20 Best Hotels in Downtown, Seattle

The stylish guest rooms received a top-to-bottom redo at the boutique Alexis Royal Sonesta, which occupies a pair of historic buildings (on the National Register of Historic Places, in fact) near the waterfront. The new design has a contemporary loft vibe, featuring sharp Northwest-inspired hues, textures, and furnishings that complement the hotel's high ceilings and walls of windows.

Housed in a striking reflective tower that connects to a historic church (now an event space), Lotte Seattle (by the South Korean Lotte brand) debuted in 2020. Philippe Starck-designed, mid-century-inspired interiors feature sleek mirrored surfaces (even in the bathroom), an eclectic mix of contemporary art, faux-bois motifs, and floor-to-ceiling windows, some with lovely views of Elliott Bay and Smith Tower. The hotel's restaurant—Charlotte—is also a splurge-worthy spot to sample regional seafood with views over the Sound. 

Comfortable, old-world charm comes with sturdy antiques, Asian accents, brass fixtures, and florals, and though the hotel's main draw is its central location, street noise isn't much of an issue thanks to the sturdy old construction of the historic 1927 building. There is also a star restaurant, Andaluca, specializing in Spanish-style small plates, as well as Oliver's, a well-known martini bar, where even locals flock for perfectly poured cocktails.

From the huge exterior mural by artist Shepard Fairey to the gorgeous graphic wallpaper inspired by nearby Pike Place Market, every inch of this hip boutique hotel is eye candy, including stylish rooms with sleek, tiled rain showers, an eclectic and welcoming lobby, and vibrant Ben Paris bar and restaurant, where neighborhood locals are as likely to hang out as tourists. Tributes to Seattle's creative side and the city's movers and shakers can be found throughout, from the featured portraits on guestroom walls to the back wall of the lobby covered in repurposed doorknobs from the building's former medical offices. The rooftop terrace with views over Elliot Bay is a serious bonus to take in the scenery, hidden away from the crowds of Pike Place.

Part of the Hilton's upscale Curio Collection, the new Charter Hotel features chic, quiet rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, marbled wallpaper, 50-inch TVs, and spacious bathrooms. Don't miss the hotel's 16th-floor Fog Room bar, which has city and water views and outdoor seating.

Adjacent to the Washington State Convention Center, this view-centric hotel with spacious rooms appeals to business travelers, conventioneers, or brand loyalists who want a dependable Hyatt-level stay in a central Downtown location. The decor throughout is masculine-chic and not particularly imaginative but comfortably unobtrusive. Rooms above the 10th floor enjoy vistas of Elliott Bay. Suites are large, with separate sitting rooms, and executive quarters have mini-refrigerators and wet bars. Ruth's Chris Steak House is downstairs.

The Hilton Seattle is a popular site for meetings, conventions, and the summer cruise set, where the newly renovated rooms are tasteful but nondescript—you'll be paying for a brand name here, reliable though it may be. Some rooms have views of the city skyline with a sliver of Elliott Bay in the distance. The best views can be found at Redtrees bar and restaurant, a recently redesigned and attractive contemporary space that serves a delicious tomato-glazed Pacific salmon, as well as other classics throughout the day. An underground passage connects the Hilton with the Rainier Square shopping concourse, the 5th Avenue Theater, and the Convention Center.

A short walk from Pioneer Square, the art museum, and the waterfront, Hotel 1000 (a Hilton Honors property) features ultra-comfortable rooms with on-trend contemporary design elements in shades of pale green and white, and unexpected touches like large soaking tubs that fill from the ceiling. Catered towards maximizing relaxation, the hotel features a small spa and a bath butler program. After undergoing an extensive renovation in the summer of 2023, Hotel 1000 now has reimagined art, a bar with seasonal themes, including a Swiss chalet in the winter, and a restaurant specializing in oysters and Mediterranean-meets-Pacific Northwest seafood dishes. Sports lovers and kids alike will love the Top Golf suite, with golf simulation and gaming programs available.

Hip and art-forward, the Hotel Max (for "Maximalism") blends artsy decor with punchy minimalism for an architect-office effect, and though most of the rooms are on the small side, they come with cushy trimmings. The work of local photographers is hung in the public spaces and paintings by local artists decorate the gray walls of the guest rooms—though accent colors like an orange bedspread or a red cushion save rooms from being drab. The hotel even features a Sub Pop floor, which pays homage to the famous Seattle record label that introduced the world to bands like Nirvana and Death Cab for Cutie; those rooms feature band posters and Crosley record players with a stash of vinyl albums. The downside to the Max is that rooms in the historic building can feel cramped, especially the bathrooms, which sorely lack in counter space.

In a city known for environmental responsibility, being one of the greenest hotels in town is no small feat, and green is rarely this chic. The rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows flooding the place with light along with eco-friendly touches like dual-flush toilets, fresh-air vents, and low-flow showerheads. From the green roof to the serene indoor pool and huge fitness center with yoga studio, this hotel proves that what's good for the planet can also be luxurious.

The Hyatt Regency Seattle—right next door to the future Convention Center expansion—currently holds the title of the biggest hotel in the Pacific Northwest. The Hyatt's sophisticated 45-story tower practically feels like a small city, with multiple dining options, a large cutting-edge gym, and an especially swanky Regency Club. Rooms are modern, clean, and comfortable. 

Each of the serene, quiet rooms named after Washington wineries—some of which boast marvelous views of Seattle’s iconic public library—features a vineyard-inspired palette of burgundy, taupe, and green hues, with a focus on unique interior design and comfortable touches. This oenophile-friendly place also celebrates Washington’s famous wine scene with a daily hosted wine hour.

A fabulous shade of dark green coats most of the interior walls and brick surfaces at this eclectic boutique hotel in a historic building (circa 1898) just a block up from Pike Place Market. Other vintage-modern design touches are equally memorable, like bold graphic tile in the bathrooms, chintz headboards and accent pillows, and Smeg tea kettles. Treat yourself to a drink or brunch in the stylish Hart and Hunter, and if you're traveling with a four-legged family member, they're sure to be spoiled too, with treats, toys, and dog beds. 

A bit of a walk uphill from Downtown, this high-rise has a calm feel to it, with contemporary decor, inviting common areas, a gym and pool, and especially great views of Elliott Bay from rooms above the 20th floor. An on-site restaurant, coffee bar, and lounge conveniently offer snacks, libations, and meals throughout the day. Traffic noise can be present throughout, so request a room on the west side for a quieter stay.

With a club-like atmosphere that starts at the VIP-style lobby check-in, the W Seattle goes for a distinct "urban lodge" vibe, with guest rooms that feature a palette of Seattle-inspired grays and blues accented by bright pops of color, as well as headboards made from floor-to-ceiling backlit wood stacks and Northwest touches like plaid pillows and Pendleton-pattern wallpaper. The lobby pays homage to the city's history, from "lodge poles" that nod to Native American culture to a DJ booth crafted from an airplane turbine engine.