Are you planning your next trip to Seattle?
See amazing places like Mount Rainier, Pike Place, museums, coffee shops, music festivals, and restaurants.
The Emerald city is also surrounded by water, mountains, and lush forests, but we know where you can stay for the best views.
Right on the waterfront, there are a few luxury hotels that offer unobstructed sea views.
We did some research and found the best Seattle hotels near the water.
1. Four Seasons Hotel Seattle
Imagine the Seattle Art Museum on one side, Pike Place Market on another, and beautiful views of Elliott Bay to top it all.
If a stellar view is what you have in mind, choose the spacious Deluxe Bay-View rooms.
For meals overlooking the Elliott Bay and Puget Sound, head to the Goldfinch tavern.
It’s the perfect place to mingle over seafood and cocktails while taking in all the splendor of Seattle.
For a memorable experience, take a refreshing swim in the heated, outdoor infinity pool on the fourth-floor terrace.
Soak in the whirlpool as you admire the beautiful Olympic Mountains, the Seattle Great Wheel, and Puget Sound.
There’s also a poolside bar and grill to complete your luxury experience.
- Guest Rating: 9.5
- Star Rating: 5 stars
- Address: 99 Union Street, Seattle Central Business District, Seattle, WA 98101, United States
2. Inn at the Market
The Pike Place Market is a quintessential Seattle experience that you can’t afford to miss.
If you’d like to stay in the midst of all the fishy action, pick the Inn at the Market, the only hotel located here.
The newly renovated water-view rooms offer spectacular views of Elliott Bay and beyond.
The Deluxe water-view deck rooms have a shared outside terrace with tables and lounge chairs.
Guests can also head to the rooftop water view deck for panoramic views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains.
After you’re done exploring the city, unwind on the deck with cheese and wine from Pike Place Market.
When it comes to food, the Inn at the Market boasts three of the best restaurants in downtown Seattle.
Great food and fabulous views – what more can one ask for?
- Guest Rating: 9.3
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Address: 86 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101, United States
3. The State Hotel
Experience a piece of Seattle’s history at The State Hotel which was built in 1904.
Located just a few steps away from the vibrant Pike Place Market, this hotel lets you experience the spirit of Seattle like no other.
Guests can choose between king and queen water view rooms, both of which are extremely comfortable.
The rooms feature eclectic local art, lots of natural light, walk-in showers, and of course spectacular views.
The rooftop deck offers a front-row seat to the magical views of Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains, and Pike Place Market.
There are plenty of chairs, and tables on the rooftop deck where guests can spend quality time with their loved ones.
If craft cocktails and delicious American food are what you’re looking for, head to their restaurant, Ben Paris.
Indulge in an adventurous cocktail menu, wines, craft beers, and wholesome food.
- Guest Rating: 9.0
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Address: 1501 2nd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, United States
4. Thompson Seattle
Located across from Pike Place Market, Thompson Seattle is a boutique hotel that defines luxury.
The Deluxe Water-View rooms offer gasp-inducing views of the Puget Sound through large windows.
The Water View Studio Suite is a corner unit that has a connecting living room and offers panoramic views of the waterfront.
However, for ultimate luxury, pick the Thompson Suite with spectacular views, a full bath with rain shower, and a soaking tub.
Couples will love The Nest, Thompson Seattle’s iconic rooftop bar, cocktail lounge, and terrace.
Hovering high above Pike Place Market, this is where guests can forget about the hustle and bustle and relax with a heart-stopping view.
There are hand-crafted cocktails, wines, and a small snacks menu as well as cozy fire-lit corners and lush greenery.
The other restaurant at Thompson Seattle is Conversation that offers a sensory fine dining experience to its guests.
- Guest Rating: 8.9
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Address: 110 Stewart Street, Seattle, WA 98101, United States
5. The Alexis Royal Sonesta Hotel
Take a trip down memory lane at the historic Alexis Royal Sonesta Hotel.
Originally built in 1901, the hotel has now been renovated with natural touches, local art, and inspiration from Seattle’s music scene.
For a spectacular water view, book the Junior Suite King that is perfect for couples.
With a king bed, elevated living space, and a love seat, this suite will make you feel like royalty.
If you love books and fine-dining, the Bookstore Bar & Cafe will be your new happy place.
With brick walls, classic books, cocktails, wines, rare whiskeys, and delicious food, this restaurant is magical!
Complete your stay with a luxurious treatment from experts at Chroma Spa.
- Guest Rating: 8.8
- Star Rating: 5 stars
- Address: 1007 First Avenue, Seattle Central Business District, Seattle, WA 98104, United States
6. Palihotel Seattle
The Palihotel Seattle is a contemporary boutique hotel located across the street from Pike Place Market.
The hotel has 96 rooms that are eclectic and bold in design yet extremely comfortable at the same time.
For partial water views, opt of Deluxe Queen or Deluxe King rooms which are located on the higher floors.
Both these rooms come complete with a Smeg fridge, a stocked minibar, oversized windows, a rain shower, and custom furnishings.
Guests can dine at The Hart and The Hunter, the hotel’s restaurant which serves up Southern-inspired food in a laidback environment.
Everything from Pikes Place to the Elliot Bay Waterfront to cafes, bars, and restaurants is just a hop, skip, and jump away!
The quirky hotel embodies the spirit of Seattle perfectly.
- Guest Rating: 8.8
- Star Rating: 3 stars
- Address: 107 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101, United States
7. Loews Hotel 1000, Seattle
It’s all about location with this luxury hotel at the intersection of 1000 First Avenue and Madison Street.
Imagine being just a few steps away from Pike Place, the Seattle Art Museum, and the waterfront along Elliott Bay.
Deluxe Water-View rooms come complete with a large king bed and spectacular views of Puget Sound.
The hotel also has plenty of suites that take luxury to the next level complete with dreamlike views.
Take the Presidential Grand Suite for example.
This is located on the 14th floor and the panoramic views of Elliott Bay and Puget Sound from here are to die for!
For dining, go to the All Water Seafood & Oyster Bar which offers the best seafood in the region.
Guests can also indulge at The Spa where rejuvenating treatments will relax every bone in your body.
There’s also a relaxation lounge, sauna, and a fully-equipped fitness center.
- Guest Rating: 8.8
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Address: 1000 First Avenue, Seattle Central Business District, Seattle, WA 98104, United States
8. The Oxford at Pike Place Market Seattle
Downtown Seattle is without a doubt the best place to enjoy everything the Emerald City has to offer.
The Oxford is located a stone’s throw away from the iconic Pike Place Market and offers luxurious fully furnished apartments.
For awesome waterfront views, choose the One-Bedroom Apartment Water View.
Simply unwind on your luxurious couch or bed while watching the sun go down over Elliott Bay.
The large windows bring in plenty of natural light and there’s a well-equipped kitchen as well.
If you don’t feel like cooking, just head to one of the many high-end restaurants and bars within walking distance.
The Oxford offers free Wi-Fi, on-site laundry, and a keyless entry system.
Staying at The Oxford is as close to becoming a Seattleite as it gets.
- Guest Rating: 8.3
- Address: 1920 1st Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, United States
9. Seattle Marriott Waterfront
Another gem of a hotel located close to the world-famous Pike Place Market is the Seattle Marriott Waterfront.
There are plenty of accommodation to choose from but the water view rooms will add a special touch to your trip.
The King Panoramic View Corner Room and 1-Bedroom Junior Suite are our top picks here.
For dining, Hook & Plow restaurant offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy Seattle’s best waterfront views.
The cozy patio seating and locally sourced, diverse menu are simply the cherry on the cake.
Seattle Marriott Waterfront also has a fitness center and a heated pool.
But you can always head out for a run along the gorgeous waterfront.
- Guest Rating: 8.2
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Address: 2100 Alaskan Way, Belltown, Seattle, WA 98121, United States
10. Royal Residence Downtown
Located in the heart of downtown, the Royal Residence Downtown offers fully furnished apartments.
True to its name, the decor at the Royal Residence is opulent and fit for royalty.
Both the two-bedroom and penthouse apartments have large windows with spectacular waterfront views.
The apartments have air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a kitchen, a dining area, and a bathroom with all the amenities.
There’s free private parking and Wi-Fi across the property.
Breakfast is served at the bar every morning.
Pike Place Market, Seattle Great Wheel, and Columbia Center are a short walk away.
- Guest Rating: 8.2
- Star Rating: 5 stars
- Address: 888 Western Avenue, Seattle Central Business District, Seattle, WA 98104, United States
Seattle Waterfront Hotels Map
Also read:
- 9 Best Romantic Seattle Hotels with Spa Baths in Room
- 10 Best Washington Ski Resorts Near Seattle
- 14 Best Seattle Food Tours & Dining Experiences
- 28 Romantic Things to do in Seattle for Couples
- 19 Fun Things to Do in Seattle at Night
Fine More Seattle Waterfront Hotels
FAQs
Four Seasons Hotel Seattle downtown is one of the best hotels for couples.
The Deluxe-Bay View rooms offer spectacular views of Elliott Bay and have a large private tub as well.
Couples will also love the Goldfinch Tavern and the infinity pool.
For families, we recommend the Inn at the Market located right in the Pike Place Market.
There’s always something happening at the Pike Place Market to keep your kids entertained.
There’s also no dearth of awesome food all around the hotel.
The Inn at the Market is the only hotel located inside Pike Place Market.
Guests can get up, close, and personal with Seattle’s most iconic landmark.
The best part is that after all the action, guests can unwind in a luxurious water-view room.
At the luxurious Loews Hotel 1000, Seattle, guests can soak in a large hot tub while taking in views of the city.
The Thompson Suite at Thompson Seattle also defines luxury with its soaking tub and other amenities.
The State Hotel, Thompson Seattle, and Royal Residence Downtown all have rooftop decks that offer stunning waterfront views.
But if you want to enjoy a cocktail while watching the sunset, pick Thompson Seattle.
You’ll find the Next rooftop bar where you can sit on the lounge for drinks and snacks.
Summary
Seattle Waterfront Hotels | Ratings |
Four Seasons Hotel Seattle | 9.5 |
Inn at the Market | 9.3 |
The State Hotel | 9.0 |
Thompson Seattle | 8.9 |
The Alexis Royal Sonesta Hotel | 8.8 |
Palihotel Seattle | 8.8 |
Loews Hotel 1000, Seattle | 8.8 |
The Oxford at Pike Place Market Seattle | 8.3 |
Seattle Marriott Waterfront | 8.2 |
Royal Residence Downtown | 8.2 |