Warwick Seattle

Rooms and decor

The feature that wins families over at Warwick Seattle is the heated indoor pool that stays warm all year, paired with a whirlpool. That matters in Seattle, where the weather swings and the rain shows up often, because it means the kids can get in the water and burn off energy after a full day of sightseeing whether it is sunny or pouring, while parents soak the soreness out in the whirlpool. It is the kind of facility you rarely find in a central-city hotel. The rooms lean classic and warm, in soft, easy colors. The part many guests love most is that several room types come with a private balcony you can open to step out and look over the city, rare in a downtown hotel where most windows are sealed shut. For families, the best fit is a two-queen-bed room, where parents and kids each get their own bed without crowding. Beds are soft, bathrooms are clean and work well, and there is enough space for luggage and the kids' things.

Food and amenities

Beyond the pool and whirlpool, Warwick Seattle covers the basics for a family stay. There is an on-site fitness center and a restaurant and bar in the building, plus easy common areas where the family can gather before heading out. The bigger advantage is the neighborhood itself: the hotel sits in Belltown, ringed by a wide range of restaurants, coffee shops and bakeries, so stepping out for breakfast or dinner is always a short walk. The lobby is decorated in soft, comfortable tones with seating corners to relax in, and the overall feel is easygoing, like staying at a friend's place rather than something stiff and formal.

Location and getting there

Location is the trump card here for families who like to walk. The hotel sits at the seam between Belltown and Seattle Center, within walking distance of nearly all the main landmarks. The Space Needle, the city's signature tower, is about a 10-minute walk, and right next to it is Chihuly Garden and Glass, the vivid blown-glass garden by artist Dale Chihuly that kids and adults take to alike. You can do that pair in a single day. Pike Place Market, with its fish-throwing vendors, flower stalls and the first Starbucks, is about 12 to 15 minutes on foot, and a little farther downhill brings you to the Seattle Waterfront on Elliott Bay, where the Seattle Great Wheel, the piers and the seafood spots make for an easy stroll. Getting around is simple too: it is near the Seattle Center Monorail stop into Westlake, and from there you can transfer to the Link Light Rail straight to Sea-Tac Airport. For a trip built around ditching the car and exploring on foot, this works well.

Things to know before booking

Straight talk to help you decide. The first thing reviews mention often is the age of the building and rooms. Warwick Seattle has been open a good while, so some of the decor and furniture looks more classic than a newer hotel, and certain room types are smaller than expected. Families who want a roomy, very modern space should check the room categories and ask for a renovated room when booking. The second is parking and noise: city parking runs high by downtown Seattle standards, so budget for it if you drive or rent, and because it is central, some rooms may catch street or neighborhood sound. Light sleepers should request a higher floor or a quieter side. The third is the neighborhood after dark: Belltown is lively by day with plenty of shops, but some corners go fairly quiet late at night, as in any big city, so families walking back late should stick to the main, well-lit streets where there are people around.

Our take

After reading through a lot of real guest reviews, Warwick Seattle is a hotel that pulls off "a central location that walks to everything, an indoor pool kids can use year-round, and warm, friendly service" at a fair price. If you are a family who wants a base to walk the kids to the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden, Pike Place and the Seattle Waterfront without renting a car, with a warm indoor pool and whirlpool for the kids every evening rain or shine, this is a good-value, convenient pick. The private balconies and two-queen-bed rooms make a family trip easier still. If you are mainly after sleek modern rooms and lots of space, allow for the building's age and the size of some room types, and remember to ask for a renovated room when you book. Overall we give it 8.3/10, best for families and couples who want an affordable downtown stay with a pool for the kids and easy walking to Seattle's main landmarks.