Seattle, WA: Hotel & Motel Planning Guide

When to Visit Seattle

You've probably heard that Seattle experiences quite a bit of rainfall, and for good reason. The city is no stranger to precipitation, but you can still enjoy yourself if you visit at the right time of year. Avoid the winter months because of the snow and frigid temperatures. Summers can offer excellent weather, but hotel rates can jump during this time, so steer clear if you're on a budget. Spring typically brings a higher chance of rain, though the weather is beautiful otherwise.

The best time to plan a vacation in Seattle is the fall, thanks to the beautiful weather and reduced hotel rates. Since tourism drops off near the end of summer, you'll experience fewer crowds and better access to lodging. Just remember that temperatures can fluctuate drastically from day to night, so bring plenty of warm clothing as well as a few lightweight items. Of course, you'll also want to bring an umbrella, or at least a good rain jacket.

Best Discounts

The advertised room rate isn't always the bottom line when you book a stay at a Seattle hotel. Consider, for instance, The Loyal Inn. It offers discounts starting at 10 percent for members of AAA, CAA, and AARP. All you have to do is indicate your membership when you book your room and bring your membership card when you check in. The Loyal Inn also offers discounts to government employees and military personnel. If you're a covered contractor or a state or federal government worker, you can present a work order or valid identification card to receive your discount. Employees of tax-funded hospitals are also eligible. The discount varies depending on your affiliation, so inquire at the hotel to learn your special rate.

You can also get special rates at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown. It's a high-end hotel with gorgeous rooms and a wide range of amenities, but you can reduce your nightly rate if you're a AAA, AARP, or CAA member. The hotel also offers military and government rates as well as special deals, such as bed-and-breakfast packages and instant getaway deals. You can also save up to 20 percent if you book your reservation well in advance of your stay. Plus, Hilton HHonors members get additional discounts and loyalty rewards.

The Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle-Downtown is another HHonors hotel, which provides you with chances to build rewards points and snag better deals. You can save up to 15 percent if you book early at this hotel, and there are AAA and CAA discounts of up to 10 percent. The Military Family Rate provides savings of up to 15 percent, and senior citizens over the age of 55 can save 10 percent off their stay. Of course, you can also take advantage of seasonal promotions.

Best Value Options in Seattle

In Seattle, you can have your coffee and drink it too. Just because you're interested in a low nightly rate doesn't mean you have to skimp on amenities. Consider the La Quinta Inn & Suites Seattle Downtown, for instance. It's an affordable option that comes with free Wi-Fi, premium television, and Bright Morning pillowtop beds. You can also take advantage of the complimentary Bright Side breakfast, which offers waffles, pastries, bread, hot and cold cereal, orange juice, coffee, and other choices. There's also an on-site Bright Side Market as well as a business center, a gym, and laundry facilities. If you go with a suite, you'll get a refrigerator and microwave too.

The Inn at El Gaucho is another excellent choice if you're chasing deals. Billed as a "luxury urban inn," this hotel features luxurious furnishings that marry rich wood with premium leather and high-end linens. The hotel offers 17 distinct suites, each of which comes with L'Occitane toiletries and flat-screen televisions. You'll stay connected throughout your stay with free Wi-Fi in the suites and common areas, and bathrobes are found in each of the suites, so you can stay comfortable while you're in your room. The lobby, which is located on the second floor, features a coffee and tea station as well as seating if you need a place to relax. You won't want to leave without first enjoying a juicy steak and baked potato at the El Gaucho restaurant.

Where to Get Coffee in Seattle

If you're a coffee lover, you might have planned a vacation to the Emerald City just to sample the local java. You're not alone. Seattle is known for its delicious coffee, and there's no better place to start than Empire Espresso. You'll walk away with a jolt of energy as well as good vibes from the friendly, eclectic atmosphere.

There are Starbucks locations scattered throughout the city if you're in the mood for a familiar venue, but independent shops are also prevalent. Seattle Coffee Works, Analog Coffee, and Caffe Ladro are all excellent choices.

Seattle, WA summarized

Although its proximity to Puget Sound may be Seattle's greatest asset, Washington's pride has some of the Olympic Peninsula's most beautiful stepping stones, lush vegetations, rainforests, rustic beaches, sprawling prairies, and expansive island - as its background, at least. Seattle is Washington's modern oasis. Its engaging clubs, good restaurants, fun coffeehouses, and glass skyscrapers provide a striking contrast against Mount Rainier's snowy peak. The city gained momentum after a century-old Gold Rush, making it a capital for both commerce and transport. In fact, the rustic setting is home to the world's most famous companies, Amazon, Starbucks, Microsoft, and Boeing. The list of industries is proof that Seattle need not capitalize on tourism, but visitors just keep on growing. Visitors head through the Seattle Art Museum, shop at the Pike Place Market, ride a ferry from Pionner Square, and see the Space Needle at the Seattle Center. If Capitol Hill's nightlife fails to take you on a high, head to the Museum of Flight or Boeing Tour Center, and try to join the flight line.

'Man has gained nothing from enmity. Our purpose here is not to fight, but to cooperate with each other and move forward. Finding solutions is my job, but I shouldn't stop there. I should make them real, make them useful.
Bill Gates, one of the most influential men of the 20th century, needs no introduction. He has been responsible for founding Microsoft “ the company that made it possible for millions of people to use computers “ in Seattle, and has lived here ever since. A noted philanthropist and a man of calm, composed demeanour, he has been an inspiration to many. In that sense, he can be a definitive image of Seattle “ a city that thrives on cooperation, brotherhood and innovation.

Seattle is also known as the Rain City of America because of the unusually consistent rainfalls it experiences all around the year, making its weather resemble typically overcast September days in England. 

Among many other things, Seattle is a home to many multi-billion dollar companies that rule the corporate world (Amazon, for example) and many more places of interest, especially for those who take an active interest in outdoor activities. Located on the North Western coast of the United States, Seattle also happens to be an important trading post blessed with many naturally efficient port venues. 

 A trip to Seattle can be a memorable one if you manage to distribute your time between various sights and sounds of Seattle with ease and efficiency. Lodging is an important aspect of this endeavor, and that is precisely why, this nifty guide to various types of Seattle hotels should come handy for tourists who are probing the possibilities of a trip to Seattle. 

Budget Hotels in Seattle 

Seattle is the capital of the State of Washington. Being a capital city, it regularly hosts travelers and tourists whose purposes of visit range from business to leisure. 

There are over 500 various registered hospitality venues in Seattle, most of whom are dedicated to hosting tourists. Annual tourist footfall in Seattle easily exceeds 1 million mark. In 2014, a record breaking throng of over 2 million tourists busied the streets of Seattle, as favorable weather conditions attracted many more to local festivals and sights. 

To house these many tourists and travelers, Seattle offers a number of cheap hotels that are easy on the credit cards of tourists. Avid tourists would agree that saving on hotel and accommodation expenses can easily cut down tour costs by as much as 40%. So, it does not come as a shock that more than half of all the hotels in Seattle are categorized under ˜budget' segment. 

Ramada Sea Tac Hotel, near the airport, is a perfect candidate for tourists who are looking for cheap hotels that are also conveniently accessible and decently comfortable. 

Hotel Red Roof Inn is another similar hotel, located near the Seattle City Center. Hotel Nexus Seattle can provide good comfort to tourists, especially backpackers. If you are traveling with family, University Inn Seattle can also provide you a great deal, although it's slightly more expensive than other establishments in this category. 

Extravagance and Style “ Combined! 

Luxury resorts offer a great peace of mind to travelers, as they try to unwind from their daily stresses and sightseeing fatigue. It should also provide some relief to travelers to know that such hotels in Seattle are quite reasonably priced, as opposed to their counterparts in major cities like LA or Miami. 

Inn at the Market is among the best reputable luxury establishments in Seattle. Located in the heart of the city, Inn at the Market offers unparalleled levels of luxury and comfort to its patrons, albeit with hefty price tags.  

Hotel 1000 and Four Seasons Hotel Seattle also rise up to the occasion and provide excellent service and hospitality to their guests, inclusive of all amenities you could think of “ from in-house ballrooms to rooftop swimming pools. 

Independent & Boutique Hotels in Seattle 

There is a certain type of tourists who just don't get taken by the idea of living at a hotel for long periods of time. For the sake of such tourists, Seattle brings a number of alternative options.

The most popular alternative lodging option in Seattle has to be that of holiday rentals. If you are visiting Seattle on holiday with a family, this could well be just the sort of accommodation you are looking for. 

However, it should be understood that most of these options come with even heavier price tags than luxury resorts. Seattle Urban Retreat is a fine example of this. 

Hotels Near Seattle Airport 

Seattle is serviced by the Seattle Tacoma International Airport that lies about 20 km south of the city center. The airport, in an administrative sense, lies within the city limits of SeaTac, but is the only point of entry for travelers to get into Seattle by air. 

Considering the distance, many tourists are tempted to find a hotel in the vicinity of this airport, perhaps in SeaTac itself. There are quite a few Seattle hotels that can be found along the road that connects the airport to the city. But most of these are usually budget motels, more often than not unfit to host families. So, it shouldn't be a big deal for you to drive all the way up to the city center and find a decent enough hotel within your budget there. Booking a hotel well in advance online can allow you to exploit early bird discounts, as well! 

Local Transportation in Seattle 

Being a city of well laid out infrastructure, Seattle boasts of a very well connected public transport that includes trains and buses. 

Getting around Seattle should not really be a problem for tourists, as many local taxi and cab services have fairly priced sightseeing packages that can be easily customised to one's liking. Renting a car can be a great option, too, if you happen to have a valid driving permit. Your stay in Seattle will be immensely enjoyable if you plan it out thoroughly, well in advance. 

The Emerald City will certainly never disappoint tourists with good tastes!