Looking for a place to stay in Seattle before or after your cruise? Get ready for sticker shock. As one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Seattle is a booming tourist mecca — especially during the summer cruise season.
And with downtown real estate at a premium, that means most of the hotels near the cruise port at Pier 66 charge sky-high prices for even the shortest stays. Guests can easily spend $300-500 a night at some of the highest-end hotels the city has to offer.
We realize that not everyone can afford (or is even looking for) rooms that expensive. Still, spending a little time in Seattle before or after you cruise is a great way to get more out of your cruise vacation. It’s also a good way to take out some of the stress of getting to the port on time if you are traveling from out of town.
To help readers out, we hunted down the most affordable hotels near the city’s Pier 66 cruise port. Since most of the hotels in the immediate vicinity are upscale, we had to expand to hotels within five miles of the port. We also limited the search to hotels rated “Okay” or better by Kayak.com. All of these options offered a room for less than $150 a night for a Saturday night stay during the cruise season. Note that prices will vary.
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The College Inn ($95 | Okay)
As you’d guess by the name, The College Inn is located near the University of Washington, in the bustling University District. Originally built in 1909, don’t expect the Ritz Carlton. There are just about two dozen rooms, and they have shared bathrooms on each floor. Still, if you want to stay somewhere for a low rate and see a less touristy part of Seattle, it’s a good option. Read reviews here.
Travelodge Seattle University ($102 | Okay)
This Travelodge offers a location just about two blocks from the university. It’s a few miles from the port, but close to shopping (including Anthropologie and an Apple store). Rates run about $100 for a Saturday night stay, one of the cheapest you’ll find in the city. Read reviews here.
Panama Hotel ($109 | Good)
South of Yesler Way, the Panama Hotel is within walking distance of CenturyLink Field. Originally built in 1910, the hotel oozes history. Don’t expect a lot of modern amenities (rooms are small and share bathrooms), but it does have charm and a great location. Read reviews here.
University Motel Suites ($118 | Excellent)
Don’t expect the Ritz Carlton, but University Motel Suites do offer a comfortable place to stay for a shade over $100 per night. And for that price, you get an entire suite, not just a room. As the name implies, it’s located in the University District, which is about 15 minutes from downtown via taxi. Read reviews here.
Ace Hotel ($119 | Excellent)
If you’re like us, then you may not quite understand why you should pay a ton of money for a place to sleep. That’s where places like Ace Hotel come in. The minimalist hotel’s location is just about five blocks from the port. It’s unique in that it offer standard rooms with a shared bath (one of the reasons it can be affordable in such a prime location). If you don’t want to share a bathroom, deluxe rooms with private facilities are also available. Read reviews here.
Kings Inn ($120 | Good)
Kings Inn is within walking distance of some of the fanciest hotels in Seattle, but at less than half the price. The hotel is a throwback to the old 1960’s motor hotel. The rooms are simply appointed an unpretentious. If you’re someone who loves the look and feel of an ultra-modern hotel, then this isn’t the place for you. If, however, you want an inexpensive place to rest your head in a great location in one of the world’s best cities, then you’ll love it. Read reviews here.
Ballard Inn ($126 | Excellent)
The Ballard Inn is a one-of-a-kind place to stay about 20 minutes northwest of Seattle’s city center in the cool Ballard neighborhood. It’s also the definition of boutique. With only 16 rooms in a building constructed in 1902, and each of them having its own style, you aren’t getting a cookie-cutter place to stay. If you’re interested in checking out a hip Seattle district while you are in town, then make Ballard your home base. Read reviews here.
Georgetown Inn ($129 | Excellent)
Another affordable option, the Georgetown Inn is 10 minutes due south of downtown in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood. Accommodations are simple, yet comfortable. The nearby areas are industrial, so don’t expect a ton of charm close by. Ratings for this hotel, however, are excellent and at under $150 a night, it’s a great choice if you plan to visit the port area. Read reviews here.
Bacon Mansion Bed & Breakfast ($129 | Excellent)
The highest-rated of all the affordable hotels we’ve found, this Capitol Hill hotel sits only a couple of miles from downtown and the cruise terminal. It’s not always under the $150 mark, but we have found this rate in the late spring months. Unlike other places on our list, don’t expect a hotel. As a bed and breakfast, the grounds feel more like someone’s private home with no two rooms being the same and it’s location in the middle of a neighborhood. Read reviews here.
First Hill Apartments Extended Stay Seattle ($135 | Good)
This hotel offers a pretty good location, just on the edge of downtown. It’s a short taxi or Uber ride to many downtown attractions, without the $200-plus nightly rates you’ll find at the higher-end hotels in the heart of the city. Even better, the hotel says it offers free local shuttle service, providing even more savings. Read reviews here.
Inn at Virginia Mason ($139 | Good)
This hotel is one of the hidden gems of staying in Seattle. Remodeled in the late ’80s as a European-style hotel, it’s now a modern, comfortable place to stay with great views of downtown Seattle from its upper courtyard. It’s also only a few minutes from the cruise terminal and downtown attractions. Read reviews here.
The Baroness Hotel ($139 | Good)
If you can’t book a room at the Inn at Virginia Mason, The Baroness Hotel is just across the street. This hotel has an art deco feel that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back into the 1920s. Still, it’s clean and comfortable and offers a great location to explore the city and all it has to offer. Read reviews here.
The Grove | West Seattle Inn ($139 | Excellent)
Located in West Seattle, this hotel is a throwback. It began as a motor inn that was built back in the 1960s for the World’s Fair. Today it’s been thoroughly updated and offers comfortable accommodations in one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods. The hotel is small and local — just the way Seattleites like it. That small and local vibe is also one of the reasons it comes well reviewed on travel sites. Read reviews here.
Have you stayed at any of the hotels on our list? Let us know the details in the comments below.
More on Cruising From Seattle
Getting to the Port of Seattle — Transportation options from airports and the Seattle area to the cruise port. Everything you need to know to get to the port and start your vacation.
Seattle Cruise Parking — Parking at the port? We’ve got you covered with all your parking options, including costs and discounts.
Dropping Off at the Port — Dropping off passengers? Not sure where to go once you get to the port? We have turn-by-turn directions to find your cruise terminal.
Seattle Cruise Hotels — Getting in late? Leaving early? Simply need a place to rest your head? We’ve rounded up the options for places to stay near the port.
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