🏨Where to Stay in Seattle | Best areas + Map + Hotels |

What's the Best Area to Stay in Seattle: Summary Table

The truth is that there's no single answer to this question, since the best area will depend on your budget, how many days you have, the activities you want to do during your trip to Seattle, the atmosphere you're looking for, and how much you're willing to get around using public transportation.

💡 If this is your first trip to Seattle and you're looking for a convenient location for sightseeing, we'd recommend Downtown—but avoid certain specific areas in that neighborhood, such as Pioneer Square or Chinatown. The Palihotel Seattle and The Paramount Hotel are our top picks.

Although we recommend reading the full article to get all the information, this comparison table provides a summary of the 5 areas where we recommend staying in Seattle, the types of travelers we think they’re best suited for, and the best hotels in each area:

BEST AREAS TO STAY IN SEATTLE
AREA	TOP HOTELS	IDEAL FOR	PRICE	VIBE
Downtown	1. Palihotel Seattle 2. The Paramount Hotel 3. Hotel Max	🥇 First-time visits and having tourist attractions nearby	💰💰💰	Touristy and lively
Belltown	1. Warwick Seattle 2. Belltown Inn 3. Hotel Five	🥳 Having nightlife options in a central area	💰💰💰	Quiet during the day and lively at night
Lower Queen Anne	1. The Mediterranean Inn 2. Hyatt House Seattle Downtown 3. The Maxwell Hotel	👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families and peace	💰💰	Residential and quiet
Capitol Hill	1. Silver Cloud Hotel 2. The Boylston Hotel	🍣 Having great food and a nice atmosphere	💰💰	Hipster and bohemian
South Lake Union	1. CitizenM Seattle South Lake 2. MOXY Seattle 3. Residende Inn by Marriot	🏢 Being in a modern area	💰💰💰	Elegant and business-like atmosphere

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:

💯 Check the hotel's rating

Before getting carried away by an attractive price or some really nice photos, check the hotel's rating. In our case, if we see a place to stay in the United States with a low rating (usually below 7), we rule it out right away, since that's a sign that something's wrong.

In the case of Seattle, we'd try not to book hotels with a rating below 7.5.

🤓 Read the reviews, starting with the most recent ones

Although the rating is helpful, we think it’s very important to read other travelers’ reviews to uncover potential issues with the hotel that you might not notice at first glance. You don’t need to read all the thousands of reviews each hotel has; what we do is filter by keywords or start by reading those written in our language, but we always sort them by the most recent ones.

In Seattle, it’s important to filter reviews by location, noise, room size, comfort and bed size, cleanliness, staff service, elevator availability, whether a deposit is required, and what the refund policy is, etc.

❌ Check the cancellation policy

It’s very rare for us to book a hotel that doesn’t offer free cancellation; we only do so in exceptional cases where there’s no other alternative. We highly recommend choosing a hotel in Seattle that offers free cancellation, especially if you’re planning your trip several months in advance (which is usually the case). Although these rates are slightly higher than non-refundable ones, we believe it’s worth paying the extra cost.

In addition to being useful in case you have to cancel your trip and want to get your money back, it can also be helpful if you find a better rate in the future. Just be sure to always check the terms and conditions, since cancellation policies vary widely from one hotel to another.

💸 Check if taxes are included in the price

This is an especially important consideration when booking accommodations in Seattle, because the price you see when you book may not be the final cost.

For this reason, make sure to check whether taxes are included in your reservation so you don't run into any surprises later. For example, Booking.com is the search engine we always use to make reservations, and this information is clearly stated both at the beginning and at the end of the booking process; in the vast majority of cases, everything is already included in the price!

Here are the taxes in Seattle that you should be aware of:

• 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.

🥐 Check if breakfast is included in the rate

If breakfast is included in your lodging rate, that's great. But if it's something you have to pay for separately, we don't really recommend doing so in Seattle because hotel breakfasts are generally expensive, and there are plenty of options in the city that cost less.

Where to stay in Seattle: best areas and hotels

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

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.

DOWNTOWN IN SEATTLE

👍🏼Ideal for: first-time visitors who want the city's main attractions within walking distance.
✅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.

🏨Hotels in Seattle Downtown

You'll find all hotels in Downtown Seattle here, but we've put together a selection of the best options, taking various budgets into account:

• Palihotel Seattle: a lovely 4⭐ hotel located next to Pike Place Market. It features modern and unique decor, a restaurant, and beautiful common areas where you can relax. On the downside, some rooms may be a bit noisy at night ➡️ Book it here.
• The Paramount Hotel: a 4⭐ hotel that's a bit more affordable, centrally located but farther from the harbor and the market. It offers a wide variety of rooms, all of which are spacious and comfortable, as well as a gym and pleasant common areas ➡️ Book it here.
• Hotel Max: a centrally located hotel in a historic, restored building. The rooms are slightly smaller than those in the previous options, but they have everything you need, and the ones on the upper floors offer nice views. It features a gym and a bar that serves free beer to guests at certain times in the afternoon ➡️ Book it here.
• Green Tortoise Hostel Seattle: if you're looking for an affordable accommodation in Seattle and well-located, this hostel offers shared rooms with breakfast included in the rate ➡️ Book it here.

2. Belltown, for nightlife lovers

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.

BELLTOWN

👍🏼Ideal for: couples or groups looking for a central location that's not too crowded, with plenty of leisure options.
✅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.

🏨 Hotels in Belltown

You'll find all Belltown hotels in Seattle here, but we've put together a list of the best options:

• Warwick Seattle: a hotel that offers great value for the money. The rooms are spacious, with comfortable beds, and those on the upper floors offer great views of the city, including the Space Needle. It has a restaurant, an indoor pool, and a small hot tub ➡️ Book it here.
• Belltown Inn: a well-located and affordable hotel, though its facilities are somewhat modest and simple. It has a beautiful terrace on the top floor that offers great views of the city ➡️ Book it here.
• Hotel Five - Staypineapple: its decor is undoubtedly what sets this hotel apart, thanks to its colors and pineapple theme. It's modern, well-located, the rooms are fully equipped, and it has a gym ➡️ Book it here.
• Ändra Hotel: a modern and cozy hotel, ideal for couples. It features charming decor—the kind that makes you never want to leave. The rooms are spacious and well-equipped, and the restaurant serves delicious, high-quality food ➡️ Book it here.

3. Lower Queen Anne, ideal for families and with many museums

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!

LOWER QUEEN ANNE

👍🏼Ideal for: families or people looking to live in a residential area
✅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.

🏨Hotels in Lower Queen Anne

You'll find all Lower Queen Anne hotels in Seattle here, but here's our personal selection:

• The Mediterranean Inn: a hotel with somewhat outdated facilities, but very reasonably priced for Seattle. The views of the Space Needle and the panoramic view of the city from the rooftop terrace are definitely worth mentioning ➡️ Book it here.
• The Maxwell Hotel - Staypineapple: hotel of the same chain as the one recommended in Belltown, known for its cheerful decor. It's modern, has a bar, and an indoor pool ➡️ Book it here.
• Hampton Inn: simple hotel, but sufficient for a pleasant stay. It stands out because the rate includes a very complete and delicious buffet-style breakfast ➡️ Book it here.
• Hyatt House Seattle Downtown: hotel located right next to the Space Needle. Many of its rooms have kitchen, making it ideal if you're traveling with children and want to prepare a meal at the hotel. Breakfast is also included in the price ➡️ Book it here.

4. Capitol Hill, the most hipster area in Seattle

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.

CAPITOL HILL

👍🏼Ideal for: people looking to stay in a lively, hipster neighborhood with plenty of dining options.
✅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.

🏨Hotels in Capitol Hill

You'll fin all Capitol Hill hotels in Seattle here, but keep in mind that there aren't many options in this area. These are the best ones:

• Silver Cloud Hotel: hotel with very spacious and well-equipped rooms. It's close to bars and other amenities, although it has its own restaurant. It features a gym and private parking (for a fee) ➡️ Book it here.
• The Boylston Hotel Capitol Hill: a small hotel with a great location in the neighborhood. The rooms aren't very large, but the beds are comfortable and have everything you need. They offer free water, coffee, and tea all day long ➡️ Book it here.

5. South Lake Union, the financial district in Seattle

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.

SOUTH LAKE UNION

👍🏼Ideal for: people looking to stay in a modern area.
✅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.

🏨Hotels in South Lake Union

You'll find all South Lake Union hotels in Seattle here, but these are our recommendations:

• CitizenM Seattle South Lake: a popular hotel in this area known for its great value for money. It's modern, colorful, and has functional rooms, as well as a gym. You can add breakfast to your rate—it's fabulous! ➡️ Book it here.
• MOXY Seattle: a modern hotel with an elegant, industrial design. The rooms are fully equipped, and there is a gym, a bar, and a game area in the common areas ➡️ Book it here.
• Residende Inn by Marriot: this hotel has more outdated facilities than the previous two, but it has an indoor pool, a gym, a bar, breakfast included in the price, and some rooms offer views of the lake ➡️ Book it here.

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:

FAQs about staying in Seattle

How much does it cost to stay in Seattle?

The average price for a double hotel room is rarely less than $150, although rates vary depending on the area, the season, and how far in advance you book.

Is it safe to stay in Seattle?

Yes, it’s generally a safe city for tourists, but you should take precautions with your belongings, just like in any other big city, and avoid areas with little foot traffic at night.

Which areas should you avoid?

Pioneer Square and its surroundings have a high concentration of homeless people and drug users. Avoid booking a hotel here, as the atmosphere is not pleasant at all.

How far in advance should you book accommodation in Seattle?

The sooner the better, especially if you’re traveling during peak season. Ideally, you should make your reservation 6–8 months in advance.

What taxes are charged at hotels in Seattle?

All hotels charge a 15.7% Lodgers Tax and a 2.3% Seattle Tourism Improvement Area Fee. Additionally, some hotels include a Resort Fee, the amount of which varies depending on the accommodation.

We hope you can find your perfect accommodation in Seattle with this post!