Hotels in Seattle

Seattle: Pacific Northwest Gateway on Puget Sound

Seattle sits on a narrow isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington in western Washington State, roughly 175 km south of the Canadian border. The city is defined by water, hills, and an industrial tech corridor: Amazon's headquarters campus occupies South Lake Union, while Boeing assembly lines operate just 40 km north in Everett. The Space Needle, built for the 1962 World's Fair, rises 184 m above Seattle Center and remains the clearest landmark on the skyline.

Where to Stay

Downtown and Capitol Hill anchor most hotel inventory, with Capitol Hill offering walkable access to Pike/Pine bars and the Cal Anderson Park greenspace. Belltown, directly north of downtown, is dense with mid-range and boutique properties within 10 minutes' walk of Pike Place Market, which opened in 1907 and operates daily year-round. South Lake Union suits business travelers visiting tech campuses. Pioneer Square, Seattle's oldest neighborhood, hosts several converted-loft hotels near the King Street Station Amtrak terminus.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) sits 22 km south; Link Light Rail connects the airport to downtown in about 38 minutes.
• Getting around: The Link Light Rail and King County Metro buses cover most neighborhoods; the First Hill Streetcar connects Capitol Hill to Pioneer Square.
• Weather: Pack a waterproof layer year-round; July and August average only 16 mm of rain and are the driest months.
• Ferry access: Washington State Ferries depart Colman Dock downtown for Bainbridge Island in 35 minutes.