Skip to content

4 New Seattle Hotels We Love

Seattle’s hotel scene is blowing up; here’s what we love about a few of the city’s new and revamped properties

By Emma Franke March 18, 2019

XXX | Image by KIPMAN Creative
XXX | Image by KIPMAN Creative

This article originally appeared in the March 2019 issue of Seattle magazine.

This article appears in print in the March 2019 issue. Click here to subscribe.

Graduate Seattle
WHAT WE LOVE: Formerly the Hotel Deca, the remodeled Graduate features special touches celebrating University of Washington graduates and students—both real (such as Bruce Lee, and Beverly Cleary) and fictional (such as Singles’ UW student Cliff Poncier, played by Matt Dillon)—who are depicted in guest room portraits and on student-ID-like room keys.
University District, 4507 Brooklyn Ave. NE; 206.634.2000; 154 rooms, from $99.

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS: Fun features at new hotel properties in town include The Graduate’s hotel keycards depicting “famous” people such as Cliff Poncier. Courtesy of Graduate

State Hotel
WHAT WE LOVE: The new five-story mural titled “Fire Sale” on the hotel’s western side, a commissioned piece by artist Shepard Fairey (famous for the “Hope” poster used in the 2008 Obama presidential campaign). The bright colors and natural elements represent the fight and struggle for the environment. Scheduled to open this month.
Downtown, 1501 Second Ave.; 206.239.1800; 91 rooms, from $189.

Palihotel Seattle
WHAT WE LOVE: Rooms with bunk beds. The self-billed “unapologetically eclectic” hotel feels as comfortable as if you were staying at your cousin’s house—complete with the familiar fight over who gets the top bunk.
Downtown, 107 Pine St.; 206.596.0600; 96 rooms, from $132.

Hyatt Regency Seattle
WHAT WE LOVE: The lobby’s hefty conversation starter embedded in the wall: renowned earth artist Michael Heizer’s 5.7-ton “Black Diorite Negative Wall Sculpture,” aka “the rock.”
Downtown, 808 Howell St.; 206.973.1234; 1,260 rooms, from $159. 

Follow Us

82 Million Tons of E-Waste by 2030. Now What?

82 Million Tons of E-Waste by 2030. Now What?

Smart ways to handle old electronics after a holiday upgrade.

Every holiday season, our houses fill with upgraded gadgets and the promise that we’ll deal with the old stuff later. Meanwhile, the drawer of mystery cords multiplies, and some items just get tossed out. Most of us mean well, but those castoff electronics often end up somewhere they really shouldn’t. And with about 59% of…

Going to the Mountains This Winter? Read This.

Going to the Mountains This Winter? Read This.

A new online tool breaks down avalanche basics for anyone planning snowy fun off the beaten path.

I’m a rule follower when it comes to the outdoors. This summer, my family did some backcountry hiking in Whistler and made sure to do everything by the book—texting friends our plan and location, and wearing a bear bell even though it felt a little dorky. It’s reassuring to know you’ve covered the basics before…

Historic Flooding Prompts WA Governor to Declare Emergency

Historic Flooding Prompts WA Governor to Declare Emergency

Rivers are surging around the state amid days of heavy rainfall.

As floodwaters swelled around Washington, threatening low-lying communities along rivers, Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a statewide emergency declaration on Wednesday. Ferguson says he’ll also seek an expedited emergency declaration from the federal government in response to the flooding, which is the result of an atmospheric river that has dumped multiple inches of rain in parts…

Barnes & Noble Is Coming Back to Downtown Seattle

Barnes & Noble Is Coming Back to Downtown Seattle

The bookseller will open a new flagship at 520 Pike, marking the largest retail lease in downtown Seattle since 2020.

Barnes & Noble is returning to downtown Seattle for the first time since early 2020. The national bookseller has signed a 10-year lease for a new flagship at 520 Pike Street, a 29-story tower, taking over 17,538 square feet on the corner of Pike and 6th Avenue. The store is expected to open in the…