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Many of the towns listed are easy day trips from Seattle, so staying there is always an option. On the other hand, hotel rates are nearly always lower outside Seattle. Tacoma, Olympia, and Bellingham have the widest variety of accommodations, with pricey hotels, midrange chains, and bed-and-breakfasts. Almost all but the smallest rural towns have midrange chain motels; towns lacking those, like Port Gamble, have at least one B&B. The only truly great luxury resort in the region is the Salish Lodge in Snoqualmie. There are a few other noteworthy hotels in these parts—the Murano in Tacoma, the Chrysalis Inn in Bellingham, and some fine B&Bs elsewhere—but relatively prosaic chains dominate the lodging landscape.
With reasonable rates, considering the smartly appointed rooms and thoughtful amenities, this small mid-century modern motel in a quiet neighborhood a mile west of downtown has been artfully updated with custom-built wood furniture and tiled bathrooms. You can pull your car right up to the door of your room. Common areas include a bright lobby where coffee is available in the morning.
Inside a strikingly converted apartment tower dating from the 1880s, this chic boutique hotel offers rooms and suites (which have full kitchens) in a newer section with a sleek mid-century modern vibe, as well as cozy and more economical rooms in the original building. All accommodations feature pleasing touches like original local art, French presses with gourmet coffee, Bluetooth speakers, and Italian linens. Beyond the grand lobby, the intimate Amendment 21 bar serves craft cocktails and well-prepared gastropub fare.
Named for the Venetian island where some of the world's best glass is created, this handsome high-rise hotel with an intimate ambience centers around exhibits by world-famous glass artists. Bold colors and sleek metals infuse public spaces with style and energy, and each floor exhibits a different glass artist's pieces. Amenities include minibars stocked with local beverages, Bluetooth radios, and plush robes. The stark, chrome-and-glass Bite Restaurant sits spectacularly above glass creations in the hotel atrium and serves refined contemporary Pacific Northwest fare.
The stunning, chalet-style lodge—which you may recognize from the opening credits of Twin Peaks—sits dramatically over Snoqualmie Falls and offers a slew of creature comforts, including plush rooms with gas fireplaces, window seats or balconies, and a first-rate spa with sauna, steam room, and soaking tubs. Several rooms have partial or full views of the gorgeous cascades, while others have a river panorama. The elegant Dining Room has an eclectic menu (lamb shank ragout, pan-seared Columbia River steelhead, and many dishes using honey produced by on-site bees) and sumptuous breakfasts, and the cozy yet stylish Attic bistro offers fine Northwest wines, craft cocktails, and wood-fired pizzas.
With an appealing, scenic setting on a marina 4 miles north of downtown Bellevue, this contemporary boutique spa hotel is a popular roost for those seeking a relaxing waterfront getaway close to Seattle, Woodinville, and the Cascade foothills. Rooms are spacious and have soothing earth-tone color schemes and top-of-the-line bath amenities. Three very good restaurants are in or adjacent to the hotel, including the popular waterfront French bistro, Le Grand, and you can rent kayaks, Jet Skis, and other boats from the on-site marina.
A mile from Mt. Rainier's Nisqually entrance, this ideally located lodging comprises a grand 1912 building with vintage furnishings and two adjacent guesthouses. Rates include a hearty breakfast. Stroll out back to view verdant gardens and the deck extending over the trout pond.
Near the downtown Edmonds waterfront, this well-maintained mid-range hotel has a more upscale vibe than a typical Best Western, with comfortable country-style rooms, many with fireplaces, kitchens, or oversize jetted bathtubs. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, and pillow-top mattresses.
Minutes from Boeing Future of Flight and Paine Field, this nicely maintained Best Western is a step up from many of the other chains in the area, especially considering the reasonable rates. The modern rooms have sitting areas with aviation-theme art, and many have full kitchens. There's a very good hot buffet breakfast.
At this relaxing, contemporary inn, wellness is the name of the game—there's a small but well-designed spa, reasonably priced packages include massage or other treatments, and a healthy breakfast buffet is served every morning. Accommodations range from simple and economical rooms with queen beds to spacious suites with gas fireplaces and deep jetted soaking tubs.
This luxurious, modern waterfront hotel overlooks the entrance to bustling Squalicum Harbor, and its dapper rooms have gas fireplaces, plush bathrooms with jetted tubs and separate glassed-in showers, and private balconies for lounging and dining. The contemporary Lighthouse Grill has grand views across Bellingham Bay and plenty of outdoor seating. The adjacent Zazen Spa offers a full slate of pampering products and services.
This sleek, nautically themed chain hotel on northern Everett's bustling, attractive Port Gardner waterfront offers a number of pleasing features, including a pretty indoor pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and well-designed rooms with high-tech entertainment and work amenities. There's a 3½-mile multiuse trail just outside front door, along with kayak rentals, and the ferry to Jetty Island is nearby.
At this rambling motel-style property all the spacious rooms have private outdoor entrances, vaulted ceilings, gas fireplaces, refrigerators, and pleasant country-style furnishings; several have whirlpool baths. The lodge hosts weekend wine receptions and movie gatherings, and massage services are available in the privacy of your room or in the inn's treatment room. The on-site Oyster & Thistle restaurant and pub is one of the top dining spots in town.
The notably quirky McMenamins company runs this offbeat boutique hotel inside a dramatically refurbished 1916 Renaissance Revival landmark set high on a hill on the north side of downtown and adjacent to Tacoma's famous Spanish Steps. With its five bars, the hotel is a favorite among fans of nightlife and historic restoration. The variety of social venues—from the brewery tasting room to the game room to the tapas bar—means you have ample drinking and dining options, all under one roof.
Overlooking Dyes Inlet, this contemporary five-story hotel in suburban Silverdale has spacious suites with nautical designs, some with balconies facing the water, and plenty of thoughtful extras, including a full breakfast. Although the surrounding area isn't terribly exciting, the waterfront location is pretty, and it's a good base for visiting Poulsbo and Bremerton. Several extended-stay suites have kitchenettes.
