The elegant, upscale 76-room Inn at the Market is one of Seattle's most popular hotels, in large part due to its unbeatable location: It's the only hotel in the Pike Place Market, right in the heart of downtown Seattle and overlooking the bay. Rooms are sophisticated and contemporary, with high-end amenities such as Hypnos beds, Sferra linens, Antica Farmacista toiletries, Keurig coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Many have stunning market and water views. Its four restaurants are known among locals for their excellent cuisine (which ranges from sushi to French and Korean), and its rooftop deck has some of the most stunning views around. Guests are offered discounted rates at a nearby local gym, but the hotel lacks a fitness center. The cheaper Warwick Seattle Hotel has an on-site fitness center and pool, but its location -- though nearby -- can't compete with Inn at the Market's.  

It’s hard to go wrong with this top luxury hotel that has, arguably, some of the best views in the city, not to mention a restaurant with an acclaimed Seattle chef, a rooftop infinity pool, and 147 spacious, classically comfortable rooms. The business-y surroundings might preclude the opulence of other, larger Four Seasons properties, but what you lose in neighborhood ambience you gain in vistas and proximity to the best Seattle attractions.

This upscale boutique hotel, featuring 121 eclectic guestrooms that cater to every possible personality, is about as perfectly located as a downtown hotel can be. Many of Seattle’s most desirable sightseeing destinations are within easy walking distance, as are a vast selection of top-notch restaurants. It also sits right on First Avenue, directly above Puget Sound; a few rooms do have partial water views but many face neighboring buildings. Better harbor views can be found at hotels a few blocks north.

If you want modern elegance and lavish rooms -- and are unwilling to spring for the Four Seasons directly on the waterfront -- the Grand Hyatt is an ideal tradeoff. Surrounded by many major Seattle attractions (you can see the Pike Place Market sign just five blocks away), plus great restaurants and shopping, it manages to meld convenience with luxury service.

You almost can’t go wrong with the Hyatt at Olive 8, which is known for its exceptionally high customer ratings, environmentally conscious design, and easy, walk-to-everything location. If you’re looking for a romantic lobby in which to have cocktails, you might want to head across the street to the dark and elegant Grand Hyatt; otherwise, be prepared to happily stay put.

The 189-room Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle is a sophisticated upscale property located right in the heart of downtown Seattle. Rooms are stylish and quirky, with bold colors, striking wallpaper, and great amenities such as large flat-screen TVs, minibars, and Italian Frette linens. Sazerac serves excellent Southern cuisine with a Northwestern twist, and is a popular spot for business lunches. There is also a small but well-equipped fitness center, and the hotel offers flexible meeting space, but it’s the thoughtful extras that elevate the stay, including free wine hours, free morning coffee, loaner bikes, and even a goldfish on request. The Sheraton Seattle offers a spa and indoor pool, but is not as stylish.

The upscale, 450-room Fairmont Olympic is a well-established hotel -- opened in 1924 -- where classical design and modern comforts merge. Set a 10-minute walk from the iconic Pike Place Fish Market, the hotel has an excellent downtown location. Beautiful, relaxing rooms were updated in 2016 and have modern amenities like minibars, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers. The on-site oyster bar is one of the oldest in the city, and a more formal restaurant serves delicious meals, plus afternoon tea. The property includes an impressive list of features, including a heated pool, oversized whirlpool, well-equipped fitness center, and a spa. Business-friendly features include grand ballrooms, meeting space, and a business center, but Wi-Fi is only free for Presidents Club members. For a more laid-back atmosphere and eclectic design, check out Kimpton Alexis Hotel, situated a block from the harbor. 

This upscale hotel is located smack-dab in the heart of Downtown Seattle, within walking distance of major attractions like the Pike Place Market and the waterfront. It has gorgeous amenities that make it stand apart from most other hotels in the area, including a virtual golf system, a full-service spa with a wonderful (and expensive) menu of personalized treatments, and an acclaimed (and locally popular) restaurant on-site. The sexy, glass-enclosed bathrooms with tubs that fill from the ceiling and separate walk-in showers are arguably the highlight of the high-tech and modern (though somewhat dark) rooms. Overall, it's certainly luxurious, but the feel is that of a glossed-up Westin or Kimpton -- it lacks the nuances of a truly high-end brand, such as Rosewood.

Located in the heart of Downtown Seattle, the 125-room Kimpton Hotel Vintage Seattle is an upscale property offering easy walking access to major attractions, including Pike Place Market and the Seattle Art Museum. Rooms are stylish and comfortable, with quality pillow-top beds, a wine-inspired palette, well-stocked minibars, and spotless bathrooms with shower/tub combos. Boutique-like perks -- including free nightly wine hours with snacks, free loaner bikes, and in-room spa services on request -- make this property an appealing pick in the city center, but the mandatory “amenity fee” (which includes access to a nearby gym, Wi-Fi, unlimited phone calls, and car-share credit) is a downside. The Warwick Seattle Hotel is a solid, cheaper alternative walking distance to the Space Needle. 

Built at the turn of the 20th century, the upscale Hotel Sorrento is an iconic Seattle boutique with 75 elegant, yet understated guest rooms and modern comforts with a dash of hipster charm. The hotel's sumptuous, mahogany-lined interiors recall an earlier era and the popular Fireside Room is a busy local gathering spot for drinks and live music. From its perch atop First Hill, downtown shopping and Capitol Hill dining and nightlife are less than 15 minutes away on foot. Guests looking to stay closer to sights like Pike Place Market may want to try Inn at the Market, an equally trendy choice that's only slightly more expensive.

Towering over downtown, the upscale 891-room Westin Seattle is in walking distance to Pike Place Market and the monorail to the Space Needle. Simple, elegant rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with cityscape views, and one- and two-bedroom suites offer wet bars and some have conference tables. There’s 69,000 square feet of meeting space and an on-site FedEx Office. Relish Burger Bistro offers casual dining and 21 beers on tap. This fitness-focused hotel provides loaner workout gear (for a small fee), guided city runs, a small 24-hour gym, and an indoor pool with a sundeck. But unlike the -- moderately pricier -- Hyatt at Olive 8, there isn’t a full spa or hot tub here. 

From the turntables and Tivoli radios in the rooms to the free craft beer during happy hour in the lobby, the upscale Hotel Max is distinct and stylish. Its 163 rooms are colorful and decorated with works by local artists -- and some have Space Needle views -- but space is tight, and guests report shower stalls are small. However, there is a lot of verve in the contemporary furnishings and bohemian vibe. And there's a gym, a business center, meeting rooms, and event spaces as well. The restaurant next door -- Miller's Guild -- is an industrial-chic spot with a James-Beard-award-winning chef, and it provides 24 hour room service. And the downtown location means several other dining options are in walking distance, including Pike Place Market. An alternative high-style option in the area that travelers could consider is the Alexis Hotel.