I’m a bit obsessed with finding cool places to stay in Seattle, WA. Heck, I’m obsessed with finding cool places to stay everywhere I go! But since Seattle is my hometown, I’ve made it my mission to keep tabs on the unique and quirky accommodations popping up around the city.
Why the fascination, you may ask? Because I strongly believe Seattle is one of the best cities in the world to both visit and have a staycation. It has something for everyone: nature and urban hikes for the outdoor enthusiasts, museums and galleries for the culture fiend, incredible shopping and antique stores for the fashion obsessed, and a robust culinary scene for the food lovers. It’s also a city, but not so big that you feel like there are people and tourists all over you.
Whether you are a Seattle locals looking for a change of scenery or a visitor wanting to experience the city off the beaten path, here are my favorite cool places to stay in Seattle.
This post has affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no cost to you if you click on them and make a purchase. This is a small way I earn money to support this site. If links aren’t showing up for you, turn off your ad blocking software. Thank you for your support!
Cool Places to Stay in Seattle, WA
Save this to Pinterest for later, as I’ll keep adding to it as I discover new places!
Hotel Ballard
link to book | price: $450+/night | neighborhood: Ballard | 5216 Ballard Ave NW
Hotel Ballard is a luxury hotel with some of the best amenities attached to it. It’s connected to Stoneburner, one of my favorite restaurants that has a dish you must try in Seattle.
The Olympic Athletic Club is also attached. I used to go to this gym, but as soon as I discontinued my membership it underwent a baller renovation to make it one of the poshest gyms ever. There’s also a rooftop deck with views of the Ballard Locks and ship canal.
All-in-all, if you want to stay right in the heart of downtown Ballard, my favorite neighborhood, this is your place. It’s also perfectly situated for taking one of my self-guided Seattle food tours because it has a lot of restaurants and shops within walking distance of the hotel.
Thompson Seattle
link to book | price: $330+/night | neighborhood: Downtown | 110 Stewart St | pet friendly (no fee!)
This luxury boutique hotel is owned by Hyatt. It’s located right on the Seattle waterfront and features incredible views of the Elliott Bay and the Cascade Mountains through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
While not every room has a water view, I highly recommend booking one that does because it’s magical watching the lights twinkle at night. For reference, the photos above are from the 10th floor.
The hotel has valet parking which costs ~$50/night, but it’s a small price to pay for being right in the middle Downtown Seattle (plus you can find cheaper garage parking nearby if you’d like). You’ll get a glass of champagne, water, or tea upon check-in and have access to amenities like wifi, AC, spa shower, luxury toiletries, Tempur-Pedic bed, locally-roasted coffee, TV, and robes.
They also have one of the best Seattle rooftop bars with excellent craft cocktails and an on-site restaurant with daily breakfast and some of the best pasta in Seattle. This makes it not only one of my favorite cool places to stay in Seattle, but also a spot perfect for locals to get a meal and drink.
Inn at the Market
link to book | price: $299 – $399+/night | neighborhood: Downtown | 86 Pine St | pet friendly
If you want to stay where all the action is and prefer luxury hotels, this unique hotel in Seattle is for you. It’s right in Pike Place Market and offers stunning views of the market bustle, Seattle waterfront, and Cascade Mountains.
These views alone have people reviewing it as one of the cool places to stay in Seattle, Washington. But it’s also perfectly located for exploring other popular attractions like the Seattle Art Museum, Space Needle, Pioneer Square, and more.
Hotel Sorrento
link to book | price: $230+/night | neighborhood: First Hill | 900 Madison St | pet friendly
I went to a wedding at this historic boutique hotel once. It has beautiful details like crown molding, fireplaces, and other architectural details throughout. There is also a roof deck offering great views of the Seattle cityscape.
Sorrento also hosts events, such as tea time and music nights in their lobby that’s so cozy, it feels like a living room. So if you’d like a cool place in Seattle, WA that also has a lively ambiance right on the premise, this hotel is for you.
Kimpton Palladian Hotel
link to book | price: $285+/night | neighborhood: Downtown | 2000 2nd Ave | pet friendly
The Palladian is an edgy hotel right in the heart of downtown Seattle. It has moody, art deco vibes with cheeky paintings of celebrities reinterpreted as historic figures.
Amenities include free WiFi, a fitness center with free yoga mats, bikes, complimentary jewelry cleaning, laundry and dry cleaning, plus a social hour in the lobby highlighting different distilleries.
It also has great onsite dining with Shaker + Spear and a speakeasy-like bar called Pennyroyal Bar. I’ve been to this restaurant many times and always enjoyed it. Make sure to get the burger, mac and cheese, and whole fish!
Hotel Theodore
link to book | price: $265+/night | neighborhood: Downtown | 1531 7th Ave | pet friendly
The Theodore is a posh hotel in Downtown Seattle that has gorgeous views of the water.
Amenities include free WiFi, pet equipment, a wellness kit, a fitness center with Peloton bikes and MIRROR, Tesla charging stations, and a linen menu where you can change out your pillow to your preferences.
It also is a strong supporter of the arts. Creators and artists can apply for their Artist in Resident Program for complimentary stays.
The Sound Hotel
link to book | price: $175+/night | neighborhood: Belltown | 2120 4th Ave
The Sound Hotel has rooms with stunning views of Downtown Seattle. There’s also an onsite restaurant called Currant Bistro that has gotten a lot of buzz. Amenities include free WiFi, valet parking, a fitness center, and electric vehicle charging stations.
Palihotel Seattle
link to book | price: $220+/night | neighborhood: Downtown | 107 Pine St | pet friendly
The Palihotel has some of the most inspiring decor out of all these cool places to stay in Seattle. Everywhere you look has eye candy: from the checkered floors, hip art, and inspiring color palette.
Amenities include free WiFi, concierge services, SMEG fridges in each room, and a complimentary playlist. Guests also get 10% off their onsite restaurant, The Hart and the Hunter.
The Charter Hotel
link to book | price: $180+/night | neighborhood: Downtown | 1610 2nd Ave | pet friendly
The Charter Hotel is popular among locals because of their bar The Fog Room, one of the best rooftop bars in Seattle. The bartenders are extremely knowledgeable and make stunning cocktails you can enjoy with epic views of downtown Seattle.
Amenities include free WiFi, Walorf Astoria bedding, blackout shades, a steam and sauna room, and a fitness studio. There’s also an onsite Peruvian restaurant called Patagōn.
Graduate Seattle
link to book | price: $175+/night | neighborhood: University District | 4507 Brooklyn Ave NE | pet friendly
You’ll find Graduate Hotels all over the US. Their schtick is to park near universities and offer a boutique hotel with hip vibes. The one in Seattle is no exception. It’s in a historic building near the University of Washington and has the best decor. Seriously…I’d like to be friends with whoever curated the vintage bobbles in the lobby.
Amenities include valet parking, bikes, loaner headphones, and a fitness center. But the biggest draw here for both visitors and locals alike is their rooftop restaurant and bar, The Mountaineering Club. It offers stunning views of the Lake Washington and South Lake Union. Plus it has great drinks and s’mores you make right at your table in a tin can!
The Edgewater Hotel
link to book | price: $250+/night | neighborhood: Downtown | 2411 Alaskan Way | pet friendly
The Edgewater Hotel is the one of these cool places to stay in Seattle located right on the water. It’s stunning location has drawn celebrities like The Beatles, Kurt Cobain, Led Zeppelin, and more.
Amenities include free WiFi, bikes, a fitness center, record players, and valet parking. They also get points in my book because they serve Zoka Coffee, one of the best small-batch Seattle coffee roasters. You’ll also find onsite dining with gorgeous views of the water and I’ve heard of the best seafood in Seattle.
Gaslight Inn
link to book | price: $200+/night | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | 1727 15th Ave
This bed and breakfast was built in 1907 and has been designated a historic landmark, so if you love vintage charm this spot is for you. Another draw is that it’s in the funky Capitol Hill neighborhood off the touristy path and full of some of the city’s best restaurants, bars, and shopping.
Besides breakfast every morning, guests will get to enjoy free WiFi and a beautiful in-ground pool, which is super rare among residential homes in Seattle. Another bonus is that many of the rooms have air conditioning, another rarity among properties that aren’t a hotel.
The Fairmont Olympic Hotel
link to book | price: $350+/night | neighborhood: Downtown | 411 University St | pet friendly
If you like luxury hotels, this is the place for you. True to other Fairmont Hotels around the world (seriously, the one in Jaipur, India was the poshest place I ever stayed in my life), you’ll find a lot of extravagant decor throughout the historic building.
Amenities include multiple onsite restaurants and bars (including a speakeasy!), babysitting, a hotel spa, pools and hot tubs, valet parking, and afternoon tea in the lobby. Another cool thing is the rooftop bees they support and leverage for honey to use in their restaurants and bar. The bees make it one of the greenest hotels in Seattle.
Book The Fairmont Olympic Hotel
The Lodge at St. Edward Park
link to book | price: $350+/night | neighborhood: Kenmore | 14477 Juanita Dr NE | pet friendly
This hotel is outside Seattle in Kenmore, which is on the Eastside and a perfect location for exploring the best Woodinville wineries. It’s a historic seminary from 1931 surrounded by forests of Saint Edward State Park, one of the places you’ll find the best hikes in Seattle.
Amenities include free WiFi, a custom pillow menu, an onsite restaurant and bar, spa, fitness center, gymnasium, library, retail shop, art gallery, house car, bikes, and more.
Book The Lodge at St. Edward Park
Paramount Hotel
link to book | price: $114+/night | neighborhood: Downtown | 724 Pine St
This boutique hotel is in the heart of downtown, perfectly situated for exploring downtown Seattle in one day.
Not to be confused with the nearby Paramount Theater, this unique hotel in Seattle has a friendly staff and beautiful decor in its rooms. You know how sometimes you stay at a hotel and its not inspiring, but rather just a place to lay your head? I love how the Paramount thoughtfully designed its rooms and, if you get a suite, has killer views of the downtown skyscrapers.
The State Hotel
link to book | price: $409+/night | neighborhood: Downtown | 1501 2nd Ave | pet friendly
The State Hotel is a staple of downtown Seattle and one of the closest hotels in relation to Pike Place Market. The vibe is upscale but modern and minimal. They offer a 24-hour fitness center, a rooftop terrace, as well as a phenomenal restaurant, Ben Paris, that serves lunch and dinner.
Shafer Baillie Mansion Bed & Breakfast
link to book | price: $225+/night (3-night minimum) | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | 907 14th Ave E
Capitol Hill is one of the hippest areas to stay in Seattle. It also has some mansion with an old money air along its outer edges. This bed & breakfast lets you experience how the other half live: it’s a converted mansion! There is beautiful woodwork throughout, a theater, piano, library, and so many other nooks and crannies you’d expect to find in the Clue movie.
Other cool accommodations in the Pacific Northwest
There are a ton of cool places to stay in Seattle, Washington, but the rest of Pacific Northwest is full of quirky hotels, RVs, and tiny homes too. Discover some of my favorites outside of Seattle.
- The Most Unique Hotels in Washington
- Best Winter Cabins in Washington
- Stunning Washington Coast Cabins
- Romantic Airbnbs in Washington
- Fun Glamping Spots in Washington
- A Historic Schoolhouse and Bathhouse in Columbia Gorge
- Glamping in Willamette Valley Wine Country
- Boutique Hotels in Eugene, Oregon
- 52 Winter Cabins in Oregon
- Unique Places to Stay in Oregon
Let me plan your trip
Once you book a place to stay in Seattle, let me plan a custom trip for you! I’ll give you an hour-by-hour itinerary so all you need to do is show up and have fun.
