If you’re traveling through the Pacific Northwestchances are your journey will take you through Seattle—and with good reasontoo. The city is known for its lush surrounding forests (and the rain which keeps it so green) as well as being the birthplace of grunge. Sothose paired with its quirky late-night scene and impressive art institutions make it a prime destination for a city breakand handilywe’ve compiled this guide so you can make an informed decision on the best places to stay. New inclusions for fall and winter 2025 include 1 Hotel SeattleLotte Hotel Seattle and Thompson Seattlebut scroll on for a freshly-curated list of Seattle’s top hotels.
Which area is best to stay in Seattle?
Is it your first time in the Emerald City? Then we’d recommend opting for Downtown or Seattle Center—you’ll have all the major attractions on your doorstepthat way. If you’re traveling with your familyhead to Seattle’s Waterfront or Queen Annebut if a youngercooler neighborhood is more your baggo for Belltown or Capitol Hill. Ohand if heading out of town towards the city’s dreamy greenery is on the agendaBallard might be the place for you.
Seattle’s best hotels at a glance:
- 💎 Most luxurious: Grand Hyatt Seattle
- 👛 Best budget: Graduate Seattle
- 🌃 Best view: Lotte Hotel Seattle
- 🧖🏽♀️ Best spa: Level Seattle DowntownSouth Lake Union
- 🤩 Most iconic: Fairmont Olympic Hotel
📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best things to do in Seattle
How we curate our hotel lists
Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openingsold classics and everything in between—to bring you freshhonest recommendationsall year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured belowbut we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenitiesfeaturespricing and more. By the waythis article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more informationsee our affiliate guidelines.
🛏 Check out the best Airbnbs in Seattle