How to find the best hotels in Seattle
Finding a good hotel in Seattle isn't the easiest task in the world, because like San Francisco and New York, it's an expensive city to stay in. And the worst part is that in many occasions the high cost doesn't reflect on quality, something that happens all around United States.
For this reason, we recommend you to follow these tips when looking for a hotel in Seattle:
- Focus on the areas we recommend below and avoid staying in the places we suggest you don't stay.
- Try to book hotels whose rating is above 7.5.
- Always read the guest reviews and sort them by the most recent ones: this is where you'll see the real pros and cons of each hotel. On Booking.com, the platform we always use, you can filter by language or even use the option to translate the review.
- Unless the hotel includes breakfast in the price, don't add it. They're usually quite expensive and you're sure to find cheaper options for breakfast on the street.
- Confirm that taxes are included in your reservation to avoid surprises. Booking.com always indicates this at the beginning of the reservation as well as at the end. The lodging in Seattle have the following taxes:
- Lodgers Tax: 15,7%
- Seattle Tourism Improvement Area Fee: 2,3%
- Some hotels may include the Resort Fee, an additional tax for the use of their facilities, the amount of which is chosen by the hotel itself.
- Many hotels in Seattle (and in the USA in general) may ask for a deposit of a variable amount that is returned to you once you've left the room undamaged. Keep this in mind so that you have enough money on your credit card.
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The best value for money hotels in Seattle
No time to read the whole post? Let's get straight to the point! These are the best hotels in Seattle for their value for money, located in some of the areas we recommend below. For our selection we considered location, price, ratings and guest reviews.
Where to stay in Seattle: best areas
Where is the best area to stay in Seattle? From our opinion after having visited the city, 6 are the best and the ones you should focus on to find your accommodation. Below you can find a clear summary of what offers every area with advantages, disadvantages and recommended hotels:
1. Downtown, the most centrally located area of Seattle
- Advantages: central area, lively, well connected and with places of interest. Variety of accommodations.
- Disadvantages: very touristy area in high season, paid parking and in some parts there is a concentration of homeless and junkies.
- Nearby points of interest: Pike Place Market, Seattle City Hall, Pioneer Square, Chinatown.
- Recommended accommodations: all hotels in Downtown Seattle here.
- Palihotel Seattle (best value for money, next to Pike Place Market)
- Green Tortoise Hostel Seattle (cheap hostel in downtown Seattle)
- The Paramount Hotel (wide variety of rooms)
- Hotel Max (wide variety of rooms)
Downtown Seattle is the most touristy and central area, where several highlights are concentrated: the liveliest part of the port with the iconic Great Wheel and the Pike Place Market, where you can see the flying fishes and do this guided food tour. Ideal for those looking to be in the heart of the city and have plenty of dining options and rooftops overlooking the sea, as well as atmosphere both day and night.
Here you'll find accommodation options for all budgets: from luxury hotels like the Fairmont Olympic to more economical alternatives like the ones we recommended above, including hostels.
On the downside, Downtown Seattle is the area of the city where most homeless and junkies are concentrated, especially in and around Pioneer Square. Although you'll see them in other parts, this popular square is where in recent years they've gathered the most.
At any time of the day it isn't a pleasant situation to see, but especially at night there's a certain atmosphere of insecurity that we're sure you don't want to experience during your stay. For this reason, try to avoid this area (we mark it in black on the map). By the way, we wouldn't stay in Chinatown either, because from our point of view it lacks attractions.
2. Belltown, for nightlife lovers
- Advantages: central but uncrowded area, nightlife and variety of accommodations.
- Disadvantages: in some areas it can be noisy at night, paid parking and some homeless people in the area.
- Nearby points of interest: Olympic Sculpture Park, Pike Place Market, Space Needle.
- Recommended accommodations: all Belltown hotels in Seattle here.
- Warwick Seattle (best value for money. Breakfast included and has a restaurant)
- Belltown Inn (amazing views from its rooftop)
- Hotel Five - Staypineapple (funny decoration)
- Ändra Hotel (trendy and warm, it has restaurant. Good hotel in Seattle for couples!)
This neighborhood with an industrial past has been able to transform itself into one of the areas with the most leisure and cultural offer in Seattle. Sandwiched between Downtown and the Queen Anne neighborhood, in Belltown you'll find the advantage of a good location but without the crowds of downtown.
Here the old brick-fronted factories have been converted, interspersed with modern condos. Belltown offers visitors a wide range of culinary offerings, art galleries and trendy boutiques. And if you like nightlife entertainment, Belltown is your place: live music venues, elegant cocktail bars, jazz clubs...
Please note that parking in Belltown is always paid, either on the street (for a limited time) or in private outdoor parking lots. Keep this in mind if you're renting a car in Seattle!
In case you travel to Seattle with children it wouldn't be the option we would choose, but we do see it as an ideal area for couples. Of course, you've to keep in mind that here you can also find some homeless and drug addicts, but not as many as in Pioneer Square.
3. Lower Queen Anne, ideal for families and with many museums
- Advantages: quiet, residential area with some of Seattle's most important museums. Close to the cruise port.
- Disadvantages: in some areas there can be many slopes and paid parking.
- Nearby points of interest: Kerry Park, Space Needle, MoPOP, Children's Museum, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Pacific Science Museum.
- Recommended accommodations: all Lower Queen Anne hotels in Seattle here.
- Hampton Inn (breakfast included)
- The Mediterranean Inn (hotel with views to the Space Needle)
- Hyatt House Seattle Downtown (hotel next to the Space Needle)
- The Maxwell Hotel - Staypineapple (hotel with indoor pool - kids love it!)
Lower Queen Anne, also known as Uptown Seattle, is the southern part of the greater Queen Anne neighborhood. It's a quiet and mostly residential area, but at the same time has plenty of restaurants and stores. This is one of the best places to stay in Seattle and, from our point of view, the ideal area if you're visiting Seattle as a family. Besides, if you're looking for a hotel in Seattle near the cruise port, this is the closest area!
Here is the Seattle Center, a large green area that houses Seattle's most popular attraction: the Space Needle. So, if you're looking for a hotel near the Space Needle, this is your area!
In addition, several of the most important museums in the city are here: the Museum of Pop Culture (for music lovers), the Children's Museum (ideal for children), the Pacific Science Museum (for those who are crazy about science) or the Chihuly Garden and Glass (if art is your thing). Also, hockey games and concerts are held at the nearby Climate Pledge Arena.
Don't forget that here is Queen Anne Hill, a hill in the middle of the city that houses Kerry Park, Seattle's most famous viewpoint. For this reason, avoid staying here at all costs, the slopes are out of this world!
4. Capitol Hill, the most hipster area in Seattle
- Advantages: day and night atmosphere, plenty of bars and some of the best restaurants. Lots of apartments if that is what you're looking for, but not so many hotels.
- Disadvantages: especially on weekends it can be noisy.
- Nearby points of interest: the neighborhood itself, Lake Union, Volunteer Park.
- Recommended accommodations: all Capitol Hill hotels in Seattle here.
- Silver Cloud Hotel (it has restaurant)
- Perch Howell Haven 19 (apartament)
- Pearch Urban Reflection 18 (apartament)
Known as the coolest and hipster neighborhood in the city, Capitol Hill (or popularly Cap Hill) stands as one of the best areas to stay in Seattle. This is where the LGBTIQ+ community is concentrated, something you'll notice right away with its multicolored crosswalks and flags and inclusive clubs. Similar to El Castro in San Francisco!
Capitol Hill has room for everyone, as some of the city's best restaurants are located here, as well as trendy coffee shops, breweries and yummy ice creams - a great place for foodies!
Remember that this neighborhood, especially on weekends, gets crowded in the afternoons and evenings. For this reason, if you're looking for a pleasant environment to rest, it may not be the best option. Also, if you decide that this is the area for you, choose accommodation in the southern part so as not to be so far from the center.
Keep in mind that there isn't much variety of hotels in Cap Hill, but there is a wide range of apartments, which can be very useful for those who want to stay in a fully equiped place.
5. South Lake Union, the financial district in Seattle
- Advantages: good location, plenty of bars and restaurants, nice view of the lake.
- Disadvantages: not very authentic area, the Light Rail doesn't stop here.
- Nearby points of interest: Lake Union, Museum of History & Industry, Capitol Hill, Space Needle.
- Recommended accommodations: all South Lake Union hotels in Seattle here.
- CitizenM Seattle South Lake (best value for money)
- Travelodge by Windham (one of the cheapest hotels in Seattle, though outdated facilities)
- MOXY Seattle (trendy and comfy)
- Residende Inn by Marriot (breakfast included and lake view)
As its name indicates, South Lake Union is the area located in the southern part of Lake Union, which is right in the central part of the city.
Due to the arrival of Amazon, a company that has its headquarters in Seattle, this area went from having 0 charm to being one of the most modern and demanded of the city. Here the skyscrapers are the protagonists, along with the condos where most of the employees of this company live.
For this reason, it isn't a very authentic neighborhood with a special charm, apart from the views of the lake that you can have from some points.
The advantages are that, in addition to being able to reach the downtown on foot, being a business-oriented area there's plenty of bars and restaurants. On the other hand, the Light Rail doesn't stop here, which is especially important if you want to move with luggage to or from the Seattle airport.
6. West Seattle, to stay next to the beach
- Advantages: very quiet residential area, located next to the beach and free parking.
- Disadvantages: far from the center, little variety of accommodations.
- Nearby points of interest: Alki Beach.
- Recommended accommodations: all hotels in West Seattle here.
- The Ferry House (apartments and full house)
- Alki Oasis (full house)
- West Seattle Retreat (full house)
The last of the areas to stay in Seattle that we recommend is West Seattle, but only if you feel like being by the beach or you've been to Seattle before and don't mind being away from downtown. Besides, the hotel offer in West Seattle isn't too extensive here.
West Seattle is a very nice residential neighborhood, full of local stores and restaurants, with a boardwalk that runs along Alki Beach and from which you have nice views of the city skyline. We also think it's a perfect area to stay if you have a car, as you can easily find free parking here.
If you decide to stay here, choose a hotel or apartment close to the Water Taxi stop to get downtown quickly. The ride takes about 15 minutes, there're departures from West Seattle every hour on the hour, and the fare is $6.25 cash or $5.25 if you have the ORCA Card.
Seattle Accommodation Map
In this map you can see marked by colors all the areas and the accommodations we've recommended to you. The area in black is where we suggest you not to choose your hotel:
We hope you can find your perfect accommodation in Seattle with this post!
