Seattle, Washington is nicknamed The Emerald City due to its vast amount of evergreens and green spaces. The largest city in the entire Pacific Northwest, Seattle is home to tech giants Amazon, Expedia and Microsoft. Other companies that started here include Boeing, Nordstrom, REI and Starbucks.
Seattle is surrounded by Puget Sound in the northwest and the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges in the east, with Mt. Rainier, the iconic peak, just 95 miles southeast.
Downtown is the Pike Place Market, a vibrant, 108-year-old farmers market and the hub of tourism for Seattle. It’s famous for fishmongers, fresh produce, craft stalls, and small businesses. Across it is the first Starbucks store, established in 1971 and now a tourist spot.
Cool Hotels in Seattle
The Graduate – Historic 1930’s art deco hotel in the heart of the University District
Just a 10-minute walk from the University of Washington, this casual, pet-friendly hotel has cozy sitting areas and vintage furnishings. The lobby has a charming fireplace and plush sofas.
The colorful, Art Deco-inspired rooms range from Studio Singles to sprawling apartment-like suites. Some have bay windows with city views and can sleep up to 4 guests. All have premium bedding, iPod docks and a safe. Suites add microwaves and mini-fridges.
Dining options include a rooftop bar that has fantastic views of Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and downtown Seattle. There’s also a hip restaurant, cafe and wine bar at night.
Free perks include loaner bikes, a 24-hour gym or free passes to nearby YMCA.
Hotel Max – downtown Seattle’s destination for the creative types
This artsy hotel is in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood in the center of town. It’s within a comfortable distance of the city’s most popular attractions, best restaurants and world-class shopping, such as Nordstrom‘s flagship store and Westlake Center.
Hotel Max mixes art, music, and style in its premises. You’ll find eclectic pieces in the lobby such as a colorful drum sculpture and an original Andy Warhol, works by iconic local photographers on every floor, original painting in every room, and a different photo on each door. Some rooms have turntables and vinyl records. It’s an oasis for art lovers and musicians.
The Max has new quarters that accommodate friends up to five people in four beds: a full topped by a twin bunk and two more twin bunks, plus a couch.
All rooms come with a mini-bar, a desk, a safe, a pillowtop bed with premium bedding, a pillow menu, and signature bath products. Some rooms have views of the Space Needle tower. In-room fitness amenities are available.
The hotel hosts a complimentary craft beer hour every evening and serves locally brewed coffee in the morning. A James Beard award-winning chef heads the culinary staff at the attached steakhouse, which serves wood-fired beef, mutton, seafood, and old-fashioned baked goods.
Other amenities include a fitness center, loaner bikes, and perks for pets.
Hotel Theodore – charming historic hotel with onsite coffee bar
Just 2 blocks from the Washington State Convention Center and 6 from Pike Place Market, the former Roosevelt Hotel dates back from 1929.
This iconic hotel features refined yet industrial furnishings along with photos and patent drawings celebrating Seattle’s history of innovation.
Onsite is a new restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner on weekdays and brunch and dinner on weekends. Light cocktails are available. There’s also a coffee bar that’s a neighborhood hub for guests and locals alike.
Theodore’s modern, warmly decorated rooms have free minibars, a work desk, a safe, signature toiletries, and pillowtop beds with premium bedding. A pillow menu is available and nightly turndown service is provided. Suites feature 2-person whirlpool baths. In select rooms, you’ll find turntables and vinyl records from local label Light in the Attic.
Free perks include tea and coffee, local and long-distance phone calls, wine tasting upon arrival, and a nightly aperitivo happy hour in the restored atrium.
Additional amenities include a 24/7 fitness, a cafe and airport shuttle service. The Theodore boasts a multilingual staff.
Thompson Seattle – a sleek modern hotel with handsome rooms and floor to ceiling windows
This luxury boutique hotel in the Belltown neighborhood is near the Puget Sound Waterfront and just steps away from Pike Place Market. Guests say its location, just a 5-min. walk from Seattle Aquarium. and the Seattle Art Museum is one of its biggest assets.
Condé Nast Traveler ranked it the number one hotel in the Pacific Northwest in its 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards.
The Thompson offers a terrace with incredible vistas of Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains and beyond. Comfortable rooms boast custom floor-to-ceiling windows with pleasant views of either the courtyard, the downtown market or Puget Sound harbor. Each one is fitted with warm hardwood floors, mid-century boutique furniture, local artwork, a custom Tempur-Pedic mattress, custom linens, locally curated honor bar, a safe, and signature bath amenities. Adjoining rooms are available.
Climb up to the rooftop bar to relax by the outdoor fire pits on plush sofas and sip a craft cocktail while enjoying spectacular views, with Mt Rainier as the backdrop. There’s also a signature restaurant, Conversation, serving its unique Northwestern spin on global cuisine.
Ace Hotel – the original hotel from the now trendy chain
Also in Belltown is Ace Hotel, set in a historic red-brick building formerly for maritime workers’ lodging. (Note, no elevator)
The Ace is more like a modern hostel – with some budget-friendly rooms using a shared bath. All guestrooms are modest but carry a spacious, airy feeling, with stylish, quirky features like vintage hardwood floors, loft ceilings, exposed white-painted brick walls, antique steam radiators, record players and street art decor. Minibars, cable TVs and free WiFi are provided. Upgraded rooms come with en suite bathrooms, water views, and original artwork.
A complimentary D-I-Y Continental breakfast is available at a communal kitchen, which also has a coin-op washer and dryer and vending machines selling snacks. For a heavier brunch, there’s a cafe and lounge downstairs.
The Ace is a popular choice for visiting artists and musicians, not only for its affordability but also its proximity — less than half a mile — from top attractions like the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Pike Place and the Museum of Pop Culture.
Kimpton Vintage – elegant vintage style hotel
Located in the center of downtown, this chic, eco-conscious hotel is a 6-minute walk from Benaroya Hall concert hall and a 7-minute walk from the State Convention Center.
U.S. News and World Report named it Best Hotel in Washington and Best Hotel in Seattle this year (2020).
All of its 124 spacious, wine-themed rooms feature rich tones, a relaxed yet sophisticated ambiance, and local artwork made out of hand-dyed recycled-cork.
Creature comforts include plush beds, Italian linen, minibars, yoga mats, and free Wi-Fi. Upgraded rooms add separate sitting areas with pull-out sofas.
A wine bar hosts nightly wine tastings, and complimentary coffee or tea is served in the morning. There’s also a 24-hr gym and complimentary loaner bikes.
The award-winning Italian restaurant, Tulio, offers sidewalk seating and a cozy dining room. There’s also a sophisticated bar/lounge with a marble fireplace.
The Hotel Vintage is pet-friendly, with no weight or size restrictions.
W Hotel – mod living room with craft cocktails
This hip hotel in a downtown high-rise is a mile from the iconic Space Needle, a 7-minute walk from the Seattle Art Museum and an 8-minute walk from the Seattle Great Wheel.
Offering Seattle-inspired accents, guest rooms come with a minibar, a desk, a safe, Wi-Fi, pillowtop beds with Egyptian cotton linen, and a deep soaking tub in the bathroom. Upgraded rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with mountain or city views. Suites add living rooms and whirlpool tubs.
A trendy restaurant and bar serves modern, seasonal Pacific Northwest fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
There’s a sleek, vibrant lobby lounge with a 3-story, stainless-steel fireplace and a DJ booth perched above. Live music and DJ sessions happen on Friday and Saturday nights. Happy hour is from 4 to 6pm and up to 8pm on Fridays.
Other amenities include a 24-hr gym offering complimentary fitness classes, as well as yoga sessions every last weekend of the month.
Hotel W is pet-friendly.
The Sorrento Hotel – independent boutique hotel with historic charm
Set in a 1909 iconic building in the quiet neighborhood of First Hill, this Italian Renaissance-styled hotel is one of the city’s most recognized landmarks — dubbed “the great dame” of Seattle hospitality.
From the entrance, you’ll see white marble flooring and mahogany-paneled walls. An elegant lobby lounge beckons with its tiled fireplace and a baby grand piano often a venue for live music and a popular silent reading party held every month.
Outside is a garden courtyard with plush seating and table umbrellas where guests can dine al fresco.
Each of the Sorrento’s classy rooms is individually decorated with period furnishings, contemporary art and gilt-framed mirrors. All have free Wi-Fi and wired Internet, a fridge, minibar, plush beds with Posturepedic mattresses, Egyptian linen and a marble bathroom. Suites include separate living areas, and some have city views.
There’s a 24-hour fitness center, a salon, a massage room and an upscale restaurant serving locally sourced, seasonal Pacific Northwest dishes in a bistro setting. An attached bar serves strong drinks. Jazz brunch is served Sundays with bottomless mimosas and live music.
Hotel perks include complimentary coffee or tea in a common area and free downtown car service.
The Sorrento is just 3 blocks from the beautiful Frye Art Museum and a 5-minute walk from the State Convention Center.
The State Hotel – stone’s throw from Pike Place Market
Set in a restored 1902 building on the corner of 2nd Avenue and Pike Street, the State Hotel is just steps away from Pike Place Market. It has easy access to the Waterfront and is also a short 4-minute walk from Seattle Art Museum.
This stylish hotel has a creative atmosphere, with colorful local artwork and custom murals showcased throughout the property.
All guest rooms offer premium beds with Egyptian cotton sheets, Wi-Fi, wired internet, a desk area and a spacious bathroom with walk-in shower and glass doors. Most rooms have a water or city view. Upgraded rooms add private rooftop terraces.
It has a trendy restaurant and bar serving modern American fare and an innovative cocktail menu with daily happy hour. There’s also a hip lobby lounge, a gym, and a rooftop terrace with gorgeous views of Elliott Bay.
Other hotel perks include a complimentary welcome drink, free 24/7 coffee in the lobby and a late-night snack cart.
Charter Hotel – sleek new hotel one block from Pike Place market
The Charter Seattle, Curio Collection by Hilton is an upscale hotel in the central business district, just a 4-minute walk from Pike Place and the Westlake Center and a 7-minute walk from the Seattle Aquarium.
The modern rooms offer Wi-Fi and wired internet, a work desk, mini-fridge, and luxurious bedding. Upgraded rooms add floor-to-ceiling windows with city views. Suites add separate sitting rooms and marble bathrooms.
Onsite, there’s a modern-rustic, Argentine-inspired restaurant serving locally sourced grilled meat, fish and vegetables.
At the rooftop is an outdoor-indoor bar with fantastic views of the city and Puget Sound. It serves locally-inspired small bites and craft cocktails, and hosts live music and entertainment.
There’s also a gym and wellness center with a sauna, steam room and cold rain shower.
Kimpton Alexis – 1901 Historic Building
A downtown landmark, this romantic 1901 hotel is situated on First Avenue, directly above Puget Sound. It’s only 4 minutes’ walk from the Art Museum and a 5-minute walk from so many of Emerald City’s top attractions: Pike Place, the Art Museum, the Aquarium, Great Wheel, Pioneer Square and the Columbia Center.
Chic and artsy, the Alexis has an impressive collection of art which lining the walls of its lobby, gallery, and selected guestrooms.
A mix of period touches and Pacific Northwest charm are found in the hotel’s newly renovated guest rooms. Each comes with a mini-bar, a desk with an ergonomic chair, iPod docks, an Amazon echo dot, a safe, a yoga mat and pillowtop beds with Frette Italian sheets. Suites include separate living spaces. Some have panoramic views of the city.
Its bar and cafe, Bookstore, is famous for its large whiskey library and monthly scotch tastings.
This hotel provides complimentary morning coffee, a wine hour and access to a rotating exhibit of Pacific Northwest artwork.
Also onsite are a salon, a full-service spa and a 24-hour gym which boasts a functional-fitness room with rings, monkey bars, kettlebells, and a lateral-traverse rock-climbing wall. Loaner bikes are also available for free.
Inn at the Market – boutique hotel with contemporary decor
True to its name, this hotel literally sits in the heart of Pike Place Market. It is a tranquil and welcoming place, despite its central location in the busiest part of town.
It has a rooftop deck that offers panoramic views of Puget Sound, downtown Seattle, and the Market.
The Inn’s elegant rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the city or of Elliot Bay. All come with small fridges, mini-bars, iPod docks, Wi-Fi, premium beds and linen, and signature toiletries. Suites add pull-out sofas and wet bars.
Dining options include a sushi bar, Korean and French restaurants, as well as a cafe that serves breakfast all day.
Since there is no onsite fitness center, guests are offered discounted rates at a nearby gym, complete with a pool. A hair and nail salon is available though, as are various other shops — clothes, jewelry, apothecary and accessories — at the courtyard.
The Inn is just half a block from The Original Starbucks, 2 minutes’ walk from Victor Steinbrueck Park and 4 minutes from Moore Theater.
Motif Hotel – chic boutique hotel in downtown Seattle
With decor inspired by the Seattle’s fashion, music and art scene, the Motif is a hip, colorful hotel that offers scenic views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains.
Art rules in this place. Each year, a local artist is invited to create a custom motif for the hotel, from the company logo to the stationery. Also, guests will find in the hotel’s bathrooms unique, mashup photography of famous Seattle grunge artists.
On the 5th floor, a lively rooftop bar and restaurant serve locally-inspired cuisine and craft cocktails. It has a spacious patio with fire pits, and guests can play shuffleboard, bean-bag toss and LED ping-pong. Live Seattle musicians and DJs also play there.
Rooms provide mountain, water or city views. They have mini-fridges, complimentary Wi-Fi, wireless Internet, an Amazon Alexa and iPod docks, along with pillowtop beds and premium bedding. Suites add dining tables and/or living areas with pull-out sofas, as well as wet bars. Nightly turndown service is provided.
Onsite is a 24-hour fitness center with updated equipment. Dogs are welcome at Motif Hotel.
Hotel Maxwell – a celebration of the arts
This quirky, art-filled hotel in the Lower Queen Anne district is an ideal place if you want to be near performance venues. It’s just a 5-minute walk from most of the attractions at the Seattle Center, including the Opera House, Seattle Repertory Theater and the Pacific Northwest Ballet.
The Maxwell is a funky hotel, with a large mosaic pineapple and bright, whimsical furniture adorning its lobby.
Rooms have wooden floors, colorful interiors and original artwork, offering the following amenities: complimentary Wi-Fi, iPod docks, microwaves (with free popcorn), mini-fridges, coffeemakers, pillowtop beds, and premium bedding. Upgraded suites have additional living space, city views and kitchenettes.
The hotel has a coffee shop, a bistro, and a bar. Freebies include coffee, smoothies and pineapple treats in the afternoon.
There are an indoor swimming pool and a gym, free shuttle service to key points in the city, and loaner bikes.
The Maxwell is a pet-friendly hotel.
Hotel Andra – cool Scandinavian design
This chic, Scandinavian-inspired hotel offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of bustling downtown Seattle. It’s located between the Belltown district and Lake Union, a 5-minute walk from Pike Place Market.
Stylish rooms feature contemporary furnishings, plush beds with Egyptian cotton linen, mini-bars, safes, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. Some have wet bars, separate vanity areas, and walk-in closets. Suites add separate living space with sofa beds, set off by French doors.
Onsite restaurants include Lola, a Greek-Mediterranean restaurant by renowned chef and author Tom Douglas, and Assagio Ristorante serving bold northern Italian cuisine. Lola has a stylish cocktail bar in the loft above the lobby.
A unique feature of the Andra is its year-round cooking school, Hotstove Society, also headed by Douglas.
There’s a lobby lounge with a fireplace and a gym.
Featured Image by Wonderlane
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