal rooftop deck, with five fire pits open 24/7. It’s accessible only to hotel guests and is a great place for a picnic if you get some delicious treats from the market’s vendors, like a cheese plate from Beecher’s Cheese.
- Palihotel Seattle
This four-story historic property originally opened in 1900 as the Colonnade Hotel and still has a cozy timeless feel, with deep, mossy greens and lots of assorted patterns and layered textiles in public spaces and guest rooms. The Lobby Lounge is a comfortable place to socialize or do some work, with 15-foot-high ceilings, bright skylights, and a fireplace.
Hotel Restaurant The Heart and the Hunter is a Southern-inspired modern diner with large buttercream biscuits and waffles. There is also a street-front coffee counter for coffee during the trip. All guest rooms have cute Smeg mini-fridges stocked with delicious snacks and drinks, including local favorite Scootbutt Living Daylights IPA and Straightaway Cocktail bottled cocktails.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Seattle
Q. Are there two Seattle in the USA?
A – If anyone suspects that there are actually two Washingtons—that the Seattle Metropolitan Corps (and its playgrounds) are another world from most rural to small-town Washington, and especially from east of Cascade Crest—the referendum on the vote is one on one. Look 71 should be persuasive.
Q. What is Seattle known for?
A – Seattle is famous for being the headquarters of Starbucks and the overall coffee culture, grunge music scene, Seahawks, Space Needle, Pike Place Market, lots of tech industries (including Amazon and Microsoft), hiking, kayaking, and the general outdoor lifestyle. Think REI).
Q. Is Seattle a depressing place?
A – Even in normal times, some people living in Seattle tend to feel let down around this time of year. The gray and drizzle have begun, and we can look forward to six more months of that. But 2020 is anything but normal.
Q. Is Seattle in the US or Canada?
A – Seattle is located on an isthmus between Puget Sound (a gateway to the Pacific Ocean) and Lake Washington. It is the northernmost major city in the United States, located approximately 100 miles (160 km) south of the Canadian border.
Q. Is it OK to go to Seattle now?
A – Thanks to increased vaccination rates, businesses in Washington state were allowed to reopen at full capacity until June 30, 2021. With a current vaccination rate of 86% for residents aged 5+, Seattle and King County are safely welcoming back visitors.
Q. Do you need a negative covid test to fly to Seattle?
A – Washington state does not require a COVID-19 test for any inbound or outbound domestic travel.
Q. What is the best month to go to Seattle?
A – The best time to visit Seattle is from September to October. Summer marks the city’s high season, meaning room rates go up and availability declines, while cold weather can deter even the most enthusiastic watchers.
Q. Is it expensive to visit Seattle?
A – You should plan to spend about $156 per day on your vacation in Seattle, which is an average daily value based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent an average of $38 a day on meals and $18 on local transportation. Additionally, the average hotel price for a couple in Seattle is $189.
