The High Point neighborhood in the Delridge district contains the highest point in all of Seattle and has been undergoing neighborhood redistricting and improvement projects since 2003, many of them with a focus on award-winning, sustainable building principles. Community gardens, porous pavement, and walkability have made it a desirable and eco-conscious place to live and visit.
On the northwest tip of West Seattle is Alki Beach, where a group of pioneers called the Denny Party first landed in 1851 and, upon being helped by Chief Seattle of the Duwamish Tribe, helped found what is now known as modern-day Seattle. There's a monument to all members of the Denny party along with a public beach to enjoy the views of downtown Seattle and the mountains in the distance.
You can travel to downtown Seattle and northern West Seattle via the West Seattle Bridge or the passenger-only King County Water Taxi, which travels from Duwamish Head to downtown Seattle. It's about a 10- to 15-minute boat ride.
When should you visit West Seattle, WA?
Seattle, Washington may bear the brunt of lots of weather jokes, but there's more to the climate than just gray skies, drizzle, or relentless rain. It's true that the average yearly rainfall in West Seattle is between 34 and 36 inches, and around 150 days a year will see some rain, but that leaves quite a few days without rain to go out and enjoy all that West Seattle has to offer.
October through March are the rainiest months, with 3–5 inches of rain per month and average high temperatures in the 40s or 50s. But June, July, and August average less than 1 inch of rain, and the highs are pleasant in the low 70s. If you live in a climate where summer is a hot, humid, months-long ordeal, visiting West Seattle in the summer might be just the change of pace you need. Expect hotel rates to be higher then, since that's when most tourists choose to visit.
Though the average air temperatures at the beaches in West Seattle, Washington, aren't like being in the Caribbean, a sunny day in the summer can be a beautiful day to relax in the sand. At that time of year, the water temperatures average around 56 degrees.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in West Seattle, WA:
West Seattle by Star Rating
Below we've posted 3 graphs demonstrating mean rate patterns by star rating class in West Seattle, WA. You can use these charts to calculate the least expensive months to make a reservation in West Seattle for any future trips.
What are the luxury hotels in West Seattle, WA?
4 Star Average Prices: $217.60
For beach lovers, the crowning jewel in West Seattle is Alki Beach. You can have a vacation in private style and luxury at the Alki Beach House. It's a completely private air-conditioned home with three bedrooms, a fireplace with flat-screen television above the mantle, and a fully-furnished eat-in gourmet kitchen with gas range, stainless-steel modern appliances, and stone countertops.
The three bedrooms feature a king bed, a queen bed, and two twin beds, along with two bathrooms — one with a shower stall and one with a tub/shower combination. There's also an available sofa bed in the living room. The four-star home has been renovated to high modern standards and is just a short stroll from Alki Beach.
Across the river on the downtown Seattle side, and within walking distance from the King County Water Taxi stop, the Alexis Hotel offers old-fashioned charm on the outside with stylish and modern furnishings on the inside. In this six-floor hotel with 35 suites housed in a building from 1901, each room has its own distinctive style and den-like comfort. Rooms feature design in shades of browns and creams, goose-down comforters, unique artwork, ergonomic desk chairs, and premium bath linens. The high-end suites feature jetted tubs, a fireplace, or stellar bay views.
What are the low cost hotels near West Seattle, WA?
3 Star Average Prices: $142.74
The Grove West Seattle Inn has been in operation since 1962, accommodating visitors to a quieter and older part of Seattle. Featuring 46 newly-renovated guestrooms and suites, the Grove West Seattle Inn is an affordable place to lay your head after a day of sightseeing. Enjoy comfortable mattresses and bedding, free continental breakfast, and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.
Standard guest rooms consist of two full beds or one queen, with a full separate bath and an exterior entry. A deluxe guestroom is slightly more spacious, has an interior corridor entry, and offers options for one king, one queen, or two queen beds. Suites with kitchenettes or separate living areas are also available.
The Grove West Seattle Inn offers AAA, AARP and Military discounts.
A little further south and across the river, La Hacienda Motel in the Georgetown neighborhood is convenient to the airport, downtown Seattle landmarks, and West Seattle. In just five minutes, you can be at T-Mobile Park or CenturyLink Field. It's a budget-friendly option with 35 rooms, free parking, continental breakfast, and free Wi-Fi. Guest rooms are accessed from the outside, and some include a refrigerator and microwave.
2 Star Average Prices: $100.42
What are the best lodging discounts in West Seattle, WA?
The best discounts to be found in the vicinity of West Seattle are just a little bit south, near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The Motel 6 Seattle Airport has 109 rooms with outdoor entrances, free Wi-Fi, and free parking, and some rooms have a fridge and microwave. The rooms have been upgraded to include better bed linens and a manufactured wood floor and are available at a very affordable rate, with discounts for seniors and military personnel. Pets are allowed.
For a room with a kitchenette just off Interstate 5, the Extended Stay America Seattle Tukwila has budget rates with outdoor entrances. Enjoy a free continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and free parking, and pets are welcome. AAA members, seniors, and military personnel can receive a further discounted rate.
What are the best attractions in West Seattle, WA?
Alki Beach is rich with Seattle history, along with being a beautiful and relaxing spot for recreation. Alki Beach Park is open from 4 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. so you can take advantage of the colors of the sunrise and sunset with downtown Seattle and the Olympic Mountains in the distance. The park begins at Alki Point and extends 2.5 miles to Duwamish Head, the mouth of the Duwamish River that separates Seattle and West Seattle.
Alki Beach allows bonfires on the beach in designated areas and has beach sand volleyball courts and public restrooms. Take a walk along the 2.5 miles of beach, partly protected by a seawall, in the morning and look for bright and colorful sea glass — the remnants of bottles and jars that get tossed in or near the ocean and break up into little pieces and get bashed and tumbled and brought ashore by waves. You can also hunt for the wood piling remnants of Luna Park, a facsimile of New York's Coney Island that dates from the early 1900s.
If your game is golf, play round at the public West Seattle Golf Course. The front nine is fairly flat, but you can challenge yourself on the more hilly back nine and enjoy some wonderful views of downtown Seattle and Elliott Bay. The course was designed by the famed architect H. Chandler Egan, known for his work on some of the best modern golf courses. You can book a tee time on their website, where you can also learn about monthly offers for games, food, and cart rental specials. After your game, sit down for a meal at the classic bar and diner Fox Den Grill.
For shoppers, the retail district is called The West Seattle Junction, a three-block radius at the junction of California Avenue SW and SW Alaska Street with unique shops and boutiques. Find a perfect souvenir from your trip to West Seattle, along with the chance to participate in special events like art walks, summer festivals, outdoor movies, and holiday events.
To honor and preserve the Duwamish Tribe's history in the region, visit the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center overlooking the Duwamish River Valley. Visitors will see the sites of an ancient village where young Chief Seattle grew up and honor the ancestors who've gone before while learning about the preserved archeological items from the tribe's history. The Longhouse represents the village longhouses that stood there, where hundreds of inhabitants lived in the 1800s. You'll gain valuable insight into all sides of the region's history.
West Seattle is just a water taxi or bridge ride away from downtown Seattle, but it boasts a laid-back and eclectic personality of its own. A visit to West Seattle can offer a day at the beach, a bridge to the ancient past and people who've gone before, a glimpse into the future of city planning, enjoyment of public outdoor spaces, or a day of wholesome recreation and dining.
FAQs about hotels in West Seattle
How much does a cheap hotel in West Seattle cost per night?
In the last year, a 2 star hotel in West Seattle can be as cheap as $100.42 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a 3 star hotel in West Seattle cost per night?
In the last year, the average 3 star hotel in West Seattle has been $142.74 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a high-end hotel in West Seattle cost?
In the last year, the average 4 star hotel in West Seattle has been $217.60 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
Recent traveler reviews of West Seattle, WA
Below are reviews of the city of West Seattle, WA from an actual visitor's perspective.
"Great Place to Visit"
Score
5.0 / 5
Just used W. Seattle as a stopping point on way to visit to Microsoft in Redmond. Nice place to stay if you don't want to be in the bustle of the city right away.
Mike R., from 21-Nov-2016
The average traveler rating of the city of West Seattle, WA shown above is
5.0 out of 5 based on 1 reviews