Below we list the best hotels and accommodations in Seattle based on recommendations from CNN, Lonely Planet, Frommer’s, Fodor’s, New York Times and more. All hotel recommendations have been referenced with guest reviews and we only listed places that have at least a 4 out of 5-star guest review rating.
Best cheap hotel in Seattle: The College Inn
Best boutique hotel in Seattle: Hotel Theodore
“Covering an entire city block smack-dab in the heart of downtown, the Fairmont Olympic is Seattle’s grande dame of hotels and the place to stay if you want a traditional, full-service, grand hotel experience. The majesty, opulence and scale of its lobby and the Georgian Room is simply unparalleled.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Seattle.
“A Downtown Scandinavian-themed boutique property with 119 guest rooms, two restaurants and a Northwest-meets-Nordic design aesthetic featuring Alvar Aalto-designed lounge chairs and stacked firewood beside the lobby’s large granite fireplace.”
“Seattle’s Four Seasons location overlooks Elliott Bay and the Puget Sound. From the modern Northwest-inspired design to the posh spa and infinity-edge pool, the hotel, which occupies the first 10 floors of a 21-story residential high-rise, offers an ultra-luxurious Seattle experience.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Seattle.
“Connoisseurs of Seattle hotels have been enjoying Inn at the Market since it opened in 1986. One of the best small hotels in the Pacific Northwest, this charming hotel overlooking the Pike Place Market is one of the most romantic small hotels in the city.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Seattle.
“Featuring views of the Space Needle and Seattle’s sleek South Lake Union neighborhood–home to tech behemoth Amazon’s HQ, among many other companies–the sustainability-minded Pan Pacific is a stylish contemporary option not far from the Downtown core.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Seattle.
“The Sorrento is a hotel full of charming period details and rooms that convey personality rather than conformity, with carved wood moldings, restored vintage furniture, and white marble bathrooms with porcelain pedestal sinks and full-length mirrors.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Seattle.
“The Hotel Theodore is a refined 153-room property that reopened in 2017 after a style-minded renovation. In the Art Deco tower that formerly housed the Roosevelt Hotel, guests are now surrounded by Seattle-sourced products, from a collection of local art and artifacts to house-roasted beans in the on-site coffee shop.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Seattle.
“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.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Seattle.
“A 1909 Tudor mansion whose imposing exterior belies the quirky charm of its friendly hosts, this four-level B&B on a quiet residential street just past the Capitol Hill action is one of the best in the area.”
“Ballard’s glittering designer hotel, which opened in May 2013, exemplifies the neighborhood’s upward rise. The seduction begins outside: Hotel Ballard has a lovely street profile, with its wrought-iron balconies blending in with the redbrick edifices of yore.”
Recommended by:
Frommers, Lonely Planet, Fodors, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times, Frommers, Fodors, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Fodors, Frommers, Forbes, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Frommers, Fodors, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Fodors, Frommers, Forbes
Recommended by:
Frommers, Fodors, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Fodors, Frommers
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet
Seattle is known for its unique diversified culture, excellent foods, art scenes, and more. But it is a big city and has a lot of best neighborhoods. For those who are visiting here for the first time, it can be challenging for them to the best one. However, this article can guide you in finding the neighborhood. Whether you want to enjoy a peaceful stay or explore the top attractions of Seattle, you have arrived at the right place. So, let's have a look into some of the best neighborhoods.
Top 5 neighborhoods in Seattle
Queen Anne
Located in the center of Seattle, equipped with most beautiful attractions and landmarks, Queen Anne is a perfect place to stay in Seattle. In fact, it is considered as the heaven of Seattle. This is the neighborhood where you can enjoy the real beauty of the city. Some of the attractions that you can find here are the Seattle Monorails, discovery park, Seattle Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture, and more. You will definitely appreciate your visit to Queen Anne.
Belltown
Belltown is surrounded by some significant locations such as Downton Seattle, Belltown, and Queen Anne. It is the fashionable district in Seattle and houses bars, restaurants, clubs and boutiques. Want to enjoy the beautiful culture and a perfect nightlife? Choose this place. Balling on the budget? Don’t worry. Belltown has some budget-friendly hostels where you have an affordable stay. The place gives you the chance to enjoy every aspect of Seattle without stretching your pocket.
Pioneer Square
Want to enjoy the nightlife in Seattle? Then head toward Pioneer Square. It is the oldest neighborhood and central business district of Seattle. Here you will witness a contemporary living style combined with the rich history of Seattle. The place has classic architectures and a lot of historic charms that you will love to explore. An area perfect for unlimited fun and excitements, you will find bars and pubs where you can do party all-night. Choose this neighborhood for a fantastic night out.
Capitol Hill
The coolest neighborhood, Capitol Hill, is situated on the north side of Downtown. With its friendly and diversified atmosphere, it is a great place to stay in Seattle. Capitol Hill is also considered as the heat of the infamous musical culture of Seattle. The area boasts cafes, bars, nightclubs, theatres and more. It has something for all music lovers. Do you love shopping? Mover toward Pine corridor of Capitol Hills where you can find unlimited shops and boutique.
Downtown Seattle
This is the heart of Seattle and a perfect place for families. Downtown Seattle houses market places, famous landmarks, and much more things. As the place is not so large, you can explore it on foot. Just a take a short morning or evening walk, and you can enjoy the best of Seattle. Some major attractions that you can find here are Seattle Aquarium, the Paramount Theatre, Central Library, and more.
Just choose the place based on your requirements or likes and get ready to explore Seattle. Have a great stay in the city.
Also check out our guide about the best areas to stay in Seattle.
If money isn't a problem and you're looking for a luxury hotel in Seattle, then go for Four Seasons Hotel Seattle. The hotel offers excellent service, it's in a top location, it has been rated very highly by previous guests and renowned travel critics have recommended it.
Also check out our list of the best luxury hotels in Seattle, it's a manually curated list of the most exclusive 5-star hotels in the city.
If you're looking for a cheap hotel in Seattle, then book The College Inn. It's an excellent budget hotel offering great value for money. It's in a good location, it's been recommended by travel experts and the hotel has excellent customer reviews. Also check out our list of the best cheap hotels in Seattle.
Looking for a cozy place to stay in Seattle that serves you handmade and fresh breakfast in the morning? Go and check out Bacon Mansion Bed & Breakfast. The B&B has been recommended by well-known travel experts and recent guests have given it top ratings.
You like some luxury but don't like the famous chain hotels. If you're looking for the best boutique hotel in Seattle, you should check out Hotel Theodore. It's a very cool hotel that has been highly recommended by travelers and experts.
Also check out our list of the best boutique hotels in Seattle, it's a manually curated list of the most unique and romantic hotels in the city.
Looking for a good and affordable private room or cozy dorm? Check out Green Tortoise Hostel. The hostel has been highly rated by backpackers. Also check out our list of best hostels in Seattle.
If you're looking for a 3-star hotel in Seattle then you'll have to pay around $250 per night. For a 4-star hotel you have to pay about $315 per night and if you're looking for a luxury 5-star Seattle hotel that will cost you about $475 per night.
If you're looking for a romantic get-away in Seattle, then try the Inn at the Market. The hotel has excellent recent reviews from couples.
If you're looking for a room with a view, then try the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle. The hotel has excellent customer reviews about the views from the hotel.
If you're looking to visit Seattle with your family, then try Four Seasons Hotel Seattle. The hotel has excellent recent reviews by families.
Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour. Discover Seattle’s original neighborhood, Pioneer Square, on this guided walking tour. Explore the underground pathways that were built in the southwest corner of the Emerald City more than 120 years ago. Price: $29.
Seattle: Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour. Embark on a culinary tasting adventure of Pike Place Market with a local chef guide. Stop at 10 different artisanal vendors; learning about local production and tasting your way through the flavors of the Northwest. Price: $56.
Whale Watching from Friday Harbor. Get up close with the orca whales off the San Juan Islands near Seattle on this 4-hour whale-watching cruise. Price: $114.
More things to do in Seattle
If you love music, coffee, and rain (who doesn’t?), then there is no better place to live than Seattle. This city has everything that one could ever want; an abundance of natural beauty, great food and restaurants, as well as amazing people who call it home. It’s also the home of some fantastic cafes where you can enjoy a delicious cup of joe almost any time of day. If you’re thinking about visiting Seattle for the first time, this article will give you some great information about the city. From its most famous neighborhoods to its lesser known gems, this guide will help you get acquainted with the Emerald City.
While there are many great things about Seattle, the first thing that comes to most people’s minds is the weather. Seattle’s weather is very similar to Vancouver’s and is considered to be a temperate climate. Although it rains more often than not, it’s warm and humid throughout the year.
The best places for foodies
There is no shortage of great places to eat in Seattle. Whether you’re craving old-school diner food or want to eat at a location that’s featured in a TV show, there is something for everyone. A few of the most notable food places to check out are the following:
The Walrus and the Carpenter: This is a must-visit if you like fish and seafood. It’s the type of place that you go to with a bunch of friends and order way too much food. You’ll have a blast here.
The Crumpet Shop: If you’re looking for some delicious British-inspired food, this is the place to go. They have some amazing crumpets and tea.
Ballard Fish Company: This is one of those places that you’ll want to take your visiting friends to. It’s the perfect place to catch a nice view of the city and enjoy a delicious seafood meal.
The coffee scene in Seattle
Coffee is as essential to Seattle as the rain. The city has a booming coffee scene and some of the best places to get coffee in the world. If you’re a coffee lover, there is no better place to live than Seattle. There are literally thousands of places to get coffee. Some notable establishments to check out include the following:
Slate Coffee Roasters: This place is known for its high-quality coffee beans and great customer service. It’s a great place to meet up with friends and catch up on what’s been going on in their lives.
Caffe Vita: This is one of the most popular coffee spots in Seattle. It’s a great place to get coffee on a nice sunny day. You’ll have a great view of the city while sipping on your espresso.
Cafe Sol: This is one of the most unique coffee shops in Seattle. The cafe is nestled in a cozy little nook, surrounded by a lush forest.
Victrola Coffee Roasters: This is one of the most popular coffee shops in Seattle. It’s a great place to meet up with friends and catch up on what’s been going on in their lives.
Starbucks: While this might not be the most authentic spot for coffee, it’s a place everyone should visit at least once in their life and Starbucks was founded in Seattle.
Activities to do in Seattle
Cruise the Puget Sound: This is a must-do when visiting Seattle. If you have time, you should definitely go on a cruise and explore the Puget Sound. This is one of the most beautiful things to see while in Seattle.
Go to Pike Place Market: This is one of the most popular places to visit while in Seattle. You’ll find everything from a wide variety of souvenirs to fresh produce and meats. You’ll even discover some great places to get coffee while you’re there.
Visit the Space Needle: If you’re into visiting touristy type places, then you should definitely visit the Space Needle. It’s one of the most iconic buildings in Seattle and provides some amazing views of the city and Puget Sound.
Take a walk along the Seattle Great Wheel: This is a great place to walk and get some fresh air while in Seattle. The walk will take you by some beautiful views of the city and Puget Sound. It’s a great place to go for a relaxing walk.
Visit the EMP Museum: This is a great place to visit if you’re interested in music, sci-fi and pop culture. It’s a great place to visit with friends or family.
The music scene in Seattle
The music scene in Seattle is as diverse as it is amazing. There are events happening in the city every single day and there’s a good chance that one of your favorite musicians is going to be performing at some point while you’re in town. It’s not just music lovers who flock to the city; the city also attracts artists. Seattle is home to the world-famous Microsoft, Amazon, and Starbucks.
In terms of live music venues, you will find one for every taste, style and budget. Some notable music venues in Seattle include
The Showbox: This is one of the best music venues in Seattle. It’s a great place to see a concert whether you’re into rock or hip-hop.
The Triple Door: This is a great place to go if you’re looking for a more high-end concert. It’s a very classy venue that has amazing acoustics.
The Crocodile: This is a well-known venue that has hosted some of the biggest rap artists in the world. It’s a great place to go with a large group of friends.
The Moore Theatre: This venue is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s been around for over 100 years and is one of the oldest theaters in Seattle.
What’s next
We recommend you read our guide about where to stay in Seattle. It provides an excellent overview of the most popular areas, highlighting the main attractions and hotel recommendations for each area.
If you like our list of the best hotels in Seattle, then you should also check out our selection of recommended hotels in Portland or the best hotels in Nashville.