Best Seattle Hotels for Getting Ready On Your Wedding Day
Welcome, darlings, to my guide to the best hotels in downtown Seattle for getting ready on your wedding day!
Getting ready for your wedding is something a lot of us dream about, isn’t it?
The moment that you step into the dress or suit you’ve been eagerly awaiting putting on for months, that you see your most loved people walk into the room to greet you, that you see yourself in the mirror for the first time as a bride or groom. . . these are cherished moments that will turn into forever memories.
This is why it’s incredibly important to find the right hotel to get ready in; I’ve photographed many a wedding day, and this time in the morning is always sweetest when the couple feels relaxed, cozy, and comfortable in their room.
To help you make sure you have the most fabulous wedding morning possible, I’ve compiled this list of my top 10 favorite hotels in downtown Seattle to get ready on your wedding day. Each hotel offers its own unique atmosphere, charm, and overall vibe, and my hope is that you leave this guide feeling like you’ve found just the right space for the morning of your special day—you really can’t go wrong no matter which way you go.
Choosing A Getting Ready Hotel for Your Wedding: What to Look For
First thing’s first—let’s chat briefly about what to look for in a getting ready hotel, as well as the biggest factors that will impact the morning of your wedding day. Contrary to what you may think, you’re not simply looking for any hotel that has availability and fits within your budget; you’re looking for somewhere that will foster the type of environment you’re craving to start your special day. Whether that looks like a luxury 5-star hotel on the water or maybe a smaller boutique hotel with unique downtown charm, your hotel will be where you kick off your wedding festivities & will set the tone for the day.
Here are 3 of the most important things to look for when picking a hotel to get ready the morning of your wedding day, coming from a photographer who has documented couples & their wedding parties in all sorts of hotels, rooms, cabins, you name it—and knows what typically serves them best.
Lighting
Lighting is, without a doubt, one of the most crucial factors when picking where you’ll be getting ready for your wedding. The lighting in the room around you will massively affect your getting ready photos in multiple ways, most importantly in the tones of your skin, the coloring of your dress/outfit/accessories, and the overall atmosphere. Hotel room lighting tends to be either fairly dim due to lack of natural light, or overly (and unnaturally) bright due to the use of too many fluorescent light bulbs—fluorescent lighting is typically the cheapest, which is why you’ll commonly find it used in many major hotel chains. The glare and temperature of fluorescent lighting is often unflattering to skin, which is why I recommend finding a hotel room with as MUCH natural lighting as possible, a.k.a. light coming in from windows!
Natural light is a million more times flattering on people; ideally, if you can shut off all the overhead lighting in the room and get ready solely in the light coming through windows, your photos will turn out significantly better! You won’t have weird colors coming from the super magenta or way-too-cool temperature of the lighting above you that impacts your skin tones and the colors of your outfit, and the images will feel a whole lot more natural & authentic to the atmosphere of the room.
As your photographer, I’ll be more than happy to do a little bit of lighting direction when I arrive at your hotel room and make my recommendations as far as what looks best—so don’t worry about figuring it all out on your own!
Room size
Next, you’ll want to make sure to book a room with plenty of space for you & any guests will be joining you. This one may seem obvious, but too often I’ll show up to a room full of excited friends and family who are squished into a room that doesn’t quite have enough space! There will be SO much going on the morning of your wedding, with people coming in and out of your room (vendors, guests, wedding party members, etc.), so I’d recommend getting an even larger room than you may think you’ll need. You’ll want enough space to organize your flowers when they show up, space for your wedding party’s attire, space for your hair and makeup artists to keep their supplies, space to freely move about if you need a breather or want to grab a drink, you get the picture. You’d be surprised at just how much stuff ends up filling your room as you get ready and the day progresses!
Services + amenities
Finally, make sure to find a hotel that offers services and amenities you love! If you’ll be staying there the night of your wedding (and maybe an extra night or two before/after), you want to be as relaxed & pampered as possible. Hotel spas are always a good idea; maybe you can book a couples massage for the day before your wedding, and then spend the evening together cozying up at a booth in the sultry hotel bar. If your guests will be staying at the hotel with you, see if there are any fun excursions or activities you can all do together, or maybe you can have bottles of champagne delivered to their rooms as a little welcome gift. Whatever you envision for your wedding day, your hotel will be your home base, so it’s important that it’s somewhere you will love and be excited to come back to.
Best Hotels in Downtown Seattle for Getting Ready on Your Wedding Day
1. Fairmont Olympic Hotel
Key Info
—Address: 411 University St, Seattle, WA 98101
—ADA-accessible rooms available? Yes
—Pet-friendly? Yes
—On-site amenities: Spa, bars, restaurants, pool & health club,
The Fairmont Olympic has been a premier Seattle hotel since all the way back in 1924 (this year is their 100th anniversary!), offering unparalleled views of the city, stunning architecture, and an unforgettable guest experience. It’s actually been added to the National Register of Historic Places for its rich history as a top luxury hotel in Seattle, with an ideal location just off the Seattle waterfront and a 10 minute walk from the iconic Pike Place Market. With a collection of 450 luxurious suites, all furnished with modern amenities, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect room for your wedding morning—premium suites like the Cascade Suite Presidential or the Olympic Suite Presidential have an abundance of space, natural light, city views, and charming decor!
2. Lotte Hotel
Key Info
—Address: 809 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
—ADA-accessible rooms available? Yes
—Pet-friendly? Yes
—On-site amenities: Spa & fitness center, 16th-floor restaurant & lounge
Located right on 5th Avenue, Lotte Hotel Seattle offers an elevated, award-winning luxury experience to each and every guest from the moment they arrive. Lotte Hotels & Resorts is actually a premier South Korean hotel chain that sets an incredibly high standard of hospitality in all areas, from lavish suites, to striking decor, to contemporary amenities—so you know you’ll only be getting the very best of the best. I adore the way this hotel blends the nostalgia and charm of the past with the beauty and ease of the present, creating a bit of a “past-meets-present” spirit, as they call it on their website. It almost feels like you’re escaping the hustle & bustle of the big city and into your own little world when you step inside this hotel.
Make the most out of your time at Lotte Hotel by booking a relaxing aromatherapy massage the day before your wedding, or decompressing in the steam room the day after. They even have a dedicated couple’s treatment suite complete with a spacious, walk-in shower—sounds like a dream way to either prepare yourselves for the big day or to celebrate afterward, yes?
3. The State Hotel
Key Info
—Address: 1501 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
—ADA-accessible rooms available? Yes
—Pet-friendly? Yes
—On-site amenities: Rooftop terrace, fitness center, restaurant & bar
Just steps away from Pike Place Market sits the State Hotel, which has become an iconic landmark of downtown Seattle since being built in 1904. You’ll feel the vibrant spirit of the easily-accessible Seattle waterfront, combined with the cozy, contemporary feel of the hotel with its chic rooms, rooftop suites, fitness center, and an elevated on-site restaurant & cocktail bar. The large selection of 91 stylish rooms will make it easy to find the perfect space for your wedding morning, each of which offers spacious bathrooms, walk-in showers, water or city views, and an abundance of natural light for ultra-flattering getting ready photos. The State is an ideal place to stay if you’re having any guests come in from out of town, as they’ll have incredibly easy access to all of Seattle’s hotspots, including Pike Place Market, Post Alley, the waterfront, the Great Wheel, and more!
4. Arctic Club Hotel
Key Info
—Address: 700 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
—ADA-accessible rooms available? Yes
—Pet-friendly? Yes
—On-site amenities: Restaurant & bar
If you’re looking for a bit more of a vintage vibe than the contemporary feel many of these hotels have to offer, Arctic Club Hotel is a fabulous choice! You’ll feel as though you’ve been transported back into an era of elegance, rich history, and vintage charm with the nostalgic feel of this hotel, yet you’ll also have access to all of the modern luxuries that a big city like Seattle has to offer! Built in 1916, this historic hotel has been restored in a way that elevated but maintained its original beauty, featuring striking architecture, and a domed room with a dreamy stained glass ceiling. Its convenient location within walking distance of all the Seattle icons including Pike Place, Smith Tower, and Pioneer Square make it a seamless addition to your Seattle wedding itinerary, especially if you’d like to spend time exploring the city streets for newlywed portraits, or with your guests.
5. Four Seasons Hotel
Key Info
—Address: 99 Union St, Seattle, WA 98101
—ADA-accessible rooms available? Yes
—Pet-friendly? Yes
—On-site amenities: Spa & wellness center, restaurants, infinity pool & bar
The Four Seasons is one of my personal favorite hotels in downtown Seattle for everything wedding-related, brimming with refined luxury, effortless elegance, and a hint of glam. The waterfront hotel overlooks stunning views of Elliott Bay, surrounded by gorgeous views of Washington’s mountain peaks and nestled right in the heart of downtown Seattle. It’s a true urban escape where you can enjoy all the perks of the city (such as being close to many Seattle gems), while also having the option to soak in a lavish outdoor pool overlooking the water, or stay cozy in your idyllic penthouse suite. I’m so head-over-heels in love with this hotel that I set up a little styled shoot there this past spring to bring some of my creative visions to life—see images from the shoot below & check out the full gallery here!
6. Alexis Royal Sonesta Hotel
Key Info
—Address: 1007 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
—ADA-accessible rooms available? Yes
—Pet-friendly? Yes
—On-site amenities: Bar & cafe, fitness center, salon
The Alexis Royal Sonesta Hotel is a famed Seattle hotel for many reasons, including its mix of historic charm & urban spirit, state-of-the-art fitness center, spectacular city views, and quaint Bookstore Bar & Cafe. Nestled just up from the iconic Seattle waterfront, The Alexis provides a thoughtful place for couples and their guests to stay and explore the vibrant city streets, as well as cozy up in the comfort & convenience of their suites. The Bookstore Bar & Cafe makes for the perfect place to enjoy a romantic bite to eat and a delicious drink before you head out into the city, or maybe after you come back for the night in search of a romantic evening together. You can even have your hair styled at the beautiful, on-site Chroma Salon!
7. Palihotel
Key Info
—Address: 107 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101
—ADA-accessible rooms available? Yes
—Pet-friendly? Yes
—On-site amenities: Restaurant, candy bar, local partnerships
It’s all about location when it comes to picking a hotel in downtown Seattle, and Palihotel is probably the absolute closest you can get to Pike Place Market, located just a block up the hill with the iconic neon sign in view. It’s a 5-minute walk from the waterfront, 4 minutes from the Seattle Art Museum, and about 2 minutes from Pike Place—so you truly have access to all the most iconic destinations in Seattle. The hotel itself is just gorgeous, too, offering a very quaint and romantic boutique atmosphere complete with contemporary rooms, an exquisite on-site restaurant, and communal spaces to connect with your loved ones. One of my favorite things about Palihotel is the stylization of each and every room, decorated with vibrant art pieces, bold furnishings, and colorful, contemporary design—it’s such a unique and eclectic place to get ready, plus it’s absolutely perfect for portraits!
8. Thompson by Hyatt
Key Info
—Address: 110 Stewart St, Seattle, WA 98101
—ADA-accessible rooms available? Yes
—Pet-friendly? Yes
—On-site amenities: Restaurant & bar, rooftop cocktail lounge, fitness center
If you’re looking for an abundance of natural light, sleek contemporary design, and luxury amenities like no other, look no further than the Thompson by Hyatt, located just a quick walk from Pike Place Market. With the Seattle waterfront in sight, floor-to-ceiling windows in every room, and elevated in-suite amenities (such as hardwood floors and rainfall showers), the Thompson is every bit as luxurious as a couple could want for their wedding hotel. Enjoy a one-of-a-kind dining experience at the Thompson’s signature restaurant, where dishes are curated using the highest-quality seasonal ingredients and Pacific Northwest-inspired flavors—what a dream way to start off your wedding weekend! The penthouse suites are absolutely stunning and would be a fabulous option for your special day, full of natural light, city views, and extra VIP experiences.
9. Kimpton Palladian Hotel
Key Info
—Address: 2000 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
—ADA-accessible rooms available? Yes
—Pet-friendly? Yes
—On-site amenities: Fitness center, in-room yoga mats
Located in the vibrant Belltown area of downtown Seattle, the Kimpton Palladian Hotel provides a rich blend of historic & modern vibes, a 1910 landmark that has since been restored into what it is today. The “Shaker + Spear” restaurant is iconic, offering a menu of fresh seafood, bold flavors, and local ingredients, but that’s not the only dining option—you can also have a romantic evening at the Pennyroyal Bar, or enjoy a private dining experience in the Cellar or the Parlor! Throughout the hotel you’ll find all kinds of one-of-a-kind, artistic touches, such as in the black-and-gold wallpaper of the hotel hallways, or the built-in bookshelf in the headboard of certain suite beds. It’s such a fun and fascinating place to explore!
10. Hotel Sorrento
Key Info
—Address: 900 Madison St, Seattle, WA 98104
—ADA-accessible rooms available? Yes
—Pet-friendly? Yes
—On-site amenities: Fitness center, restaurants, bars
Last but certainly not least is Hotel Sorrento, a boutique, Italian oasis-style hotel located in the historic First Hill neighborhood. Every room in this hotel is decorated in a unique way, featuring eye-catching artwork and details from the original 1909 building such as vintage furnishings & carved wood moldings. The hotel prides itself on being a home base for travelers and anybody who’s craving all of life’s most memorable experiences, offering a multitude of upscale dining opportunities, curated calendars of local Seattle events, and endless historic charm that you’ll absolutely adore.
So, what do you say? Have you found the perfect place to set the stage for your special day? I hope that one of these downtown Seattle hotels ends up being the place where you’ll make so many unforgettable memories as you get ready for your wedding—and I’d love to be there with you to document those moments, surrounded by so much love, excitement, and support from your friends and family. I also host an annual Galentine’s Day boudoir event, and past events have been at some of these Seattle hotels—one of my favorite days of every year. Fill out my contact form to get in touch about your big day, or to inquire about a boudoir session, and let’s create some magic together 🙂
For more Seattle wedding inspiration and resources, browse the Blog, or take a peek at a few of my personal favorites below:
