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Seattle, WA, is a bustling seaport city in the Pacific Northwest renowned for its picturesque surroundings and huge tech industry.
It’s packed with interesting museums, art galleries, and architectural wonders, but it also offers lively nightlife and has a fantastic entertainment scene.
If you’re planning a Seattle getaway and are wondering which part of the city to stay in, check out this travel guide for recommendations of the best neighborhoods and top Seattle hotels.
Downtown Seattle for Easy Sightseeing
Highlights: Sky View Observatory, Seattle Art Museum, Pike Place Market, Seattle Public Library, Smith Tower Observatory & Rooftop Bar, The Gum Wall
Downtown Seattle is the heart of the city and where many of the biggest and best attractions can be found. When you stay Downtown you’ll have easy access to the likes of Sky View Observatory and Seattle Art Museum. There are fantastic restaurants, stores, and coffee shops throughout Downtown, but to meet some of the city’s best food vendors and makers head to the renowned Pike Place Market.
If you want to be within walking distance of popular sights and fantastic restaurants, it makes sense to stay in the Downtown area. Some of the city’s most exclusive hotels can be found here, but they tend to come with hefty price tags. The area is busy both day and night, so if you’ll be visiting with kids or are hoping for some peace to unwind, the hustle and bustle of Downtown might not be for you.
Where to Stay in Downtown Seattle
Here’s where to stay in Seattle Downtown:
- Four Seasons Hotel offers a luxurious experience. Fresh coffee is delivered to guest rooms each morning and you can enjoy a delicious dinner made with local produce at the in-house restaurant.
- Grand Hyatt Seattle is a luxury hotel that lies within easy walking distance of Downtown’s main sights. Its rooms and suites offer city or water views, and it has a host of in-house eateries to choose from.
- Hotel Ändra Seattle is part of the MGallery Hotel Collection and is perfectly positioned for access to the city’s retail core. This boutique hotel with stylish, modern decor has a fitness center and free WiFi.
- Lotte Hotel Seattle offers indulgent, spacious rooms and suites across two buildings. The first is a historic property that embodies Seattle’s past, and the second is a modern tower that represents the city’s progressive character.
- Hotel Theodore is a playful boutique hotel decorated with hand-crafted furniture, artworks, and artifacts. Designed for the modern traveler, it offers a convenient service in a stylish environment.
- Pan Pacific Hotel is a luxurious pet-friendly property that is lauded by Forbes and Conde Nast. Rooms feature oversized bathtubs, high-tech workspaces, and premium bed linens for total comfort and convenience.
- Fairmont Olympic Hotel is a historic 1920s property with iconic architecture and decor. It has an indoor pool, a spa, and multiple bars and eateries.
- Hotel FIVE is an award-winning Staypineapple hotel with funky decor that perfectly matches Seattle’s vibrant atmosphere. It’s dog-friendly and offers complimentary coffee and snacks.
- Hyatt Regency Downtown is a LEED Gold-Certified hotel, which means it takes sustainability seriously. It has spacious rooms, free WiFi, a fitness center, and multiple on-site bars and eateries to enjoy.
- Hotel Sorrento is one of Seattle’s finest and oldest hotels, having been open since 1909. The beautiful Italian Renaissance property features an opulent mahogany-walled lobby and a dramatic open fireplace.
Seattle Waterfront for Scenic Views
Highlights: Seattle Great Wheel, Olympic Sculpture Park, Myrtle Edwards Park, Seattle Aquarium
Seattle Waterfront is a portion of Downtown that centers around the attractive piers that overlook Elliott Bay. It begins at Myrtle Edwards Park with its pebbled beaches and ends at the bustling working harbor towards the south. Although it’s a small area, there are plenty of sights squeezed into the Waterfront including the Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle Great Wheel, and Seattle Aquarium. There are lots of fantastic seafood restaurants and bars along the Waterfront, and you have plenty of opportunities to join cruises that explore the Salish Sea.
The few hotels on the Waterfront are luxurious and expensive, but if you want an indulgent stay with epic views, they’re ideal. It’s only a short walk to the Downtown core from here but keep in mind that it’s all uphill and involves crossing a busy roadway.
Where to Stay in Seattle Waterfront
The Edgewater Hotel is considered one of the best hotels in the city thanks to its epic waterfront views.
It has hosted a variety of world-famous musical acts over the years, including the Beatles, Pearl Jam, Led Zeppelin, and the Foo Fighters, and it even provides guests with guitar rentals so they can have the full rock and roll experience.
Belltown for Nightlife
Highlights: Concert halls, jazz bars
Belltown is a trendy neighborhood renowned for its nightlife, and locals and visitors flock here for restaurants, late-night bars, and music venues. This neighborhood is where Seattle’s indie music scene thrives. Some of its most famous bars, such as The Crocodile, have hosted the likes of Nirvana and R.E.M. It’s not just rock music that’s represented; there are several jazz clubs such as Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley which has hosted Kenny G and Judy Collins.
If you want to be at the heart of Seattle’s music scene, Belltown is for you. You’ll have plenty of eating and dining options and the Downtown core is an easy walk away. Just be prepared for the area to be rowdy at night.
Where to Stay in Belltown
Here are our top recommendations for great places to stay in Belltown:
- Kimpton Palladian Hotel is a hip hotel set within a landmark property that was built in 1910. It perfectly blends modern decor with the building’s heritage, and it offers easy access to both Belltown and Downtown sights.
- Belltown Inn is a friendly hotel that offers fantastic value and cozy rooms. It’s a great option for travelers looking for comfort and reliability with convenient access to the city’s main sights.
Pioneer Square for History
Highlights: Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Beneath the Streets
Pioneer Square is the oldest part of Seattle and the best area to explore to learn about the city’s founding and history. A major attraction is the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park which explores Seattle’s involvement in the 1890s gold rush. You can also take the Beneath the Streets tour for an opportunity to explore the historic underground passageways that were constructed when Pioneer Square was first established.
Staying in Pioneer Square is a great option if you want to be in Seattle’s historic heart, but staying anywhere in the Downtown core will leave you within easy walking distance of this area. Pioneer Square is also well-connected via light rail, streetcar, and bus when you want to venture further afield.
Where to Stay in Pioneer Square
CitizenM Seattle Pioneer Square Hotel is an ultra-modern hotel finished with cool contemporary art and designer furniture. It provides free WiFi and has an in-house restaurant and bar.
Fremont for Local Life
Highlights: Fremont Vintage Mall, Fremont Sunday Market, public art sculptures
Fremont lies far north of Seattle’s Downtown and on the other side of Lake Washington Ship Canal and Lake Union. It is primarily a residential neighborhood but has a cool creative scene thanks to its quirky outdoor sculptures and public artworks. You can expect plenty of hip coffee shops and restaurants, weird and wonderful boutique stores, and quality craft beer breweries. Fremont Vintage Mall and the Fremont Sunday Market are two cool shopping highlights.
Where to Stay in Fremont
If you want a taste of local life with an eclectic edge, Fremont is a great place to stay. It has a few hotels, motels, and hostels that offer cheaper rates than you’ll find in Downtown. Plus, there are good bus connections to help you get into the city center.
Capitol Hill for Green Space
Highlights: Volunteer Park, Volunteer Park Conservatory, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Melrose Market, Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room, Elliot Bay Book Company, Cal Anderson Park
Capitol Hill lies west of Downtown and is a leafy area dotted with grand 19th-century mansions. Its biggest attraction is the vast Volunteer Park which is the perfect place to escape from the busy city streets. The park is home to the Volunteer Park Conservatory, a historic greenhouse packed with native and exotic plants, and the Seattle Asian Art Museum which houses Asian artworks and antiques from the past 1,000 years.
There are many other popular attractions to explore in Capitol Hill and it’s a relatively easy walk into Downtown for more sights. The walk back uphill is a little more challenging, but public transport links are good. If you want a central base that’s quieter and more relaxed than Downtown and the Waterfront, Capitol Hill is a great choice.
Ballard for Nordic Style
Highlights: Nordic Heritage Museum, Ballard Farmers Market, parks and green spaces
Ballard lies northwest of Fremont, around six miles away from Downtown. It was originally formed as a Scandinavian enclave and centered around the maritime industries of boatbuilding and fishing. Today, it’s a trendy, upscale portion of the city that boasts attractive outdoor spaces such as Ballard Locks, Golden Gardens Beach Park, and Shisole Bay Marina. Visit the Nordic Heritage Museum to learn about Ballard’s history, and swing by Ballard Farmer’s Market on Sundays to pick up locally-grown produce.
If you want to stay in a scenic area that offers great views of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, Ballard is a great choice. With good restaurants, bars, microbreweries, cafes, and stores, it has everything you need for a relaxing stay.
Queen Anne for Seattle Center Access
Highlights: Space Needle, Seattle Center, Seattle Children’s Museum, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Pacific Science Center, Museum of Pop Culture, Chihuly Garden, Kerry Park
Queen Anne is a large area that begins beside Belltown and extends up to the Lake Washington Ship Canal. It is best known for its cluster of popular attractions at the Seattle Center which lies within walking distance of Downtown. Here you’ll find the renowned landmark the Space Needle and a range of popular entertainment and education venues such as the Pacific Science Center and the Seattle Children’s Theatre.
If you plan to spend plenty of time at the Seattle Center’s attractions, it makes sense to stay in this portion of Queen Anne. The further north you go the more residential the area becomes so stay south to enjoy convenient access to the city center.
South Lake Union for High-Tech Travelers
Highlights: Museum of History and Industry, Lake Union Park, Center for Wooden Boats
South Lake Union lies north of Downtown and directly west of Capitol Hill. It’s an upscale and picturesque neighborhood where some of the city’s biggest technology businesses are based, including Amazon and Google. A major attraction is the Museum of History & Industry which lies on the Lake Union waterfront within the pretty Lake Union Park.
Hotel rates are a little cheaper in South Lake Union than in Downtown, but food and drink prices remain high in the trendy eateries and bars. The area is a popular base for business travelers in the tech industry.
West Seattle for Peace and Quiet
Highlights: Alki Beach, Lincoln Park, Seacrest Park, Schmitz Preserve Park
West Seattle is a large residential area with a laid-back atmosphere and plenty of green spaces and beaches. Alki Beach is a popular spot for sunbathing and swimming, Seacrest Park is great for kayaking, and Schmitz Preserve Park is perfect for walking and spotting wildlife.
If you’ve already visited Seattle before and had the experience of staying in the city center, West Seattle could offer a peaceful change of pace. Plus, it gives you the benefit of being fairly close to both King County and Sea-Tac airports.
University District for Youthful Atmosphere
Highlights: Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Henry Art Gallery, The Quad at the University of Washington
The “U-District” is home to the University of Washington campus which has impressive gothic architecture and is home to the popular Burke Museum. This is an attractive area to explore on foot or by bike, and accommodation is fairly cheap and cheerful.
You’re some distance from the Downtown core when you stay in the University District so you might feel a little cut off from the main sights. Take advantage of the city’s public transport links or rent a bicycle to get around.
Plan Your Seattle Stay
Seattle is one of Washington’s most popular tourist destinations which means there’s no shortage of fantastic places to stay. Now you know about the city’s key neighborhoods you can get started booking your visit to this lively city.
