
Seattle is indy cool. From top to toe. So it makes sense that the hotel scene in Seattle would have an independent or boutique flavour too. Seattle’s boutique hotels don’t tick all the boutique boxes, mostly because they’ve managed to scale up their cool to a degree where it’s not feasible to have individually decorated rooms — but that’s what you get in the city with the first ever Starbucks — and the independent, original vibe runs through them anyway, from the care taken in the decor, to the personalised service, and stylish common spaces. There’s plenty of boutique hotels to choose from in Seattle, but these are our Gurus’ picks of the best.
For the Views

- The Thompson Seattle overlooks Puget Sound, with its ‘feet’ on the Waterfront. With floor-to-ceiling windows, and unfussy, stylish decor that doesn’t detract from the impact of the views, this is a peaceful feeling hotel. Until you get to the sleek rooftop cocktail bar, when there’s a pleasant buzz of chatter. Its 158 rooms and suites don’t vary dramatically from each other, but everything has been carefully chosen to create that boutique hotel feel of this being a one-of-a-kind place to stay.
- The Alexis Sonesta Hotel is another hotel with fantastic views; it’s in the West Edge neighbourhood, which equates to bay views, and being close to the Waterfront, Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market. The outside is grand and historic, but the interiors have been given a contemporary overhaul, and a colour palette of greens and dark greys against walnut. The art is local. There’s an excellent gym, a gourmet restaurant and an atmospheric bar.
For a City Break

- How do you feel about green? it’s an important question to ask yourself before checking in to the Palihotel Seattle, because its walls are a particularly unique shade, which works beautifully with their mid-century furniture, white linens and floral details. And surprisingly well with the hotel’s excellent collection of local art too. In addition to the art, the 96 rooms and suites have Smeg mini-fridges. Downstairs there’s a laid-back restaurant with a Southern-inspired menu and an enviable cocktail list.
- Kimpton Palladian Hotel was an Edwardian grand dame, but it’s been refurbished into one of Seattle’s coolest hotels. The Belltown location lends kudos, and rock’n’roll heritage, which the designers have played on really effectively, so you can expect oil paintings of rock legends, pop art, and black walls. There are 97 rooms and suites, and the suites are generously proportioned. The bar and restaurant are super cool too, loved by locals as well as guests.
For City Style

- The State Hotel is cool from its Art Deco facade, to its incredible roof terrace overlooking Puget Sound — via a trendy restaurant, eclectic local artwork, and 91 unfussily stylish rooms. You’re right next door to Pike Place Market, close to a collection of iconic live-music venues, and only 200m from the original Starbucks. Expect lots of selfies and Instagram photography.
For Romantics

- The Hotel Theodore is a chic bolthole in Downtown Seattle, with a firm eye on promoting homegrown talent, whether in produce for the cool restaurant, or the locally handmade furniture, art produced locally, and even down to the smells. It’s a larger outfit than your traditional boutique hotel, and the rooms are cut from the same stylish cloth, rather than individually decorated, but there’s still a feeling of originality.
- The Hotel Ballard is a smaller hotel, with just 29 rooms and suites, in the up-and-coming Ballard Docks area. We like the romantic scale: big, light rooms, with big beds and big bathtubs, fireplaces and, in the best cases, mountain views — the suites have private balconies too. The hotel restaurant is popular locally, and serves Mediterranean food and delicious cocktails.
For Design Chic

- Philippe Starck designed the Lotte Hotel and it’s got his signature blend of functional industrial, and architectural cool about it. Occupying an historic central building, the Sanctuary building, plus a contemporary extension, this is now a large hotel, with 189 rooms and suites, so this isn’t the sort of boutique hotel with individually designed rooms, but they’re certainly designed with aplomb! The Lotte also has a slick spa, a gym, and the 16th floor Charlotte Restaurant, which offers incredible views and fantastic Pacific Northwest cuisine. Many of Seattle’s highlights are in walking distance.
For Cool Kids

- The Graduate Seattle occupies an Art Deco building in the University District, with views from some rooms that include the Space Needle. This is another hotel where the rooms aren’t individual, but are certainly original, with a great mash-up of styles and shapes starting with the Art Deco heritage, the varsity location, and hip art, patterns and colours. The 154 rooms make this a big enough hotel to have some great extras, like a too-cool-for-school library lobby lounge, a cafe and wine bar, a 24 hour gym, and a rooftop bar where you can regularly hear DJs.
For Families

- Sonder - Solis is a collection of airy, self-catering, one and two bedroom apartments in Seattle’s Capitol neighbourhood. Compact, but well designed, so that they feel spacious, these apartments have open plan kitchens and living/dining areas, and they share a vast roof terrace with barbecues. Perfect for families and long stays.
- The Hotel Andra is a chicly luxurious hotel with a definite Scandinavian flavour: think plenty of wood and rattan, neutral colours and natural fibres, and a huge fireplace in the lobby. The restaurant, Lola, is a big draw here, and its cooking school, The Hot Stove Society, is well known round town and offers tuition at all levels. You’re also only a short walk from Pike Place Market. Great family options with interconnecting rooms and roll-away beds.
For Great Value

- The Hotel Sorrento is an historic hotel in the heart of First Hill, with 75 elegant rooms and suites. Plenty of boutique details are present: bespoke original wood panelling, marble bathrooms, vintage furniture and details, and decor you might try to replicate at home. However these rooms riff on a decorative theme and aren’t entirely unique — though that does avoid the need to choose so carefully! The old fashioned cocktail bar, and outdoor patio make it a popular spot with the locals too.
- Small, and affordable, the Ace Hotel Seattle is in a great spot, in hip Belltown, with views of the Olympic Mountains and the bay. These 28 rooms are simply decorated, with plenty of white, and artworks for interest. There’s no restaurant, but you’re surrounded by great places to eat and drink, and there’s a shared kitchen.
Still not sure where to book?