Inn at the Market

Originally opened in 1983 as a homey bed-and-breakfast, the Inn at the Market is now one of the top-rated hotels in Seattle. The location right in the Pike Place Market is one of the reasons this upscale boutique is a favorite among first-time visitors, but its simple elegance, quiet atmosphere, and high-end room amenities keep guests coming back. Despite its location adjacent to one of Seattle's top tourist attractions, the hotel is serene and welcoming, with an entrance tucked away in a quaint courtyard with ivy creeping up the walls, a gurgling fountain, and a few benches and tables. Striped black-and-white awnings above large windows line the courtyard, giving it a slight Parisian feel. 

The hotel underwent renovations in 2015, and interiors now feature an elegant blend of sophisticated Northwest design and minimalist touches throughout. In the lobby, a streamlined combination of dark and earth tones, rugs and wood makes the space warm and inviting, while large windows let in lots of light. The best spot in the hotel, though, is its intimate rooftop terrace, furnished with loungers and tables, and offering panoramic views of the market and Elliott Bay. Most guests at the Inn are vacationing couples, but the hotel’s spacious rooms and central location make it a good pick for families as well.

The Inn at the Market has an ideal location both for first-time visitors and Seattle regulars. It's half a block from the famed Pike Place Market, and right off First Avenue, the street that perches directly above sparkling Puget Sound and in front of the Olympic Mountains. Many of the city's top sights are a five- to 10-minute walk away, including the Seattle Art Museum and Benaroya Hall. First Avenue, which has several stairwells leading down to the city’s bustling waterfront, has long shed its ancient reputation as a seedy part of town, and now features some of the most eclectic boutiques, restaurants, and coffee shops around. The Space Needle can be reached in about a 20-minute walk, but there are also several buses running along First Avenue that go in that direction. Sea-Tac Airport is a 20-minute drive away. Valet parking and airport transfers are available at the hotel for a fee. 

The hotel has 76 spacious, light rooms divided into several categories according to views. Standard City Side rooms have average street views, but all others -- and especially View Rooms and Suites -- have excellent views of the iconic Pike Place Market or of Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains, and the waterfront. All units are elegantly decorated in a range of earth tones and textures, with soft brown padded headboards, beige leather chairs, mustard velvet accent pillows, and dark wood desks. 

This warm, upscale feel combines with an array of high-end in-room amenities to create some of the most sought-after rooms in town. Free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and safes are all amenities expected of a four-pearl hotel, but rooms at the Inn also come with Hypnos mattresses, Sferra linens, iPod docks, and Keurig coffeemakers. Bathrooms are spacious and clean, with walk-in showers (a few have big shower/tub combos), off-white tiling throughout, sleek metal-and-wood vanities, and Antica Farmacista toiletries. Rooms overlooking the courtyard may get some noise in the evening.

With its stunning Elliott Bay, Pike Place Market, and Downtown views, the hotel’s rooftop deck is a definite highlight. There is no bar service up there, but guests can bring food and drinks from outside and enjoy it on one of the loungers or tables dotting the terrace. On-site dining options are varied and excellent at the Inn. Cafe Campagne serves French cuisine in a cute dining room with lots of wood, while Bacco offers all-day breakfast and a lunch menu. Fusion Korean fare is available at Chan, and Kashiba is known for its great sushi bar. There is no full spa at Inn at the Market, but the on-site salon offers hair and nail services, and in-room massages are available on request. The hotel also features two fully equipped event spaces and a 24-hour business center with two computers and a printer. Guests are offered discounted rates at a nearby local gym complete with a pool, but the hotel lacks a fitness center.