The Best Hotels in Washington, USA

The Space Needle is one of Seattles most recognizable landmarks
The Space Needle is one of Seattle's most recognizable landmarks | Courtesy of Hyatt House Seattle: Downtown / Expedia
Mark Nayler

Known as the Evergreen State due to its vast expanses of evergreen and fir trees, Washington offers travelers everything from hiking holidays to city breaks in its largest city, Seattle. Rest well in one of these hotels handpicked by Culture Trip.

1. Palace Hotel Port Townsend, for coastal comfort near Port Townsend Bay

Hotel

Palace Hotel Port Townsend entrance with a red and white striped awning in vintage style
Courtesy of Palace Hotel Port Townsend / Expedia

Choose contemporary or quaint in this late 19th-century Port Townsend property, with loft studios offered alongside rooms with a Victorian vibe. Period charm comes from exposed-brick, high-ceilinged spaces with warm wooden floors and kitchens; the Shackleton loft studio reveals pier views from leather sofas. Elsewhere, the Crow’s Nest woos with a black wood-burning stove and period furniture.

2. Majestic Inn & Spa, for cozy island gazing near the Anacortes Museum

Hotel

The gray panelled exterior of Majestic Inn & Spa seen at dusk from an empty street
Courtesy of Majestic Inn & Spa / Expedia

This former hardware store on Fidalgo Island has the only rooftop bar in Anacortes, from which you can take in views of the San Juan archipelago while warmed by blankets, cocktails, and fire pits. Unwind in the eucalyptus-scented steam room before tucking into local comfort cuisine at the Fifth Street Bistro, where signature plates include chicken pot pie – a flaky pastry shell filled with slow-roasted chicken and root vegetables. Brown and blue rooms with plenty of cozy seating overlook the marina, courtyard, or Commercial Street.

3. Eritage Resort, for romantic rural escapism near Walla Walla

Resort

Eritage Resort as seen from across a small lake with low hills in the background at sunset
Courtesy of Eritage Resort / Expedia

Geared towards wine and nature, this country retreat near Walla Walla cocoons wine-loving guests in modern, minimalist suites with fireplaces and vineyard-facing verandas with views of either the Blue Mountains or Lake Sienna. Explore the surrounding vineyards on a cruiser bike or paddle across the water on a board, both available from reception. Then relax by the saltwater pool or play a game of croquet on the Great Lawn. Modern Washington cuisine, wine, spirits, and beers headline at the onsite restaurant.

4. Hotel Murano, Tacoma, for well-crafted comfort near the Museum of Glass

Hotel

The chic lobby of Hotel Murano with leather couches, various armchairs, tall ceilings, and modern light fixtures and furnishings
Courtesy of Hotel Murano / Expedia

Named after the Venetian glass-making island, this Tacoma hotel celebrates the Pacific Northwest’s centrality to the glass art world with a specially curated collection of pieces, including three stained-glass Viking boats by Danish master Vibeke Skov, hanging in the lobby. Book a Patron Room for white and blue decor with cinematic sunset views and exclusive access to the 25th-floor Patron Lounge. Named after the temperature of glass-cooling ovens, Bar 960 serves regional wines and light bites such as gravy and fries and fish tacos.

5. Semiahmoo Resort Golf & Spa, for seaside chic near Semiahmoo Park

Resort

Semiahmoo Resort Golf & Spa seen across the water with snowy mountains and a water tower in the background
Courtesy of Semiahmoo Resort Golf & Spa / Expedia

Whether you prefer indoor or outdoor activities, there’s never a dull moment at this seaside resort, 90 minutes north of Seattle, from movie nights in the 50-seater cinema to golfing, biking, and bird watching. Dine on seafood, burgers, and wood-fired pizza at Packers and the Great Blue Heron Grill or stock up on picnic ingredients at the onsite cafe and sundry store. Rooms feature blue-and-grey striped carpets and pine fittings, with either seating areas or balconies overlooking the lawn or Semiahmoo Bay and White Rock, British Columbia.

6. Montvale Hotel, for old world charm near Riverfront Park

Hotel

A classically styled room at the Montvale Hotel with dark wood furniture, tan patterned carpet, pale blue walls and landscape paintings
Courtesy of Montvale Hotel / Expedia
The oldest hotel in Spokane was built by a local judge in 1899 and named after his country retreat on the Little Spokane River. With wooden balconies overlooking the atrium, rooms have pale blue or rose walls, high ceilings, and oversized windows. Several nearby establishments offer discounts to Montvale guests, including Brooklyn Deli (a must for homemade bread, soups, and sliced meats) and the Sapphire Lounge, a specialist in cocktails and Washington wines.

7. The Sound Hotel Seattle Belltown, for sleek sanctuary near the Space Needle tower

Hotel

The Sound Hotel with its slick modern exterior in Seattles Belltown
Courtesy of The Sound Hotel Seattle Belltown / Expedia

This sleek hotel recreates Seattle-apartment living in generously-proportioned rooms and studios with window-side seating areas for views of the Puget Sound and Space Needle. Leather, wood, and cityscape murals add to the laid-back luxe look. Take a stool at the Currant Bistro’s polished granite bar any time of day for hot sandwiches and gourmet coffee in the morning or regional wines and craft beers in the evening. There’s also a gym and a seventh-floor terrace with skyline views.

8. Thompson Seattle, for vintage-meets-modern near Puget Sound

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

Elegant luxury room with sea views at the Thompson Seattle with a double bed, a navy leather couch facing a TV and two chairs by the floor to ceiling windows
Courtesy of Thompson Seattle / Expedia

Sleek mid-century modern rooms feature navy blue, white, bronze, and warm hardwood floors. Seattle views don’t come much better than from the Nest bar, from which you can see the Pike Place Fish Market, Elliot Bay, and the Olympic Mountains’ hazy hulk. Brunch and dinner are served in classy canteen-style Conversation, where the best of local farms is showcased in fusion dishes such as braised beef short ribs with kalbi jus, gai lan, fermented daikon, scallion, sesame, and gochujang vinaigrette.

9. Archer Hotel Redmond, industrial-chic near the Microsoft Visitor Center

Hotel

Tasteful room with Jimi Hendrix image on the wall above the double bed at the Archer Hotel Redmond
Courtesy of Archer Hotel Redmond / Expedia

Perks of a stay at this boutique in Seattle’s tech suburb include an indoor pool, a cocktail bar with a terrace and shuffleboard, and an emergency store selling everything from chocolate to makeup remover. White and grey rooms feature local artwork and reclaimed wood bed stands – some also have add ons such as Chesterfield-style sofas, stocked wet bars, and movable work islands. Sip a craft beer in the rustic-industrial bar, not forgetting that Downtown Seattle is a twenty-minute drive away.

10. Heliotrope Hotel, Bellingham, for modern motel life near Sehome Hill Arboretum

Hotel

The lush gardens of the Heliotrope Hotel with wooden picnic benches
Courtesy of Heliotrope Hotel, Bellingham / Expedia

Ever wanted to stay in classic American roadside accommodations? Tick it off with a stay at Bellingham’s south-facing Heliotrope (Greek for “turn towards the sun”), a restored 1950s motel halfway between Seattle and Vancouver. Decorated with local artworks and featuring a whitewashed decor with red and orange accents, they sleep up to four and some have full kitchens. Spaces in which to meet other road-trippers comprise a lounge with retro sofas and a fireplace, not to mention a lawn complete with fire pits and cornhole.

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