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Whether your bolthole preference be arty, minimal, homey, historic or "luxe", Seattle can accommodate all tastes and pockets with a wide range of affordable hotels, hostels and B&Bs
Hotel Deca
The Deca opened as the Edmond Meany Hotel in 1931 as part of a national exhibition of art deco architecture. A $2m renovation in 2007 restored it to its original grandeur and then some, with a plush, contemporary feel thanks to striking furniture (oversized, lime-green leather chairs) and paintings depicting the Jazz Age. Onsite restaurant the District Lounge offers a menu of Pacific and Mediterranean dishes, including sesame-encrusted prawns and homemade tapenades, in a low-lit elegant room with red banquettes, while Tully's Coffee in the hotel lobby prides itself on being part of the Pacific Northwest tradition of great coffee.
• 4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, +1 206 634 2000, hoteldeca.com. Doubles from $109
City Hostel Seattle
This cool, art-centric hostel, located in a great spot between the Space Needle and Pike Place Market, was voted best hostel in the US at the 2012 Hoscar awards. Each room was decorated by a different local artist, so pop art and graffiti-style murals clash with modern takes on classic Indian painting and a horror-themed room, complete with ripped curtains and depictions of the living dead – even the radiators are painted funky colours. The art theme continues with the activities and events organised by the hostel – there are regular exhibits, poetry readings, live music events, and indie films are shown in the 20-seat onsite movie theatre. Guests can also use the theatre and its DVD collection for free, as well as the library, computer room, three kitchens and a hot tub. Room types range from six bed dorms with shared hall baths, four-bed dorms with private baths en suite, family rooms with four beds, and private rooms with shared or en suite bathrooms.
• 2327 2nd Ave, +1 206 706 3255, hostelseattle.com. Dorms from $28, private doubles $73, including breakfast
Moore Hotel
A landmark in downtown Seattle, two blocks from Pike Place Market, the Moore Hotel was built in 1907 and still features the original marble, tiles and decorative moulding. Home to the famous Moore Theatre, the oldest operating theatre in Seattle, which has hosted everything from Vaudeville, classical concerts and musicals to legendary local artists Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam, it also has a cocktail bar and diner, the NiteLite lounge. The hotel's 120 simply decorated rooms each have a queen bed, some with en suite baths and others which access bathrooms down the hall. The Moore promotes itself as a green hotel – including one major energy-conserving feature: a complete lack of air conditioning. This is rarely a problem in Seattle but, if you are booking for July or August, it is something to be aware of.
• 1926 2nd Ave, +1 206 448 4851, moorehotel.com. Doubles from $80
MarQueen Hotel
This historic hotel in the desirable Queen Anne neighbourhood sits on a hill overlooking downtown Seattle. Originally built as an engineering school and working garage in 1918, the landmark building is characteristic of the neighbourhood's architecture, with bevelled glass doors and a grand staircase leading from the foyer. Guest rooms feature hardwood flooring, period-inspired furnishings and kitchenettes. The Tin Lizzie Lounge (thetinlizzielounge.com) is a stylish wood-panelled cocktail bar and lounge serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and hosts regular live-music events.
• 600 Queen Anne Ave N, +1 206 282 7407, marqueen.com. Doubles from $119
Hotel Hotel
Located in the fun Fremont neighbourhood, this is a hip, very Seattle place with industrial-styling (think bare brick walls, white Victorian-style tiling and a slate-grey colour scheme) in both the private en suites and hostel dorms. A fully equipped kitchen and TV room are available as shared space for all guests, and Hotel Hotel is adding a rooftop deck this summer.
• 3515 Fremont Avenue N, +1 206 257 4543, hotelhotel.co. Dorm rooms from $26, doubles from $73, including breakfast
Sunset Hill Bed and Breakfast
This 100-year-old renovated farmhouse offers a taste of the rural good life, just minutes from downtown Seattle and a few blocks from the centre of the historic, trendy Ballard neighbourhood. Each room has a private bath and amenities such as handmade soap and hand-ironed sheets. The breakfast is a source of pride for the friendly owners, Doug and Lori, who source many of the ingredients from the garden, including their own eggs, as well as the local farmers' market.
• 3054 NW 58th Street, +1 206 963 3786, sunsethillbedandbreakfast.com. Doubles from $129, including breakfast
Ace Hotel Seattle
Ace Hotels are known for their cool, minimalist vibe. Seattle's is located in a stylishly restored red-brick former downtown flophouse. The uncluttered designer interiors, with low, platform beds, bright-white walls and stainless steel fittings, attract budget-conscious music and media types. Deluxe rooms have en suite baths, while standard rooms use bathrooms down the hall. The Ace's location in the Belltown neighbourhood is perfect if you want to be in the middle of Seattle's nightlife, filled with live music venues, bars, restaurants and art galleries. And the Ace has its own Panther Room bar downstairs.
• 2423 First Avenue, +1 206 448 4721, acehotel.com/seattle. Doubles from $109
Hotel Maxwell
The architecture and interior design of Maxwell capture the colour and fun of its vibrant neighbourhood, with orange bed throws brightening up the rooms, complimentary Starbucks coffee and mini cupcakes on offer in the lobby and an onsite espresso bar. Indoor facilities include a small pool, while rooms have thoughtful and fun touches, such as microwaves with popcorn and mini fridges so you can store your own drinks. Outdoors there are courtyards with climbing vines and planters, and the attached Rock restaurant specialises in wood-fired pizza, washed down with microbrewery beers. Do as the locals do and explore the city on two-wheels – guests can use the hotel bicycles for free. And, for those arriving by car, there's free parking – a rarity in US cities.
• 300 Roy Street, +1 206 286 0629, themaxwellhotel.com. Doubles from $149
Bed & Breakfast Inn Seattle
The rooms at this charming 1902 home, on the edge of downtown Seattle, boast panoramic views of Mount Rainier, the Cascade Mountain Range and Lake Washington. As with so many US B&Bs, the decor is "luxe" circa 1985 – think plush beige carpets, glossy pale wood kitchen, shiny floral duvet covers and black-and-white striped wallpaper (thankfully, bathrooms only), but it's spacious and good value – guests have access to the kitchen to prepare their own meals; off-street parking and complimentary Wi-Fi are also provided.
• 1808 E Denny Way, +1 206 412 7378, seattlebednbreakfast.com. Doubles from $85 – the Savvy Traveller discount rate, which excludes breakfast. Normal rates, from $125, include continental breakfast
Greenlake Guesthouse
This private family home offers access to a kitchen and lounge, plus all the facilities you'd expect in a home: TV, DVD player, broadband, a selection of movies, books and children's toys. A garden with private deck provides a nice gathering space on warm days. There are three guest rooms – one en suite, the other two with a shared bathroom – which can be booked individually in low season; in high season, the house is rented in its entirety. Parking is available on-site.
• 7630 East Green Lake Drive North, +1 206 729 8700, greenlakeguesthouse.com. Rates from $144-$254
All room rates subject to additional local hotel taxes unless stated
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