Best Seattle Waterfront Hotels

By Seattle Dave • Updated: July 7, 2026

Related Seattle Hotel Guides

• Where to Stay in Seattle • Best Hotels in Seattle • Pike Place Market Hotels • Belltown Hotels • Seattle Hotels with Views • Seattle Cruise Hotels

The Seattle Waterfront is much better than it used to be. The old viaduct is gone, the new Waterfront Park has opened up the area, and the connection between Pike Place Market and Elliott Bay is far more pleasant than it was a few years ago. It is now a real place to walk, sit, play, take photos, eat outside, watch ferries, and stay before or after a cruise.

But I would still be careful before booking a “waterfront hotel.” Seattle is steep, the waterfront sits at sea level, and most of the city sits above it. A hotel can be close to the water but still feel disconnected from downtown. A room can be near Elliott Bay but not have a good view. And a walk that looks short on a map can involve stairs, elevators, steep streets, train tracks, or a surprisingly tiring climb.

My quick advice: stay on the Waterfront if views, ferries, Pier 66, or being near the piers matter most. Stay near Pike Place Market if you want the easiest first-time Seattle location. Stay in Belltown if you want better restaurants, nightlife, and a flatter walk to Pier 66.

Hotels on Map: The Edgewater • Marriott Waterfront • Four Seasons Seattle • Alexis Royal Sonesta

Important: Only The Edgewater is truly on the water. The Marriott Waterfront is across Alaskan Way from the water and right by Pier 66. The Four Seasons and Alexis are one block up on 1st Avenue. They are excellent hotels with easy waterfront access, but they are not waterfront hotels in the literal sense.

Quick Picks: Best Seattle Waterfront Hotels

• Best true waterfront hotel: The Edgewater – the only hotel built directly over Elliott Bay, and the best choice if you want the full Seattle waterfront experience.
• Best for Pier 66 cruises: Seattle Marriott Waterfront – the most convenient hotel for Norwegian and Oceania cruises from Pier 66.
• Best luxury hotel near the waterfront: Four Seasons Seattle – not directly on the water, but the best high-end hotel for combining Pike Place Market, Waterfront access, views, service, and pool.
• Best for ferries: Alexis Royal Sonesta – the most useful hotel here for Colman Dock, Bainbridge Island ferries, Pioneer Square, and the southern waterfront.
• Best for first-time visitors: Inn at the Market – not on the waterfront, but the better choice if you want Pike Place Market, restaurants, views, and easy walks down to the water.
• Best for restaurants and nightlife near the waterfront: Thompson Seattle – a stylish Pike Place/Belltown hotel with excellent views and better evening options than the pier level.

The 4 Best Hotels on or Near the Seattle Waterfront

1. The Edgewater

The Edgewater is the best true waterfront hotel in Seattle and the only hotel that actually sits over Elliott Bay. If you want the classic “wake up over the water” Seattle hotel experience, this is the one.

The best rooms are the waterfront rooms facing Elliott Bay. These can have wonderful views of ferries, sailboats, West Seattle, Bainbridge Island, and the Olympic Mountains on a clear day. City-facing rooms are less special and can get more noise from Alaskan Way and the train tracks.

Location-wise, The Edgewater is excellent for Pier 66 cruises, Belltown, Olympic Sculpture Park, and waterfront walking. It is less convenient for Pike Place Market than some travelers expect. The Market is walkable, but you are walking uphill. It is not a difficult walk for most people, but with shopping bags, mobility issues, or tired kids, it feels longer than the map suggests.

Best for: couples, cruise passengers from Pier 66, view-focused travelers, and anyone who wants the most waterfront-feeling stay in Seattle.
Not ideal for: travelers who want to be steps from Pike Place Market, the light rail, downtown shopping, or the easiest restaurant scene. For that, I’d stay at Inn at the Market, Thompson Seattle, or Four Seasons instead.

2. Seattle Marriott Waterfront

Seattle Marriott Waterfront has the most practical waterfront location for cruise passengers. It sits across Alaskan Way from Elliott Bay and directly by Pier 66, which is the downtown cruise terminal used by Norwegian and Oceania.

This is not as atmospheric as The Edgewater, and it is not actually built over the water, but the location is very useful. You can walk to Pier 66 in a few minutes, reach the Seattle Aquarium and Great Wheel by walking south along the waterfront, and use the public elevator and hillclimb connections to get up toward Pike Place Market.

The view situation is very room-dependent. Water-view rooms are worth it here. Some rooms look toward Elliott Bay, Pier 66, cruise ships, ferries, and the Olympic Mountains. Other rooms are more city-facing or partial-view and feel much more ordinary. The hotel is also close to the train tracks, so noise can be an issue, especially in rooms facing inland.

Best for: Pier 66 cruise passengers, families who want a pool and easy waterfront walks, travelers who want a larger full-service hotel, and anyone prioritizing practical location over boutique character.
Not ideal for: travelers who want a romantic Seattle hotel, a quiet neighborhood feel, or direct over-water rooms. The Edgewater is more memorable. Pike Place and Belltown hotels have better restaurant access.

3. Four Seasons

Four Seasons Seattle is not technically a waterfront hotel, but I include it because it might be the best overall luxury choice for travelers who want both the Waterfront and Pike Place Market.

The hotel sits on 1st Avenue, one block above the waterfront and right beside Pike Place Market. You are close to the piers, close to the Market, close to the Seattle Art Museum, and close to good downtown dining. There is a stairway beside the hotel that leads down toward the waterfront, and the Overlook Walk and hillclimb connections make the waterfront much easier to reach than it used to be.

The best rooms have Elliott Bay and waterfront views, though the view is from above rather than directly on the water. The outdoor pool is a huge plus, especially for families and summer stays. Service is excellent, rooms are polished, and the location is more useful than the Edgewater for first-time visitors.

Best for: luxury travelers, families, first-timers, Pike Place Market, Waterfront access, and travelers who want one hotel that does almost everything well.
Not ideal for: travelers who want to sleep directly over the bay or be beside the cruise terminal. For the most literal waterfront stay, choose The Edgewater. For the closest Pier 66 location, choose Marriott Waterfront.

4. Alexis Royal Sonesta

Alexis Royal Sonesta is a good near-waterfront hotel on 1st Avenue, south of Pike Place Market and close to the ferry terminal, Pioneer Square, the Seattle Art Museum, and downtown offices.

This is the best choice on this page for travelers who care about ferries, Pioneer Square, and the southern waterfront. It is not the best choice for cruise passengers from Pier 66, and it is not a classic water-view hotel. Some rooms are spacious and stylish, but you are choosing the Alexis for location, room size, and character, not for big Elliott Bay views.

The walk down to the waterfront is easy. The walk back up is uphill. Pike Place Market is walkable but not right outside the door. Pioneer Square is close, but the area is a little more gritty than around Pike Place, Belltown, or the Four Seasons.

Best for: ferry passengers, older kids, couples, business travelers, Pioneer Square, the Seattle Art Museum, and travelers who want a more historic hotel near the water.
Not ideal for: first-time visitors who want the easiest Seattle sightseeing base, travelers wanting a true water view, or anyone who wants to be close to Pier 66. For those, I’d choose Four Seasons, Edgewater, or Marriott Waterfront.

6 Things to Know Before Booking a Seattle Waterfront Hotel

• The waterfront is below the rest of downtown: Pike Place Market, 1st Avenue, downtown shops, and most better restaurants sit uphill from the piers. The walk is short, but the climb is real. Use the Pike Place Hillclimb, Overlook Walk, public elevators, Harbor Steps, or a quick taxi or rideshare when the hill feels like too much.
• Only one hotel is truly on the water: The Edgewater sits on a pier over Elliott Bay. Seattle Marriott Waterfront is across Alaskan Way from the water. Four Seasons and Alexis are one block up on 1st Avenue. Inn at the Market and Thompson Seattle have great water views and access, but they are Pike Place/Belltown hotels, not waterfront hotels.
• Book the right room category: A waterfront hotel without a water-view room can feel like a missed opportunity. At The Edgewater and Marriott Waterfront, I’d pay extra for a water-view room if the view is a major reason for staying here. City-facing and partial-view rooms are much less special.
• Train noise is part of the waterfront: Freight trains run along the waterfront corridor near Alaskan Way. Some travelers barely notice them, others definitely do. Water-facing rooms are better than inland-facing rooms for both views and noise, especially at The Edgewater and Marriott Waterfront.
• The Waterfront is better by day than late night: During the day and early evening, the area is great for ferries, the aquarium, the Great Wheel, Pier 58, Pier 62, cruise activity, and walking along Elliott Bay. At night, I’d head uphill to Pike Place, Belltown, or downtown for better restaurants, bars, and a livelier street scene.
• Cruise and airport logistics matter: For Pier 66 cruises, the Waterfront is excellent, especially the Marriott and Edgewater. For Pier 91, you’ll still need a taxi or rideshare. From Sea-Tac, I’d skip Link Light Rail for Edgewater and Marriott Waterfront because the final walk from the station is awkward with luggage. A taxi or Uber is easier for most travelers. For more car-free advice, read Seattle without a car.

Best Seattle Waterfront Hotels for Views

Best direct water views: The Edgewater

The Edgewater has the most dramatic waterfront views because it sits over Elliott Bay. Book a waterfront room. This is where the view can feel like the whole point of the hotel.

Best elevated luxury views: Four Seasons Seattle

Four Seasons Seattle has excellent Elliott Bay views from some rooms and public spaces. The view is more polished and urban than Edgewater, with the bonus of a much stronger Pike Place location.

Best cruise-ship and bay views: Marriott Waterfront

Marriott Waterfront is great if you like watching cruise ships, ferries, and harbor activity. The view is less romantic than The Edgewater, but the working-waterfront feel is fun, especially before an Alaska cruise.

Best rooftop-style view near the Waterfront: Thompson Seattle

Thompson Seattle has some of the best hotel views near Pike Place Market, especially from higher floors and the rooftop bar. It is not on the Waterfront, but for many couples it is a better overall stay.

Best Waterfront Hotels for Cruise Passengers

Pier 66 Cruises

Pier 66 is the downtown cruise terminal on the Seattle Waterfront. Norwegian and Oceania use Pier 66 for Alaska cruises.

Best Pier 66 hotels:

• Seattle Marriott Waterfront is the easiest hotel for Pier 66. It is directly across Alaskan Way from the terminal area.
• The Edgewater is a short waterfront walk to Pier 66 and feels more special.
• Thompson Seattle and Inn at the Market are better if you want Pike Place and restaurants before your cruise.

With rolling luggage, Marriott Waterfront is the simplest. The Edgewater is still easy. From Pike Place or Belltown hotels, I’d use a short taxi or rideshare rather than dragging luggage down the hill.

Pier 91 Cruises

Pier 91 is north of downtown and is used by several major cruise lines. There are no hotels right beside Pier 91 that I recommend for most visitors. For Pier 91, it makes more sense to stay in Belltown, Pike Place, Seattle Center, Downtown, or the airport depending on your arrival time and sightseeing plans.

The Waterfront is still a good pre-cruise base for Pier 91, but you will need a taxi or rideshare to the terminal. Allow extra time on cruise mornings, especially in summer.

For a full breakdown, read Best Seattle Cruise Hotels.

Best Waterfront Hotels for Ferries

Seattle’s main ferry terminal at Colman Dock is on the southern end of the downtown waterfront. This is where you go for ferries to Bainbridge Island and Bremerton.

The best hotel for ferry access is Alexis Royal Sonesta. It is up on 1st Avenue, close to the ferry terminal, Pioneer Square, the Seattle Art Museum, and downtown offices.

The Four Seasons is also convenient for ferries, especially if you want a more luxurious stay and a better Pike Place location.

The Edgewater and Marriott Waterfront are farther north. They are fine if you are taking one ferry day trip, but I would not choose them specifically for ferry access.

Waterfront vs Pike Place vs Belltown

Stay on the Waterfront if:

• You want Elliott Bay views.
• You are cruising from Pier 66.
• You want easy walks to the aquarium, Great Wheel, ferries, piers, and Waterfront Park.
• You like watching boats, ferries, cruise ships, and sunsets over the water.
• You do not mind walking uphill or using elevators, stairs, taxis, or rideshares for short hops.

Stay near Pike Place Market if:

• This is your first Seattle trip.
• You want the best mix of sightseeing, food, views, and walkability.
• You want to walk easily to the Waterfront but sleep closer to restaurants and downtown.
• You are staying only one or two nights and want the most efficient base.

For most first-time visitors, I slightly prefer Pike Place over the Waterfront. The Inn at the Market is the best example of why: you get Market location, restaurants, views, and easy waterfront access without being stuck at the bottom of the hill.

Stay in Belltown if:

• You want better restaurants and bars.
• You want a good base between Pike Place, Seattle Center, and Pier 66.
• You are cruising from Pier 66 but want more neighborhood life before the cruise.
• You want a flatter-feeling area than the Pike Place-to-waterfront climb.

Belltown is one of the best Seattle neighborhoods for travelers who want to eat well and walk a lot. It is not as scenic as the Waterfront, but it is more practical.

Hills, Elevators, and Mobility

This is the most important waterfront hotel warning: the walk from the waterfront up to Pike Place Market and downtown is steeper than visitors expect, given the short distance.

For active travelers, this is not a big deal. For anyone with mobility issues, bad knees, a stroller, heavy luggage, or kids at the end of a long day, it matters.

Useful waterfront-to-downtown connections include:

• Pike Place Hillclimb: The classic connection between the waterfront and Pike Place Market, with stairs and elevator access.
• Overlook Walk: The newer, more scenic connection between the Waterfront and Pike Place Market area.
• Harbor Steps: Useful between the central waterfront and 1st Avenue, though it involves stairs and a climb.
• Short rideshares: The easiest solution at night, in rain, with luggage, or after dinner.

If mobility is a major issue, I would choose the Four Seasons over The Edgewater or Marriott Waterfront. You still get waterfront access, but you are already up near 1st Avenue, Pike Place, and downtown.

Safety on the Seattle Waterfront

The Waterfront is generally fine for visitors, especially during the day and early evening when the piers, aquarium, ferry areas, and cruise terminal are active. Like most central Seattle areas, it can feel quieter and patchier late at night.

My practical advice:

• Walk the Waterfront freely during the day.
• Use normal city awareness around isolated stairways, elevators, parking garages, and quiet blocks late at night.
• For late dinners or drinks, I prefer Pike Place, Belltown, or downtown over the pier level.
• Do not leave luggage or visible bags in a parked car.
• If you feel tired, it is raining, or the walk back uphill sounds annoying, take a short taxi or rideshare.

The central Waterfront is touristy, not dangerous. But it is not the same as staying in a self-contained resort district. You are still in the middle of a real city.

Restaurants Near Waterfront Hotels

The Waterfront has some fun places to eat and drink, but I would not build my whole Seattle food plan around pier-level restaurants. Many are touristy, expensive for what they are, or better for the view than the food.

My general rule: drink on the Waterfront, eat up the hill.

Good waterfront or near-waterfront options include:

• Elliott’s Oyster House: Classic waterfront seafood and oyster bar. Tourist-friendly, but still useful and fun.
• Six Seven at The Edgewater: Best for drinks or dinner with a view, especially if you are staying at the hotel.
• Anthony’s Pier 66: Very convenient before a cruise or for a simple seafood meal with a view.
• Ivar’s Acres of Clams: A Seattle classic, especially easy with kids or out-of-town visitors.
• Pike Place Market: Better overall food choices just up the hill.
• Belltown: Better for dinner, cocktails, and late-night options.

For a short stay, I would do one waterfront meal or drink, then spend most meals in Pike Place, Belltown, Capitol Hill, or Pioneer Square.

Airport Transportation to Waterfront Hotels

For most waterfront hotel stays, I recommend a taxi or rideshare from Sea-Tac Airport. It is not always the cheapest option, but it is the easiest.

Link Light Rail is useful for downtown Seattle, but waterfront hotels are awkward with luggage. From the nearest stations, you still need to get downhill to the water, and that can mean steep streets, elevators, stairs, cobblier sidewalks, traffic crossings, or a final rideshare anyway.

Best airport strategy:

• Edgewater: Taxi or rideshare.
• Marriott Waterfront: Taxi or rideshare.
• Four Seasons: Taxi or rideshare is easiest, though light rail can work if you pack light.
• Alexis: Light rail can work better here than for the northern waterfront hotels, but taxi or rideshare is still easier with luggage.

A rental car is more hassle than help if you are staying on the Waterfront. Parking is expensive, traffic is slow, and most first-time Seattle sightseeing is easier on foot, by taxi, by ferry, or by light rail. Read more here: Seattle without a car.

Should You Stay on the Seattle Waterfront?

I like the Waterfront much more than I used to. The new park spaces, Overlook Walk, Pier 58, Pier 62, and better pedestrian connections have made a real difference. It is now a good place to stay for the right traveler.

But I would not automatically choose the Waterfront just because it sounds scenic. Seattle’s best visitor base is often just above the water, not directly beside it.

Stay on the Waterfront if you want:

• Bay views.
• Pier 66 cruise convenience.
• Easy ferry, aquarium, Great Wheel, and waterfront walks.
• A slower, view-focused stay.

Stay above the Waterfront if you want:

• Better restaurants.
• Easier Pike Place Market access.
• Better downtown walkability.
• Less dependence on elevators, stairs, and short rideshares.

My honest ranking for most visitors:

• Best true Waterfront experience: The Edgewater
• Best practical cruise hotel: Seattle Marriott Waterfront
• Best overall near-waterfront luxury hotel: Four Seasons Seattle
• Best overall location for most first-timers: Inn at the Market
• Best restaurant-and-views alternative: Thompson Seattle

Seattle Waterfront Hotels FAQ

What is the best hotel on the Seattle Waterfront?

The best true waterfront hotel in Seattle is The Edgewater. It is the only hotel built directly over Elliott Bay and has the most memorable water-view rooms. For a more practical cruise location, choose Seattle Marriott Waterfront. For luxury and better Pike Place access, choose Four Seasons Seattle.

Is The Edgewater the only hotel actually on the water?

Yes. The Edgewater is the only Seattle hotel directly on a pier over Elliott Bay. Other hotels may have water views or waterfront access, but they are across the street, uphill, or a few blocks away.

Is Seattle Marriott Waterfront actually on the waterfront?

Seattle Marriott Waterfront is across Alaskan Way from the water and directly beside Pier 66. It is very much a waterfront-area hotel, but it is not built over the water like The Edgewater.

What is the best Seattle Waterfront hotel for cruise passengers?

For Pier 66, the best hotel is Seattle Marriott Waterfront. It is the closest and easiest. The Edgewater is also excellent and more atmospheric. For Pier 91, I would not choose a hotel based only on terminal proximity. Stay in Belltown, Pike Place, Seattle Center, Downtown, or near the airport depending on your plans.

What is the best Seattle Waterfront hotel for families?

The best family hotel near the Waterfront is Four Seasons Seattle, especially because of the pool, service, room quality, and easy access to both Pike Place and the Waterfront. Seattle Marriott Waterfront is also good for families, especially before a cruise or if you want a larger hotel with straightforward logistics.

Should first-time visitors stay on the Waterfront or near Pike Place Market?

Most first-time visitors are better near Pike Place Market. You can still walk down to the Waterfront, but you are closer to restaurants, coffee, shops, downtown, and transit. The Inn at the Market is my favorite Pike Place hotel. Stay on the Waterfront if the view, cruise terminal, or ferries matter more than overall convenience.

Is the walk from the Waterfront to Pike Place Market steep?

Yes. It is short but steep. The walk from the Waterfront up to Pike Place Market and downtown is steeper than visitors expect, given the short distance. Use the Pike Place Hillclimb, Overlook Walk, public elevators, Harbor Steps, or a short taxi or rideshare if needed.

Can you stay on the Seattle Waterfront without a car?

Yes. In fact, I would avoid renting a car if you are staying on the Waterfront. Parking is expensive, and most central Seattle sightseeing is easier on foot, by ferry, by light rail, or by short taxi and rideshare trips. Read more: Seattle without a car.

Is the Seattle Waterfront safe at night?

The Waterfront is generally fine, especially around active areas and early evening. Late at night it can feel quiet in places, and I prefer Pike Place, Belltown, or downtown for dinner and drinks. Use normal city awareness, avoid isolated stairways or parking areas late at night, and take a short rideshare if the walk back uphill feels annoying.

What is the best hotel for taking the Bainbridge Island ferry?

The best near-waterfront hotel for ferries is Alexis Royal Sonesta. It is close to Colman Dock and works well for ferry day trips, Pioneer Square, and the southern waterfront. The Four Seasons is also a good luxury choice near the ferry terminal.

Is the Seattle Waterfront a good place to stay before an Alaska cruise?

Yes, especially if your ship leaves from Pier 66. The Waterfront is one of the best areas in Seattle before an Alaska cruise because you can walk by the water, visit Pike Place Market, eat seafood, and get to the terminal easily. For Pier 91, the Waterfront is still good, but you will need a taxi or rideshare to the terminal.