10 Best Hotels Near Seattle Cruise Port (Where to Stay Before Cruise)

How We Verified This Guide to Where to Stay in Seattle Pre-Cruise 👇
We checked every hotel against its current website for shuttle policies and other details. We cross-checked terminal assignments against the Port of Seattle’s 2026 cruise schedule.

We’ve also gone through recent guest reviews that helped us spot patterns that official hotel pages don’t always show. Also note that shuttle prices and availability can change by season or vary by guest report. Where the information differs, we explain that rather than giving you a false sense of precision.

This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our Affiliate Disclosure for details. But the commission doesn’t decide our choice. See how we research and maintain our editorial standards.

Where to Stay in Seattle Before a Cruise?

Most people asking where to stay in Seattle before a cruise are really weighing two separate decisions at once. One is logistical, walk, shuttle, or rideshare. 

The other is experiential, do you want a hotel picked purely for pier distance, or one that also gives you a good day in Seattle first.

If this is your first trip to Seattle and the cruise is really an excuse to see the city too, weigh that pre-cruise day more heavily than just the terminal distance. Downtown and Pike Place Market give you a better afternoon than a hotel that only wins on proximity. Explore the best things to do near Seattle cruise port before or after your cruise.

Compare Cruise-ready Hotels Near Pier 66 and Pier 91.

Your Priority	Best Fit
Walk to Pier 66 with zero transfers	Waterfront hotels near Bell Street Terminal
Sailing from Pier 91	Lower Queen Anne, downtown, or South Lake Union, + a rideshare
A confirmed, bookable shuttle	Hotels with a real cruise port shuttle
First Seattle visit before a long cruise	Downtown or Pike Place, for a stronger pre-cruise day
Marriott or Hilton points	Loyalty hotels near the cruise port
Family that needs a kitchen	Suite hotels near Pier 91
Same-day flight and sail	An airport hotel may fit better

Best Seattle Cruise Port Hotels

Now, let’s quickly walk you through the best Seattle hotels close the cruise ports. 👇

Hotel	Best For	Shuttle Status	Nearest Pier
The Edgewater Hotel	Closest possible stay	Downtown shuttle only, not port-specific	Pier 66, walk
Seattle Marriott Waterfront	Marriott members	No	Pier 66, walk
Inn at the Market	Pre-cruise sightseeing	No	Pier 66, walk with a hill
Belltown Inn	Budget travelers	No	Pier 66, walk
MarQueen Hotel	Historic character	No	Pier 91, rideshare
Mediterranean Inn	Families, kitchenette	Seasonal, confirm first	Pier 91, rideshare
Crowne Plaza Seattle-Downtown	IHG loyalty, built-in cruise package	No	Either, rideshare
Mayflower Park Hotel	Confirmed shuttle to both piers	Yes, scheduled, paid	Either
Hyatt at Olive 8	Confirmed shared shuttle	Yes, reserved, paid	Either
Homewood Suites Seattle Downtown	Kitchenette near Pier 91	Reported by guests, fee varies	Pier 91, rideshare
Astra Hotel Seattle	Marriott members	No	Either, rideshare
Hilton Garden Inn Seattle Downtown	Hilton members	No	Either, rideshare
1 Hotel Seattle	Eco-luxury with a shuttle	Electric shuttle, radius-based	Usually Pier 66

If your schedule allows an extra day before boarding, our guide to Seattle’s top attractions covers what actually fits into one pre-cruise afternoon.

Pier 66 or Pier 91 Decides Where You Sleep

Seattle has two cruise terminals, about 3 miles apart in different parts of the city. Check your ship’s terminal before booking a hotel. The Port of Seattle’s cruise schedule is the best place to confirm your assignment, since terminals can vary by sailing.

Pier 66, Bell Street Cruise Terminal, is on the downtown waterfront along Alaskan Way. Pike Place Market, the Seattle Aquarium, and many downtown hotels are within walking distance. Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises sail from Pier 66. 

Some Cunard Queen Elizabeth sailings also use this terminal.

Pier 91, Smith Cove Cruise Terminal, is about 3 miles north in Interbay. There are very few restaurants, shops, or hotels within walking distance. Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival, MSC Cruises, and Virgin Voyages sail from Pier 91. 

Some Cunard Queen Elizabeth sailings use Pier 91 too.

Check your cruise documents before booking your hotel. Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth can use either terminal, depending on the sailing. Booking near the wrong terminal can create an unnecessary problem before your cruise.

Feature	Pier 66 (Bell Street)	Pier 91 (Smith Cove)
Address	2225 Alaskan Way	2001 W Garfield Way
Neighborhood	Downtown waterfront	Interbay
Cruise lines	Norwegian, Oceania, most Cunard Queen Elizabeth calls	Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland America, Celebrity, Carnival, MSC, Virgin Voyages, some Cunard calls
Walkable hotels	Several	None
Typical drive from SEA airport	About 25 minutes	About 30 to 40 minutes

10 Best Hotels Near Pier 66 Within Walking Distance

If your ship sails from Bell Street Cruise Terminal, you have more walkable choices than any other Seattle cruise scenario. Each hotel below sits within about a mile of Pier 66, and each handles a luggage-heavy morning a little differently.

1/ The Edgewater Hotel

2411 Alaskan Way, Pier 67, Seattle, WA 98121

The Edgewater is the closest hotel to Pier 66, built directly over Elliott Bay. Every room includes a fireplace. Our Edgewater Hotel Seattle review covers what that waterfront position actually feels like for guests carrying luggage down to the lobby.

You can walk to Pier 66 in under 10 minutes from here. The hotel also runs a free downtown shuttle, useful if you’d rather not roll bags over uneven sidewalks. But it’s a general downtown route rather than a dedicated port run.

Pros:

• Shortest walk to Pier 66 in Seattle
• Fireplace and water views in most rooms
• Free downtown shuttle for non-walkers

Cons:

• Rooms book out months ahead in peak season
• Parking is billed separately from the room
• Interior rooms miss the water views

2/ Seattle Marriott Waterfront

2100 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121

Seattle Marriott Waterfront is directly across Alaskan Way from Pier 66. And most guests reach the terminal in about 10 minutes on foot. It’s one of the only Marriott-branded hotels within walking distance of the port. 

It matters if you’re protecting Bonvoy status or redeeming points on a pre-cruise night.

Many rooms overlook Elliott Bay, and some include private balconies. This is also a solid pick if your group wants a full-service hotel rather than a boutique one. It’s similar in scale to the larger properties in our guide to downtown Seattle hotels.

Pros:

• One of the only walkable Marriott options for Pier 66
• Balcony rooms with water views in select categories
• Indoor and outdoor connecting pool

Cons:

• Larger and busier than the boutique options nearby
• Valet parking adds real cost to the stay
• Convention groups can fill the lobby in peak weeks

3/ Inn at the Market

86 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101

The Inn at the Market is inside Pike Place Market itself, about a 15-minute walk to Bell Street Cruise Terminal. If your pre-cruise plan includes a market morning before you sail, this location does the work for you.

The rooftop deck has real views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. Keep Seattle’s hills in mind, though. With heavy luggage, a short rideshare on embarkation morning beats the walk.

Pros:

• Set inside Pike Place Market for pre-cruise sightseeing
• Rooftop deck with water and mountain views
• Boutique scale with attentive service

Cons:

• Valet parking only, no self-park option
• The walk to Pier 66 includes a real hill
• Limited rooms mean early booking matters

4/ Belltown Inn

2301 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98121

Belltown Inn is one of the better value picks among Belltown hotels. And it puts you close to Pier 66 without waterfront pricing. Many rooms include a kitchenette, useful if you’d rather not eat every pre-cruise meal out. 

This hotel is about a 10-minute walk to Pier 66, though the route includes a few steep blocks, harder going with a full suitcase than it looks on a map.

The rooftop terrace and free bike loans make for an easy way to spend a slow afternoon before boarding. Rooms run smaller than the chain hotels nearby, and on-site parking is limited, so weigh that against the savings.

See Pricing on Booking.com

Best Hotels Near Pier 91 at Smith Cove

No hotel in Seattle is within walking distance of Smith Cove Cruise Terminal. The terminal sits in an industrial stretch of Interbay with no restaurants or foot traffic nearby, so every guest arrives by car, taxi, or rideshare, usually under 15 minutes outside rush hour.

5/ MarQueen Hotel

600 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

MarQueen Hotel gives you real historic character without waterfront prices, about a 10-minute drive to Pier 91 depending on traffic. The building dates to 1918 and still has hardwood floors and a small, prohibition-era lounge downstairs.

There’s no elevator, which matters if you’re hauling heavy luggage up a narrow staircase. It’s also walking distance to the Space Needle, covered in our guide to hotels near the Space Needle, if you want a pre-cruise afternoon there before the drive to Smith Cove.

6/ Mediterranean Inn

425 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Mediterranean Inn is just one block from the Space Needle in Lower Queen Anne, about the same distance from Pier 91 as MarQueen. Every room has a kitchenette, useful for a light breakfast before an early embarkation.

The hotel has run a scheduled cruise-season shuttle to both piers in past years for a per-person fee. Confirm current availability directly with the hotel, since seasonal arrangements like this change year to year.

Pros:

• Kitchenette in every room for pre-cruise meals
• Rooftop patio with skyline and mountain views
• Has run a scheduled cruise shuttle in past seasons

Cons:

• Parking is a paid garage, not included
• Shuttle availability isn’t guaranteed, confirm before booking
• Still a rideshare away from Pier 91 without a shuttle

7/ Crowne Plaza Seattle-Downtown by IHG

1113 6th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

Crowne Plaza Seattle-Downtown is one of the few IHG hotels near Seattle cruise port with a built-in pre and post-cruise package. It’s in downtown Seattle, a short walk from Pike Place Market and a quick rideshare from either terminal.

If you’re an IHG One Rewards member, you can earn or use points here. You’ll also skip the resort fee some nearby hotels still charge.

Pros:

• One of the only IHG hotels with a built-in cruise package
• No resort fee, unlike several comparable downtown hotels
• Reasonably central for either pier

Cons:

• Not walkable to Pier 66 or Pier 91
• Valet parking runs high for the neighborhood
• Convention-week crowds can affect the lobby and elevators

Seattle Hotels With a Real Cruise Port Shuttle

Seattle doesn’t run a citywide hotel shuttle network the way some cruise ports do. Most hotels that mention a shuttle actually mean a paid, reservation-based service. 

And it’s arranged with a specific pickup window rather than something waiting whenever you’re ready. It’s worth knowing exactly what each hotel offers before you count on it.

8/ Mayflower Park Hotel

405 Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98101

Mayflower Park has one of the clearest cruise shuttle options in this guide. It’s a good example of what to look for elsewhere.

• Terminals served: both Pier 66 and Pier 91
• Shuttle type: scheduled, seasonal, one-way to the pier only
• Reservation: through the front desk or bellman, book early in peak season
• Fee: a fixed per-guest charge confirmed at check-in, changes by season
• Limitation: no return shuttle from the terminal, plan your own ride back

The hotel is about a mile from Pier 66 and roughly 3 miles from Pier 91. Westlake Center is nearby, with easy access to the monorail. It’s a solid choice if you’re unsure which terminal you’ll use. Few Seattle hotels offer service to both piers.

9/ Hyatt at Olive 8 and Hyatt Regency Seattle

1635 8th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

Hyatt at Olive 8 and Hyatt Regency Seattle share a reservation-based shuttle to both Pier 66 and Pier 91. Both hotels confirm the service on their transportation pages.

The shuttle picks up first at Olive 8, then continues to Hyatt Regency. It runs five scheduled morning departures during cruise season.

You can reserve a seat through the concierge, either in person or by email. The shuttle charges per person, while children under 2 ride free.

Hyatt at Olive 8 is a 5-minute walk from Westlake Station. That makes it convenient if you’re arriving from Sea-Tac without a car.

Pros:

• Confirmed shared shuttle covering both piers
• 5-minute walk to Westlake Station and Link Light Rail
• Indoor pool and fitness center, useful after a flight

Cons:

• Shuttle runs on fixed morning windows, not on demand
• Reservation required through the concierge in advance
• Valet parking only, no self-park garage

10/ Homewood Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown

206 Western Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119

Homewood Suites is in Lower Queen Anne, a short walk from Seattle Center and the Space Needle. You can enjoy a hotel-arranged shuttle to Pier 91 over several years. However, fees may vary between stays. Some guests say they were charged per bag.

That inconsistency makes it important to confirm the current terms before booking. Compare the hotel’s quoted fee with a rideshare. Some guests have found rideshare cheaper on the morning of departure.

Every suite includes a full kitchen. That’s useful here because dining options become more limited outside Seattle’s tourist core.

Pros:

• Full kitchen in every suite, useful for early departures
• Free hot breakfast included
• Walking distance to Seattle Center and Space Needle

Cons:

• Shuttle fee has varied significantly by guest report
• Not walking distance to either pier
• Confirm current shuttle terms before relying on them

One more option worth a mention. 1 Hotel Seattle runs a complimentary electric shuttle covering a 2-mile radius from the property. Pier 66 usually falls inside that radius, while Pier 91 sits farther north and usually falls outside it. More on 1 Hotel Seattle below.

Marriott & Hilton Hotels Near the Cruise Port

If you’re chasing status or points on a pre-cruise night, a handful of properties near the port carry major loyalty brands.

Astra Hotel Seattle, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott (300 Terry Ave N) is in South Lake Union, about 15 minutes by rideshare from either terminal. It runs a dedicated pre and post-cruise package for Marriott Bonvoy members.

Hilton Garden Inn Seattle Downtown (1821 Boren Ave) gives Hilton Honors members an easy downtown base near the Washington State Convention Center, within reach of either pier by rideshare.

Not a Marriott or Hilton but, check this out 👇

1 Hotel Seattle (2125 Terry Ave) is an eco-focused luxury property with the electric shuttle mentioned above. It’s a strong pick if you want a genuinely upscale pre-cruise night with sustainability built into the stay, rather than added as an afterthought.

Early Arrival, Luggage, and Life After the Cruise in Seattle

Flights often land hours before a 3 p.m. hotel check-in, while your ship may board by late morning the next day. That gap is where a hotel’s luggage policy matters more than its lobby.

Most hotels in this guide will hold your bags before check-in and after checkout. That is standard at nearly every property here. Fewer offer a true day rate for a long layover. If you land and fly out the same day, call ahead and ask rather than assuming.

The same logic works in reverse on the way home. If your cruise ends in the morning and your flight leaves that evening, look for hotels that handle this transition well. 

One Homewood Suites guest reported that the hotel arranged an early return shuttle after disembarkation. Crowne Plaza Seattle-Downtown also offers pre- and post-cruise packages with its rates. 

Ask about your specific timing when you book, rather than waiting until the morning you need it. If you’re staying an extra night on either end, explore the top things to do in Seattle to plan your day.

Choose a Walkable Hotel or a Rideshare Base Near Seattle Cruise Port

Choose a Pier 66 walkable hotel if:

• You want zero transportation stress on embarkation morning
• You’re fine rolling luggage a few blocks, hills included
• Your pre-cruise day centers on Pike Place Market

Choose a hotel with a booked shuttle if:

• Your ship sails from Pier 91
• You’d rather reserve transportation than gamble on rideshare surge pricing
• You’re traveling in a group and want one coordinated ride

Choose a downtown rideshare base if:

• You want a Marriott, Hilton, or IHG property for points
• A short rideshare on cruise morning doesn’t bother you
• You’d rather have more hotel choices than fewer

Skip a historic walk-up hotel if:

• You need a working elevator for mobility reasons
• You’d rather park once and rideshare, so a hotel near the airport may fit better. See our guide to Seattle airport hotels with free shuttles.

Tips Before You Book a Seattle Hotel Near Cruise Port

Cruise season in Seattle runs from about April through October, with the heaviest crowds between June and August. Hotel rates rise during this period, especially on weekends.

Rates can also spike around Seafair, Seattle’s biggest summer festival. If your dates are flexible, timing your Seattle trip around quieter periods can help you save.

Once your cruise is booked, reserve your hotel early and confirm your terminal using your cruise documents. Don’t rely on a hotel’s marketing page. 

Cruise lines rotate between Pier 66 and Pier 91 by season, and assignments can change after booking. Check again about a month before departure.

If you’re driving to the port, Bell Street Cruise Terminal has a covered garage across the street. A skybridge connects the garage to the terminal. 

Smith Cove Cruise Terminal has open parking with a shuttle to the terminal entrance. If you prefer to park near the airport, SeaTac hotels with free parking offer another option.

If your flight lands the same day your ship departs, build in plenty of buffer time. I-5 traffic can delay trips to either terminal. Pier 91 also has no direct transit connection from Sea-Tac.

Which Seattle Hotel Should You Actually Book Pre-Cruise

Best overall for Pier 66: The Edgewater Hotel, for the shortest possible walk and a waterfront room you won’t find anywhere else in the city.

Best for Pier 91: Mediterranean Inn, for the kitchenette and the closest walkable neighborhood to Smith Cove.

Best if you’re not sure which pier yet: Mayflower Park Hotel, one of the only properties with a confirmed, scheduled shuttle to both terminals.

Best for Marriott points: Marriott Waterfront, the only walkable Marriott near Pier 66.

Best for Pike Place sightseeing before you sail: Inn at the Market, worth the hill for a market morning.

Best value: Belltown Inn, for a kitchenette and a walkable Pier 66 location without waterfront pricing.

FAQs About Seattle Hotels Near Cruise Port

Now is the FAQs time 🙂