Skip to main content

Staycation Seattle: Great Seattle and Eastside Hotels for Kids and Families

Gems that are ground zero for exploring amazing neighborhoods

Keryn-Means
 | 

Published on: December 23, 2014


Seattle Center, Howard Frisk

If you're traveling to Seattle with your family or just enjoying a little staycation in the city, here's our our list of top family-friendly hotels around Seattle and the Eastside. Each of the hotels we recommend will put you in the middle of the action, whether you want to be steps from Pike Place or have views of the Space Needle from your room, and many include wonderful amenities such as spacious rooms, sophisticated décor and kid-friendly perks.


Hotel Maxwell

The Maxwell Hotel, Seattle Center

300 Roy St., Seattle • from $150 • 206-286-0629

Whether you are going to a concert at Key Arena or you want to explore the EMP Museum and Pacific Science center, you can’t go wrong with a stay at the Maxwell Hotel in Lower Queen Anne. It offers complimentary shuttle service to many of the city’s best attractions, including the Woodland Park Zoo, making it easy for families to get around without worry about parking. Bikes are available to use during your stay and your canine friends are welcome. The indoor pool will be a treat for the kids after a long day of adventuring, but make sure you don’t spend all your time there. Cupcake and coffee happy hour happens every afternoon and you don’t want to miss out!

Pool? Yes, indoor

Nearby adventures: Seattle Center can fill up several days of fun with your kids. Enjoy a show at Seattle Children's Theatre or marvel at the butterflies at the Pacific Science Center. Take your kids to the Seattle Center's awesome Armory food court for a bite before you head up to the top of the Space Needle and gaze at the beautiful, but very fragile, works of art at the Chihuly Garden & Glass.


Courtesy Hotel Monaco

Hotel Monaco, downtown Seattle

1101 Fourth Ave., Seattle • $309 and up • 206-621-1770

Design lovers rejoice as they walk through the lobby and relax in their rooms filled with endless colors and patterns. The pet-friendly Hotel Monaco in downtown Seattle offers spacious one-bedroom suites perfect for families looking to be centrally located and spread out a little during their visit. Even the standard rooms are large enough to fit a crib and a child on the floor or couch if necessary.

There are bikes available to borrow and you can request a pet goldfish for your room for company at least during your visit. Parents will love the wine happy hour in the lobby, and kids get to pick a toy from the treasure chest when they arrive. Keep an eye out for other special complimentary events that pop up seasonally.

Pool? No

Nearby adventures: One block up from the hotel you will find the architectural masterpiece that locals like to call the Seattle Public LibraryPike Place Market is also just a 5-minute walk away, as well as all of the Great WheelSeattle Aquarium and other attractions on the waterfront (note that the sea wall project has temporarily closed a number of businesses).

Pan Pacific Seattle, South Lake Union

2125 Terry Ave., Seattle • from $215 and up •  206 264 8111

South Lake Union has been transformed over the past five years. Is it any wonder that the Pan Pacific decided to set up in this thriving neighborhood just north of downtown? The hotel is situated above Whole Foods, and within easy walking distance of Lake Union and all of the downtown attractions. You can also hop on the South Lake Union Trolley if you would rather not walk. A crisp, modern design will help families relax into their vacation, with bathtubs in each room and spacious suites available for larger families or parents looking for a little quiet after the kids go to bed.

Pool? No.

Nearby adventures: Hop on the Seattle Streetcar or take a stroll downtown to visit the Seattle Art Museum and the market, or stay close to the hotel with a walk over to MOHAI, the Center for Wooden Boats and wonderful Lake Union Park. South Lake Union has plenty of shopping and fabulous restaurants to satisfy the entire family. 

Hotel Ballard, Ballard


Courtesy Hotel Ballard

5216 Ballard Ave. N.W., Seattle • $209 and up • 206-789-5012

As far as Seattle neighborhoods go, you can’t get much more family friendly than Ballard, a compact, ultra-trendy neighborhood with deep Scandinavian roots. Hotel Ballard is just steps away from Ballard Avenue, which offers many stops for exceptional meals. The hotel lobby is luxuriously appointed, but don’t let that put you off. A one-bedroom suite will give everyone plenty of room to spread out. Just be warned that you may never get mom out of the soaker tub that is large enough for two.

Pool? Access to the Olympic Athletic Club pool

Nearby adventures: If you are staying at the hotel on Sunday you can’t miss the weekly farmers market. Other favorite Ballard activities, besides eating, include watching boats move through the Ballard Locks. Hop in your car for quick drive to Golden Gardens to let the kids run around, splash in the water, or see an engineering marvel at work.


Ballard Farmers Market, flickr Creative Commons, Ken Yu,

Westin Bellevue, Bellevue

600 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue • $185 and up • 425-638-1000 

Bellevue has become a true destination and — contrary to what many think — not just for shoppers. The downtown boasts a small-but-wonderful museum the Bellevue Arts Museum, lovely Downtown Park with a pond, expanses of green and a playground, and oodles of fun eateries. Bellevue can also a cheaper alternative to Seattle if you are looking for luxury that is still close to all of the action. The Westin’s corner rooms are large enough for families to add a rollaway bed and a crib, without having to upgrade to a suite, while standard rooms can still fit a family of four comfortably. The Westin’s signature Heavenly Bed will make sure everyone gets a good-night sleep, and the heated indoor pool is the perfect spot to let the kids burn off some energy while mom hops across the street to do a bit more shopping.

Pool? Yes, Indoor

Nearby adventures: Shopping is a big focus in Bellevue, but there is also quite a bit of natural beauty. Take the kids to the Bellevue Botanical Gardens for the morning, or go see the animals at Kelsey Creek Farm. The Bellevue Arts Museum has a wonderful children’s program with special events centered around their latest exhibits. Check their calendar for details before you go.


Downtown Park, Bellevue. Credit: C. J. Winkler, flickr cc

Economical family-friendly hotels in Seattle and around the Eastside

Hyatt Place Seattle Downtown
Neighborhood: South Lake Union
Indoor pool
Starts at $159
Complimentary hot breakfast

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Seattle Bothell
Neighborhood: Bothell
Indoor pool
Starts at $99
Complimentary buffet breakfast

Courtyard by Marriott Seattle downtown Lake Union
Neighborhood: Seattle Center
Indoor pool
Starts at $169

Sheraton Seattle
Neighborhood: Downtown Seattle
Indoor pool
Starts at $185

STAY CONNECTED!
Get the best of ParentMap delivered right to your inbox.

Share this resource with your friends!