Seattle Travel Guide › Hotels › Thompson Review
Updated: March 25, 2019
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The Thompson Hotel on the corner of 1st and Stewart St. in downtown Seattle.
Thompson Seattle Hotel – Modern and centrally-located, with a great rooftop bar.
One of Seattle’s newest hotels and also its most modern. The Thompson has floor to ceiling windows with great water and mountain views to the west. Decor is contemporary and stylish with a modern edge. Steps from the shops and restaurants of Pike Place Market; the in-house restaurant, Scout, serves elevated bistro fare in a fun atmosphere with a campground-mod theme. The amazing rooftop cocktail and oyster bar has incredible views of Puget Sound. Exceptional service and a welcoming atmosphere complete the experience.
Thompson Seattle – The Basics
- Location: Prime location on the corner of 1st Avenue and Stewart Street in downtown Seattle; across the street from Pike Place Market, surrounded by great restaurants and shopping, walkable to waterfront, 3 blocks from Light Rail.
- Ages: All ages are allowed, and cribs are available on request, but there are no specific amenities offered for children, and no kids’ menus in the restaurant. Rooftop lounge/bar is 21+.
- Pet Policy: Pets are welcome, without a fee; signed damage waiver required.
- View: Great Puget Sound and city views from full-length windows, especially from higher floors.
- Parking: Valet parking; $42 plus tax per night.
- Nice Perks: Sparkling wine welcome on arrival; coffee and tea in the lobby from 6am-10am; nightly turn down service; priority reservations at Scout and The Nest.
- When to Book: Three months in advance during the April-September cruise season, and during the December holidays. One month in advance October-March.
- How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
- Phone: 206-623-4600
- Email: SeattleReservations@thompsonhotels.com
- Website: thompsonhotels.com
Thompson Seattle – Amenities
- Pool: No pool.
- Spa: No spa.
- Fitness Center: Small, but excellent; floor to ceiling windows overlook 1st Avenue; open 24 hours.
- Private Pools/Jacuzzis: No private pools or Jacuzzis. Studios and suites feature full bathrooms with soaking tubs.
Thompson Seattle – Food and Drink
- Restaurant: Conversation Kitchen & Bar – Fine-dining American restaurant offering brunch (7 days a week) and dinner (Tuesday-Saturday).
- Lounge/Bar: The Nest rooftop cocktail/oyster bar has some of the best city and Sound views in Seattle, and is open year-round. Popular with locals as well as travelers, and can get crowded on weekend nights. Open daily until 12am.
- Breakfast: Not complimentary. A breakfast buffet is offered in Conversation; Monday-Friday 7-11 am, Saturday-Sunday 8 am-12 noon.
- Room Service: The restaurant kitchen offers 24-hour room service. The menu is that of the previously-existing restaurant, Scout; American Northwest cuisine, with emphasis on local seafood and ingredients.
Thompson Seattle – Rooms
- Room Types: Superior King • City View King, Queen/Queen, Deluxe King, Deluxe Queen/Queen • Water View Deluxe King, Deluxe Queen Queen • Corner Studio • Water View Corner Studio • Executive Studio Suite • Water View Studio Suite • Thompson Suite • 2 Bedroom Executive Suite • 2 Bedroom Water View Studio Suite • 2 bedroom Thompson Suite • Thompson Residence 1 Bedroom • List of all rooms
- Smoking Rooms: The Thompson is 100% Smoke free.
- Best Room: The Thompson Suite features a full bathroom with soaking tub, tasteful and modern design and decor, and sweeping views of Pike Place Market and Puget Sound. Can be combined with a City View Room via a shared entryway to create a 2 Bedroom Thompson Suite.
Thompson Seattle – What’s Nearby?
Map of Thompson Hotel Seattle
Recommended Nearby Tours
- Chocolate Indulgence Walking Tour of Seattle – Awesome tour around Pike Place Market and nearby shops. High-end local treats but still very kid-friendly. Start location: 2-minute walk.
- Early-Access Food Tour of Pike Place Market – Behind the scenes tour of Seattle’s 110 year old market. Start location: 4-minute walk.
- Gourmet Seattle Walking Tour – Fun tour of Belltown, downtown Seattle, and Pike Place Market with free tastings of Seattle’s best food. Start location: 6-minute walk.
Nearby Restaurants
- Kastoori Grill – Awesome Indian food, no alcohol. 1-minute walk.
- Sushi Kashiba – Seattle’s best sushi – line up early for a coveted seat at the bar. 1-minute walk.
- Le Pichet – Wonderful and charming French bistro. 2-minute walk.
- Shug’s Soda Fountain & Ice Cream – Adorable old-fashioned ice cream parlor featuring local small batch and organic products. 2-minute walk.
- The Pink Door – Italian, view balcony, and late-night cabaret. 2-minute walk.
- Matt’s in the Market – Fabulous NW cuisine, iconic Market view. 3-minute walk.
- Place Pigalle – Classic French cuisine hidden in Pike Place Market, romantic date-night spot. 3-minute walk.
- Maximilien – Expertly-prepared French fine dining with panoramic Puget Sound views. 3-Minute walk.
- Macrina Bakery – Delicious treats (try the coconut cream pie). 9-minute walk.
Nearby Bars and Breweries
- Kell’s Irish Bar – Lively bar/restaurant on Post Alley in Pike Place Market, often has live music. 2-minute walk.
- Radiator Whiskey – Hip, trendy Pike Place Market hangout with whiskey, scotch, bourbon, rye, beer, wine, and food. 2-minute walk.
- Old Stove Brewery – Great views and good beer in Pike Place Market. 3-minute walk.
- Alibi Room – The coolest bar in Pike Place Market, opposite Gum Wall. 4-minute walk.
- Purple Wine Bar – Best wine bar in Seattle, great food and huge wine list. 10-minute walk.
Nearby Shopping and Cool Shops
- Goorin Bros. Hat Shop – Handmade hats: fancy to casual, fedoras to caps. 1-minute walk.
- Robot vs. Sloth – Quirky, adorable handmade kids’ toys and home goods. 2-minute walk.
- Beechers Handmade Cheese – Delicious artisinal cheese, crafted on site. 2-minute walk.
- Metsker Maps – Maps, globes, puzzles, postcards; local and worldwide. 2-minute walk.
- Pike Place Market – Stalls selling local and handmade crafts, jewelry, toys, and flowers line the first level main corridor. 2-minute walk.
- Sur la Table – Their flagship store is jam-packed with high-end cookware, cutlery, and culinary appliances. 2-minute walk.
- Jack Straw Inc. – Hip, upscale clothing boutique for women and men. 2-minute walk.
- DeLaurenti – Specialty European import food and wine shop, in Pike Place Market at 1st and Pike, across from the newsstand. 3-minute walk.
- Eighth Generation – Pike Place market shop selling beautiful and authentic Native American wool blankets, jewelry, t-shirts, and fine arts. 4-minute walk.
- Truffle Queen – Pike Place Market shop and cafe featuring truffles and specialty vinegars. A must for foodies. 3-minute walk.
- Indi Chocolate – Bean-to-bar, small batch chocolate shop and factory. Look for it in Pike Place Market’s new MarketFront addition. 4-minute walk.
- Golden Age Collectibles – Comic books, games, and pop culture collectibles. Located in Pike Place Market, two floors down from the big neon clock. 4-minute walk.
- Market Magic Shop – Gifts and supplies for aspiring magicians and practical jokers. If you ask nicely, the salesperson at the counter will perform a trick for you. Pike Place Market lower level. 4-minute walk.
- Pacific Place – Upscale shopping center with 11-screen AMC movie theater. 6-minute walk.
- Nordstrom – The local department store’s flagship location, featuring 4 restaurants, a day spa, and personal stylist services. 7-minute walk.
Nearby Market or Grocery
- Pike Place Market – Across the street, and has dozens of fruit stalls, bakeries, and specialty food shops; hours are more limited than a typical grocery store. 2-minute walk.
- Target – Discount department store with grocery and pharmacy. 5-minute walk away.
Thompson Seattle – The Hotel
The Stewart Street entrance of the Thompson Seattle.
Decor throughout the hotel is tasteful; midcentury modern with a touch of rustic Northwest.
Lobby staircase to the second floor foyer. Newspapers are available daily in the lobby, along with complimentary coffee and tea service from 6 to 10am. There’s a small library to browse, and comfortable conversation nooks tucked here and there.
The second floor foyer leads to several event and conference rooms.
City View Deluxe King Room. City View Deluxe rooms have floor-to-ceiling views of 1st Avenue. City View rooms have views of Stewart Street, which isn’t quite as interesting.
City View Deluxe Queen/Queen. Not what you’d call spacious, but comfortable, and full-length windows give an airy feel.
Views are incredible from the Water View rooms. This is a Deluxe King.
Bathrooms are similar across all room types up to suites (which have full baths), and feature rainfall shower heads, bathrobes, and DS&DURGA bath amenities.
The Thompson Suite. This has a separate living room and panoramic views of Puget Sound, Pike Place Market, 1st Avenue, and Stewart Street. All suites can connect to a separate City View room via a shared entryway to make a 2-bedroom suite.
All studios and suites have a full bathroom with double vanity and soaking tub.
The amazing panoramic view from Nest, the Thompson’s rooftop cocktail and oyster bar. The Nest is a popular spot for locals, so it can get crowded – especially around sunset in good weather. Reservations can be made in advance through the concierge or by using RESY, with hotel guests given priority reservations.
The Nest also has a comfortable indoor seating area that provides shelter from poor weather while retaining great views and bar-like atmosphere. The Nest is strictly 21+.
Thompson Seattle – What’s Nearby?
The nearest light rail stop to the Thompson Hotel is Westlake Station. The closest entrance is on Pine Street, between 3rd and 4th Avenue, underneath Macy’s department store. 4-minute walk.
Pike Place Market is a 1-minute walk from the Thompson.
The heart of the market is across the street from the hotel.
While the market is easy and fun to wander about on your own, doing a food tour is highly recommended.
Pike Place Market is a working/living/breathing market. Early morning deliveries are the norm and fun to watch.
A view of the Thompson Hotel (top of the hill) from within the market.
The market is loaded with great places to eat. Formal restaurants or quick lunch joints.
The market has many places to get snacks, baked goods, and fresh fruit.
The Market’s main arcade is lined with specialty food and craft stands, restaurants, and tons of fresh flowers.
This is the famous stand where they throw the fish. Your best chance to catch the action? Buy something. (They ship.) Pike Place Fish Co. is located right inside the Market’s main entrance at 1st and Pike.
A must: freshly-made mini-donuts in Pike Place Market.
If you need a more complete grocery store, the food department at Target is a 3 minute walk from the Thompson. This Target location also features a CVS pharmacy.
My favorite restaurant in Pike Place Market: Steelhead Diner – a 2-minute walk from the Thompson.
Also great for food and unique Market views: Matt’s In The Market. Just 3 minutes from the hotel.
Perched above the Market next to Matt’s is Radiator Whiskey – great booze and a meat-heavy menu.
Hard to find in the Market (it’s down one of the lanes behind the famous fish throwers) but worth the effort: The Charming and romantic Place Pigalle.
Place Pigalle has a tiny patio for outdoor dining on nice days.
Maximilien, another French restaurant in Pike Place Market, also has great views of the Seattle waterfront. 3-minute walk.
Maxmilien has a larger patio, with seasonal seating overlooking Puget Sound.
Sushi Kashiba is amazing. They take table reservations for dinner, but to sit at the counter you should arrive early – before 5pm. Located in the courtyard of the Inn at the Market Hotel – below 1st Avenue, between Stewart and Pike. 1-minute walk.
The unmarked namesake portal of the Pink Door Restaurant in Pike Place Market’s Post Alley. Inside: amazing Italian food, trapeze and cabaret acts, and a view patio. 2-minute walk.
Directly across the street from the Thompson (on the walk down to the market) is Kastoori Grill – the best Indian food in downtown Seattle.
1st Avenue is filled with local shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars as you walk north away from Pike Place Market.
A minute’s walk up 1st Ave (away from the market) and you’ll find two wonderful places: Le Pichet for top notch French food. And next door is the Virginia Inn for gastropub fare and good beer.
Serious Pie is a 3 minute walk from the Thompson (opposite direction from the market) and has the best pizza in downtown Seattle.
The amazing Macrina Bakery is the best bakery in downtown Seattle. The peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chunk is the best cookie in the free world.
Delicious cupcakes and ice cream are one block over (to the south) from the Thompson at Trophy Cupcake.
For a decidedly adult ice cream treat, head to Shug’s Soda Fountain for a champagne or Guinness float. On 1st Ave, 2 minutes from the hotel.
Old Stove Brewing Company is my favorite stop in Pike Place Market for a beer or a snack: a 3-minute walk from the Thompson.
Directly beside Old Stove Brewery is Honest Biscuits – the best breakfast spot close to the Thompson Hotel.
Then Indi Chocolate: a bean-to-bar chocolate factory and cafe.
Above Old Stove Brewery, Honest Biscuits, and Indi Chocolate is a a brand new patio with awesome views of the Puget Sound.
Kell’s Irish Bar is a one-minute walk from the hotel. Often live music and always fun.
The entrance to the Alibi Room, my favorite bar in downtown Seattle, is in Post Alley – right at the gum wall. 3-minute walk from the Thompson.
In addition to being a cool bar, the Albi Room also serves kick-ass brick oven pizza. And their kitchen stays open ’til 1am.
The best wine bar in downtown Seattle: Purple – a 10 minute walk from the Thompson and close to the 5th Avenue Theatre.
The coolest local shop close to the Thompson: Metsker Maps is packed with cool maps, travel guides, books, globes, and flags. On 1st Avenue, just 2 minutes from the hotel.
De Laurenti, an Italian import shop located inside Pike Place Market, sells a great selection of imported meats and cheeses. 3-minute walk.
De Laurenti also sells imported pasta, sauces, and other fine foods.
The Market Magic Shop, on Pike Place Market’s lower level, is a fun stop for gag gifts and store clerks who will demonstrate tricks for you.
Golden Age Collectibles, also on the Market’s lower level, sells fan merch for comics, sci-fi, and pop geekery of all kinds.
La Buona Tavola is just across from the Market’s main arcade – amazing truffle products and fine vinegars. Just around the corner from the Thompson Hotel.
Another great shop for foodies is Sur la Table’s flagship location – just down the hill from the Thomson, as you enter Pike Place Market. 2-minute walk.
Nordstrom department store began as a Seattle shoe store in 1901. Its flagship location is at 5th and Pine, a 7-minute walk from the Thompson.
Pacific Place, a high-end shopping mall with good restaurants and an 11-screen movie theater, is a 7-minute walk from the hotel.
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