Where to Stay in Washington State

Seattle's downtown core puts you between Pike Place Market and the Elliott Bay waterfront. Hotels on 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue sit within five minutes of the fish-throwing stalls at Pike Place, the original Starbucks on Pike Street, and the ferry terminal on Pier 52. Western Avenue runs along the hillside above the piers and the Pike Place hillclimb connects the market to the waterfront without crossing major roads. Noise levels run high on weekend nights near Pine Street. Book a room above the 10th floor if street noise bothers you. Parking costs roughly $40 per day in most hotel garages.

Best for

First-time visitorscouplesbusiness travelers needing central access

Walk times

Pike Place Market 3 min
Seattle Art Museum (1st Ave) 5 min
Washington State Ferry Terminal (Pier 52) 8 min

Skip if: You want quiet evenings, a nightly budget under $150, or fast airport access

Local tip: The Inn at the Market on Post Alley sits inside the Pike Place Market complex. It books out weeks in advance but the location is unmatched for early morning market access before the crowds arrive.

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Capitol Hill

Seattle's most walkable neighborhood for food, bars, and independent culture

Budget $0-$0/night

Capitol Hill sits 15 minutes on foot from Pike Place but feels like a different city. The Pike/Pine corridor between 10th and 15th Avenues holds most of the neighborhood's bars, coffee shops, and independent restaurants. Broadway Avenue East runs north-south through the heart of the district with good transit connections to downtown. Cal Anderson Park on 11th Avenue East is the social hub in summer. Hotels here are independent boutiques and converted buildings rather than big chains. The neighborhood runs late. Expect noise on Friday and Saturday until at least 2am near Pike and Pine. Light rail at Capitol Hill station reaches downtown in 5 minutes flat.

Best for

LGBTQ+ travelerssolo travelersfood and nightlife seekers

Walk times

Cal Anderson Park (11th Ave E) 4 min
Capitol Hill Light Rail Station 6 min
Pike Place Market (via Pike St) 20 min

Skip if: Families with young children, early risers, anyone who needs a quiet street to sleep

Local tip: Volunteer Park on 15th Avenue E is free, holds the Seattle Asian Art Museum inside the conservatory, and attracts almost no tourists. Fifteen minutes walk from most Capitol Hill hotels and worth a half-day.

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Bellevue Downtown

Corporate comfort on the Eastside with lower weekend rates than Seattle

Budget $0-$0/night

Bellevue sits directly across Lake Washington from Seattle, 20 minutes by car and 30 minutes via the East Link light rail that opened in 2023. NE 8th Street runs through the downtown core, lined with upscale malls, Japanese restaurants, and tech company offices. Bellevue Way NE connects the center to Meydenbauer Bay Park on the waterfront. Hotels are largely business-class properties built for Microsoft and Amazon visitors. Bellevue Square mall is three blocks from most hotels on NE 8th. Rates drop 30 to 40 percent on weekends when corporate demand falls, making it a smart base for leisure travelers who can do without Seattle's nightlife.

Best for

Business travelersfamilies wanting spaceEastside tech campus visits

Walk times

Bellevue Square Mall (NE 8th St) 5 min
Bellevue Downtown Park (NE 4th St) 8 min
Meydenbauer Bay Park (100th Ave NE) 14 min

Skip if: First-timers who want Seattle's energy, anyone without a car for weekend day trips

Local tip: Weekend rates at the Bellevue Hyatt Regency and Westin regularly drop to $140 to $160 per night. Book Friday and Saturday and take the East Link directly into Seattle rather than dealing with bridge traffic.

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Spokane Downtown

Eastern Washington's base camp at half the price of Seattle

Budget $0-$0/night

Spokane is Washington State's second-largest city and the natural base for eastern Washington. Hotels cluster around W Riverside Avenue and Division Street, both within walking distance of Riverfront Park, which sits on the Spokane River on the site of the 1974 World's Fair. The Monroe Street Bridge, completed in 1911, is a short walk from most downtown hotels and worth a look. The Spokane Convention Center and Arena sit on N Howard Street one block from the river. Prices run 40 to 50 percent below Seattle for comparable hotel quality. The airport is 10 miles west of downtown with no rail link but a flat $25 taxi fare.

Best for

Eastern Washington road tripsbudget-conscious travelersSpokane event and conference visitors

Walk times

Riverfront Park (N Post St entrance) 5 min
Monroe Street Bridge 9 min
Spokane Convention Center (N Howard St) 4 min

Skip if: You want Pacific coast access, Seattle day trips, or the Cascades and ski areas

Local tip: The Historic Davenport Hotel on W Sprague Avenue opened in 1914 and is genuinely worth paying for. It sits at the top of the Spokane price range but delivers architecture and full-service hospitality you will not find in any chain at any price.

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