I have a reservation in July at the Marriott Courtyard Pioneer Square in Seattle before a cruise and then at another Pioneer Square hotel (Embassy Suites) for a wedding post-cruise.
Three people were murdered at 1:00 AM a few days ago. It seems to be random crime. But there have been other murders in the area this year.
Does anyone know this hotel/area? I haven’t been in Seattle in almost 20 years. I’m not likely to be out after 9pm.
I’d love to get insights, or possibly other recommendations.
I would not stay in that area. My last time in Seattle was in 2015 and even then I found that area very sketchy and only went there for a short time during the day.
I stayed at a hotel downtown, but honestly would not recommend that area either (homeless and drug dealers just around the corner and that was before Macy’s closed).
In my opinion, the Embassy Suites Hotel is in a better location than the Marriott Courtyard. The Embassy Suites is a newer hotel located next to the train station and the football stadium. There are a couple of nice places to dine a block away.
Sounds like you are looking for some moderately priced options. Check Homewood Suites at the bottom of Queen Anne. It is walking distance to the Seattle Center and the waterfront. I used to work in that area a while ago and never felt unsafe, and from what I gather, it is still OK.
Pioneer Square would not be my preferred choice.
This sounds like a good choice - Queen Anne and the Seattle Center are safe locations.
Marriott Courtyard on Lake Union is a good spot. I would avoid Pioneer Square and much of Seattle in general these days. You will have great views as you depart the filthy city. Alaska is nice though.
It could be fine. I’ve lived here all my life and spent the majority of my childhood to adulthood around there as my family had a business close by. Unless I’m going to one of the stadiums or have something in the immediate PS vicinity, I’m not spending time there. Too bad, because it does have a lot to offer.
That said, a couple of things.
Cruise ships dock either at the north end of downtown Seattle Pier 66 or near Magnolia at Pier 91, neither of which are that close to Pioneer Square.
Most of what you’d want to see will be north of it.
I’d probably look for something uptown, lower Queen Anne, or South Lake Union.
Is the post cruise wedding in Pioneer Square, or elsewhere? As others have noted, that Embassy Suites shouldn’t be a problem.
Hotels often recommended on the travel forums include the Mediterranean Inn and Hotel Max. They don’t generally recommend Pioneer Square. I’m a fan of the Sound Hotel (a Hilton property) on 4th in Belltown, having stayed there twice. Also have stayed at the Hyatt Place Seattle/Downtown and the Courtyard Lake Union. The Hyatt House is across the Street from Seattle Center. We’ve passed on the Homewood Suites because of the several block uphill walk to Seattle Center but that neighborhood is fine.
I love visiting son in Seattle; he lives in lower Queen Anne. It’s a beautiful city with great restaurants.
Thanks for so many ideas. We are a bit Marriott-focused and will look at the Courtyard Lake Union.
On one of first visits after son moved to Seattle, we got a room at the Courtyard facing Lake Union. It was so much fun watching the sea planes, kayakers, et al. It is not extremely walkable to much besides Lake Union, although I did walk from the Argosy dock to Seattle Center last time I was there. So I guess maybe walkable at that.
That’s a good choice! 
We used to layover at the Renaissance (it’s a Marriott hotel) and always felt safe there, though I’m not sure if it’s changed. We walked by Pioneer Square a month ago, and it still seemed a little shady, but better than it used to be. In fact, Seattle is cleaner and you see less homeless than we used to, but it’s still a work in progress in some areas.
This isn’t near your new hotel but it happened outside of the posh Four Seasons downtown near the iconic market. Be vigilant on your trip.
I was in Seattle Thanksgiving 2015 and we ate a lovely meal at that Four Seasons (they did a great holiday buffet). Even then, we thought the area was a little questionable at night and took a cab back to our hotel (we had walked there earlier in the day).
Thanks for the update on Seattle.It’s a bit disturbing!