StayAreas

South Lake Union

Seattle

Seattle's tech hub at the south end of Lake Union, with Amazon's headquarters and Spheres, new hotels, restaurants and the lakeside park.

Best for Business · Families · Budget

Transport
3/5
Sights
3/5
Value
4/5
Quiet
4/5
Food
4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$210/night · 10 min to Westlake

See hotels in South Lake Union

South Lake Union on the map

Why stay here

  • Modern hotels with good weekend rates
  • Lake Union Park and MOHAI
  • Walk to the Space Needle

Who should stay here

  • Business travellers
  • Families
  • Budget-conscious travellers

Not ideal if…

  • You want nightlife
  • You want historic streets
  • You want to be by Pike Place

What it's like

South Lake Union has been rebuilt as the home of Amazon, with glass towers, the plant-filled Spheres and new restaurants and breweries. Lake Union Park has the Museum of History & Industry, seaplanes and boat rentals, and the streetcar links it to Westlake. The Space Needle and Seattle Center are a 10–15 minute walk west.

It's a clean, modern and good-value base, especially at weekends when business travellers leave. It's quiet in the evenings and lacks the historic character of other areas.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Westlake Avenue North

    Streetcar route with restaurants and shops.

  • Terry Avenue North

    Restaurants and Amazon's campus.

  • Lake Union Park

    Lakeside park, museums and boats.

Getting around

Nearest stations
South Lake Union Streetcar to Westlake, and buses along Westlake Avenue.
To Westlake
About 10 minutes
From Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
About 50 minutes: Link light rail to Westlake, then the South Lake Union Streetcar.

Nearby attractions

  • The Spheres

    Amazon's plant-filled glass domes; the Understory exhibit is open to visitors.

  • Museum of History & Industry

    Seattle's history in a lakeside building.

  • Lake Union

    Kayaks, electric boats and seaplane flights.

Where to eat and drink

  • Westlake Avenue

    Restaurants and breweries.

  • Lake Union waterfront

    Seafood restaurants by the docks.

Where to stay in South Lake Union

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Boutique pick

Astra Hotel, Seattle

Why we like it: New hotel with a rooftop bar and lounge.

Typical mid-range rate in South Lake Union: ~$210/night

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Best value

Hyatt Regency Seattle

Why we like it: Big modern hotel between downtown and the lake.

Typical mid-range rate in South Lake Union: ~$210/night

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Best value

Residence Inn by Marriott Seattle Downtown/Lake Union

Why we like it: Suites with kitchens and an indoor pool, by the lake.

Typical mid-range rate in South Lake Union: ~$210/night

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Hotels in South Lake UnionMid-range from ~$210/night

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