In this guide · 6 sections
If you're gay and visiting Seattle, Capitol Hill is where you want to be. You'll be able to walk to every gay bar in the city, on the very streets where the scene happens. Broadway and its surrounding blocks have plenty of hotels—boutique places, well-run guesthouses, and different price points.
If Capitol Hill's booked up or too expensive, Belltown and downtown Seattle are your next best bets. They're a quick cab or rideshare from Capitol Hill and put you close to everything else: Pike Place Market, the waterfront, and Westlake's transit hub. The light rail gets you from downtown to Capitol Hill in two stops.
Seattle doesn't have a dedicated gay hotel like some cities do. The places here are gay-friendly in the sense that they're welcoming, professional hotels in and around the gay neighborhood. They just aren't marketed as gay-only or gay-owned.
Where to Stay
Starbucks
Starbucks started in Seattle in 1971. It's an American coffee company and chain.
Triple Door Seattle
The Triple Door is downtown Seattle, across from Benaroya Hall on Union Street. It pairs live entertainment with Wild Ginger's food and wine, plus a good selection of cocktails, beer, and spirits. The Mainstage brings in national and international acts. The Musicquarium Lounge has local live music.
Neighborhood Notes
Capitol Hill is the spot if you want to walk to the scene. Broadway has the most options. The area around Cal Anderson Park is quieter, but still close to everything. Parking's tough on Capitol Hill—if you're renting a car, plan on a garage or just use the light rail.
Belltown skews a little younger and is closer to the waterfront. No light rail here, but rideshares are fast. Good restaurant and bar scene that's distinct from Capitol Hill's, though there's some overlap.
Downtown Seattle puts you closest to major transit and the convention center. It's practical if you're mixing business travel with a Pride visit, but you'll need a cab or Uber to get to Capitol Hill at night.
First Hill, right next to Capitol Hill, has some good value hotels and is a five-minute walk to the Pike/Pine bar strip. Its residential streets are quieter, but you don't lose any proximity.
Booking Notes
Seattle hotel prices jump during Pride week (late June) and all summer. For Pride, book four to six weeks ahead; popular places fill up even faster. The rest of the year, Capitol Hill hotels are usually available with normal notice.
Most Capitol Hill hotels are smaller boutiques, not big chains. Booking.com and Google reviews are generally reliable for current quality. If you plan to rent a bike—and cycling on Capitol Hill's fine on the flatter parts—check if your hotel has secure bike storage.
Practical Info
Seattle hotel rooms usually come with high-speed wifi. Parking is extra at most downtown and Capitol Hill properties—expect $25-40 a night for a garage spot. The light rail from SeaTac to Capitol Hill Station makes airport transfers easy; it's about $3.25 each way.
For more on Seattle: Gay Seattle Guide. For bars and nightlife: Gay Bars in Seattle.
