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My Favorite Seattle hotels to stay at before a cruise!

Updated: Apr 8

Seattle Washington vier from Kerry Park
Seattle Washington vier from Kerry Park

There are so many places to stay in Seattle before a cruise. It all depends on location and price. I do recommend staying a night or 2 in Seattle before a cruise because Seattle is a wonderful city, with tons of places to see. But there are also a ton of hotels that are close to downtown and conveniently located to the pier. Here are 2 hotels I am familiar with. One is the best location but can come at a hefty price. The other is a better price, still close by, but not the best location to the port of Seattle. Regardless of which you choose you will see other cruise passengers using both of these hotels.


Most cruises leaving out of Seattle are heading up the coast, and Alaskan Cruise. But that is not the only type of cruise that uses the port of Seattle. Repositioning cruises are common and cruises from California are common. There are cruises to or from Hawaii, and even cruises from Asia, for example cruises that leave Tokyo and end in Seattle via Alaska. Common cruise lines that use this port are Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Holland America Line, and Celebrity Cruises. As you can tell this is a busy port. 


There are also plenty of ferries in the waterfront area, plus fishing, private and industrial ships nearby.




Is a fantastic choice for people going on a cruise. Located on 2100 Alaskan Way, Seattle, Washington, it offers a range of amenities and is conveniently situated near popular attractions. This is my favorite place because it is the best location. This is a waterfront hotel that offers views of the mountains too. The only hotel in the area to offer that view. The closest hotel to pier 66, it is just a short walk away.


Amenities:

Seattle Marriott
Seattle Marriott

  • Spacious and comfortable rooms with modern decor

  • Spectacular views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains

  • On-site restaurant serving delicious meals. Hook and Plow is the name of the restaurant.

  • Fitness center, offering state-of-the-art equipment.

  • Indoor/ Outdoor pool and whirlpool for relaxation.

  • Complimentary Wi-Fi access throughout the hotel.

  • Concierge services to assist with any needs or inquiries.


Pros:

  • According to online reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor, the Seattle Marriott Waterfront receives positive feedback for its superb location, friendly staff, and clean facilities.

  • Guests appreciate the stunning views from their rooms and the proximity to the cruise port. Rooms have balconies, so you can see the waterfront. It is a wonderful hotel. Here is a video of the newly renovated room, click on it to watch.

  • I agree with all the reviews, it is a wonderful hotel, so if you can splurge for this hotel do it. It does have the best location.


Cons:

lunch at Hook and Plow restaurant in Marriott hotel
lunch at Hook and Plow restaurant in Marriott hotel
  • Price, this hotel can cost you anywhere from $260 to over $500 a night, (sometimes more !!!!) depending on when you stay. Hopefully you have a Marriott rewards program to help you out with your stay.

  • Price of parking if you are staying here. If you drove to Seattle in your car. Their garage is crazy expensive at somewhere between $35 and $58 per night, but parking anywhere along the waterfront is expensive.

  • No free shuttle service by the hotel to the pier, but it is located so close to Pier 66, the Bell Street Cruise Terminal..

  • No free breakfast.

  • If you need a business center this hotel does not have it, although it has meeting rooms if you need one before you leave for your cruise.




In Seattle, Washington this boutique hotel is known for its unique and charming atmosphere. It is located in the heart of downtown Seattle at 1415 5th Ave. This central location provides easy access to popular attractions, dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Plus, it is only .5 mile away from the port. Super close for a taxi or Uber ride the next day for a cruise. I loved my stay here so much I started looking at where else StayPineappple is located around the country for when I visit other cities.


Amenities:

  • Quirky and Stylish Decor: The StayPineapple Hotel is known for its vibrant and playful decor, creating a fun and inviting ambiance.

  • Complimentary Amenities: Guests can enjoy various complimentary amenities, such as pineapple-infused water in the lobby, a morning coffee and tea service, and free bicycle rentals to explore the city. Great coffee bar.

  • Comfortable Rooms: The hotel offers comfortable and well-appointed rooms with modern amenities, including flat-screen TVs, plush bedding, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

  • Pet-Friendly: The Staypineapple Hotel welcomes four-legged guests, making it a great option for travelers with pets. Not really noteworthy for everyone going on a cruise, but I sure did get to pet a lot of cute doggies when I stayed here and that made my day. Seattle is a true dog friendly city.

Pros:

  • The Staypineapple Hotel price is one of the main reasons to stay here. This is the best budget friendly hotel in Seattle Washington. I booked it at $126 a night.

  • Discounts and special offers are easy to find online for this hotel, plus you can use the Genius discount if you are a member (Booking.com)

  • Environmentally friendly hotel

  • Located right beside the best Doughnut shop ever!!!! Top Pot Doughnuts There are several ol locations in Seattle Washington, it is a great coffee shop too!

  • Shopping and Dining: The StayPineapple Hotel is situated near a variety of dining options, upscale boutiques, and department stores. Walking to 5 Point Cafe is only a 9-minute walk, just a few blocks away. Which is a great place to eat. In fact, it is one of the oldest, opening in 1929.

Cons:

  • Pay to park in the garage, but it is not near as expensive as other places. Use PARKANDPLAY as a promo code, this could help with that.

  • View isn't the best, you are downtown and close to things, but close walking distance to the waterfront is not the case, you are several blocks back and it is an uphill walk, then back downhill.

  • When I was there the restaurant was closed. :(

  • They do add a small resort fee but that gets you sodas and snacks for the day.

  • They don't offer shuttle service to the pier, but they will set it up for you with a separate company. When I was there it was $10 to Pier 66, and $12 to Pier 91 the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal. When you arrive, you should double check the prices, Uber might be cheaper.



Random Facts:

If you still are not sure on which hotel to choose based on the 2, I am most familiar with, check out these 7 other hotels. Mayflower Park Hotel, Silver Cloud Hotel, Crown Plaza Hotel near the airport, and Nobel House Hotel, Cedarbrook Lodge, Hyatt Place Seattle. and Pan Pacific Seattle. Personally, these all are fine hotels and good options, but are not as nice as the Marriott, or as cheap as Stay Pineapple so I have never stayed at them.


If you drove to the cruise port you can expect to pay to park your car for about a cost of $187 for a week, at Seattle Cruise Parking. Also, Republic Parking is available. Republic Parking is $29 a day, but if you book online, you will save $1 per day. They do have a complimentary shuttle from the Parking area.









Nearby Attractions for either hotel:

Just in case you need ideas of places to visit before you leave for your cruise, check out a few of these.


Pikes Place in Seattle
Pikes Place in Seattle
  • Pike Place Market- A bustling public market famous for its fresh seafood, local produce, and artisanal goods. The clam chowder is amazing at Pike Place Chowder.

  • Seattle Art Museum- A renowned art museum featuring a diverse collection of artworks from around the world.

  • Space Needle- An iconic Seattle landmark offering breathtaking views of the city's skyline and surrounding area.

  • Seattle Aquarium- An engaging and educational destination that showcases the marine life of the Pacific Northwest.

  • Olympic Sculpture Park- A beautiful outdoor sculpture park with stunning waterfront views.

  • Seattle Great Wheel- A Ferris wheel offering panoramic views of the city and Elliott Bay.

  • Chihuly Garden and Glass- a beautiful place to visit that is located next to the Space Needle. The spring blooms in the garden and the beautiful glass flowers that were created by Dale Chihuly are amazing.

Chihuly Glass Garden
Chihuly Glass Garden
  • Museum of Pop Culture- From Hip Hop to Grunge to displays of guitars, they have so many exhibits to see, you could spend hours in here.

  • Pioneer Square- Is a neat neighborhood to visit. Waterfall City Hall Park, Habitat Beach and the Last resort Fire department is located here. It is such an interested area to visit.

  • Waterfall Garden Park- located in Pioneer Square, a 22 foot waterfall in behind Occidental park.

  • Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park- Learn about the Gold rush of the late 1800’s and the rush of people that travel north, up the Pacific coast to Canada and the Alaska area hoping to dig up a nugget and become rich.

  • Chinatown International District- Visit this wonderful district for some great food, cultural learning and more. Visit the Wing Luke Museum or take in a show in at the Theater Off Jackson.

  • Kerry Park- I a great place to get an amazing picture of the skyline of Seattle, it is a small park on the hill, but it is a special place especially if you are a Grey’s Anatomy Fan, you will notice this shot of the city in many episodes of the show. Side note Merideth Grey’s house in the show is located just one street away.

  • Seattle Center- This is a great place to visit for a performance or an event.

  • If you are in the area for a few days you might want to rent a car and take a trip to Mount Rainier, it is a little bit of a drive, but worth it if you are here in the summer months, as it is not open until May.

I hope this blog helps you decide which place will be the perfect place to lay your head down at night before you arrive at the waterfront of Seattle for your cruise. So now it is time to book your cruise, pack your bags, jump on a plane and visit this wonderful waterfront city of Seattle.



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Guest
Sep 18, 2023
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

Good information

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