6 Best Hotels in Belltown, Seattle

The Ace is a dream come true for anyone who appreciates unique minimalist decor, with touches like army-surplus blankets, industrial metal sinks, and street art breaking up any notion of austerity; the cheapest rooms share bathrooms, which have enormous showers. Almost everything is white—even the wood floors and brick walls have been painted—making elements like randomly placed tree stumps pop in the gallery-like spaces. A small dining room hosts a continental breakfast and has a vending machine with unusual items like Japanese snacks and hangover cures. This is a very specific experience and aesthetic: if you're not soothed (or stimulated) by the stripped-down quality of the rooms or not amused by finding a copy of the Kama Sutra where the Bible would be, you may want to stay elsewhere.

Scandinavian modern design lovers will swoon over Hotel Ändra, from the striking double-height lobby lounge that still feels cozy thanks to plush seating and a large fireplace, to the freshly renovated rooms, which feature stylish furnishings in an on-trend palette of grays, ochres, and pinks.

At this hip Kimpton hotel in a 1910 Belltown landmark, the unpretentious vibe is masculine-chic, from the tufted-leather front desk to the Napoleonic-style pop-art portraits of local icons like Jimi Hendrix, Bill Gates, and Frasier Crane that hang in the lobby and appear again as pillows in the guest rooms. Suites are especially enticing, with eclectic vintage decor, TVs on easels, bedrooms tucked behind barn doors, and marble bathrooms with petite claw-foot tubs.

With views of Elliott Bay from most rooms (half have small Juliet balconies), proximity to the cruise terminals, comfy beds, and a great location near the tourist spots and the financial district, this property is a hot spot for groups and cruise travelers. The decor in the public spaces is warm, rich, and somewhat interesting, while guest rooms fall back on standard hotel decor. The Hook and Plow restaurant serves casual American fare with local and organic meats and produce.

The north tower has the best view, for a price.

Literally perched over Elliott Bay, the rustic-chic Edgewater has spectacular west-facing views of ferries and sailboats, seals and seabirds, and the distant Olympic Mountains, so don't even think of booking a city-view room. For a romantic splurge, consider booking one of the hotel's premium waterfront rooms, which feature cushy club chairs in front of a fireplace and spacious bathrooms with glass-encased showers and large claw-foot tubs. There's something a little magical about sleeping above gently lapping water, which you can also enjoy in the more affordable regular waterfront rooms. While the small city rooms don't offer much in the way of views and may not be worth the price for some, the hotel's jaw-dropping lobby frames an expansive view of Puget Sound and Seattle's waterfront and is perfect for an hour or two of contemplative relaxation.  If you just want a taste of the hotel, stop into the elegant Six Seven restaurant for indoor-outdoor seating with a bay vista (there's also a more casual bar).

Space Needle views, vintage charm, and family-friendly service abound at this renovated classic hotel in Belltown, which features contemporary guest rooms with soundproofed sliders and patios and Italian marble-clad bathrooms.