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Tucked into a corner of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is a shockingly sprawling city. Lakes and bays whittle its silhouette, which sits surrounded by vast evergreen forests and awe-inducing mountain ranges that edge the Pacific.
It’s home to tech giants and creative collectives, and also, my mom. She moved there a few years ago, and we’ve spent several giddy weeks each year exploring her new hometown together: hiking in Mount Rainier National Park, sailing on Lake Union, catching sublime skyline views from Kerry Park at sunset, and tipping back the best, briniest oysters of my life at Westward.
Her first apartment was in Downtown Seattle, the vibrant waterfront neighborhood with a charming boutique hotel on every block — all of them within walking distance to the must-see sites, like Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Chihuly Gardens, and the city’s world-class museums. With so many historic and design-forward hotels in one neighborhood, you’re spoiled for choice on where to stay; to help you decide, we’ve curated a list of T+L editor favorites, as well as properties that were voted into the T+L World’s Best Awards and our annual It List.
Whether you’re looking for all-out luxury (and perhaps a heated infinity pool overlooking Puget Sound), or a cozy room with a fireplace right on the water, here’s our list of the best places to stay in Seattle.
Why I’m the Expert
Sophie Dodd is a travel writer who reviews dozens of hotels around the world each year. She travels to Seattle several times a year to visit her mom. The two of them have visited a handful of the hotels on this list, while other properties here come highly recommended by fellow T+L writers and editors, plus trusted friends. Sophie is an expert at tracking down stylish, luxuriously-appointed hotels across a range of price points, with a focus on excellent service and swoon-worthy amenities.
Courtesy of Hyatt
Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com
It’s easy to see why this 152-room property overlooking Puget Sound secured a spot in our 2024 World’s Best Awards: the downtown location is hard to beat, and rooms and suites here are streaming with natural light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. We love the crisp, cozy SFERRA sheets, and nothing beats slipping into an oversized Frette bathrobe after a long day of sightseeing. The waterview rooms and spacious suites are the real stars of the show, although you can always take in the views from the rooftop bar as well.
The Details:
- Neighborhood: Downtown Seattle
- Parking: Yes, $55 per day
- Pet Policy: No pets allowed
- Accessibility: ADA-accessible rooms and facilities
- Loyalty Programs: World of Hyatt
- Rates: From $186
Booking Tip
It’s worth springing for a room on a higher floor, where you can get a view of the water.
Courtesy of IHG
Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com
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This playfully designed hotel is fun for the whole family, including pets — there’s an in-room “glamping” package you can add on for kids, and dog-walkers can be arranged.
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Most rooms include a daily Guest Amenities Fee of $26, which provides access to WiFi, PUBLIC Bikes to ride around the city, and a $10 daily credit to the on-site restaurants.
Kitschy details add a playful touch to this well-located Belltown landmark, where you can “sleep with Brad Pitt,” or at least a pop-art pillow with a Napoleon-esque portrait of his (or another celebrity’s) face on it. The decor at this 2021 World’s Best Awards winner feels a bit like a modern take on Clue, with refined masculine touches like dark leather couches, black-and-gold wallpaper inspired by vintage book covers, and headboards with built-in bookshelves. While there’s plenty to discover around the city, there’s also a seafood restaurant and speakeasy on-site.
The Details:
- Neighborhood: Belltown
- Parking: Yes, $55 per day
- Pet Policy: Yes, no additional charge
- Accessibility: Accessible rooms and facilities
- Loyalty Programs: IHG One Rewards
- Rates: From $148
Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels
Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com
For unparalleled luxury in the Emerald City, look no further than the Four Seasons. The property is an urban oasis, boasting the city’s only outdoor infinity pool as well as a hot tub and fire pit, all with sublime views over the Olympic Mountains and waterfront. It’s no wonder it’s earned a spot on our World’s Best Awards for three years running: there’s no shortage of superior amenities to enhance your stay, from deep soaking tubs and rain showers in every room, to a complimentary Coffee Concierge. The staff deliver on Four Seasons’ signature warmth, attention to detail, and stellar service — this is a place where you’ll feel truly taken care of.
The Details:
- Neighborhood: Downtown Seattle
- Parking: Yes, $65 per day
- Pet Policy: Yes, on request and under 20 pounds, additional $50 cleaning fee
- Accessibility: Accessible rooms and facilities
- Loyalty Programs: None
- Rates: From $416
Anna Popp, Associate Editor
In contrast to some of the historic buildings around Seattle, the Four Seasons is the epitome of modern luxury, posing as a sleek skyscraper towering over the city’s waterfront and adjacent to the famed Pike Place Market. The rooms are spacious, clean, and have luxury amenities like signature Four Seasons sheets, deep bathtubs, and a selection of skin and body care items. In the summer or in warmer seasons, the outdoor pool and fire pits are perfect for watching a sunset over Elliot Bay, but you can also find great views from your room or even from the front doors of the hotel.
— Anna Popp, Associate Editor
Courtesy of Paihotel
Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com
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This might just be the best deal in town, given the affordable room rates, prime location, and eclectic decor.
Just a few minutes’ walk from Pike Place Market and the waterfront, this 96-room boutique property has been wowing visitors since it first made our It List in 2019. Nautical touches and forest-green walls welcome you to the Pacific Northwest right away in this restored 1900s-era building, which is also home to a trendy diner. Rooms are small, but if you’ll be spending most of the day out on the town, the hotel’s value is exceptional for the price.
The Details:
- Neighborhood: Downtown Seattle
- Parking: Yes, $33 per night at a nearby garage, or $55 per night valet
- Pet Policy: Yes, additional $125 cleaning fee
- Accessibility: Accessible rooms and facilities available
- Loyalty Programs: Palisociety
- Rates: From $105
Courtesy of Accor
Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com
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Cultures collide and complement each other at this bold, Americana-tinged hotel, which is housed in a century-old former telephone office.
Seattle’s iconic grand dame hotel is all about old-world European glamour. Set in a historic, Italian Renaissance-style building from 1924, the grand staircases and freshly renovated Olympic Bar have preserved all the charm of a bygone era, while still offering plenty of modern amenities (notably, an indoor lap pool and serene spa). That seamless blend of old and new earned the property the top spot on our World’s Best Awards list in 2022, and made the list again in 2023. The 450 elegant rooms and suites are spacious, classic, and superbly comfortable, with blue and gray accents that pull in the moody colors of the skyline.
The Details:
- Neighborhood: Downtown Seattle
- Parking: Yes, $45 per night at a nearby garage, or $65 per night valet
- Pet Policy: Yes, additional $75 cleaning fee
- WiFi: $33 per day (included in Guest Experience Fee)
- Accessibility: Accessible rooms and facilities available
- Loyalty Programs: ALL – Accor Live Limitless
- Rates: From $248
Anna Popp, Associate Editor
Celebrating its centennial in 2024, this hotel transports guests back to the 1920s with its restored original architecture. The lobby is striking, with gold, black, and white accents, and a bustling bar and secret speakeasy where guests can track down a host or hostess dressed in black and tell them the secret phrase to unlock a bookshelf leading to a hidden lounge. One of my favorite parts of the hotel is the indoor pool and jacuzzi with a clear roof above, making it a cozy spot to escape to if your visit turns rainy.
— Anna Popp, Associate Editor
Courtesy of The Edgewater Hotel
Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com
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Music lovers will delight in staying in the same rooms that The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Neil Young once did; guitars and record players are available during your stay, and there’s plenty of music memorabilia to check out.
The vibe here is that of an out-of-time lodge — knobby pine furniture, tartan rugs, and gas fireplaces in every room make this feel worlds away from downtown Seattle, when in fact it’s just a short walk (or a complimentary shuttle ride) down the pier. Originally constructed for the 1962 World’s Fair, the property has hosted everyone from The Beatles to Neil Young over the years, and landed on our 2024 World’s Best Awards list (after years of being a consistent reader favorite). In warmer weather, book in at the property’s waterfront restaurant, where you can admire the surrounding mountains and passing ferries.
The Details:
- Neighborhood: Belltown
- Parking: Yes, $60 valet
- Pet Policy: Yes, $100 additional cleaning fee
- WiFi: $31 per day (included in Daily Amenities Fee)
- Accessibility: ADA access room and facilities available
- Loyalty Programs: Noble Rewards
- Rates: From $176
Courtesy of Lotte Hotel Seattle
Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com
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Mirrors are a major design feature here, from the headboards to large framed wall and bathroom mirrors, which may not be to everyone’s taste.
If we were giving out Best Dressed awards, Lotte Hotel Seattle would be a shoo-in. Designed by French starchitect Philippe Starck, the luxurious property — which readers voted their favorite hotel in Seattle in our 2023 World’s Best Awards — is the city’s most fashionable high-rise, awash in Starck’s clear influence: sculpted armchairs, wooden accents, and surrealist throw pillows create chic and cozy havens. Floor-to-ceiling windows and plenty of mirrors make already-spacious rooms feel even larger; the views over Elliott Bay are particularly mesmerizing, especially from 16th-floor seafood restaurant The Charlotte.
The Details:
- Neighborhood: Downtown Seattle
- Parking: Yes, $72 per night valet, or street parking
- Pet Policy: Yes, $100 additional cleaning fee
- Accessibility: Accessible rooms and facilities available
- Loyalty Programs: Lotte Hotel Rewards
- Rates: From $258
Courtesy of Inn at the Market
Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com
Tucked away from the crowds, the beloved Inn at the Market is a cozy, discreet sanctuary hidden in bustling Pike Place Market. The 79-room hotel opened in the 1980s and has been a longtime favorite among T+L readers, earning a spot on our 2024 World’s Best Awards. Take in the sunset over the bay and snap frame-worthy photos of the neon Pike Place sign from your room, or from a fire pit on the rooftop deck.
The Details:
- Neighborhood: Downtown Seattle
- Parking: Yes, valet only, $72 per night
- Pet Policy: Service dogs only
- Accessibility: Accessible rooms and facilities available
- Loyalty Programs: No
- Rates: From $208
Courtesy of Mcgallery Collection
Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com
This 123-room Scandinavian-inspired hotel weaves aspects of Seattle’s Nordic heritage with Pacific Northwest design details, like wood, water, and stone. T+L readers voted it a 2024 World’s Best Awards winner, praising its downtown location, chic room decor, and Tom Douglas’ Mediterranean restaurant, Lola.
The Details:
- Neighborhood: Belltown
- Parking: Yes, valet, $55 per night
- Pet Policy: Yes
- Accessibility: Accessible rooms and facilities available
- Loyalty Programs: ALL – Accor Live Limitless
- Rates: From $170
Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com
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The hotel’s complimentary house car will drop you anywhere in a 2-mile radius (on a first-come, first-serve basis), offering a comfortable way to explore the city.
Formerly known as the Pan Pacific hotel, this 153-room property notably offers complimentary shuttle service around the downtown area for guests as part of their daily $20 amenity fee. Rooms and suites are generously sized, starting at 319 square feet; many have balconies where you can secure a photo-worthy view of the Space Needle, which is a short walk away. There’s also a well-appointed fitness center (located across the street), complete with Peloton bikes and dry saunas.
The Details:
- Neighborhood: South Lake Union
- Parking: Yes, valet, $62 per night
- Pet Policy: Yes, additional $75 charge
- Accessibility: ADA-accessible rooms and facilities available
- Loyalty Programs: None
- Rates: From $169
Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com
Historic charm and timeless service are the hallmarks of this beloved Seattle institution, open since 1909. Once you’ve made your grand entrance through the Italian Renaissance entryway, the first thing you’ll notice is the rich mahogany lobby, with a crackling green tile fireplace at its center. The 76 rooms, and particularly the spacious suites, are homey in the very best way — like staying at your fabulous, very chic grandmother’s house, with regal drapes, chandeliers, and ornately carved mirrors.
The Details:
- Neighborhood: First Hill
- Parking: Yes, valet, $60 per night; street parking also available nearby
- Pet Policy: Yes, under 80 pounds, $25 additional charge
- Accessibility: ADA-accessible rooms and facilities available
- Loyalty Programs: None
- Rates: From $173
Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com
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Bathrooms are on the smaller side, particularly in the standard rooms; for more space, consider one of the well-appointed suites.
Housed in a striking Art Deco brick building, Hotel Roosevelt opened in 1930. The downtown landmark received a generous refresh in 2017, with a focus on bringing local artists into the hotel’s DNA. Seattle’s Museum of History curates their permanent art collection, while their Seattle Made suites feature rotating art and decor from local makers. The in-house restaurant, Rider, slings locally-sourced seafood in a polished, industrial space.
The Details:
- Neighborhood: Downtown Seattle
- Parking: Yes, valet, $55 per night
- Pet Policy: Yes, $30 additional charge per night
- Accessibility: ADA-accessible rooms and facilities available
- Loyalty Programs: Mosaic Rewards
- Rates: From $127
Know Before You Go
Head outside the city to take advantage of natural attractions
Downtown Seattle has plenty to keep you busy, but with so much natural beauty surrounding the city, it would be a shame not to explore the area. Consider renting a car if you’re planning on hiking or camping outside of the city. Some major highlights are Mount Rainier National Park, Snoqualmie Falls, and Orcas Island.
Pack comfortable walking shoes
Downtown in particular is incredibly walkable — and also very hilly. Come prepared with comfortable shoes that you can wear around all day, whether you’re wandering the Chihuly Gardens or Olympic Sculpture Park. (Given the wet weather, opt for footwear with good traction.) It’s also not a bad idea to pack a pair of hiking boots, if you’ll be getting some time outside of the city.
Bring waterproof layers
It rains quite a bit in Seattle — so much so, that the locals have given up on umbrellas. They’re impractical given the frequent, quick showers; locals opt instead for water- and wind-proof layers with a hood. (We’ve rounded up our favorites here.)
How We Chose These Hotels
Travel writer Sophie Dodd stays in over 50 hotels per year, reviewing dozens for T+L; she travels to Seattle several times a year to visit her mom, who lives there. She has scoped out some of these hotels first-hand, in addition to extensively researching the properties in order to narrow down the best ones.
For this piece, she considered elements like a property’s location, design, history, and reputation for service. She also looked for hotels with luxurious amenities, such as spas, fitness centers, and waterfront or rooftop views. Many of the properties on this list have been reviewed and recommended by T+L editors or voted onto our coveted World’s Best Awards list and It List, in which Travel + Leisure readers vote on their favorite hotels and T+L editors select the best new hotels in the world. And finally, as with all our hotel stories, editors ensure all recommendations we make align with our core T+L Hotel Values.
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