Last updated on December 21, 2023
Every Seattle hotel blog post I read is filled with soulless chain hotels, especially when it comes to Seattle family hotels, but that really doesn’t have to be the way! There’s an ever-expanding scene of creative and unique places to stay in Seattle, and many welcome families. Just because you’re travelling with kids doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the exciting options.
Sure, there are some uber-stylish Seattle hotels (like the Hotel Theodore, Hotel Max and Graduate Hotel) where you might feel a bit too conspicuous with kids. But there are plenty of cool options that welcome kids with open arms.
Here’s a selection of cool places to stay in Seattle with kids. None of these hotels are specifically for families, but they have rooms and facilities that cater to kids and make for a fun stay.
And if you’re headed that way, don’t miss our complete guide to the best things to do in Seattle with kids. And our complete Seattle to San Francisco road trip itinerary.
The best places to stay in Seattle with kids
Places to stay in downtown Seattle
Downtown Seattle is right in the heart of the action, home to many of the city’s main attractions like Pike Place Market and the Seattle Center. So staying here makes it easy to explore the top sights, and it’s an ideal place to stay on your first trip to Seattle.
That said, downtown Seattle can be a bit edgy in places, so exercise caution especially at night. There are many homeless people and you’ll more than likely see people using drugs, but we found that people tended to keep themselves to themselves. Plus this is the part of town where everything is, so it’s kind of hard to avoid!
Mayflower Park
We stayed at the Mayflower Park Hotel, an historic hotel in downtown Seattle, which has been running since 1927. From the grand lobby to the elegant, traditional suites, it’s a place that emphasises its history while offering modern comforts. We stayed in a one-bedroom suite with a separate lounge, which was ideal so the boys could be in different rooms (one doesn’t sleep well!).
It’s also really well located in downtown Seattle, around a five-minute walk from Pike Place Market. And just around the corner from the monorail that takes you directly to the Seattle Center.
One morning we enjoyed an indulgent breakfast in bed from the onsite Andaluca Restaurant (the pancakes are next level). And the elegant hotel bar – Oliver’s Lounge – is a fantastic place for people watching and enjoying an evening cocktail.
Check availability and book now.
Inn at the Market
Inn at the Market is the only Seattle hotel located directly in Pike Place Market. SO if you want to stay somewhere unique, this elegant hotel is definitely worth the splurge.
The rooms from the Inn at the Market offer other epic views too. Depending on which room you book, you might have views of downtown Seattle, the waterfront, Puget Sound, or the Olympic Mountains. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows emphasise the view.
You’ll never have to go far to eat either, as the hotel has three restaurants on premises and the market offers many more.
Check availability and book now.
Palihouse Seattle
Palihouse is one of the best family hotels in Seattle and one of the few that actively caters to families. They offer bunk rooms, which are perfect for kids, and special ‘Family & Friends Rooms‘ which are adjoining rooms, perfect for groups. You can book a bunk room and a king room so the kids can stay in their own space with their own bathroom, and the parents have theirs. I think this is the perfect option, especially when travelling with older kids who need a bit more space.
Aside from the bonus of the adjoining rooms, Palihouse is an overall outstanding hotel. It’s located at the site of the 1900’s era Colonnade Hotel, which is a registered historic building, and the history can be seen in the small details throughout the hotel as well.
Check availability and book now.
Lotte Hotel Seattle
If you’re searching for luxury in downtown Seattle, Lotte Hotel Seattle is the spot. Lotte is a South Korean company, and this is their third US property, located in the F5 tower. Everything about it drips opulence. Think floor-to-ceiling windows with views, marble bathrooms, and mid-century modern furniture.
Concierge services are available to take care of anything you need and you can find the Charlotte restaurant on the 16th floor. There’s also a full-service spa on-site, complete with a sauna and steam room.
But despite being high-end, Lotte Hotel Seattle is still kid-friendly. The rooms are spacious and the staff are welcoming to children.
Check availability and book now.
Kimpton Hotel Monaco
It’s no surprise that a Kimpton hotel makes this list of where to stay in Seattle with kids, as the chain has also made appearances on our favorite hotels in Palm Springs, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle describes itself as a “Playful Boutique Hotel” and I think that’s a great descriptor. Walking inside the lobby, you’ll find luxurious details, like crystal chandeliers, against fun murals and a cosy sitting area.
The rooms themselves have the amenities you’d expect from a boutique hotel with pops of colour and patterns to add a youthful, quirky touch. Other fun amenities at Hotel Monaco include the Plant Pals program, bike rentals, and free yoga mats in all rooms. They will also put a mini fridge in your room to store milk if you’re travelling with an infant.
Check availability and book now.
Places to stay in Belltown
Belltown is in the centre of the city and home to some of the best food and drink in Seattle. It has all the amenities of downtown and is still very close to the main attractions, without the over-commercialized feel. It’s also home to the excellent Belltown branch of Biscuit Bitch.
Hotel Andra
Hotel Andra is between South Lake Union and Belltown. It’s a chic luxury boutique hotel that caters to the entire family – pets included! For those traveling with small children, pack-n-plays can be added to any room for no fee and roll-aways can be added to select rooms for a $25 fee.
The style is Scandinavian-inspired, combined with the Pacific Northwest elements of wood, water, and stone, to create a contrast of sleek and textured, modern and traditional. Hotel Andra was recently remodelled in 2022, but the building itself has been open since 1926 and was used for the Women’s Army Corps in 1945 before becoming a hotel in the 1970s and Hotel Andra in 2004.
Check availability and book now.
Hotel Five
Hotel Five is part of the Staypineapple chain, known for its fun and funky designs. And this Seattle hotel fits right in. Within each room, you’ll find bold colours, graphic art, and warm wood floors. Not to mention ultra-cosy and comfy beds!
The bright colour scheme and fun features definitely help Hotel Five stand out as one of the top cool places to stay in Seattle with kids. If some of the other hotels feel a bit too sophisticated for your family’s style, Hotel Five’s vibrant setting might be the place for you.
Check availability and book now.
Places to stay in Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill is the hipster neighbourhood of Seattle, with thrift stores, indie shops, music venues, coffee shops, bookstores, and more. As the centre of Seattle’s LGBTQIA+ scene, you’ll also notice rainbow crosswalks and more. Gaslight Inn is one of the most well-known hotels in the neighbourhood but sadly it doesn’t allow kids.
Silver Cloud Broadway
Honestly speaking, Silver Cloud Broadway is not particularly stylish but it earns a spot on the list of cool places to stay in Seattle with kids because of the neighborhood it’s in. It’s located on Capitol Hill, right across from Seattle University and not too far from downtown.
Rooms are clean and spacious – two very important things when travelling with kids! Some of the rooms even have sleeper sofas to provide extra space for the kids to sleep.
Check availability and book now.
Sonder at Sollis
Sonder at Sollis is a bit different than the other places to stay in Seattle with kids because it’s not exactly a hotel. Instead, each unit is an apartment with amenities like a washer, dryer, and kitchen. But this isn’t your basic apartment rental, as the style is modern and bright, with lots of white, clean lines, and large windows in each unit.
Though we often stay in hotels when we travel as a family, renting an apartment is a great option when you need more space or are in the middle of a trip and need to do some laundry. We stayed in a Sonder apartment in Savannah and loved it.
Check availability and book now.
Places to stay in South Lake Union
South Lake Union is one neighbourhood in Seattle that’s had a serious glow-up in the last decade or two, thanks to the arrival of the Amazon offices. It’s modern and located between several other neighbourhoods on the list (Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, and Belltown), so you can get anywhere you need to quickly.
Moxy Hotel
Moxy is another newer hip hotel chain known for being a little fun and funky, and Moxy Hotel Seattle is no exception. Located in South Lake Union, Moxy is close to all the major attractions like the Space Needle, several museums, Pocket Beach, and more.
Rooms at Moxy tend to run on the small side, but the design optimizes every space. Think a peg wall instead of a closet and a desk and chair that become artwork.
Check availability and book now.
CitizenM
CitizenM is a certified sustainable hotel in Seattle that does things a little differently. Instead of offering different types of rooms, every room at CitizenM is identical, with one XL bed. For many families, that means you’ll likely need to book two rooms but the style, location, and atmosphere of CitizenM make it worthwhile.
One cool feature of CitizenM is an app that allows you to control your lights and blinds, browse TV, and even control the temperature.
Check availability and book now.
Places to stay in Queen Anne
Queen Anne is the neighbourhood that’s closest to the Seattle Center, home of the Museum of Pop Culture, Pacific Science Center, Space Needle and more. It’s also one of the more affordable neighbourhoods to stay in, with prices coming in lower than downtown, Belltown, and other neighbourhoods.
Maxwell Hotel
Another bright and quirky hotel that’s part of the Staypineapple chain, Maxwell Hotel is located right at the base of Queen Anne Hill. They describe themselves as “a celebration of the living arts”, something that’s evident as soon as you walk in and are welcomed by the giant pineapple mosaic on the floor.
Rooms are boldly decorated with patterns and color, with wood floors and plenty of places to sit and relax. The hotel also has an indoor pool that’s just 4 feet deep, so perfect for kids.
Check availability and book now.
Other popular family hotels in Seattle
These hotels didn’t make the cut of being our top picks but they’re worth checking out if you’re still trying to decide where to stay in Seattle with kids.
- Fairmont Olympic Hotel. The Fairmont Olympic is located in downtown Seattle in a restored historic property. They have a lovely indoor swimming pool and lots of luxurious amenities to enjoy. Check availability and book now.
- Alexis Royal Sonesta. Previously known as the Kimpton Alexis Hotel, the Alexis Royal Sonesta is home to the famous Bookstore Bar & Cafe and is just 5 minutes from the waterfront. Check availability and book now.
- Four Seasons Hotel Seattle. Any hotel in the Four Seasons brand is typically a good choice if you’re looking for a bit of luxury on a family vacation, and Four Seasons Seattle does not disappoint, with a pool, fire pit, jetted tubs and incredible location. Check availability and book now.
- Seattle Marriott Waterfront. The only hotel in downtown Seattle to offer views of both mountains and water, Seattle Marriott Waterfront offers spacious rooms and an outdoor pool. Check availability and book now.
- The Edgewater Hotel. The Edgewater Hotel is one of Seattle’s most iconic hotels, perched on a pier in Elliott Bay. It’s the only over-water hotel in Seattle and the perfect place to stay if you want to be close to the water. Check availability and book now.
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