Need Help with a Seattle Hotel

[becca-becca]

We are going on a Disney Cruise to Alaska this July. We are flying into Seattle a few days early to see the city. We will need a hotel for 3 nights. Then, we will get up early to take the Amtrak Cascades to Vancouver. I would like to stay in a hotel convenient to sightseeing Seattle or to transportation, but also make it easy on us to get to the Amtrak station with no issues. Do you have any suggestions? (Also, there will be 6 of us, so some sort of suites or room that will sleep 6 would be great)!

 

[Archergirl11]

Try checking for hotels near the stadiums as in the off season they are not quite as expensive. The hotel at the airport is quite a ways away from Seattle(at least 25 minutes, more with traffic) but there is a great mall near the airport. Some hotels can get pretty expensive, especially if any big sports games are going on. When they are, any hotel in the area is well over $100 for a night(but only for big Seahawks games, like the NFC Championship!! GO HAWKS) in July you will miss any sports crowds.The two hotels closest to the train station are Best Western Pioneer Square and a Courtyard Marriott. Also the Silver Cloud Stadiums but it's a bit further. Both are within walking distance, if you don't have much luggage. Also if you stay in uptown Seattle there is SO much to do. I highly recommend you go to Piles place market (even if it is a bit of a walk). But the space needle, experience music project, science center(great to take kids to). Just be careful Seattle is amazing in some places, but there can be some bad people, and lots of homeless. Seattle is amazing and I'm glad I live about 30 minutes away from it!!!

 

[SeaPic]

We live just North of Seattle and like to stay at the Sheraton or Westin near Pacific Place because they both have indoor pools. Homewood Suites near the Convention Center may fit your need to sleep six. In our younger days Pioneer Square area was no big deal. I would not stay near Pioneer Square with my kids. There is a bus/light rail tunnel below the city and the International District stop is across the street from the Train staton. Feel free to PM me if you have questions. Have a great trip!

 

[JMHDisney]

As others have mentioned, there is light rail, which is great. If you stay near Westlake shopping center, you are walking distance to Pike Place Market and you can catch light rail to the train and also catch monorail from Westlake to the space needle and the rest of Seattle Center. But the light rail runs right through downtown so anywhere south of Westlake all the way to the International District is going to be on or within a few blocks of it. Agree with the recommendation of the Westin if you have kids since it has a pool. It's an older Westin but is in decent condition.

 

[MUN]

We stayed at the Westin downtown. It was a short walk to the light rail station, which will get you to and from the airport and Amtrak. It was very conveniant for sightseeing.

We had never been to Seattle before, and we loved our visit!

Enjoy!

MUN

 

[TheRichFam]

I'm in downtown Seattle as I type!

My office is in downtown directly across from Pike Market. I agree with PPs who recommend avoiding Pioneer Square with kiddos, at least for your hotel. I also like Silver Cloud right by the Stadiums. I've never stayed there, but I checked it out for the possibility of hosting a work function and it's beautiful inside. Also, random fact: Jimmy's on 1st, the sports bar in the lobby, has one of the best burgers in Seattle. The location is great, too.

If you opt to be a little further north, I'd recommend the Homewood as well. It's a bit of a distance from most the "touristy" sites, but super convenient. Unfortunately, there aren't a ton of affordable convenient hotels here. Most the centrally located spots are either local boutique style hotels or high end national chains (W, Four Seasons, Fairmont, etc).

While you're here there will be a really amazing exhibit at the Pacific Science Center/Experience Music Project. It's a Star Wars exhibit! If you or your family are into SW at all, I'd add that to your "must do" list. It's not very expensive and is located literally at the base of the Space Needle.

The only other consideration is this: if you're coming in late July, you'll be here during Seafair, which is the largest multi-week event in Seattle each year. The Blue Angels come, there's a marathon, hydro boat races, parade, etc. If you're coming during Seafair, your hotels will be mega expensive and hard to come by. If that is the case, I recommend staying in Southcenter (near the Airport) and using light rail to get in and out of downtown. That will save you insane amounts of money on lodging. There's a Homewood there, as well as a Fairfield, Embassy Suites, Hilton and a few others as well. Also a newly renovated monster mall with tons of restaurants.

Sorry for the long post. Happy hunting, and let me know if you have any specific questions.

 

[bceagle76]

I go to Seattle all the time
Alot depends on what you want to spend
But the Silver Cloud Stadium is great hotel. Good Bar Resturant in the building.
I am Marriott guy The Courtyard Pioneer Square is another good loctaion.
Westin Down town is right near the monorail, easy to space needle and all the stuff there. Short walk to Pike Markets.

 

[linetbo]

We are going to Seattle after Alaska cruise, and we will be staying at the Inn at the Market. I dont know how good its that hotel.

 

[jburge12000]

We did a day before and a day after our Alaska cruise this last summer in Seattle. We flew in early and wanted to catch a Mariners game, we stayed at the Courtyard Pioneer Square and were very happy with it. Close enough to walk down to the water and have a good lunch (took the kids to the Crab Pot), and then walked to Safeco Field and back after with no issues. Next morning walked with our luggage to the train station about 5/6 blocks. Was more nervous the morning at about 6:30 am going to the train station. A lot of people sleeping on the streets and a milling about waiting for what looked like a food distribution center to open about 2 blocks from the train station. Was kind of strange with my kids and trying to drag luggage through that.

When we returned we took the Bolt Bus from Vancouver and they dropped us off over by the Space Needle, and we stayed at the Hampton Inn about 3 blocks from the Space Needle park. Monarail stops at the Space Needle and will take you over to the Pikes Market area. I guess it would depend on what you were trying to do but both places we stayed at had their advantages.

 

[sharksfinatic17]

We are starting our June 22 Alaska cruise in Seattle. We are staying three nights and have reserved a condo for 6 right by Pike Place Market. We then are planning on taking the train to Vancouver where we will stay three more nights.

 

[kaseyC]

We spent a few days in Seattle last summer after taking the Amtrak Empire Builder from Chicago. We stayed at the Maxwell Hotel. Beautiful and excellent service. It's walking distance to the Space Needle, EMP Museum and the light rail. It's located in the Queen Anne neighborhood with an amazing number of great dining options.

 

[TheRichFam]

We are going to Seattle after Alaska cruise, and we will be staying at the Inn at the Market. I dont know how good its that hotel.

You'll love it! Cute little locally owned boutique hotel, and you sure can't beat the location!

 

[linetbo]

You'll love it! Cute little locally owned boutique hotel, and you sure can't beat the location!

Thanks, so happy now!!

 

[becca-becca]

We stayed at the Westin downtown. It was a short walk to the light rail station, which will get you to and from the airport and Amtrak. It was very conveniant for sightseeing.

We had never been to Seattle before, and we loved our visit!

Enjoy!

MUN

Do you know how early/late the light rail runs? We have an early Amtrak (7:45 I think) and if we don't stay at a hotel within walking distance of the Amtrak station, I was wondering about the light rail hours.

 

[becca-becca]

I'm in downtown Seattle as I type!

My office is in downtown directly across from Pike Market. I agree with PPs who recommend avoiding Pioneer Square with kiddos, at least for your hotel. I also like Silver Cloud right by the Stadiums. I've never stayed there, but I checked it out for the possibility of hosting a work function and it's beautiful inside. Also, random fact: Jimmy's on 1st, the sports bar in the lobby, has one of the best burgers in Seattle. The location is great, too.

If you opt to be a little further north, I'd recommend the Homewood as well. It's a bit of a distance from most the "touristy" sites, but super convenient. Unfortunately, there aren't a ton of affordable convenient hotels here. Most the centrally located spots are either local boutique style hotels or high end national chains (W, Four Seasons, Fairmont, etc).

While you're here there will be a really amazing exhibit at the Pacific Science Center/Experience Music Project. It's a Star Wars exhibit! If you or your family are into SW at all, I'd add that to your "must do" list. It's not very expensive and is located literally at the base of the Space Needle.

The only other consideration is this: if you're coming in late July, you'll be here during Seafair, which is the largest multi-week event in Seattle each year. The Blue Angels come, there's a marathon, hydro boat races, parade, etc. If you're coming during Seafair, your hotels will be mega expensive and hard to come by. If that is the case, I recommend staying in Southcenter (near the Airport) and using light rail to get in and out of downtown. That will save you insane amounts of money on lodging. There's a Homewood there, as well as a Fairfield, Embassy Suites, Hilton and a few others as well. Also a newly renovated monster mall with tons of restaurants.

Sorry for the long post. Happy hunting, and let me know if you have any specific questions.

My family LOVES Star Wars so I am quite excited to hear this. We are thinking about staying at the Silver Cloud--if we do, is it easy to get to other places around the city from this hotel?

 

[twopeasonepod]

We are going to Seattle after Alaska cruise, and we will be staying at the Inn at the Market. I dont know how good its that hotel.

Stayed there in 2012 after Alaska. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Awesome location, staff is super nice, and the room was fabulous. We had the one that is upstairs/downstairs. It's #2 for Seattle on Trip Advisor.

And Seafair is super fun! I used to visit my BFF in Seattle three times a year and that was by far the best time to go!

 

[nunzia]

So why is Pioneer Square not a good place for kids? I'm staying in Seattle the night I get in from the Coast Starlight, and wanted a hotel close to Amtrak also, so since the Courtyard Pioneer Square was suggested, I booked that. Then will take Amtrak the next moring to Vancouver, stay that night at at Pan Pacific and get on the ship the next day. On the way back, we'll need to stay in Seattle again, prior to boarding the Coast Starlight the other way. I don't mind taking a cab...is there a better area to stay that's not too far from the train station?

 

[Archergirl11]

Pioneer square is where lots of homeless people sleep at night, and most times in the morning they are still there. There are also many people that are homeless and stay there throughout the day. The homeless people may not be the nicest, some will sit in silence. But others sometimes will come up to you begging.

 

[TheRichFam]

Re: Pioneer Square-
The largest mission in the city is right outside Pioneer Square. Anyone who can't get a bed for the night tends to sleep in and around the streets adjacent to the mission. It's fine during the day, but late at night and early in the morning, it's not the best place to be schlepping gear with small kids. You'd probably be ok, honestly. Just wanted to give you a heads up

BeccaBecca-
Silver Cloud is in a neighborhood called Sodo, meaning "South of Downtown." You'll be super close to Pioneer Square, both stadiums, and the Starbucks HQ Building! There's really nothing to see at the SBUX HQ (I still can't believe they don't give tours ...) but it's a cool photo op. Also within walking distance is the International District. It's a SUPER cool area that other cities call Chinatown, but here it's called the ID because of all the Asian ethnic groups represented in our city- Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Filipino, and many other Southeast Asian areas. It's the best location for a cheap lunch in the city if you like Asian food. The Amtrak and light rail stations are both within a block of the ID.

All the other major Seattle tourist spots will be a cab ride or light rail trip away: Pike Market, Seattle Center (Space Needle, museums, etc), Museum of Flight, Zoo, etc are all too far to walk with kids.

I made you a really cool map in Google Maps, but I saved it as an image but this board won't let me upload it. Sorry!

Hope that helps!

 

[becca-becca]

Re: Pioneer Square-
The largest mission in the city is right outside Pioneer Square. Anyone who can't get a bed for the night tends to sleep in and around the streets adjacent to the mission. It's fine during the day, but late at night and early in the morning, it's not the best place to be schlepping gear with small kids. You'd probably be ok, honestly. Just wanted to give you a heads up

BeccaBecca-
Silver Cloud is in a neighborhood called Sodo, meaning "South of Downtown." You'll be super close to Pioneer Square, both stadiums, and the Starbucks HQ Building! There's really nothing to see at the SBUX HQ (I still can't believe they don't give tours ...) but it's a cool photo op. Also within walking distance is the International District. It's a SUPER cool area that other cities call Chinatown, but here it's called the ID because of all the Asian ethnic groups represented in our city- Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Filipino, and many other Southeast Asian areas. It's the best location for a cheap lunch in the city if you like Asian food. The Amtrak and light rail stations are both within a block of the ID.

All the other major Seattle tourist spots will be a cab ride or light rail trip away: Pike Market, Seattle Center (Space Needle, museums, etc), Museum of Flight, Zoo, etc are all too far to walk with kids.

I made you a really cool map in Google Maps, but I saved it as an image but this board won't let me upload it. Sorry!

Hope that helps!

It is a little overwhelming picking out a hotel in a city you know nothing about--so this has been so helpful to us. Thank you! We have narrowed it down to either the Silver Cloud or an airport area hotel. As long as we can get to the light rail to get around the city or take a taxi we should be good.