The Most Charming Boutique Hotels in Seattle
Seattle has no shortage of unique boutique properties, from the budget-friendly to the blow-out-celebration worthy. You'll find lodging options in every style and at every price point, including high-end high-rises, B&Bs nestled in tree-lined neighborhoods, and hipster-approved hotels.
Ace Hotel
Why it made the list
It’s been nearly two decades since Seattle’s Ace Hotel first opened shop in a former flophouse. The original outpost of the now global Ace brand, the trendsetting hotel in Belltown is a favorite of budget-minded hipsters and the design-obsessed who appreciate its minimalist décor and many eclectic touches. For the most part, it's reasonably priced for such a central location, particularly the rooms with shared bathrooms.
Hotel Max
Why it made the list
Hip and budget-friendly, Hotel Max is a happening place to stay if smallish rooms aren’t a deal breaker. Edgy artwork hangs throughout the boutique hotel, which has an entire floor paying homage to Sub Pop Records, Seattle’s iconic indie music label. Other cool amenities include a pillow bar (pick your preferred style) and a complimentary craft beer happy hour.
Hotel Sorrento
Why it made the list
Built in 1909, when Seattle was still a feisty upstart of a city, the Sorrento once attracted gold prospectors, eager entrepreneurs, and visitors to the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. Today the 76-room Italianate hotel hits the sweet spot between vintage glamour and on-trend design, from the moody lobby to the spacious front patio with black-and-white striped umbrellas. The immediate area isn't particularly attractive but is worth overlooking for the hotel's proximity to Downtown.
The Arctic Club Seattle
Why it made the list
This meticulously kept hotel just steps from historic Pioneer Square exudes charm and character. The handsome nine-story Beaux-Arts building, famous for the terracotta walrus heads that line its third floor, was originally commissioned in 1916 as an HQ for The Arctic Club, a fraternal group of Seattle businessmen with Klondike Gold Rush and Alaska connections. A DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, The Arctic Club, pays homage to this past with an elegant design that calls to mind gentlemen explorers and old-world travel.
Hotel Ballard
Why it made the list
North Seattle has very little to offer in the way of chic lodging, making this 29-room boutique property a real find. Located in the historic heart of Ballard, a former sleepy fishing village turned hip urban neighborhood, Hotel Ballard features elegant rococo-inflected style, water and mountain views, and easy access to many noteworthy restaurants and bars. Guests can experience a taste of everyday Seattle life beyond the Downtown and Seattle Center tourist attractions, which are still within easy reach by car or bus.
Chelsea Station Inn Bed & Breakfast
Why it made the list
Talk about the suite life. Set in a 1920s brick colonial, across the street from scenic Woodland Park Zoo, the Chelsea Station Inn has four 900-square-foot guestrooms with upscale touches like walk-in two-person rain showers and kitchenettes stocked with snacks. There are several outdoor spaces for lounging, including a patio, a chiminea fire pit, and a hot tub. Breakfast is delivered daily to each suite's dining room.
Watertown Hotel
Why it made the list
Located in the city's U-District -- as in the University of Washington -- the Watertown Inn is a worthy alternative to Downtown as a home base for exploring the city. Featuring 100 spacious studio rooms and suites and a bright contemporary vibe, Watertown offers cool amenities like an on-site café, complimentary yellow cruiser bikes to borrow, and an afternoon reception with coffee and cupcakes.
Kimpton Palladian Hotel
Why it made the list
Quirky and cool style define the boutique Palladian Hotel, from the striking reception area, which perfectly complements the 1910 building’s architecture, to the airy, eclectic rooms. Especially memorable are the Napoleon-esque portraits of Seattle icons hanging in the chic lobby, images that also grace throw pillows in the guestrooms.
The Edgewater
Why it made the list
There’s something a bit magical about sleeping right above Elliott Bay. The Edgewater, which was built for the 1962 World’s Fair, is perched at the end of a pier. The best rooms look out on beautiful Puget Sound, with the tide gently lapping just below against the pilings. But all guests can enjoy the unbeatable view, which is framed by a bank of floor-to-ceiling windows aside a roaring fireplace in the hotel’s rustic-chic lobby.
11th Avenue Inn Seattle Bed & Breakfast
Why it made the list
Located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood a mile from Downtown, this classic B&B in a light-filled home built in 1906 is tastefully decorated with antiques and oriental rugs. Rooms with private baths are modest but comfortable, while lovely shared spaces invite lingering, including an elegant dining room where a full breakfast is served daily.
Inn at El Gaucho
Why it made the list
The Inn at El Gaucho stays true to its 1950s roots with classy retro style. In the heart of happening Belltown, the three-story hotel was once a union building for sailors, with studio apartments upstairs for retired men. Now it’s a popular place to stay with a single-screen movie theater downstairs and a swank old-school steakhouse right next door.
Hotel Ändra
Why it made the list
Modern Scandinavian style defines this 119-room luxury boutique hotel in Belltown. Ändra, which means “change” in Swedish, pays chic homage to the city’s Nordic connection while also nodding to elements of the Pacific Northwest. The classic building, which first opened as efficiency-minded apartments in 1926, is tucked between Belltown’s newer glass-tower arrivals on the less-touristy edge of Downtown. It's minutes from Pike Place Market and lots of eateries, bars, and boutiques.
Inn at the Market
Why it made the list
They say location is everything, and Inn at the Market has got it made. When you step out to the street, you’re immediately swept up in the hustle and bustle of Pike Place Market, one of Seattle’s most popular attractions. The recently remodeled boutique hotel is right in the heart of it all, and even if you don't snag a room with an incredible view of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains, you can hang out on the hotel's fifth-floor deck perched above the Puget Sound.
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