6 Best Hotels in Seattle, Washington

The closest B&B to Downtown offers all the charm of a classic bed-and-breakfast (exquisitely styled with antique beds and Oriental rugs) with the convenience of being near the action. The owner has impeccable taste, and even the small den that holds two public computers and stacks of travel guides, brochures, and laminated menus from the best local restaurants is thoughtfully arranged and decorated. Modest-size guest rooms all have private baths. A full breakfast is served in the elegant dining room. Don't worry about using the wrong fork, though—despite its formal appearance, the inn is a warm, laid-back place. All bedrooms are on upper floors with no elevators.

Outdoorsy types, visitors who want to stay in a low-key residential area, and anyone who wants to feel pampered and refreshed will enjoy this lovely B&B across the street from beautiful Green Lake. Some of the rooms feature private baths with jetted tubs, gas fireplaces, and new furnishings, and all are clean and charming. The full breakfast alternates between made-to-order savory (a spinach-and-feta omelet, for example) and sweet (such as Brie-and-apple French toast), with a few extra options for guests with food allergies or restrictions. Guests also love the complimentary wine-and-cheese hour on weeknights and the outdoor patio with views of the lake.

Travelers seeking an authentic Seattle neighborhood experience will fall hard for this charming budget-friendly inn right in the heart of Ballard, tucked between coffee shops, trendy boutiques, and restaurants. It's got character too: the 1902 property, a former bank, is done in a minimalist, modern Louis XIV style, from the giant black rosette chandelier in the black-and-white lobby to the gold-leaf French provincial dressers, blue walls, and quilted headboards in some rooms upstairs. Other than the deluxe king rooms, the rooms use shared bathrooms. Two of the four suites have separate entrances for a private apartment-like feel. Guests get free access to the top-notch Olympic Athletic Club.

Serene and traditional, this 1909 Tudor home is surrounded by opulent gardens and is near both Volunteer Park and Broadway—and it also has some rooms and suites that welcome children or pets. The living room is filled with comfortable furniture and lots of natural light. Guest rooms feel homey, though the rooms that haven't been recently updated seem a bit worn. Some rooms have views; some have hideaway beds in addition to the queen-size beds.

The architecture in this historic landmark building, from the fireplaces to the stained-glass windows, makes it a charming place to stay. It shows its age in some of the details, but by and large the owners have done a good job with updating. The large common areas are comfortable and friendly, and the lovely backyard has something few other B&Bs can claim: a heated pool, open in summer.

This gorgeous Tudor Revival mansion is steps from Capitol Hill's Volunteer Park. The large, opulent guest rooms and suites on the second floor have antique furnishings and huge windows; third-floor rooms feel more contemporary (but still have big windows). Downstairs, guests have plenty of room to lounge and enjoy round-the-clock snacks, coffee, and tea in the library and salon. The continental breakfast includes extras like smoked salmon and prosciutto.