Where to Stay in Downtown Seattle (12 Amazing Hotels!)

Last Updated on October 4, 2022 by admin

Seattle is a city that truly has it all: mountains, water views, and lots of urban green spaces. Seattle is known as the Emerald City for good reason. Regardless of what time you visit, you’ll see lots of green trees. If you’re planning a trip to Seattle, there is no shortage of trendy restaurants, rooftop bars, and outdoor recreational opportunities. Whether you plan to paddle board on Lake Union, tour Pike Place Market, or ascend the Space Needle, you won’t be disappointed by a trip to Seattle. In this post, we’re sharing our picks for the best places to stay in downtown Seattle.

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Travel Tip: If you’re planning a trip to Seattle, consider buying a Seattle CityPASS. You’ll be able to save money if you plan on visiting multiple attractions. For instance, if you plan on visiting the Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium, Museum of Pop Culture, Woodland Park Zoo, Chihuly Garden and Glass, or Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, we highly recommend that you look into purchasing the CityPASS. For more information about CityPASS, click here.

About Seattle

Although Seattle is not the capital of Washington, it’s the state’s most populous city. Over 700,000 people call Seattle home.

Seattle is a seaport city. It’s squeezed on an isthmus between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington. To the north of Seattle, you’ll also find Lake Union. Because Seattle is surrounded by multiple bodies of water, there’s not much room to grow except for up. The city has numerous skyscrapers, with many more currently under construction.

In addition to water, Seattle has fantastic mountain views. On a clear day, you can see Mount Rainier to the south, the Olympic Mountains across the Puget Sound, and the Cascade Mountains to the east.

Seattle is famous for its coffee (home of Starbucks), music (birthplace of Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix), and lots of annual rainfall. (Be sure to see our post about things to do in Seattle on a rainy day!)

Best Hotels in Downtown Seattle

Booking.com

Fairmont Olympic Hotel – Seattle

411 University St, Seattle, WA 98101

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel – Seattle is located just steps away from the Seattle Public Library, the Seattle Art Museum, and the freeway park (a public park that’s located directly overhead the busy interstate highway).

The hotel features numerous dining options, including The George, Olympic Bar, Founders Club, Shuckers Restaurant, and the 4th Avenue Espresso Bar.

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel has 450 guest rooms. Amenities include an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and a fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment such as Peloton bikes. There’s also Penelope and the Beauty Bar, which offers massages, facials, and beauty treatments.

For booking information, click here.

See our post 101 Things to Do in Seattle!

Four Seasons Hotel Seattle

99 Union St, Seattle, WA 98101

The Four Seasons Hotel Seattle is a 5-star hotel located in the heart of Seattle. With an unbeatable location and luxurious amenities, it is easily the best hotel in Seattle.

One of the best perks about staying at this hotel is its location. It is within easy walking distance of Seattle’s waterfront, Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum, and the Seattle Great Wheel.

The Four Seasons Hotel Seattle has a gorgeous infinity pool that overlooks the Puget Sound. You’ll have a front-row view to see the Seattle Great Wheel lit up at night if you go for an evening swim.

The hotel also has a luxurious spa that is the perfect place to unwind. There is a plush relaxation room and many high-end spa services available.

Dining options within the hotel include Goldfinch Tavern and a bar at the infinity pool.

For booking information, click here.

The Edgewater Hotel

2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121

The Edgewater Hotel is located right on top of one of the piers of the downtown waterfront. If you want to be near the water, this is the hotel to choose. The Edgewater Hotel is the only hotel in Seattle that is actually located over the water!

The Edgewater was built for the 1962 World’s Fair (the same fair that prompted the construction of the Space Needle). Many musicians have stayed at the Edgewater, including The Beatles. (There’s even a famous photo of them fishing from their hotel window!)

If you’re a rock’n’roll fan, you can ask to stay in the Beatles Suite or the Pearl Jam Suite.

Their rooms feature gas fireplaces, which is the perfect spot to get cozy after a rainy day sightseeing.

The hotel has the Six Seven restaurant with water views, as well as a coffee shop.

For booking information, click here.

Grand Hyatt Seattle

721 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101

The Grand Hyatt Seattle is located adjacent to Seattle’s Paramount Theatre. If you have tickets to a show at the Paramount, we definitely recommend staying at the Grand Hyatt Seattle.

The hotel has 457 rooms, which includes 14 suites. The rooms have blackout curtains, so you’ll be better prepared for a good night’s rest after traveling.

Within the lobby of the hotel is Ruth’s Chris Steak House. You can also find a Starbucks and a deli.

For booking information, click here.

Hyatt at Olive 8

1635 8th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

The Hyatt at Olive 8 is another Hyatt property that is just a short 2-minute walk from the Grand Hyatt Seattle.

The hotel has a pool, fitness center, and spa. I’ve personally been to the Elaia Spa, and it’s a beautiful place to relax after a day in the city. After getting a massage, I enjoyed the large lap pool, jetted hot tub, and sauna in the locker room.

There’s also on-site dining at the restaurant Tidal+, where you can enjoy seafood dishes with locally-sourced ingredients.

For booking information, click here.

Seattle Marriott Waterfront

2100 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121

The Seattle Marriott Waterfront has spectacular views of the water. It’s the only hotel on this list in which every guest room has a view of the water and mountains. The hotel is only a half-mile away from Pike Place Market, so it’s close to some of the city’s best attractions.

The hotel has a partial indoor-outdoor pool, which makes it a great option for fitness and relaxation year-round.

There’s also several restaurants on-site, including Hook & Plow, Lobby Lounge, and Marketplace.

For booking information, click here.

Inn at the Market

86 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101

The Inn at the Market is the only hotel within Pike Place Market itself. The hotel is a quiet getaway located just steps away from the bustling market. You’ll have all the best restaurants, food vendors, and shops right at your doorstep! You’ll be able to see the market come alive in the morning, and you can even grab a coffee at the oldest continuously-running Starbucks in the world. (But be sure to try some of the other amazing coffee shops nearby too!)

This hotel has been recognized by elite travel magazines such as Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast.

One of the best things about this hotel is its rooftop deck. You’ll have excellent views of Elliott Bay as you watch the ferries make their daily crossings.

For booking information, click here.

Lotte Hotel Seattle

809 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104

The Lotte Hotel Seattle is located right next to the Columbia Tower. (Be sure to ascend to the Sky View Observatory, which has one of the best views of Seattle!)

This luxurious hotel is comprised of 189 guest rooms and two buildings: one historic building and one modern tower.

The Lotte Hotel is one of Seattle’s newest hotels. It opened in 2020, and it focuses on South Korean Luxury Hospitality.

The Charlotte Restaurant & Lounge is located on the 16th floor of the building, and thus has excellent views. The restaurant offers a 3 or 4-course prix-fixe menu.

The hotel is also home to Le SPA de l’hôtel LOTTE.

For booking information, click here.

Thompson Seattle

110 Stewart St, Seattle, WA 98101

The Thompson Seattle is a Hyatt property. It’s one of the closest hotels to Pike Place Market.

For dining, the hotel has Conversation Kitchen & Bar. If you’re over the age of 21, you can also go up the elevator to The Nest. The Nest has one of the best views of Seattle. Grab a drink and enjoy the views of the waterfront!

For booking information, click here.

The Westin Seattle

1900 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

The Westin Seattle is located near Westlake Center, so there will be plenty of shopping opportunities right outside your door. The Westlake Station is also nearby, which makes it easy to use the city’s light rail.

The Westin Seattle has a heated indoor pool, so you’ll be able to swim year-round. The hotel also has an excellent fitness center, which is even equipped with Peloton bikes.

For dining, the Westin Seattle has two on-site options: Relish Burger Bistro and 1900 FIFTH Bar + Lounge.

I recently visited the Westin Seattle to connect with a colleague who was attending a conference at the hotel. The hotel is large, stylish, and centrally located in Seattle.

For booking information, click here.

Sheraton Grand Seattle

1400 6th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

The Sheraton Grand Seattle is located adjacent to the Seattle Convention Center. The hotel is one of only seven Sheraton Grand hotels in all of North America.

During the holidays, one of our favorite Christmas activities in Seattle is to go see the hotel’s display of gingerbread houses. Each year they have a different theme. (My favorite was the year they did Harry Potter gingerbread houses!)

For booking information, click here.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square

255 S King St, Seattle, WA 98104

The Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle is located in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square. The hotel is located within easy walking distance of Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park. If you’re planning to watch the Seahawks, Sounders, or Mariners, you’ll want to be at this hotel.

This hotel has complimentary made-to-order breakfast, an indoor heated pool, and on-site restaurants.

For booking information, click here.

Table of Seattle Hotel Amenities

Hotel Name	Pool	Spa or Sauna	On-Site Dining	Fitness Center	Pet-Friendly*
Fairmont Olympic Hotel – Seattle	X	X	X	X	X
Four Seasons Hotel Seattle	X	X	X	X	X
The Edgewater Hotel			X	X	X
Grand Hyatt Seattle		X	X	X	X
Hyatt at Olive 8	X	X	X	X	X
Seattle Marriott Waterfront	X		X	X	X
Inn at the Market
Lotte Hotel Seattle		X	X	X	X
Thompson Seattle			X	X	X
The Westin Seattle	X		X	X	X
Sheraton Grand Seattle	X		X	X	X
Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle	X		X	X
*Many of the pet-friendly hotels have weight restrictions, deposits, and/or additional fees. Be sure to read each hotel’s pet policy thoroughly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Seattle Hotels

Which Seattle hotels have swimming pools?

The following Seattle hotels from our list of best downtown hotels have swimming pools: Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel Seattle, Hyatt at Olive 8, Seattle Marriott Waterfront, The Westin Seattle, Sheraton Grand Seattle, and Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle.

What’s the best hotel in downtown Seattle?

We think that the best hotel in downtown Seattle is the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle. It has an excellent location, a swimming pool, a spa, and on-site dining options.

How to Get to Downtown Seattle

The closest airport to downtown Seattle is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, known as SeaTac, with airport code SEA.

From the airport you can rent a car or grab a taxi to get to downtown Seattle. One of the most convenient options, however, is to use Seattle’s Link Light Rail System. There’s a station right at the airport that will take you to the downtown area. You can purchase your train ticket with an Orca Card, cash, or credit card. Trains depart every 6 to 15 minutes (see the full time schedule here).

What to Pack for a Trip to Seattle

If you’re traveling to Seattle, we recommend that you pack the following:

Packable rain jacket (Even if rain isn’t in the forecast, the weather can change quickly. This rain jacket folds down small and can be easily packed in a bag for when you need it.)
Comfortable daypack (When exploring the city, you’ll want a comfortable daypack to place all of your belongings, snacks, and souvenirs.)
Portable charger (You’ll be using your phone for maps, navigation, and photos, so make sure you don’t run out of battery while you’re on the go. We like this one because it is slim and you don’t have to worry about packing extra cables.)
Insulated water bottle (This water bottle will keep your water cooler for longer.)
Comfortable walking shoes (When exploring a new city, you’ll be walking quite a bit. Make sure you have comfortable shoes! Brooks has been my favorite brand so far.)
Flannel shirt (This is Seattle after all. Time to look the part in your photos!)

(Click on any of the above images for current pricing and shipping information.)

Visiting Seattle on a rainy day? No problem! Check out our post on 24 Rainy Day Activities in Seattle.

Summary: Where to Stay in Downtown Seattle

There are dozens of amazing hotels in downtown Seattle, and we hope this list helps you choose the perfect hotel for your visit! Whether you’re looking for a hotel close to Pike Place Market, the convention center, or the stadiums, there’s a nice hotel close to the action. Be sure to see our perfect weekend itinerary for Seattle!

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