Pre Cruise Hotel Seattle - Hyatt Place Downtown
Planning a cruise out of Seattle? Hyatt Place Downtown Seattle is one of the most convenient pre‑cruise hotels thanks to its location near both cruise terminals, spacious rooms, and free breakfast. In this review, I’m sharing what it’s like to stay here before an Alaska cruise, including parking, transportation, room details, and whether it’s worth booking with points.
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Quick Snapshot: Hyatt Place Downtown Seattle
Distance to Pier 91: ~10 minutes
Distance to Pier 66: ~5 minutes
Parking: Paid garage
Breakfast: Free hot breakfast
Best for: Families, cruisers using points, early flights
Why we chose it: Free night certificate + location
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Why Stay at Hyatt Place Pre-Cruise Hotel Seattle?
Hyatt Place Seattle is one of the most convenient and reliable places to stay before a cruise, especially if you’re sailing to Alaska. The location is close to both cruise terminals, the rooms are spacious enough for families with luggage, and the free breakfast makes embarkation morning so much easier. If you’re flying in the night before (which I always recommend), this hotel checks all the boxes for comfort, value, and stress‑free travel.
One of the biggest perks is how easy everything feels. You’re minutes from Pier 66 and a quick rideshare from Pier 91, so you don’t have to worry about long transfers or complicated logistics. The rooms are clean and modern, the staff is used to cruise travelers, and the lobby layout makes it simple to regroup, grab snacks, or spread out with your bags.
Families especially love Hyatt Place because the rooms offer separate sleeping and lounging areas, giving everyone a little extra breathing room before boarding the ship. This was perfect for me and my son Tanner (17). Add in the included breakfast, reliable Wi‑Fi, and walkable access to restaurants and attractions, and it becomes one of the best pre‑cruise values in Seattle.
If you want a hotel that’s comfortable, convenient, and cruise‑friendly without the luxury price tag, Hyatt Place Seattle is an excellent choice for your pre‑cruise stay.
We flew into Seattle the night before our cruise. We arrived at the hotel right before midnight. There were quite a few of us checking in at this time. From the Seattle Airport, we took a taxi for the flat rate of $66. I shared the taxi with my parents and my 17-year-old son. At this time of night, it was about a 30-minute ride from the airport to downtown.
Why Stay Here Before a Cruise?
Close to both cruise terminals
Easy Uber/Lyft access
Free breakfast before embarkation
Spacious rooms for luggage
Great for families
Great use of Hyatt free night certificate
Room Types That Work Best Before a Cruise
Hyatt Place rooms are larger than standard hotel rooms, and the layout is ideal for repacking before embarkation. The best options for cruisers include:
King Room with Sofa Bed – Perfect for couples or small families who want extra lounging space.
Two Queen Beds with Sofa Bed – Great for families or groups who need room to spread out.
High‑Floor Rooms – Quieter and often have better city views, which makes the stay feel a little more special.
Every room includes a separate sleeping and living area, which gives you space to organize luggage, lay out outfits, and prep for embarkation morning without feeling cramped. This room felt huge. Our room was huge and clean. We were in France two weeks before this trip, where hotel rooms are typically small. So our room with a sitting area, kitchenette, and two huge double beds seemed even larger than normal. I have included a picture of the beds that we slept in. Did I mention we arrived at midnight? The room was immaculate before our exhausted selves threw our stuff everywhere and immediately crashed.
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Space for Luggage (A Big Deal for Cruisers)
Cruisers always travel with more bags — and Hyatt Place handles that well. Rooms include:
A long counter area perfect for staging luggage
A large open floor space near the sofa
A wide entryway that makes it easy to roll bags in and out
Plenty of room to repack without tripping over suitcases
If you’re traveling with multiple checked bags or packing cubes for the whole family, this layout is a lifesaver.
Cruise Essentials Every First‑Timer Needs
Make your first cruise smoother with these must‑have items I personally pack every time:
Magnetic hooks for extra storage
Waterproof phone pouch for beach days
Motion sickness patches
Portable fan for cabins
Breakfast Hours (Important for Early Embarkation)
One of the biggest perks of staying at Hyatt Place Seattle before a cruise is the free hot breakfast, which is especially helpful on embarkation day. This hotel was popular with cruisers. The free breakfast area was packed all morning. They had an assortment of cereals, breads, and warm items. I had a decent sausage biscuit. My son had several sausage biscuits and pancakes.
Typical breakfast hours are: 6:30 AM – 9:30 AM on weekdays 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM on weekends
Most cruisers head to the port between 10 AM and noon, so these hours give you plenty of time to eat, repack, and call a rideshare without rushing.
The breakfast spread usually includes:
Eggs
Breakfast meats
Fresh fruit
Pastries
Yogurt
Coffee and juice
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Distance to the Seattle Cruise Ports
One of the biggest advantages of staying at Hyatt Place Seattle before your cruise is how close it is to both Seattle cruise terminals. Whether you’re sailing to Alaska or heading out on a Pacific Coast itinerary, getting to the port is quick and easy.
📍 Distance to Pier 66 (Bell Street Cruise Terminal)
This is the downtown cruise terminal used by Norwegian and Oceania, and occasionally other lines.
Distance: ~1 mile
Drive time: 5–7 minutes
Rideshare cost: Usually $8–$12 depending on time of day
Walkable? Technically yes, but not recommended with luggage or hills
If your cruise leaves from Pier 66, Hyatt Place is one of the most convenient hotels in the city.
📍 Distance to Pier 91 (Smith Cove Cruise Terminal)
This is the main terminal for Princess, Holland America, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean. It is the one we sailed from on the Royal Princess.
Distance: ~4 miles
Drive time: 12–15 minutes
Rideshare cost: Typically $18–$25
Pier 91 is farther from downtown, but the ride is smooth and straightforward.
You could book a shuttle from the hotel to the cruise port. I heard people talking to the front desk about it. At the time our sailing the shuttle was $11 a person. Our family booked a Lyft to the port. It arrived in less than a minute. For 4 of us is more affordable and comfortable to book the Lyft.
Location
One of the things I liked most about this hotel was the great location. It was within walking distance of the Space Needle, Chuhilly Gardens, and lots of restaurants. Our family had visited Seattle several years ago. My son and I enjoyed walking around and seeing some of the places we visited on our last trip. Here we are with the Space Needle. We had a nice time exploring Seattle on foot before we headed to the cruise port around 10:30 that morning.
🏨 Alternatives to Hyatt Place Seattle for a Pre‑Cruise Stay
If Hyatt Place Seattle is sold out or you want something with different amenities, there are several great alternatives nearby that work beautifully for cruise travelers. These hotels are close to the cruise terminals, offer family‑friendly layouts, and often have perks like free breakfast, suites, or waterfront views. Each option below includes a natural spot for your affiliate links.
Hyatt House Seattle – Best for Families & Longer Stays
Hyatt House is a fantastic alternative if you want more space before your cruise. The rooms feel more like mini‑apartments, with kitchenettes, separate living areas, and plenty of room for luggage. Families love the extra space, and the free breakfast is a huge perk on embarkation morning. Check current rates for Hyatt House Seattle. My parents stayed here on a a previous cruise and enjoyed their stay.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle – Best Free Breakfast & Space
Embassy Suites is ideal for families or groups who want a little extra room. Every stay includes a made‑to‑order breakfast and an evening reception, which adds a lot of value before a cruise. The two‑room suites make it easy to spread out, repack, and get organized before embarkation. Check availability at Embassy Suites Seattle.
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Final Thoughts
I would stay at the Hyatt Place Seattle Downtown if I cruise out of Seattle again. The rooms are spacious and clean. A free breakfast and a quick ride to the cruise port make it a huge win for me!
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About the Author
Julie is a travel hacker and cruise enthusiast who created NO POINT LEFT BEHIND to help families stretch their points, miles, and travel budgets farther. She specializes in Alaska cruise guides, hotel reviews, and beginner‑friendly strategies that make travel easier, more affordable, and more memorable.
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