20 Best Hotels in Seattle, Washington

Outdoorsy types, visitors who want to stay in a low-key residential area, and anyone who wants to feel pampered and refreshed will enjoy this lovely B&B across the street from beautiful Green Lake. Some of the rooms feature private baths with jetted tubs, gas fireplaces, and new furnishings, and all are clean and charming. The full breakfast alternates between made-to-order savory (a spinach-and-feta omelet, for example) and sweet (such as Brie-and-apple French toast), with a few extra options for guests with food allergies or restrictions. Guests also love the complimentary wine-and-cheese hour on weeknights and the outdoor patio with views of the lake.

This is the choice if you want to be near the action at Seattle Center—you're a leisurely 10-minute walk from the Space Needle and Climate Pledge Arena. Colorful, playful design in both the guest rooms and shared spaces is engaging for kids and charming for adults, and the staff embraces the friendly spirit. During a stay here you'll keep encountering artistic touches, from the elevators to the bright, high-ceilinged bar. Grab-and-go breakfast offerings are a weak point, but there's a large grocery store two blocks away.

Comfortable, old-world charm comes with sturdy antiques, Asian accents, brass fixtures, and florals, and though the hotel's main draw is its central location, street noise isn't much of an issue thanks to the sturdy old construction of the historic 1927 building. There is also a star restaurant, Andaluca, specializing in Spanish-style small plates, as well as Oliver's, a well-known martini bar, where even locals flock for perfectly poured cocktails.

From the huge exterior mural by artist Shepard Fairey to the gorgeous graphic wallpaper inspired by nearby Pike Place Market, every inch of this hip boutique hotel is eye candy, including stylish rooms with sleek, tiled rain showers, an eclectic and welcoming lobby, and vibrant Ben Paris bar and restaurant, where neighborhood locals are as likely to hang out as tourists. Tributes to Seattle's creative side and the city's movers and shakers can be found throughout, from the featured portraits on guestroom walls to the back wall of the lobby covered in repurposed doorknobs from the building's former medical offices. The rooftop terrace with views over Elliot Bay is a serious bonus to take in the scenery, hidden away from the crowds of Pike Place.

Astra Hotel is essentially a standard Marriott, with clean, comfortable, fairly snug standard rooms in a handy central location. The lobby has colorful, quirky decor, and the rooftop bar has a sunset view and throbbing beats coming from the sound system. Local chain Caffe Ladro has a shop in the lobby, so you can wake up to a good cup of coffee—and even have it delivered to your room by Sparky, the hotel’s “robot butler.”

Travelers seeking an authentic Seattle neighborhood experience will fall hard for this charming budget-friendly inn right in the heart of Ballard, tucked between coffee shops, trendy boutiques, and restaurants. It's got character too: the 1902 property, a former bank, is done in a minimalist, modern Louis XIV style, from the giant black rosette chandelier in the black-and-white lobby to the gold-leaf French provincial dressers, blue walls, and quilted headboards in some rooms upstairs. Other than the deluxe king rooms, the rooms use shared bathrooms. Two of the four suites have separate entrances for a private apartment-like feel. Guests get free access to the top-notch Olympic Athletic Club.

Serene and traditional, this 1909 Tudor home is surrounded by opulent gardens and is near both Volunteer Park and Broadway—and it also has some rooms and suites that welcome children or pets. The living room is filled with comfortable furniture and lots of natural light. Guest rooms feel homey, though the rooms that haven't been recently updated seem a bit worn. Some rooms have views; some have hideaway beds in addition to the queen-size beds.

citizenM Seattle South Lake Union proves that small can still feel smart. The rooms—150 square feet, with a wall-to-wall king bed tucked under a picture window—are compact but cleverly designed, complete with a petite desk, mini-fridge, and rain shower. Solo travelers will find it just right; couples, cozy at best. What the rooms lack in space, the buzzing lobby makes up for: think art books, bold color, a 24/7 bar, and a lounge that feels more like a living room than a hotel. It’s stylish, social, and unmistakably citizenM.

The architecture in this historic landmark building, from the fireplaces to the stained-glass windows, makes it a charming place to stay. It shows its age in some of the details, but by and large the owners have done a good job with updating. The large common areas are comfortable and friendly, and the lovely backyard has something few other B&Bs can claim: a heated pool, open in summer.

With 16 stories and 154 rooms, the Graduate is the U-District’s biggest hotel; it’s been around since the 1930s, but renovations have made the rooms modern, with art deco design touches and lots of color (especially Husky purple). South-facing rooms on high floors have views of the city, and the rooftop Mountaineering Club bar is one of the neighborhood’s most appealing places to sip a cocktail.

The Hilton Seattle is a popular site for meetings, conventions, and the summer cruise set, where the newly renovated rooms are tasteful but nondescript—you'll be paying for a brand name here, reliable though it may be. Some rooms have views of the city skyline with a sliver of Elliott Bay in the distance. The best views can be found at Redtrees bar and restaurant, a recently redesigned and attractive contemporary space that serves a delicious tomato-glazed Pacific salmon, as well as other classics throughout the day. An underground passage connects the Hilton with the Rainier Square shopping concourse, the 5th Avenue Theater, and the Convention Center.

Hip and art-forward, the Hotel Max (for "Maximalism") blends artsy decor with punchy minimalism for an architect-office effect, and though most of the rooms are on the small side, they come with cushy trimmings. The work of local photographers is hung in the public spaces and paintings by local artists decorate the gray walls of the guest rooms—though accent colors like an orange bedspread or a red cushion save rooms from being drab. The hotel even features a Sub Pop floor, which pays homage to the famous Seattle record label that introduced the world to bands like Nirvana and Death Cab for Cutie; those rooms feature band posters and Crosley record players with a stash of vinyl albums. The downside to the Max is that rooms in the historic building can feel cramped, especially the bathrooms, which sorely lack in counter space.

The Hyatt Regency Seattle—right next door to the future Convention Center expansion—currently holds the title of the biggest hotel in the Pacific Northwest. The Hyatt's sophisticated 45-story tower practically feels like a small city, with multiple dining options, a large cutting-edge gym, and an especially swanky Regency Club. Rooms are modern, clean, and comfortable. 

This Kimpton property, a 1910 landmark, strikes a masculine-chic tone. Think tufted leather, vintage brass, and cheeky portraits of local icons like Jimi Hendrix, Bill Gates, and Frasier Crane. The eclectic suites feature barn doors, marble bathrooms, and petite claw-foot tubs. Downstairs, Shaker + Spear serves refined Pacific Northwest seafood, while the dark, stylish Pennyroyal bar mixes pitch-perfect cocktails for a drizzly Seattle night.

This character-filled 1918 brick building once served as apartments, and that legacy shows in the spacious guest rooms, which come with kitchenettes and seating areas. The prime draw is location—Seattle Center is just a few blocks away, making it ideal for event-goers. Guests can enjoy on-site spa and salon services, and the speakeasy-inspired Tin Lizzie Lounge downstairs is a cozy spot to unwind and mingle. The historic charm comes with a few quirks, though: there’s no elevator, street noise can filter in, and some rooms show their age in small ways.

A giant indoor pool at a hotel is a rarity in the Pacific Northwest, making this spot in demand for that reason alone, but the proximity to Woodinville's wine country and location in the historic suburb of Bothell are almost as compelling. Like all of the properties from quirky hospitality group McMenamins, the unique art (each room has a name, biography, and custom headboard) and fun story behind the property are part of the draw. While the guestrooms in the former 1930s junior high school are somewhat compact, guests can enjoy five expansive acres of grounds, with gardens, outdoor seating and live music, multiple bars, a restaurant, a brewery, and a movie theater. The 112-foot saltwater pool is heated to 88-90 degrees and set in a tropical-themed building with a pub that features more than 80 rums. Non-guests can swim for a fee by the hour, making this a worthwhile stop when in the area even when staying elsewhere.

A fabulous shade of dark green coats most of the interior walls and brick surfaces at this eclectic boutique hotel in a historic building (circa 1898) just a block up from Pike Place Market. Other vintage-modern design touches are equally memorable, like bold graphic tile in the bathrooms, chintz headboards and accent pillows, and Smeg tea kettles. Treat yourself to a drink or brunch in the stylish Hart and Hunter, and if you're traveling with a four-legged family member, they're sure to be spoiled too, with treats, toys, and dog beds. 

This well-maintained inn, built in the 1960s, has a midcentury-modern feel, especially in the standard rooms (which have small bathrooms). Premium rooms, a later addition, have pullout sofas and kitchenettes, making them good for families. The pool (open in summer) is a plus, and guests have access to loaner bikes and the workout room of the sister property next door, the Watertown Hotel.

Rooms here are clean and simple, with large windows and European-style bedding, and the lobby features stylish contemporary furniture and quirky art. Reasonable parking rates are a boon, an on-site café serves breakfast and lunch, and guests have access to the outdoor pool at the University Inn, the sister property next door.

Boat tours, waterside views, and complimentary kayak usage make this Kirkland hotel and yacht club, just 9 miles from Seattle on the shores of Lake Washington, a great bet. You'll pay more for the better views and rooms with balconies, but it's probably worth it. Great views can also be had from the upscale restaurant, Bin on the Lake, which serves tasty Pacific Rim fare like seared salmon and regional oysters. The Beach Cafe is equally good, and more casual.