There’s never a shortage of things to see in Seattle. Yes, there’s the Space Needle, but there are so many other ways to get a view. You’ll find additional perspectives of the Emerald City from trails along Mount Rainier, the stands at the Seattle Seahawks’ Lumen Field, an oyster shack’s table along the waterfront or from the window of your hotel room.
Whether you seek a sleek stay on Elliot Bay or a bold Beaux-Arts beauty, you can trust Forbes Travel Guide’s exclusive list for it. To find the best hotels in Seattle, our incognito inspectors posed as ordinary guests and stayed multiple nights at each property. The inspectors tested hundreds of exacting standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, which accounts for 70% of a property’s rating. The remaining 30% comes from the quality and condition of the facilities. FTG does not require a business relationship from the properties it rates, and it does not earn a commission if you book one of the following hotels.
Four-Star Hotels in Seattle
Four Seasons Hotel Seattle
Four Seasons Hotel Seattle is a sophisticated, urbane retreat housed in a modern glass tower close to the Seattle Art Museum. That the service is top-notch and attentive goes without saying — staff here attends to whatever you need with a laid-back, friendly and confident flair that’s hard to duplicate. The hotel also excels at connecting guests to uniquely Seattle experiences, from whale watching to hiking Mount Rainer to taking a private guided city tour.
Recently refreshed rooms are bright and contemporary, with the hotel brand’s signature pillow-top beds and luxury linens. The Pool Terrace, with its rooftop pool, outdoor fire pit and views of Elliott Bay, is a great spot for lounging or sipping a glass of locally produced wine. The onsite restaurant, Goldfinch Tavern, serves organic Northwest cuisine in an attractive maritime-themed setting. See more.
Lotte Hotel Seattle
Lotte Hotel Seattle stands as a study in design. A 1908 Beaux-Arts building serves as the downtown hotel’s landmark façade. The rest of the property resides in a gleaming glass tower that stretches 44 stories. Inside, you’ll find acclaimed designer Philippe Starck’s touch in the inviting mid-century modern accommodations. And throughout the hotel, abstract art and rustic touches (like the 3,000-year-old sequoia tree front desk) pay homage to the Northwest and Seattle’s past as a logging center.
Along with the design, there’s a fine-dining establishment serving Pacific Northwest cuisine and an ethereal spa with top-notch treatments, but you may be more focused on the commanding views of Elliot Bay and the skyline. See more.
Recommended Hotels in Seattle
Hotel 1000 Seattle, LXR Hotels & Resorts
Boasting a sleek, modern look and a prime downtown location, Hotel 1000 Seattle, LXR Hotels & Resorts makes an impression when you set foot inside the chic marble lobby with 250 raindrop-shaped hand-blown bulbs hanging overhead. Sitting at First Avenue and Madison Street, the 120-room luxury hotel’s waterfront locale makes it an ideal spot for visitors looking to explore the best of Seattle on foot.
Of course, with skyline or bay views from every accommodation, the city’s only Topgolf Swing Suite, chef-led oyster shucking classes and a luxurious spa, you might never want to leave. See more.
Thompson Seattle
Thompson Seattle tows the line between old and new with its masterful design and well-placed locale. The hotel manages to be quaint yet sleek with a style that balances modern city life and rustic Pacific Northwest surroundings with vintage midcentury modern aesthetics blended with a farmhouse vibe and perfectly worn furnishings.
Carefully curated lobby books cover tree houses, cabins and other similar outdoor lifestyle subjects, while earthy pottery sits alongside modern metallic sculptures on the stark black wall shelves. Masculine with touches of the Northwest, the Thompson’s history as a nightlife brand is apparent in the exceptional cocktails served at the rooftop bar and curated calendar of hotel happenings. See more.
Tulalip Resort Casino
The grand scale of Tulalip Resort Casino is evident from the moment you drive past its massive orca whale fountain near the main entrance. Inside, three towering poles, carved by Tulalip tribe members, greet you near the check-in desk. Rooms and suites feature unique artwork, spa-like showers and high-end Stearns & Foster bedding.
In the casino, one section of soaring ceiling mimics a salmon stream, where swirls of green and blue all but conceal images of this region’s most important fish. In The Draft, the casino’s sports bar and grill, the big game is broadcast on an enormous 161-by-91 matrix of high-definition televisions and at Canoes Cabaret, there’s usually a live concert to catch. See more.
