Hotels in Seattle

Best time to visit Seattle

Seattle is known to have a somewhat overcast look and cloudy weather almost all year round. High season is from June – August with average temperatures around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Hotel prices soar and availability is scarce, so book your stay in advance. The town sees a lot more buzz due to the Alaskan cruise ships which operate during this season via the Port of Seattle. The shoulder months from April – May and September – October get plenty of sunshine and day time highs of around 60 – 65 degrees Fahrenheit. With slightly lower hotel prices and lesser tourists, this is a great time to visit Seattle. From November – March, the weather is wet and cold, and mostly suitable for museum lovers or those heading to the mountains for skiing. You will find great deals on hotels and airfare during this period. No matter when you visit Seattle, be sure to pack a sweater or a light jacket because night temperatures may drop even during the peak of summer.

Getting around Seattle

Seattle is a fairly large city and getting around may require the use of multiple modes of transport. Or you can rely on a rental car or ride shares such as Uber and Lyft which are easily available. However, Seattle is notorious for its traffic jams, hence public transport may be a more efficient way to travel. Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail has a good frequency of trains every 6 – 15 minutes for travel within downtown as well as to Sea-Tac Airport. One-way fares range from $2.25 USD – $ 3.25 USD. The King County Metro buses have fairly large coverage in Downtown Seattle and neighboring areas, and fares are affordable, starting at $2.50 USD. You also have the Seattle Streetcars and Seattle Centre Monorail which have coverage in the central Seattle areas.

Best places to stay in Seattle

Seattle is an eclectic and chic city which was part of significant historic moments such as the ‘Great Fire’ of 1889 and the ‘Gold Rush’ of 1897. Today it is a sprawling urban expanse made up of several small neighborhoods, each with a distinct character of its own.

Downtown Seattle

Downtown Seattle is characterized by steeply inclined streets, high-rises, luxury hotels, and a large number of malls and retail outlets. Book your stay with any of the international chains that have properties downtown. You can choose from Holiday Inn Seattle Downtown, Courtyard Seattle Downtown/ Lake Union, Hyatt Place Seattle Downtown or Sheraton Seattle Hotel, amongst many others. Loews Hotel 1000 Seattle offers comfortable accommodation at a convenient location. Or check out the plush waterfront hotel in Seattle, The Edgewater, which has hosted many celebrities over the years.

Belltown

Stretching from Pike Place Market to Seattle Center, Belltown is home to some of the liveliest restaurants in the city and has an active club scene. Stay at the luxurious Warwick Seattle hotel which is just a few blocks from the Space Needle. Enjoy waterfront views at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront.

South Lake Union

A relatively new residential and business area, South Lake Union has a large presence of high-tech and bio-tech companies and is also home to retail shopping giant Amazon’s headquarters. Stay at the eco-friendly Pan Pacific Seattle hotel or take in magnificent views of the Lake Union when you stay at the family-friendly Silver Cloud Seattle – Lake Union hotel.

Cheap hotels in Seattle

At the heart of Downtown Seattle and close to the waterfront, stay at the Kimpton Alexis Hotel Seattle. You can also check out Ace Hotel Seattle for minimalist-styled budget accommodation, just minutes away from Pike Place Market and Olympic Sculpture Park. You also have the cool art-centric City Hostel Seattle and the landmark Moore Hotel for budget accommodation in Seattle.

Seattle offers opportunities for several outdoor pursuits such as kayaking, camping, and hiking, and its ski slopes are just a short drive outside the city. In terms of sightseeing, most of its popular attractions are located in the compact area of Seattle Downtown.

• Visit one of the oldest and largest markets of the US, the Pike Place Market. While over there, don’t forget to grab a cup of coffee at the ‘Original Starbucks’, the first store of the Seattle-born Starbucks Coffee.
• Make a trip to the Seattle Aquarium and meet Alki, the sea otter pup born at the Aquarium.
• Spend time at the Seattle Art Museum. Then visit the Olympic Sculpture Park which is the outdoor branch of the Seattle Art Museum. The park has green spaces for strolls and picnics, and its long winding paths feature large public artworks.
• Visit the Seattle Centre complex and ride to the top deck of the Space Needle or grab a meal at its top deck restaurant called SkyCity Restaurant. You can also enjoy a host of other entertainment activities and the beautiful views of a park at the Seattle Centre grounds.
• Take a ride on the Seattle Great Wheel for fantastic views of the city.
• Stop by at the Roq La Rue Gallery for some cheeky surrealist pop art and at the Steinbrueck Native Gallery to see a variety of products made by Native artists.
• Take a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island for a day of hiking, biking, or walking around the Bloedel Reserve or Fort Ward State Park. During the 35-minute ferry ride, enjoy views of the Olympic and Cascade mountains, and the Seattle cityscape.
• Book the Future of Flight Aviation Centre & Boeing Tour at the Boeing factory, 25 miles outside of Seattle. The daily public tours give visitors an opportunity to see airplanes such as the 747, 767, 777 and the 787 Dreamliner being built at this gigantic facility.
• Watch the Seattle Symphony orchestra perform at the Benaroya Hall almost all year round, except from July – August.
• Wear your finest evening wear and enjoy an intimate dinner and the nightly show at the Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley.