Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel by APA (Hilton Seattle)
by the TopOfHotel team
Coast Seattle Downtown, the former Hilton Seattle, has a nearly perfect downtown location — walk to Pike Place, ride the Monorail to the Space Needle, and slip through an underground tunnel straight into the Washington State Convention Center without meeting Seattle rain; it wins on location and convenience more than polish, since the building and some rooms are showing their age.
Coast Seattle Downtown, the former Hilton Seattle, has a nearly perfect downtown location — walk to Pike Place, ride the Monorail to the Space Needle, and slip through an underground tunnel straight into the Washington State Convention Center without meeting Seattle rain; it wins on location and convenience more than polish, since the building and some rooms are showing their age.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The thing that sets Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel by APA apart from a lot of hotels in the same area is the underground walkway that links straight into the Washington State Convention Center, the city's main event venue. That matters in a city that sees plenty of rain and cold wind — it means anyone here for a conference or event, or just wanting to cross over to the center, can walk through underground without stepping out into the weather. As for the rooms, this is a downtown high-rise with warm, classic decor that is easy on the eyes, and many upper-floor rooms open onto a city or bay view to enjoy in the morning. For families, the room that fits best is the twin (2 beds), where parents and kids sleep in separate beds without crowding — comfortable beds, a bathroom that works well, and enough space for luggage and the kids' things. Coming back to a room in the heart of the city and being able to get around underground is a comfort that makes a city trip a lot easier.
Food and amenities
Inside the building there is a restaurant and bar to come down for an easy coffee or dinner, plus a fitness center for anyone who wants to work out mid-trip. The location does a lot of the rest of the work — you are surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and nearby malls like Pacific Place and Westlake Center, so a meal or some shopping is a short walk away. Staff earn steady praise in reviews for being friendly and helpful, recommending places to eat and visit, handling luggage, and keeping check-in and check-out smooth — the kind of thing that makes a central-city stay run easily, especially for families with kids.
Location and getting there
Location is this hotel's strongest card for families who like to walk. It sits in central downtown on 6th Avenue at number 1301, within reach of several main landmarks on foot. Pike Place Market, the legendary market with the fish-throwing stalls, bright flower stands, and the first Starbucks, is about an 8 to 10 minute walk downhill; carry on a little farther and you reach the Seattle Waterfront on Elliott Bay, with the Seattle Great Wheel, the piers, and seafood spots for a breezy stroll. For the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass, ride the Monorail from the nearby Westlake stop straight into Seattle Center in a few minutes — fun, and no parking to hunt for. Transit is easy too: the hotel is within walking distance of the Westlake Link Light Rail station, where the train runs direct to Sea-Tac airport with no transfer, surrounded by several downtown bus routes. If you like trips where you ditch the car and explore mostly on foot and by transit, this location lands just right.
Things to know before booking
Straight talk to help you decide. The first thing reviews bring up is the age of the building and rooms — this hotel ran for years under its former Hilton Seattle name, so some of the decor and furniture looks more classic than a new-build, and certain room types are not especially roomy or modern. Families wanting sharp design and more space should check the room types and ask for a renovated room when booking. Second is parking and noise: city parking runs fairly high by downtown Seattle standards, so budget for it if you drive, and because the hotel is on a main street in the heart of downtown, some rooms can pick up street or neighborhood noise — light sleepers should request a high floor or a quieter side. Third is extra costs: breakfast, hotel drinks, certain fees, and some Wi-Fi packages may be charged on top of the room rate, so check the details at booking to plan your total budget accurately.
Our take
After reading through plenty of real reviews, Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel by APA — the former Hilton Seattle — pulls together a walk-everywhere downtown location, the convenience of an underground tunnel into the convention center, and helpful service, all at a friendly price. If you are a family or traveler who wants to base in the heart of downtown, walk to Pike Place and the Seattle Waterfront from the door, ride the Monorail to the Space Needle, and slip underground into the Washington State Convention Center without getting rained on, this is a convenient and good-value pick — and the twin rooms make family trips easier. But if you are mainly after a sharp, modern, roomy room, be ready for the building's age and the size of some room types, and remember to ask for a renovated room when booking. Overall we give it 8.2/10, best for families and travelers who want a friendly-priced base in the heart of the city, easy walking to Seattle's main landmarks, and convenient access to the convention center.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A near-perfect central downtown location for travelers who walk — about an 8 to 10 minute stroll downhill to Pike Place Market, the Westlake Monorail straight to Seattle Center and the Space Needle within walking distance, and the Seattle Waterfront on the bay reachable on foot. You can show the family the main landmarks without renting a car.
- An underground walkway connects directly into the Washington State Convention Center, the city's main event venue. That is handy both for anyone attending a conference or event and for families who would rather not cross over in Seattle rain or cold wind — an edge other hotels in the area rarely have.
- Twin rooms with 2 beds mean parents and kids sleep in separate beds without crowding, which suits families staying several nights. As a downtown high-rise, many upper-floor rooms look out over the city or bay for a pleasant morning view.
- Staff earn praise in reviews for being friendly and helpful — recommending places to eat and visit nearby, handling luggage, and keeping check-in and check-out smooth. That makes a central-city stay easier, especially for families traveling with kids.
- Solid amenities for a city stay — an in-house restaurant and bar, a fitness center, and a location surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and malls like Pacific Place and Westlake Center, so a meal or some shopping is an easy short walk away.
- The building and some rooms are showing their age (this hotel ran for years under its former Hilton Seattle name), so parts of the decor and furniture look more classic than a new-build. Families wanting sharp modern design and roomy, open spaces should check the room types and ask for a renovated room when booking.
- Parking in the city runs fairly high by downtown Seattle standards, so budget for it if you drive or rent a car. And because it sits on a main street in the heart of downtown, some rooms can pick up noise from the street or the surrounding area — light sleepers should ask for a high floor or a quieter side.
- Some extras — breakfast and drinks at the hotel, plus a resort/destination fee and certain Wi-Fi packages — may cost on top of the room rate. Check the details when you book so you can plan the trip's total budget accurately.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
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Insider Tips
- If you are attending an event at the Washington State Convention Center or just want to avoid the rain, ask staff about the underground walkway that links straight into the center — you can cross over without stepping outside, a perk many guests do not know about.
- When booking, specify a twin room (2 beds) if you are a family, and ask for a renovated upper-floor room, since room types vary in size and condition; being specific gets you the room and the view you want.
- Walking from the hotel pays off — spend one day heading downhill to Pike Place Market and on to the Seattle Waterfront, and another riding the Monorail from Westlake straight to the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden, saving on transport and parking.