Where to Stay in Seattle - My favorite areas & places (2024)

Seattle › Best Places to Stay
Updated: June 10, 2024
By Santorini Dave

My Favorite Seattle Hotels

• 5-star: Four Seasons
• 4-star: Andra • The State
• 3-star: Ace • Mayflower
• For couples: Inn at the Market
• For families: Westin
• Downtown: Fairmont Olympic
• Near cruise port: Edgewater
• Pike Place: Inn at the Market
• Best new hotel: Lotte
• Convention Center Arch: Grand Hyatt
• Convention Center Summit: Olive 8

1. Edgewater • 2. Ace • 3. Andra • 4. Westin • 5. Mayflower Park • 6. Grand Hyatt • 7. Inn at the Market • 8. The State • 9. Four Seasons • 10. Fairmont Olympic • 11. Lotte

The Best Areas to Stay in Seattle

• Seattle Hotel Map
• Best Hotels in Seattle
• Best Hotels for Families in Seattle

I’ve lived in Seattle for the past 17 years.

For most visitors, the best area to stay is downtown Seattle – specifically the area immediately around Pike Place Market. Downtown is where most of Seattle’s best hotels, top restaurants, attractions, and shopping are located – all within a dense, compact, and walkable area. Puget Sound views are incredible from here, and local transportation lines (light rail, bus, streetcar, and monorail) converge downtown, which makes it easy to get around greater Seattle without a rental car.

For foodies, staying close to Pike Place Market is a convenient delight with several of Seattle’s best food tours commencing nearby. I love visiting the market early in the morning, grabbing a coffee or baked good, and walking around the stalls before the tourists arrive.

Pike Place Market and the surrounding downtown is where most first time visitors to Seattle will want to stay. There are several good hotels close to Pike Place but only the Inn at the Market is located within the market boundaries.

Hotels near Pike Place Market:
Inn at the Market • Thompson • Four Seasons • The State • Palihotel • Charter

Northwest of downtown sits Belltown (packed with trendy restaurants, bars, music venues, and nightlife). It feels like an extension of downtown but with fewer business towers and chain stores, and more cafes and clubs. North of Belltown, and still within walking distance of downtown (or a quick monorail ride) lies the vast entertainment complex known as Seattle Center – home to the Space Needle and Climate Pledge Arena, multiple museums (Pacific Science Center, Museum of Pop Culture, Seattle Children’s Museum, Chihuly Garden and Glass), fine arts and music venues (Seattle Children’s Theatre, McCaw Hall, Seattle Repertory Theatre, and the Vera Project), and a fantastic playground and huge outdoor water fountain. Seattle Center is also where the city’s two biggest festivals are held, on Memorial Day (Folklife) and Labor Day (Bumbershoot) weekends.

The newly rebuilt Climate Pledge is my favorite place to see live music in Seattle. I’ve stayed at all the hotels near Climate Pledge and the best is the Maxwell Hotel. The closest (just across the street) is the three-star Mediterranean Inn.

Hotels near Climate Pledge Arena:
Maxwell Hotel • MarQueen • Mediterranean Inn • Hyatt House • Hyatt Place • Hampton Inn & Suites • Homewood Suites by Hilton

Directly south of downtown, is the historic Pioneer Square neighborhood – and Seattle’s original downtown – now home to art galleries, leafy pedestrian squares, several great restaurants, and the deservedly-popular Underground Tour. Pioneer Square (and neighboring International District) is a good place to stay for visitors attending Seahawks, Mariners, or Sounders games or concerts at Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park (located directly beside each other). From Pioneer Square it’s easily walkable to both the stadiums and downtown attractions. It’s also a good home base for those who are considering day trips from Seattle, as Seattle’s King Street Amtrak station is located nearby, and the Washington State ferries are less than a 10-minute walk away.

A Seahawks game at Lumen Field. Expensive, loud, intense, and highly recommended. The are several good hotels close to the stadium.

Hotels near Lumen Field:
Embassy Suites • Arctic Club • Courtyard Pioneer Square • Best Western Plus Pioneer Square • Silver Cloud Seattle Stadium

West (and downhill) of Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square, is Seattle’s Waterfront – anchored by a busy harbor at the south end and a pebbly park to the north. Because it is separated by a steep hill, this strip along the water feels a bit removed from the rest of the city, but it is where many of Seattle’s best tours and things to do can be found – the Seattle Aquarium, Great Wheel, Washington State ferries, and popular Seattle boat tours – all sharing gorgeous views of Elliott Bay, Puget Sound islands, and the Olympic Mountains.

There are also some wonderful short trips and destinations near Seattle – from Snoqualmie Falls to the San Juan Islands and across the border to Victoria and Vancouver.

The Best Places to Stay in Seattle

• Best Luxury Hotels in Seattle
  Four Seasons • Lotte • Fairmont Olympic • Thompson
• Best Hotels for Couples in Seattle
  Inn at the Market • Hotel Andra • Hotel Sorrento • Edgewater • Alexis
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels in Seattle
  Ace Hotel • Best Western Plus Pioneer Square
• Best Hotels for Families
  Four Seasons • Westin • Maxwell Hotel

My suite at the Lotte Hotel.

See Also

Bing MapsSeattle Public Transit: How to Get Around Without a CarHere's how to get from Seattle to VancouverDay Trip: Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park | Explore Seattle Southside

My suite at the Hotel Sorrento.

My suite at the Hotel Andra.

My suite at The State (great affordable hotel near Pike Place Market).

My suite at the Maxwell Hotel (the best place to stay close to the Space Needle and Climate Pledge Arena).

My suite at the Edgewater Hotel.

My suite at the Fairmont Olympic.

My suite at the Alexis boutique hotel.

Best Neighborhoods in Seattle for …

• Best Neighborhood in Seattle for Sightseeing: Pike Place Market
  Pike Place Market is the heart of Seattle sightseeing. Well-situated amid great local shops and amazing restaurants, most hotels around Pike Place Market have great views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Aside from the Market itself (a must-do for visitors), hotels here are within walking distance of Pioneer Square’s historic district, the Seattle Art Museum, Belltown’s nightlife, Waterfront attractions and ferries, the monorail to Seattle Center and the Space Needle, and Downtown shops and shows. When it comes to sightseeing, the closer your hotel is to Pike Place the better located you are.
• Best Neighborhood in Seattle for Nightlife: Belltown
  Jazz clubs, rock venues, award-winning restaurants, prohibition-style speakeasies; you’ll find them all in Belltown, a vibrant neighborhood just north of Pike Place Market. The city’s young and hip flock to this area for its trendy boutiques, bars, and eateries – expect additional activity on weekend nights, especially right after the bars close at 2am. Belltown is convenient to many of Seattle’s best attractions; walkable to Pike Place Market, Seattle Center (home of the Space Needle, Chihuly Museum, food and music festivals, and MoPOP), Downtown shopping, and the waterfront Olympic Sculpture Park.
• Best Neighborhood in Seattle for Food and Restaurants: Pike Place Market and Ballard
  Pike Place Market and the surrounding area are chock-full of great places to eat – from cheap (but drool-worthy) food stalls to ethnic eateries to haute cuisine. Some of the best are Matt’s in the Market (classic NW), Sushi Kashiba, Place Pigalle (French, romantic), Country Dough (hole-in-the-wall Chinese noodles and flatbread), Pasta Casalinga (housemade pasta, casual and crowded), Pike Place Chowder (insanely popular for good reason), Il Bistro (great pizza, open late) and Aerlume (fine dining, great views). Outside of Seattle’s main tourist core, the best neighborhood for food and restaurants is Ballard. Many of Seattle’s top chefs have been drawn to this hip but sleepy area northwest of downtown, where great restaurants abound. Some of the best places to eat in Ballard are The Walrus and the Carpenter (oysters), Un Bien (Caribbean-style sandwiches), La Carta de Oaxaca (Mexican), Delancey (pizza), and Copine (modern, upscale French).

Is it better to stay in Belltown or downtown Seattle?

The Belltown and Downtown districts neighbor each other and the boundary between them is subtle and debated. The following hotels sit just north or just south of the Belltown-Downtown border and all make a superb choice for visitors wanting to be close to the dining and nightlife of Belltown and the shopping and urban bustle of Downtown:

Inn at the Market • Thompson • The State • Palihotel • Charter • Hotel Andra • Westin • Mayflower Park

The historic 5-star Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle.

• Best Neighborhood in Seattle for First Timers: Pike Place Market
  Great Northwest restaurants and shopping, beautiful Puget Sound and mountain views, and proximity to other iconic activities make the neighborhood surrounding Pike Place Market the best area for Seattle newbies. Beyond the Market itself (the city’s #1 can’t-miss tourist spot), hotels near Pike Place Market are well-situated for top Seattle attractions like harbor cruises on Elliott Bay, underground tours of historic Pioneer Square, the waterfront Aquarium and Great Wheel, ferry boats to Bainbridge Island, and the monorail to Seattle Center (home to the Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture, and the Chihuly museum).
• Most Romantic Neighborhood in Seattle: Waterfront, Pike Place Market
  This one is all about the views. The majestic Olympic Mountains in the distance and ferry boats slipping silently across the bay – whether from a balmy summer evening balcony or cozied-up by a fire on a chilly, drizzly day, there’s no better romantic backdrop in Seattle than a Puget Sound panorama. The best views can be found in the Waterfront neighborhood and in the area around Pike Place Market; the Market area has better access to shops and restaurants, while the Waterfront’s relative seclusion makes it a better choice for a more private getaway.

• Best Neighborhood in Seattle for Families: Seattle Center
  Anchored by the iconic Space Needle, Seattle Center is an arts and entertainment mainstay located just north of Belltown. Created for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, the Center’s campus houses many family-friendly attractions like the Pacific Science Center, The Museum of Pop Culture, Chihuly Garden and Glass, an amazing playground, and the Seattle Children’s Museum and Theatre. The Seattle Monorail provides easy access to downtown and Pike Place Market. The neighborhood generally quiets at night, but check your dates – if you’re traveling during a festival weekend (especially Memorial Day or Labor Day) or when there’s a major concert at Key Arena, expect busier streets and difficult parking.
• Best Neighborhood in Seattle for a Local Vibe: Ballard
  With great nightlife but a cozy maritime neighborhood feel, Ballard is located about 6 miles northwest of downtown. With a beautiful beach and marina, Nordic Heritage Museum, Ballard Locks, excellent weekend farmer’s market, and craft breweries, this family-favorite offers no shortage of things to do. Ballard is an ideal spot to stay for those looking for great local pubs, hip cafes, trendy and delicious restaurants, top-notch live music – and almost no tourists.
• Best Neighborhood in Seattle without a Car: Pike Place Market
  Hotels near Pike Place Market are within a 10-minute walk of the Seattle Waterfront, great shopping and shows in central downtown, and the bars and restaurants of Belltown. Walking from Pike Place Market to the Pioneer Square historic district takes about 15 minutes, and getting from Pike Place to the Space Needle takes about 20 minutes (though you can always hop on the Monorail downtown and get there in 5 minutes).
• Safest Areas of Seattle: South Lake Union, Ballard
  Generally, the farther you get from the epicenter of downtown Seattle, the quieter and safer-feeling the vibe will be. (While no Seattle neighborhood is terribly unsafe, some have a higher population of homeless folks and panhandlers than others.) South Lake Union is a lovely, quieter neighborhood that’s connected by streetcar to the downtown core, so sightseeing is still convenient. If proximity to downtown isn’t a necessity, Ballard is a great choice for a local, safe, neighborhoody vibe.
• Unsafe Areas of Seattle: Pioneer Square, University District
  Seattle is a very safe city, with no neighborhood seeing a large amount of dangerous crime. The city does have a higher than average population of homeless and down-on-their-luck folks, however, and panhandling can be a nuisance – especially in neighborhoods where social programs are located, such as Pioneer Square and the University District.

The 10 Best Neighborhoods in Seattle for Tourists

1. Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market is one of Seattle’s most visited and beloved attractions (by tourists and locals alike), and the dense surrounding neighborhood is the epicenter of Seattle sightseeing. Sure it’s touristy, but its streets and alleyways retain a gritty-yet-charming local vibe that survives despite the visiting crowds. Small galleries and shops are everywhere, as well as countless restaurants that range from small Market stalls to blow-your-budget gourmet cuisine. Pike Place Market is technically part of downtown Seattle, yet feels like a separate neighborhood with a different vibe than the surrounding urban core. Hotels near Pike Place Market offer spectacular views of the waterfront, Elliott Bay, and Olympic Mountains – and generally hefty price tags. Attractions that are walkable from Pike Place Market include historic Pioneer Square and the Underground Tour, the Seattle Waterfront (Great Wheel, Aquarium, and Wings over Washington virtual flying experience), downtown theaters and shopping, the Seattle Art Museum, Washington State ferry terminal, Argosy harbor cruises, Chihuly Museum, Pacific Science Center, and Museum of Popular Culture.

• Best Pike Place Market Hotels: Inn at the Market • Thompson • Four Seasons • The State
• Best Affordable Hotels near Pike Place Market: The Moore Hotel • Green Tortoise Hostel

2. Downtown

Downtown Seattle is an easy-to-navigate grid of shopping, restaurants, theaters, and office buildings that sits roughly Interstate 5 and Pike Place Market. Home to the flagship Nordstrom store and the high-end shops of Pacific Place Mall, downtown also offers cultural attractions like Benaroya Hall (where the Seattle Symphony plays) and the 5th Avenue and Paramount Theatres, both hosting a rotating calendar of big-name performers and Broadway-worthy shows. Downtown Seattle hotels make a great home base for sightseeing, as they are well-located for transit (via light rail, bus, streetcar, and monorail) and conveniently walkable to Pike Place Market, historic Pioneer Square, and the trendy restaurants of South Capitol Hill.

• Best Downtown Hotels: Alexis • Hyatt at Olive 8 • Fairmont Olympic • Mayflower Park • Grand Hyatt • Hotel Theodore • Lotte
• Best Affordable Downtown Hotels: The Paramount Hotel • Hilton Garden Inn

3. Belltown

Belltown is all about late-night bars, high-rise condos, and small local businesses. Located just north of downtown, Belltown is convenient to many of Seattle’s best tourist attractions, but also popular with locals for its many trendy boutiques, bars, and eateries. Jazz clubs, rock venues, prohibition-style speakeasies; they’re all well represented here. Not an ideal choice for those seeking peace and quiet – expect additional activity on weekend nights, especially after 2am. Walk to Pike Place Market, downtown shopping and shows, Seattle Center (home of the Space Needle, Chihuly Museum, food and music festivals, and MoPOP), and the waterfront Olympic Sculpture Park.

• Best Belltown Hotels: Hotel Andra • Kimpton Palladian Hotel • The Westin
• Best Affordable Belltown Hotels: Ace Hotel • Hotel Five • Warwick Hotel • Belltown Inn

4. Pioneer Square

The onetime heart of downtown Seattle, historic Pioneer Square is home to some of the city’s oldest surviving buildings, the Klondike Gold Rush Museum, and the popular Underground Tour. Recently, the area has experienced a resurgence in popularity, adding modern art galleries, boutique shops, trendy restaurants, and tree-shaded cafe tables in leafy Occidental Square. Pioneer Square is within walking distance to T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field sports stadium, the downtown ferry terminal at Colman Dock, and Pike Place Market. Pioneer Square is well-placed for transit, with light rail, a streetcar line, multiple bus routes, and Amtrak all represented here. Do note that there are several social service agencies located in Pioneer Square that attract a fair number of homeless people. If you stay in this area, expect to see some congregating and minor panhandling, but these folks are less dangerous than they are down on their luck.

• Best Pioneer Square Hotels: Embassy Suites • Arctic Club • Courtyard Pioneer Square
• Best Affordable Pioneer Square Hotels: Best Western Plus Pioneer Square • Silver Cloud Seattle Stadium

5. Waterfront

Seattle’s waterfront neighborhood is all about maritime feel and scenic views of ferries gliding across Elliott Bay. From the pebbly beaches of Myrtle Edwards Park on its north end to the busy working harbor to the south, there are all sorts of things to do along this beautiful Puget Sound seaboard: Seattle Art Museum’s Olympic Sculpture Park, The Seattle Aquarium, The Great Wheel, and fantastic seafood restaurants. Opportunities to get out and explore the Salish Sea include Argosy Harbor Cruises, the Victoria (or San Juan) Clipper, the WA State ferries at Colman Dock, and the West Seattle Water Taxi. There are only a couple of hotels that sit directly on Seattle’s waterfront – spring for a bay-facing view, if you can. The walk from the waterfront up to downtown and Pike Place Market isn’t far, but it is steep, and separated by a busy roadway. This separation makes the waterfront district feel disconnected from the rest of downtown – which may or may not be what you’re looking for. Also, there’s currently construction underway to better link the downtown core to the waterfront district, so expect the area to be a bit of a mess.

• Best Seattle Waterfront Hotels: The Edgewater Hotel • Seattle Marriott Waterfront

6. Seattle Center

Anchored by the iconic Space Needle and the recently upgraded Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle Center is an arts and entertainment mainstay located just north of Belltown. Created for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, with a space-age theme and mid-century design, the Center’s campus houses many great attractions like the Pacific Science Center, The Museum of Pop Culture, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and the Seattle Children’s Museum and Theatre. The Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and, many theater companies are also located at Seattle Center. The Gates Foundation Visitor Center and Olympic Sculpture Park are nearby, and the Seattle Monorail provides easy access to downtown and Pike Place Market. Though it’s not Seattle’s most scenic neighborhood, hotels around Seattle Center are generally less expensive than those downtown, and parking is cheaper and more readily available. The area around Seattle Center quiets at night, making it a good option for visitors who want to avoid the busiest parts of the city, but lodge near popular attractions. Check your dates, though – if you’re traveling during a festival weekend (especially Memorial Day or Labor Day) or when there’s a major concert at Key Arena, expect the opposite: busier streets, more expensive rooms, and difficult parking.

• Best Seattle Center Hotels: Maxwell Hotel • Hyatt House • Hyatt Place • Four Points by Sheraton • MarQueen • Mediterranean Inn

7. South Lake Union

The up-and-coming South Lake Union neighborhood is a hi-tech hub, home to Amazon.com and many other prominent tech and biomedical companies. In addition to its namesake urban lake, there are loads of great restaurants in the area, as well as a couple of great museums and easy streetcar access into downtown. This is a generally quieter area than downtown, and hotels here are more likely to have swimming pools, Space Needle views, and lower rates. South Lake Union’s best attractions include beautiful Lake Union Park, the Museum of History and Industry, the Center for Wooden Boats, and the Kenmore Air float planes at that take off and land at Lake Union’s southernmost tip.

• Best South Lake Union Hotels: Pan Pacific • MOXY
• Best Affordable South Lake Union Hotels: Residence Inn Lake Union • Silver Cloud Lake Union • Courtyard Seattle South Lake Union

8. Capitol Hill/First Hill

Capitol Hill is one of Seattle’s most vibrant and well-loved neighborhoods, popular with locals for its nightlife, counterculture, and hundreds of great bars and restaurants. Its north end features stately old homes and leafy Volunteer Park: home to the Volunteer Park Conservatory and the Seattle Asian Art Museum (currently under renovation), and its south end borders Seattle University. Capitol Hill’s best attractions include Melrose Market (a foodie haven), the Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room, Cal Anderson Park, and Elliott Bay Book Company – Seattle’s best bookstore. It’s an easy walk into downtown from most points in southern Capitol Hill, though you might want to take cab back up. (It’s pretty steep.) This neighborhood is also great for transit – there’s a Capitol Hill light rail station, many bus routes, and a streetcar line that runs through the International District and into Pioneer Square. First Hill lies just south of Capitol Hill, just across the freeway from downtown. Though they’re close neighbors, First Hill has a quieter vibe than Capitol Hill, and is sometimes called “Pill Hill” for its many hospitals and medical offices. First Hill’s best attractions are St. James Cathedral, the Hotel Sorrento’s charming fireside lounge, and the Frye Art Museum.

• Best Capitol Hill/First Hill Hotels: Hotel Sorrento (First Hill)
• Best Affordable Capitol Hill/First Hill Hotels: Silver Cloud Broadway (Capitol Hill)

9. University District

Northeast of Seattle’s downtown, the University District (“U-District” to locals) is home to the main campus of the University of Washington, which features gorgeous gothic architecture, two trip-worthy museums (Henry Art Gallery and Burke Museum of Natural History), mountain views, and famous springtime-blossoming cherry trees. The neighborhood around campus has plenty of good (and cheap) restaurants, bars, and indie boutiques. There’s also a fantastic year-round farmer’s market every Saturday and a variety of chic shops and great restaurants in University Village – an upscale outdoor shopping center located just downhill from campus. Though this neighborhood is a bit removed from downtown, light rail and multiple bus routes make the U District easily accessible to many other neighborhoods and Sea-Tac Airport. The Silver Cloud University District is the closest hotel to Seattle Children’s Hospital (20-minute walk), which is located east of University Village in the Laurelhurst neighborhood.

• Best University District Hotels: Residence Inn University District • Watertown Hotel • Silver Cloud University District
• Best Affordable University District Hotels: Graduate Seattle • University Inn • College Inn

10. Ballard

Six miles northwest of downtown Seattle, charming and trendy Ballard developed as a Scandinavian enclave, anchored by maritime-based industries like fishing and boatbuilding. Today Ballard has gone upscale yet retains a cozy neighborhood feel, while its local institutions like the Nordic Heritage Museum, Ballard Locks, Shilshole Bay Marina, and Golden Gardens Beach Park have become popular attractions. Ballard’s weekly farmer’s market (held year-round on Sundays) is one of the city’s best, featuring local produce, arts and crafts, and entertainment. Seattle’s burgeoning craft beer industry is well-represented in Ballard, with many of the city’s top microbreweries found here – most within walking distance of each other. Ballard also makes a great spot for a night out, thanks to its many bars, award-winning restaurants, and nightly live music (especially at the famed Tractor Tavern, along trendy Ballard Ave).

• Best Ballard Hotel: Hotel Ballard
• Best Affordable Ballard Hotel: Ballard Inn

Map: Where to Stay in Seattle

The Best Places to Stay in Seattle (as numbered on map above)

1. Edgewater
Waterfront hotel located close to the Seattle cruise port and a 10-minute walk from Pike Place Market and the Seattle Aquarium. In addition to fireplaces in every room, hotel amenities include running shoes, bicycles, and guitars available for guest use, plus a restaurant, lounge, and gym.

2. Palladian
Trendy boutique hotel with a bar, restaurant, gym, bikes for guest use, daily happy hour, and yoga mats in every guestroom. Located a 6-minute walk from Pike Place Market and a 5-minute walk from Westlake Center Mall, and pets can stay free of charge.

3. Andra
Upscale boutique hotel with a Scandinavian theme and two restaurants, a fitness center, and an on-site cooking school. Located a 4-minute walk from Westlake Center Mall and an 8-minute walk from Pike Place Market.

4. Westin
Family-friendly hotel located one block from Westlake Center Mall and a 9-minute walk from either of the Seattle Convention Centers. A fitness center, indoor pool, and several restaurants are on-site, and some rooms have water views.

5. Max
Situated a 9-minute walk from Pike Place Market, this music-themed hotel provides bikes for guest use, pet amenities, an electric vehicle charging station, local coffee, and a daily happy hour. Some rooms have bunk beds, record players, and sitting areas, and the hotel is a 2-minute walk from the Westlake Ave & Virginia St light rail stop.

6. Hyatt at Olive 8
Eco-friendly, LEED-certified hotel located a 2-minute walk from the Paramount Theatre and a 4-minute walk from either of the Seattle Convention Centers. Amenities include a full-service spa, an indoor lap pool, a gym, and three dining options, and every room features a Google Chromecast and a deep-soaking bathtub.

7. Mayflower Park
Adjacent to Westlake Center Mall, this historic hotel has a restaurant, a bar, and a gym and is located steps from the Seattle Monorail, light rail, and bus. Guestrooms include mini-refrigerators and coffee makers, and Pike Place Market is a 6-minute walk away.

8. Theodore
Contemporary hotel located a 3-minute walk from the Paramount Theatre and a 4-minute walk from the Seattle Convention Centers. A restaurant is on-site, and every room features a pillow menu, a Nespresso machine, fitness equipment, and on-demand classes, and pet amenities upon request.

9. Grand Hyatt
Upscale high-rise hotel with several dining options, room service, and a gym located a 3-minute walk from either of the Seattle Convention Centers and a 9-minute walk from Pike Place Market. All guestrooms feel luxurious, and some include access to the 27th-floor club lounge.

10. Thompson
Set a 2-minute walk from Pike Place Market and a 7-minute walk from the Seattle Art Museum, this modern luxury hotel has a restaurant, a great rooftop bar, and a gym. All guestrooms feature Sealy Tempur-Pedic mattresses and rainfall showers, and some have water views and full kitchens.

11. Charter
Elegant hotel with a rooftop bar (cool views but food is only so-so), an Argentinian restaurant, a gym, and a sauna, plus guestrooms featuring desks, refrigerators, and coffee makers. Located a 4-minute walk from Pike Place Market and a 9-minute walk from the Seattle Aquarium.

12. Inn at the Market
The best boutique hotel in Seattle. Located in the heart of Pike Place Market, this recently remodeled hotel features water views from the rooftop terrace, a business center, a salon, and access to the nearby Seattle Athletic Club. Guestrooms include Keurig coffee makers and floor-to-ceiling windows, and some rooms have Puget Sound views.

13. The State
Hip hotel with a restaurant, bar, gym, and rooftop terrace located a 2-minute walk from Pike Place Market and a 4-minute walk from the Seattle Art Museum. Every guestroom features locally inspired artwork, a glass-walled shower, bathrobes, and a city or water view.

14. Four Seasons
The best luxury hotel in Seattle. Within one block of the Seattle Art Museum and Pike Place Market, the hotel has a trendy restaurant and bar, a rooftop pool, full-service spa, a gym, outdoor fire pit, kids program, complimentary afternoon snacks, and nightly turndown service. Every guestroom includes a marble bathroom with a deep-soaking tub, and some guestrooms have Puget Sound views.

15. Fairmont Olympic
5-star hotel with two restaurants, a bar, a coffee shop, a gym with Peloton bikes, a full-service spa, and an indoor pool. Guestrooms feature marble bathrooms with rainfall showers, Le Labo toiletries, and Keurig coffee makers, and the hotel is located a 3-minute walk from Benaroya Hall and a 6-minute walk from the Seattle Art Museum.

16. Monaco
Stylish boutique hotel with a restaurant, bikes for guest use, and access to nearby fitness classes, plus sophisticated touches like Frette linens and a daily wine hour. Located a 10-minute walk from Pike Place Market and a 7-minute walk from the Seattle Art Museum.

17. Sorrento
Sophisticated Italian-inspired hotel located in the First Hill neighborhood, a 3-minute walk from the Frye Art Museum, and a 7-minute walk from Seattle University. Hotel amenities include a daily wine hour, a salon, a restaurant, a fireside lounge, a courtyard, and massage services, and guestrooms have vintage decor and marble bathrooms.

18. Alexis
Renovated interior in a historic building located a 7-minute walk from the Seattle Great Wheel and Pioneer Square. Rooms range from compact standard rooms to spacious suites, some with a fireplace or separate dining area, and hotel facilities include a cafe, a fitness center, and a boutique, plus daily morning coffee and nightly wine hour.

19. Hotel 1000
Refined hotel featuring a seafood restaurant, a full-service spa, a gym, a game room, a golf simulator, and nightly turndown service. Rooms have deep soaking bathtubs and floor-to-ceiling windows, and the hotel is located a 7-minute walk from the Seattle Great Wheel and an 8-minute walk from Pike Place Market.

20. Lotte
Fantastic new luxury hotel between downtown, Pioneer Square, and the International District.

21. Arctic Club
Located a 3-minute walk from the Sky View Observatory and a 10-minute walk from the waterfront, this historic hotel has a restaurant, a bar, a gym, a pool table, and decor inspired by Seattle’s Gold Rush area. Every room includes a mini-fridge and Starbucks coffee, and some rooms feature whirlpool tubs and sofa beds.

22. Embassy Suites
All-suite hotel with separate sleeping and living spaces in every guestroom, plus kitchenettes and smart speakers with Alexa. Hotel amenities include free breakfast, a restaurant, a bar, a gym, a rooftop deck, an indoor pool, a hot tub, and a nightly manager’s reception, and the property is adjacent to King Street Station and a 4-minute walk from Lumen Field.

23. Ace
Trendy but affordable Belltown hotel located a 5-minute walk from the waterfront and a 9-minute walk from the Olympic Sculpture Park. Guestrooms feature minimalist decor and hardwood floors, some with shared bathrooms, and the hotel has a shared kitchen with make-your-own breakfast every morning.

24. Warwick
Nestled in the Belltown neighborhood, this good value hotel is close to many bars and restaurants and an easy walk to downtown and Pike Place Market. On-site amenities include a restaurant, a gym, and an indoor pool and hot tub, and guestrooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, Juliet balconies, marble bathrooms, and desks.

25. Moore
Historic, no-frills hotel with an on-site cafe and guestrooms that range from efficient rooms with bathrooms in the hall to suites with kitchenettes. The property has no air conditioning, and it’s located a 5-minute walk from Westlake Center Mall and Pike Place Market.

26. Courtyard
Located a 3-minute walk from Pioneer Square and the Sky View Observatory, this historic hotel has a restaurant, a bar, an indoor pool, and a gym. Some rooms have water views and kitchenettes, and all rooms feature a coffee maker, a desk, and a mini-fridge.

27. Best Western Plus
Inexpensive hotel with free continental breakfast and a business center located a 2-minute walk from Pioneer Square and an 11-minute walk from the Seattle Art Museum. All guestrooms include a coffee maker, and some rooms have balconies.

The Seattle waterfront, aquarium, and Great Wheel. The Four Seasons Hotel and Pike Place Market are visible (left side of photo) in the downtown area.