Seattle Hotels for Families

SeattleWhere To Stay › Kid-Friendly Hotels
Updated: February 11, 2024
By Santorini Dave

Best Family Hotels in Seattle

• Best pool: Four SeasonsWestin
• Family suite: Residence Inn
• Family of 4: Four Seasons
• Family of 5: Residence Inn
• Family of 6: Residence Inn
• Near cruise port: Marriott
• Pike Place Market: Four Seasons
• Climate Pledge Arena: Maxwell

Staying in Seattle with Kids

My family and me at a Sounders game in Seattle (our hometown).

Seattle Hotels for Families – Where To Stay

  • The best areas of Seattle for first-time visitors are Downtown, Belltown, and Seattle Center.
  • Booking.com – The best site for booking Seattle hotels for families.
  • The best area to stay for families visiting Seattle is downtown and north towards Seattle Center. As a rule of thumb, try to stay near Seattle Center or within 5 blocks of Pike Place Market – but not on the waterfront which is inconveniently cut off from downtown even though it appears on the map to be close.
  • Best luxury hotel for families: The Four Seasons (downtown and steps from Pike Place Market)
  • Best cheap hotels for families: Hampton Inn & Suites DowntownTravelodge By The Space Needle
  • My favorite restaurants in downtown Seattle that are kid-friendly: Von’s Gustobistro (a bar/restaurant/distillery with great food) • Alibi Room (even more bar-like than Von’s, great happy hour food) • Pike Brewing Company (good pub food and beer) • DeLaurenti (pizza by the slice, best cookies in Pike Place Market)
  • The best playground near downtown is Artists at Play – at Seattle Center (a 20 minute walk from downtown or take the Monorail).

7 Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Seattle

1. Four Seasons – luxury

Best 5-star hotel for kids in downtown Seattle.
Phone: +1 (206) 749-7000
Suites are large and beautiful and will comfortably sleep a family of four. The outdoor pool has views of the waterfront (and the pool is heated too so you can swim year-round). There’s a jacuzzi, spa, and fitness center. Bay View rooms look out over the waterfront, passing ferries, and the Seattle ferris wheel (city views look the opposite way). The hotel is steps from Pike Place Market with the Seattle Art Museum, many restaurants, and downtown shopping all within a short walk.

2. The Westin – luxury

Seattle Westin with Kids
Phone: +1 (206) 728-1000
A great hotel in a great Belltown location. Close to the malls, shopping, great restaurants, and monorail in downtown Seattle. Fantastic views of the water, city, and mountains (the hotel’s twin towers are 47 floors high). Many great restaurants within 2 or 3 blocks (Serious Pie is the best and has amazing pizza, beer, and desserts). The pool is indoor and very kid-friendly.

3. Kimpton Alexis Hotel – luxury

Best Family Hotels in Seattle – The Alexis
Phone: +1 (206) 624-3646
This is an awesome boutique hotel (but still family-friendly) with loads of charm and huge suites. The Hotel 1000, directly across the street, gets more press but I think the Alexis is warmer and friendlier. Pike Place is a 5-minute walk in one direction and Pioneer Square the same in the other. The Bookstore Bar & Cafe is one of the coolest bars in downtown Seattle and specializes in high-end whiskeys – kids are allowed on the cafe side.

4. The Maxwell – midrange

Hotel for families near Seattle Center and Climate Pledge Arena.
Phone: +1 (206) 286-0629
Fun, family-friendly hotel with lots of character. The largest rooms have 2 king beds and a sofa bed. There’s a neighborhood feel to the area (though not the immediate surroundings) and the hotel is a short walk to Seattle Center, the monorail, many restaurants, and two grocery stores. The indoor swimming pool is not huge but still a plus for kids.

5. Silver Cloud Hotel Stadium – midrange

Seattle Silver Cloud Hotel with Kids
Phone: +1 (206) 204-9800
Great location for Seahawks, Mariners, or Sounders games. (But a little out of the way to see the rest of the city’s attractions.) Light rail, a few restaurants, and a family-friendly brewery are nearby. A free shuttle will take guests anywhere in Seattle. Heated rooftop pool and jacuzzi are kid-friendly. King suites are large. As I say, this is a great hotel to see a football, baseball, or soccer game but if that’s not a priority then look at the Silver Cloud in South Lake Union.

6. Residence Inn – midrange

Seattle Residence Inn with Kids
Phone: +1 (206) 624-6000
1 and 2-bedroom suites sleep a family of four, five, or six. Full kitchen, nice pool, free breakfast, and happy hour. Walking distance to the very cool (and kid-friendly) Museum of History and Industry and the streetcar to downtown goes right by the hotel.

7. Mediterranean Inn – budget

Seattle Meditteranean Apartments with Kids
Phone: +1 (206) 428-4700
Good value hotel very close to Climate Pledge Arena and a large Safeway. Rooms have kitchenettes and there’s 24-hour guest laundry. Free coffee, bottled water, and microwave popcorn.

More Seattle Hotels for Families

From June to September Seattle’s best hotels can be booked solid. Here are a few more hotels with triples, quads, or family rooms if the above hotels are fully booked.

Apartments for Families in Seattle

Family apartment in Seattle with full kitchen and living room.

Two-bedroom suite with kitchen at Staybridge Suites Seattle in Fremont (a fun neighborhood loaded with top local restaurants, 10 minute bus ride from downtown Seattle).

  • Staybridge Suites Seattle – Fremont
    One and two-bedroom suites sleep families of 4 to 7. All units have kitchens, washer/dryer, and free-wifi. Parking is not free but is cheaper than any of the downtown hotels.

Read More

About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave Author Bio. Santorini Dave was started in 2011 by a guy who loved Greece, travel, and great hotels. We're now a small team of writers and researchers on a mission to deliver the most helpful travel content on the internet. We specialize in Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Greece and recommend the best hotels, best neighborhoods, and best family hotels in top destinations around the world. We also make hotel maps and travel videos. I can be contacted at dave@santorinidave.com.

  1. Staying in Moore Hotel in Seattle

    Thank you for all your great advice. I have not seen the Moore Hotel recommended here. A friend of mine suggested it for our two families travelling in late August for ball games. What do you think of it?
    Thank you!

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      The Moore Hotel is a charming and unique hotel that can be a great choice for families. There are many room choices, from Euro-style with shared bathrooms to mini-apartments with kitchenettes. The location is fantastic – a short walk from Pike Place Market and above a great little coffee shop. The only reason I wouldn’t recommend this hotel for you is that there’s no air conditioning. In August, you’d likely want the windows at least cracked, and there will be a fair amount of street noise from below. Plus, it’s a bit of a hike to the baseball stadium. If you’re traveling specifically for ball games, I’d recommend the Silver Cloud Seattle Stadium (near the stadium with a great outdoor pool), Embassy Suites Pioneer Square (brand new, great indoor pool, walkable to the stadium), or Best Western Plus Pioneer Square (lower price point, breakfast included, walkable to the stadium).

  2. Seattle Hotel with 2 Kids

    Headed to Seattle in April of this year for Spring Break with two kiddos ages 8 and 11-year-olds. We were thinking about staying at the Residence Inn by Marriott Seattle Downtown/Lake Union. This seems like a convenient place plus has free breakfast for the kids. My question is, do you think this is a good hotel to stay in and convenient to all the places we would like to see such as the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, Pop Culture Museum, Seattle Aquarium, etc.

    Any good places to eat around the hotel? Thank you! Michelle

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      The Residence Inn Downtown/Lake Union is a great family choice. It’s out of the main downtown core, so you’ll have a home base that’s less hectic feeling, but it’s still easy to get to the places you want to go. There’s a streetcar line running right in front of the hotel that takes you to the heart of downtown for easy access to Pike Place, the Aquarium, and other waterfront attractions. From downtown, you can hop the Monorail to Seattle Center (Space Needle, Science Center MoPOP). Or, if your kids are good with walking, Seattle Center attractions are an easy 20-minute walk from the hotel. Also, consider the Museum of History and Industry and Center for Wooden Boats – both really fun and practically just across the street from the Residence Inn. As far as restaurants go, check out Dukes for seafood, Cactus for Mexican, and Serious Pie for pizza.

  3. Seattle Hotel Close to University

    Visiting Seattle for College tours to UW, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific, and University of Puget Sound in February. Where is the best hotel for party of 5? with breakfast is preferred.

    Mahalo

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      Your best bet would be the new Residence Inn in Seattle’s University District. This would put you within easy walking distance to the UW, with easy freeway access for driving to Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, and UPS. Like all Residence Inns, it’s an all-suite hotel; suites have living areas and full-sized kitchens. Their studio and 1-bedroom suites accommodate 5 guests with two queens and a sofa bed. There’s an indoor pool and a daily hot, complimentary breakfast.

  4. Seattle Area with Kids

    Our family will be spending 6 nights in Tacoma this summer. We arrive on Thursday and leave on Wednesday. Other than catching a ball game on the Sunday afternoon, our schedule is wide open. Kids are 9&11. We want to experience as much as possible but I’m not really sure what would be most worthwhile to see or how to structure our days, ie. how much time to spend where and what things would make sense to combine into a singleday. We are mainly interested in Mt. Rainer National Park, Space Needle, Pike Place Market, underground tour, boat tour, zoo, aquarium, Chihuly, as well as finding time to just hang out on a beach somewhere. Is all of this doable with our timeline? We’re flexible so all suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

    1. David

      It would make sense to do the Seattle Underground Tour on Sunday morning, before attending the ballgame, as these are in the same general area and you can easily walk between the two. Other good combinations are Pike Place Market/Argosy boat tour/Aquarium – though depending on your stamina, and how long you want to spend at the Market, this full day could be a bit ambitious. If you keep your Market visit to an hour or so (doable, especially with kids who may get bored/over-crowded), this should be fine. Chihuly/Space Needle. Also consider adding MoPOP – the really fun Museum of Popular Culture – on to this day as well. All three are located in the Seattle Center complex, which also includes the Seattle Children’s Museum and a really fun fountain and playground. You’ll want a full day to get out to Mount Rainier, explore, and get back. Woodland Park Zoo is located north of city center, not near any of the other attractions you listed. I would recommend combining a morning at the zoo with an afternoon at one of two excellent nearby beaches: Golden Gardens Park, or Discovery Park. Each is about a 15-minute drive from the zoo. One last thought: Lots of the attractions you’ve listed are included in the Seattle CityPass. Consider purchasing some of these to save a few bucks on admissions.

  5. Seattle in December with Kids

    My family is coming to Seattle in December. Is there anything that is Christmas themed that we should see? Is there a Seattle hotel that is more “holiday” than others?

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      Seattle has a great tradition of Christmas Ship parades – fleets of boats, decked out in Christmas lights, led by a ship broadcasting choir-sung carols. It’s quite pretty, and a very Seattle way to enjoy the holidays. Many people enjoy watching them free from shore (public beaches often have bonfires and hot chocolate or cider on hand), or you can reserve a spot on either the lead ship, or one following. Information about all of these options can be found here.

      The Seattle Sheraton hosts an annual themed Gingerbread Village that’s quite spectacular – this year it’s being held across the street from the hotel at City Centre and the theme is 25 Years of Cheer: A Celebration of Seattle. More info here. There’s also a holiday carousel and market installed in Westlake Center every year, and families enjoy taking their kids for a spin during a trip to see the lights downtown – information about it will be up on this site sometime soon. Seattle Center has ice skating and a model train exhibit at their annual Winterfest, and there are plenty of Christmas-themed shows on tap like Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn, The Nutcracker (https://www.pnb.org/nutcracker/), and A Christmas Carol.

      As far as a holiday hotel goes, the hands-down best is the Fairmont Olympic. Their Festival of Trees turns the lobby into a Christmas wonderland, they have a decorated “Teddy Bear Suite”(a corner suite converted into a teddy bear winter wonderland) that’s open for touring and holiday tea in their elegant Georgian Room restaurant.

  6. Four Seasons or Westin with Kids

    Stumbled upon this site and I’m so glad I found it, very helpful info thanks! My husband, kids (ages 8 and 2) and I will be visiting Seattle the last week of October over Halloween. My husband will be attending a business conference at the Renaissance during the day while the kids and I are on our own. I am leaning towards the Four Seasons or Westin since they seem to be within walking distance to attractions and I prefer not to rent a car however would it be difficult for my husband to get to the Renaissance everyday? Also, any suggestions for where to go trick or treating? Thanks so much!

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      The Four Seasons is definitely the nicer hotel. The pool at the Westin has a more family-friendly vibe but the pool at the Four Seasons will probably be quiet through the day so might not matter. Both are an easy walk to the Renaissance. For trick or treating go to Upper Queen Anne and walk along the businesses that give out candy. It’s a fun atmosphere. Can easily veer off and enter the surrounding neighborhood if you want to visit houses.

  7. Seattle Rental for Family

    Thanks for all the info. Can you recommend any longer stay apartments or houses (2-3 months) that would be appropriate for a family with kids in the Seattle area?
    Therese

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      This Airbnb basement apartment is very nice (and doesn’t really feel like a basement). Owned by a friend of mine who lives upstairs – and the family is super friendly. Great location in wonderful Seattle neighborhood, close to bus lines, restaurants, UW.

  8. Seattle Hotel with Kids Club or Childcare

    Are you aware if any hotels in the Seattle area (Eastside included) offer in-house babysitting services? Or an organized kids club, similar to some cruise lines? Thanks so much, Ashley

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      While there are no Seattle-area hotels with dedicated in-house childcare services, I can point you to those that are the most child-friendly:

      The Four Seasons downtown offers children a welcome gift of milk and cookies on arrival, and provides tub toys and kid toiletries in the rooms. They’ve got cribs, and rollaway beds, of course, but also strollers, high chairs, playpens, toys, a kids’ video library, and diapers to loan at no extra charge (well, you can keep the diapers). There are child menus for both the restaurant and room service, and the chef has been known to even give kids a kitchen tour!

      Additionally, all of the Kimpton-brand hotels (particularly, The Alexis, Hotel Monaco, and Hotel Vintage) are known for being extremely child-friendly. They offer child welcome gifts, kid-sized robes, in-room safety kits with things like toilet latches, and extras like strollers Nintendo systems on request.

      Both The Four Seasons and all Kimpton Hotels will arrange in-room childcare for you through the hotel concierge. If you’d rather hire your own, I recommend the local child care service, A Nanny for U. They offer temporary child care for visiting families, and all of their babysitters are vetted extremely thoroughly. A similar service is provided through another local nanny service, Annie’s Nannies. Both of these services do require a one-time registration fee.

  9. Where Should Family of 4 Stay in Seattle?

    What a great site! I have a conference to attend at the Renaissance on Madison Street in June. I will be bringing my husband and 3 yr old daughter and my sister will be flying in from New Jersey to join us. Can you recommend a hotel or apartment close to the Renaissance that could reasonably accommodate three adults and a small child in one suite/room/unit? Thank you! Sheree

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      The best option for you would be the Hotel Vintage. Located just a block from the Renaissance, they offer a Deluxe Queen room with two queen beds and a pull-out sofa bed. The hotel has a wine theme, with rooms named for local wineries and a nightly complimentary wine bar. It’s part of the Kimpton boutique hotel chain, which is known for being extremely pet and kid-friendly, while retaining chic appeal for the grown-ups; families are greeted with fresh cookies, milk, and even a scavenger hunt for kids to complete.

      The Crowne Plaza is also within two blocks of the Renaissance, and they offer double queen and double full option rooms. Their suites have two doubles, with a pull-out couch in the living area. The Renaissance also offer double rooms, with two full beds. Both the Renaissance and Crowne Plaza are generally geared more toward business travelers than families, however, which is why I recommend Hotel Vintage.

  10. Seattle for Family of 5

    Hi David,
    First of all, great site you got here! You really helped a lot with narrowing down our choices!
    We are a family of 5 (2 adults, 1 teen, 1 junior and 1 child). Am coming from Vancouver and planning on a 5 day Seattle-Portland trip. I have narrowed down my hotel choices to the Silver Cloud Lake Union (for the free parking and shuttle) or the Hyatt House (because of the proximity to the sites we want to visit – Space Needle, EMP , Pike’s Place). I was just wondering if either hotel would be really strict with my little one (age 6) staying with us in 1 room? 2nd question would be that since I have decided to also go to the Future of Flight display, do I need to pre-book tickets for that or were you just referring to the Boeing Tour needing pre-booking? Thanks a lot!
    John

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      Not sure exactly what you mean by strict. It would be easy enough to “sneak” one of the kids in if you only book for 4. Future of Flight does not need pre-booking but there isn’t a lot there if you’re not doing the tour. Much better to visit the Museum of Flight south of Seattle.

  11. Hyatt House with Kids

    Hello, we just booked our flight from Los Angeles to Seattle. It will be my 9 year olds daughter’s first time out of state. We booked at Hyatt House Downtown. You had such good answers to all questions that I thought I would ask for your opinion on the hotel. Also if there are any discount sites for museum tickets. Thanks!!
    Jessica

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      I really like Hyatt House. It’s a comfortable all-suite hotel located directly across from the Space Needle and Seattle Center – a perfect location for families because of its proximity to all of Seattle Center’s great museums: Pacific Science Center, Museum of Pop Culture, and Chihuly Garden and Glass. When you’re ready to head into downtown for shopping and Pike Place Market, the Monorail makes the trip there and back super easy. If you’re visiting when the weather is nice, Hyatt House has a fabulous rooftop deck with BBQ grills and outdoor tables – and great Space Needle views. There’s no pool, but I believe guests can use the one at Hyatt Place Hotel, a few blocks away.

      As far as museum discount sites go, CityPass is a great option if you’re planning on doing a lot of sightseeing – tickets to many of Seattle’s best attractions are available at a discounted package rate. Definitely figure out in advance what attractions you’re likely to see, and do the math: it’s only a good deal if you’ll be visiting 3 or more of the attractions listed. Also keep in mind that most museums offer free admission on the first Thursday of any month.

  12. Hotel for Grandsons / Wheelchair Accessible

    Great site. Thanks. Heading to Seattle next week with my daughter and my two grandsons. One of my grandsons is disabled and in a wheelchair. We will be there about 4-5 days visiting family. I’d like to stay in a place that has a nice pool for the kids and access to some of the areas attractions. Our family lives in Tacoma so we will be making that commute (Seattle to Tacoma) on a regular basis. Advice is greatly appreciated.

    Monte Peterson

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      Hyatt Place would be a great choice for you. It’s a newer hotel that’s located about 4 blocks from Seattle Center, which houses lots of great family-friendly spots like the Science Center, Childrens Museum and Theater, the Space Needle, and Experience Music Project. The rooms are spacious (ADA accessible rooms are available by request), and they’re one of the only hotels in the city with an indoor pool that has an ADA lift. Hyatt Place also offers complimentary breakfast and a shuttle service to local attractions.

  13. Seattle for Family of 4

    Hi,

    Thanks for the great article. We have reservations at the Maxwell for next week. We want to spend time with friends that are in Samamish and are wondering if it will be too hard to go back and forth. Also, can you suggest best activities for a 8 and 13 year old girl? Very different, one nature lover and the older one is typical teen. Loves shopping and sugar:) I’m considering Chihuly, EMP, and Pacific Science Center!

    Thanks!
    Suzy

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      If you have a car, getting to Sammamish from the Maxwell (and vice-versa) will take around 40 minutes. It’s not a difficult trip, as long as you can avoid traveling during rush hour; the morning and evening commute hours (7am-9am and 4pm-7pm) can be extremely traffic-heavy and slow-going. Also be aware that I-520 (the quicker route to/from the East Side) – has a toll bridge that costs $3-5 each way, depending on time of day. (No need to stop to pay, they’ll scan your plates and send the bill in the mail.) Avoiding the toll bridge will mean taking I-90 east and adding 10-15 minutes to your drive.

      Without a car, your best options are cab/Uber, which will be expensive, and the bus, which will take at least 90 minutes and multiple transfers. (If you’re game, you can the King County trip planner.)

      As far as activities go, the ones you’ve listed sound great. The Chihuly Museum and EMP are an easy pairing, as they’re just next door to each other. Pick up an easy lunch at the great food court in Seattle Center’s Armory Building nearby. Also definitely take the monorail into Westlake Center and walk down to Pike Place Market while you’re here; I recommend taking a food tour to discover the Market’s best-loved treats and hidden gems. (Savor Seattle is a great tour company, and they even offer a chocolate tour – perfect for sugar-loving teens.) From Pike Place, it’s an easy 10-minute walk down to the waterfront and the Seattle Aquarium, which your nature-loving 8 year-old will love. The Maxwell Hotel offers shuttle service to/from the Aquarium, so getting back to your hotel shouldn’t be difficult.

      For more kid-friendly activities in Seattle, check out Seattle with Kids.

  14. Seattle Visit with Kids – Day Trips

    Such great info on your site! Our family of four (two boys, ages 8 and 11) are heading to Seattle for about a week or so at the end of July. We are interested in a couple of side trips during our visit. Can you comment on the following? The Boeing Factory tour, and Orca whale watching excursion out of Anacortes, and also the Ballard salmon ladder. Any info on traffic flow, interest level of boys, and general comments about these places would be helpful! Another question – Mount Rainier or Snoqualmie Falls. I’ve read that Mt Rainier is about two hours away from Seattle. Should we head to Snoqualmie instead? Thank you so so much for any tips and comments you have! We are excited about our trip!

    Annabel Horn

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      The Boeing assembly plant is 30 miles north of Seattle, in Everett, WA. The tour is geared towards adults (and you have to be over 48 inches) but anyone over the age of 7 can tour – if your kids have an interest in airplanes, and how they’re made, they should love it. You need to book tours in advance and they run hourly from 9am to 3pm – visit late morning on a weekday to see the factory operating at full speed and avoid rush-hour traffic. You may also want to consider the Museum of Flight, just south of Seattle. They’ve got loads of fantastic aeronautical and space exhibits, including the original Air Force One and flight simulators. If you haven’t been to either, I’d go for the Museum of Flight over the Boeing Tour – the wide variety of exhibits and artifacts mean there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

      Late July is a great month for whale watching in Puget Sound. Waters tend to be calmer, and orca pods and marine mammals are visible and active. If your boys are interested in sea life and enjoy being out on the water, I’d definitely recommend this as a side-trip. Set aside a full day for this excursion, and be sure to allow extra time to get up to Anacortes from Seattle, as traffic can be really heavy along I-5.

      The Ballard Locks and Salmon Ladder are located within Seattle, and make for a quick and easy stop whenever you’ve got a free hour or two. In July, the Sockeye salmon runs are at their peak, and generally visible in the viewing room during high tide. Sometimes you’ll even catch sight of a harbor seal or two. The Locks are busy at this time of year as well, with fishing vessels, harbor cruise ships, and small pleasure craft all making their way from the lake into the Sound, or vice-versa. The Locks and Fish ladder are free, and there’s free parking in the surrounding neighborhoods.

      As for Rainier vs. Snoqualmie, it depends on whether you’re more interested in hiking or sightseeing. If you’re up for footing it, it’s hard to top Rainier. There’s a fantastic 5.5 miler, the Panorama Point Skyline Loop Trail, that begins at Paradise Lodge – three hours from Seattle. This trail has great views of the nearby mountain ranges, and carpets of wildflowers will be in peak bloom in late July. Bring a picnic lunch and lots of water, and get to the trailhead early – the lot fills up by midday. If you’re looking for spectacular scenery with minimum time and effort spent, Snoqualmie Falls is a great choice. It’s a short (but steep) 1.5 miles from the trailhead to the falls and back, and there are lots of interpretive signs along the way to let in on what you’re looking at. (As well as great snacks and drinks at Salish Lodge next door.) The drive from Seattle will take about 40 minutes, leave mid-morning to avoid peak traffic times.

  15. Residience Inn, Alexis, or the Maxwell for a Family

    We are traveling with family to Seattle in late August. We want to stay in Seattle but will be attending a wedding in Bremerton over the weekend. We want to stay in a great place in Seatlle as we will be sightseeing while there but close to the sound so we can either drive over or take the ferry.

    Sounds like the Residience Inn, Alexis, or the Maxwell are good options would you agree.

    Darlene

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      These are all good options that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. All are close to the Sound and sightseeing. That said, they differ by type and location within Seattle:

      The Residence Inn is a large “all suite” hotel, located in the South Lake Union neighborhood. It’s within easy walking distance to the Museum of History and Industry and Center for Wooden Boats, but to get downtown (for Pike Place Market, shopping, aquarium, and ferry terminal), you’ll have to drive in (and pay for parking) or take the South Lake Union Trolley to Westlake Station. To get to Seattle Center (for the Space Needle, EMP, Pacific Science Center), you’ll have to drive and park, or take the trolley into Westlake Station and the Monorail from Westlake to Seattle Center. It’s a great hotel for families, with lovely views of Lake Union, free continental breakfast, a nice pool and hot tub, and a kid’s activity room with board games, foosball and XBox. It’s the quietest location of the three, and the farthest from central downtown.

      The Alexis is a luxury boutique hotel, located in the heart of downtown. It’s the closest to Pike Place Market, the Aquarium, the ferry terminal, and Pioneer Square. To get to Seattle Center, you’ll either drive and park, or walk 10 blocks from the hotel to Westlake Center to take the Monorail, or walk the whole way in 30 minutes. Of the three hotels you mention, the Alexis is probably the least family-friendly. It’s got an elegant/artsy vibe, there’s no pool, and their in-house cafe/bar doesn’t offer a kids’ menu (though they’re happy to make you some chicken tenders or mac-n-cheese, if you ask). It is the best (and most expensive) hotel of the three, with the most central location and excellent service – and while they don’t necessarily market themselves to families, the staff are super welcoming and accommodating to kids.

      The Maxwell is a mid-range boutique hotel located near Seattle Center. The atmosphere is vibrant and very family-friendly – they’ve got a small pool for kids to splash around in, free cupcakes in the lobby every afternoon, and bikes to loan. There’s a wood-fired pizza joint (with good beer) next door, and other kid-friendly eateries nearby. You can easily walk from the Maxwell to Seattle Center, and then take the Monorail into central downtown. At $20/day, the Maxwell has the cheapest parking of the three.

      You’ll be happy at any of these hotels – just depends on what location and type of hotel experience you’re looking for. Have a great trip!

  16. Seattle Hotel for Family of 4 – near Playground

    Hi David, Thanks for your great and helpful website!
    We are planning on visiting Seattle this summer with our 2 and 7 year old. Do you perhaps know if any of the child friendly hotels you mentioned on your site are nearby a playground? I know it brings great peace if we can let our children run around a playground in the morning and evening ;-)

    Thanks in advance for your reply!
    Martine

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      Your best bet is anything near to Seattle Center (The Mediterranean, Maxwell, and Hampton Inn). Seattle Center has a brand new playground, a huge water fountain (kids can run around it when it’s hot), and lots of open space to play.

  17. How To Buy Seahawks Tickets

    What’s the best way to buy Seahawks tickets for a sold out game? Is there a website that I could search for tickets?

    Thanks.

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      Stubhub is the place to get Seahawks tickets.

  18. Food Tour in Seattle for Kids

    Great site!

    We’ll be in Seattle around Christmas time and would love to do a food or walking tour with our kids (besides the Underground Tour which looks great). We find the kids love food tours and have done them in New York, Toronto, and Portland to rave reviews. Is there one you’d recommend in Seattle for kids ages 8 and 14?

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      We recently did the Savor Seattle Chocolate Tour and are kids loved it. It lasts around 2 hours. Chocolate, cupcakes, ice cream, cheesecake – good fun.

  19. Best Time to Visit Seattle for a Family of 5

    Great site! We’ve heard so many wonderful things about Seattle and are planning a visit with our 3 kids, ages 6, 9, and 11. When would you recommend is the best month to go to Seattle with kids activities in mind? We’ll probably visit for 3 or 4 days and don’t mind the kids missing a day or two of school so really anytime is fine with us. Suggestions?

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      My favorite time in Seattle is September when the weather is still nice but the crowds have thinned. July and August are great but busy and hotels are more expensive. April, May, June, and October can all have good weather but it’s a little more of a coin-flip. From November to March it’s wet and cold – but if you’re mainly doing indoor things it doesn’t matter a lot. The Aquarium, Science Center, seeing a musical, even Pike Place Market are great anytime of year.

  20. Westin or Four Season for Kids

    Hi. We’ll be driving from Vancouver, BC to Seattle in October and had a few questions.
    – We have 2 boys and are having a time deciding between the Westin and Four Seasons. Which has a better location for the market? Is one more walkable to downtown than the other? We (and our kids) like good foodie restaurants, is one closer to good quality restaurants than the other?
    – How do the pools compare at the Westin and Four Seasons? Is there a hotel with a better pool? The Maxwell?
    – What hotel has the better restaurant?
    Thank you.
    Samantha.

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      The Four Seasons is a much nicer hotel than the Westin and much closer to the market (1 minute instead of 8). The Westin is closer to the malls and shops of downtown. Both have some great restaurants within 5 minutes walk. The pools are both nice but different. The Four Seasons’ pool is outdoor (heated and open year-round) with views looking over the water. The Westin’s pool is indoor, more practical for kids but less idyllic. These are 2 of the better pools for kids in Seattle. The Maxwell has a very small pool and not as good as either of these. The restaurant at Four Seasons is much better than the one at the Westin. Great views and great breakfasts.

  21. Best Restaurant for Kids in Downtown Seattle

    Thanks for the information. Very helpful. We are a Portland family of 3 (child aged 12) coming to Seattle for 2 nights. We have a wedding to go to on the first night but are looking for a good restaurant to go to for the 3 of us on the 2nd night. Any suggestions for a cool, friendly, and a little trendy, restaurant we could enjoy together? Good food, but doesn’t have to be fancy (no chains, of course). Good local draft beer is a necessity. Walking distance from the Hyatt Olive 8.
    Henry E.

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      I love Serious Pie (10 minute walk from Hyatt 8) – great pizza, beer, desserts, music, atmosphere – but doesn’t take reservations and lines can be long at night. Miller’s Guild (5 minute walk) is very good and a similar vibe. And Urbane on the Olive 8 ground floor also has great food and beer – more of a wine bar feel and a little less funky.

  22. Wine Bar for Dinner that Allows Kids

    Wonderful site. So helpful. I’m with my daughter next weekend with plans to go to a musical at 5th Avenue Theater. I love my wine and would love to enjoy a nice dinner and a few drinks with my 14 year old daughter. Can you recommend a place that has that out-on-the-town feel that will make for a special evening for the two of us. If it had a good location for our play, then all the better. Thank you, Erin.

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      Purple Cafe & Wine Bar has great food, lots of wine, a fun atmosphere, and is a 2 minute walk to the 5th Avenue Theater.

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