The city of Seattle is an excellent combination of open areas, hills, coast mixing with modern urban life. It is surrounded by hills, the elusive Olympic Mountains on one side, and Mount Rainier on the other. The city lies beside an inlet of the Pacific Ocean named Puget Sound. The inlet is intimately linked with the history of the city. A group of immigrants from Illinois arrived in this city through Puget Sound in the year 1851. Later, this group created a settlement today known as ‘Seattle’. On the one hand, the skyscrapers of this city offer a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains; the tallest one is the iconic Space Needle. On the other, colonial history is still very much present in every corner of the city. The colonial buildings have remained unchanged even after the rise of modern skyscrapers. Learn the history of this city by staying in one of them. Check out a list of the best historic hotels in Seattle, Washington.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) properties with historic significance, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on December 20, 2024.
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1. Mayflower Park Hotel (from USD 175)
In the heart of the historic corner of Seattle, Mayflower Park Hotel is minutes away from Pike Place Market. It claims the honor of being the oldest hotel in downtown Seattle. The hotel was established in the year 1927 with 240 rooms. The ownership changed a couple of times since then. The current owner purchased it in the year 1974 with a limited partnership. Today, the original terracotta designed of the interior remains intact. The authentic five-tier chandelier still enhances the beauty of the lobby area. The hotel has two restaurants, Andaluca restaurant, and Oliver’s Lounge. The latter used to be the Bartell Drug Stores, the first one in this city. It was converted into a lounge in the year 1933 after the hotel was taken over by Western International. Soon, it became a favorite night-out spot in the city.
Mayflower Park Hotel This is a Proud Certified property where you can be extra sure of a welcoming stay.
Address: 405 Olive Way
1.24 km (0.8 mi) from Space Needle
2. MarQueen Hotel (from USD 149)
An authentic retro charm is spread all-through the hotel, making your stay a historic one. The hotel was originally built as the Seattle Engineering School in the year 1918. It used to be a base for retraining blacksmiths for working in the Ford assembly plant in Lake Union. In this building only, the students of Henry Ford created the historic Model-T, which was a budgeted car designed especially for the middle-class. Nowadays, the hotel offers apartment-style accommodations. They offer modern amenities, keeping the old charm very much alive. They have four-poster beds, antique furniture, combined perfectly with its hardwood floors. These apartments have sitting areas. The property is also one of the hotels with an in-room kitchen in Seattle. The charming Tin Lizzie Lounge is the onsite dining area, holding the same old charm. You can enjoy their special craft cocktails in the retro-theme lounge or on the patio.
MarQueen Hotel
Address: 600 Queen Anne Avenue North
745 meters (0.5 ft) from Space Needle
3. Hotel Sorrento (from USD 215)
The Italian oasis-style hotel is one of the most upscale in downtown Seattle. It is located on the historic First Hill neighborhood, at the intersection of Terry Avenue and Madison Street, very close to downtown. The hotel was first inaugurated in the year 1909 when its first guests were the participants of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. This event had slowly brought the city of Seattle into the limelight. Along with the city, the hotel also gained popularity. The rooftop bar Top o’ the Town, located on the seventh floor, had become a popular place to dance and drink. At that time, the hotel could offer an unobstructed view of Lake Washington, Mt. Rainier, Puget Sound. However, today it takes pride in the excellent view of the cityscape. The interior features Italian Renaissance-style décor, with arched windows and doorways. It houses two of the most precious dining options, Dunbar Room and Fireside Room.
Hotel Sorrento
Address: 900 Madison Street
2.14 km (1.4 mi) from Space Needle
4. Palihotel Seattle (from USD 135)
The former Colonnade Hotel of Seattle transformed into the first Palihotel outside the region of California. The charming four-storied Colonnade Hotel was built in the year 1895. This historic building was registered in the National Register of Historic Places. The structure of the original historic building has been kept intact, with the matching décor and artworks that highlight the heritage. The high ceiling and the fireplace of the lobby offer an antique look, with the skylights and exposed beams complementing it. This theme is spread all through the hotels and its comfortable rooms. The rooms have king-sized, queen-sized, twin or bunk bed options, with facilities like mini-bar and shower. The Hart and the Hunter is the onsite restaurant with bar amenities. This hotel is conveniently located next to Elliot Bay Waterfront and Pike Place Market.
Palihotel Seattle
Address: 107 Pine Street
1.37 km (0.9 mi) from Space Needle
5. Inn at Queen Anne (from USD 92)
This charming hotel was a property of the church. It used to be the home to the priests and nuns, originally built in the year 1928. The authentic charm of the old building has been preserved. It possesses the quiet charm of a European Inn, with all the modern amenities. You will witness original period furnishings, coved ceilings, and arched entryways. Note that the property doesn’t have an elevator. The rooms are cozy and comfortable, each of them comes with a kitchenette. The hotel is located on Queen Anne, a vibrant and lively neighborhood not so far away from downtown. The attractions like Space Needle, KeyArena, McCaw Hall, Pacific Northwest Ballet are all at walking distance from this inn.
Inn at Queen Anne
Address: 505 1st Avenue North
589 meters (0.4 ft) from Space Needle
The fine blend of history and modern comfort
There are so many things to do in Seattle, which is why many people visit here every year. If you’re looking for the best place to stay in the city, why not consider one of the historic hotels mentioned above?
These vintage hotels in Seattle are a fine blend of old and new. All the modern comforts are available in these properties, in an incredible historical setup. These hotels in a way compliment the city of Seattle, where history resides in the façade of a 21st century cosmopolitan. So, to experience both sides of the city, choose from these five incredible historic hotels in Seattle.
History
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