SeaTac Hotel Night before Cruise

[SuzieQ521]

Hello,

 

Looking for a clean,  safe and reasonably priced place for one night stay prior to our Princess Alaska cruise in mid May. We will be arriving late the night before.

 

Ideally one that has a free shuttle from the airport and shuttle service to Pier 91 the next day (for a fee of course). It will be for 9 of us, including one child.

 

thanks!

Edited February 20, 2023 by SuzieQ521

[Ferry_Watcher]

Best bet is to stay by the airport due to your late night arrival, and to save on expensive Seattle proper hotel room costs.

You will still have to arrange transportation to Pier 91.  You might see if Seattle Express can accommodate your group, or maybe a couple of Uber XL's to transport your party.

[SuzieQ521]

5 minutes ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

Best bet is to stay by the airport due to your late night arrival, and to save on expensive Seattle proper hotel room costs.

You will still have to arrange transportation to Pier 91.  You might see if Seattle Express can accommodate your group, or maybe a couple of Uber XL's to transport your party.

Thanks!. Yes, planned on an airport hotel…any recommendations?

[BostonGal35]

we're marriott people, the one at SeaTac is decent enough.  Uber to the cruise port.

 

we've stayed at the marriott on alaskan way but its very expensive, adn quite honestly that part of the city has gotten very sketchy (pike place market was never one of hte better areas).  

[Bruin Steve]

We're cruising out of Seattle on Quantum of the Seas in August and flying in the day before.  We don't have any reason to sightsee in Seattle, just want to relax...and a reasonable price.  My feeling is most major chain airport hotels are fairly similar...and we just need a shuttle from the airplane, a pleasant room and breakfast.  We ended up booking this one:

 

https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wingate/seatac-washington/wingate-seatac-airport/overview?CID=LC:WG::GGL:RIO:National:50618&iata=00093796

 

...it has free airport shuttle, free breakfast and an exercise room...It's fairly new (built in 2019) and gets pretty good reviews...

[Northern Aurora]

My favorite SEATAC hotel is the Cedarbrook Lodge.  It is actually a conference center and is so different from a standard airport hotel.  Absolutely no airport noise.  Beautiful restaurant.  Beautiful gardens.  Very private.

[jeromep]

20 hours ago, SuzieQ521 said:

Ideally one that has a free shuttle from the airport and shuttle service to Pier 91 the next day (for a fee of course). It will be for 9 of us, including one child.

There is no such thing as free in the Seattle area these days, and hotel shuttles generally only take you to and from the airport and the hotel.  Some of the airport hotels offer a shuttle to the nearby Southcenter shopping mall.  You may be able to get shuttled from the airport to the hotel, for free, by the hotel shuttle, but as @Ferry_Watcher said, you'll need to arrange your ground transportation from your lodging to the port on your own.  I agree with their suggestion of looking into a shuttle from Seattle Express ahead of your travels or booking two UberXLs to take your group from the hotel to the pier.  Also be aware that not all hotels run their shuttles from/to the airport 24 hours.  You'll want to check with the airport hotels to see if they will run their shuttle out to you at the time you arrive.

 

I also agree with @Northern Aurora the Ceaderbrook Lodge is an excellent property very near SeaTac, but nicely secluded with beautiful rooms and grounds.  You'll be arriving late and won't see much, but when you get up in the morning, you'll probably be in awe of how beautiful a place you landed in, especially if you stay at the Ceaderbrook.

 

There are a whole bunch of chain/franchise properties just outside the airport along Hwy 99/International Blvd.  The Hilton at the airport is nice, I've stayed there.  I've also stayed at the Double Tree.  It is a massive property with a high rise tower and a number of low rise courtyard buildings attached.  A number of airlines use the Double Tree as a crew lodging property.  The Hilton Garden Inn is right next door, also will do the job of an overnight stay.

 

Best late night food in the area is 13 Coins.  It is located just outside of the airport and it used to operate 24 hours.  That may have changed.  But the food is good and the menu is varied.  The atmosphere is very quiet and relaxing, which you'll welcome after a day of flying.

 

Have you looked up your cruise in the Roll Calls area of the site.  I highly recommend that.  It's a nice way to find other people on your cruise and maybe bounce your questions off from them and get a more personalized response.

[KeepCalmBearOn]

On 2/19/2023 at 8:27 PM, SuzieQ521 said:

Looking for a clean, safe and reasonably priced place for one night stay prior to our Princess Alaska cruise in mid May. We will be arriving late the night before.

 

It helps to know your idea of "reasonably priced". I find under $250 reasonable, others think that is outrageous and want under $100.

 

I like the Hilton for quick overnights because it is an easy walk from the terminal.

 

I've also been staying at a lot suite hotels lately, Residence Inn, Home2Suites, Homewood Suites, Element, etc. SeaTac has all these and most have shuttles, but do double check.

 

[Mary Ellen1]

We've stayed at the airport Hampton Inn, and used Seattle Express for cruise pier, and post-cruise airport transportation. Highly recommend both. Would do it that way again. 

[DaveOKC]

16 hours ago, Mary Ellen1 said:

We've stayed at the airport Hampton Inn, and used Seattle Express for cruise pier, and post-cruise airport transportation. Highly recommend both. Would do it that way again. 

We did this exact thing last Fall and it was very good for the money.  Loved Seattle Express, both to and from the pier (to airport) - very well run operation.  

[[Big Z]]

 

On 2/19/2023 at 8:27 PM, SuzieQ521 said:

Hello,

 

Looking for a clean,  safe and reasonably priced place for one night stay prior to our Princess Alaska cruise in mid May. We will be arriving late the night before.

 

Ideally one that has a free shuttle from the airport and shuttle service to Pier 91 the next day (for a fee of course). It will be for 9 of us, including one child.

 

thanks!

I've stayed at Country Inn and Suites at SeaTac. Couldn't hear any planes going in and out of SeaTac. They have a free shuttle from the airport to hotel and they have a pretty decent breakfast (make your own waffles and other continental breakfast type fare). Took Seattle Express shuttle to-and-from the pier and was a very easy process. 

 

Will be my go-to next time I'm leaving out of Seattle. 

Edited February 27, 2023 by [Big Z]

[SuzieQ521]

11 hours ago, [Big Z] said:

 

I've stayed at Country Inn and Suites at SeaTac. Couldn't hear any planes going in and out of SeaTac. They have a free shuttle from the airport to hotel and they have a pretty decent breakfast (make your own waffles and other continental breakfast type fare). Took Seattle Express shuttle to-and-from the pier and was a very easy process. 

 

Will be my go-to next time I'm leaving out of Seattle. 

 

Thank you! Great to hear as that is where we ended up booking last week.

 

Do you recall if there are any dinner restaurants (fast food even) that are walkable (assuming it's safe to do so)?

 

Thanks

[KeepCalmBearOn]

2 hours ago, SuzieQ521 said:

Do you recall if there are any dinner restaurants (fast food even) that are walkable (assuming it's safe to do so)?

 

There are three great ones less than a mile, Sharp's RoastHouse, Copperleaf and Taco Bell...  err, make that TWO great ones.

[[Big Z]]

3 hours ago, SuzieQ521 said:

 

Thank you! Great to hear as that is where we ended up booking last week.

 

Do you recall if there are any dinner restaurants (fast food even) that are walkable (assuming it's safe to do so)?

 

Thanks

I don't quite remember because I drove to Seattle and I went to a casino approx. 30 mins away for dinner. You might be better off finding the local pizza place or another local restaurant and just get delivered to the hotel. 

[Sailin Gal]

On 2/27/2023 at 1:42 PM, SuzieQ521 said:

 

Do you recall if there are any dinner restaurants (fast food even) that are walkable (assuming it's safe to do so)?

 

I read on Seattle Express’ website that they have complimentary shuttle service from several airport hotels to a nearby mall area where there are quite a few restaurants.  I’m sorry, but I don’t remember which hotels were listed.

[Bruin Steve]

47 minutes ago, Sailin Gal said:

I read on Seattle Express’ website that they have complimentary shuttle service from several airport hotels to a nearby mall area where there are quite a few restaurants.  I’m sorry, but I don’t remember which hotels were listed.

How much do they charge for that round trip?  Our hotel doesn't appear to have too many restaurant choices nearby...I was thinking of Ubering to a restaurant...

[KeepCalmBearOn]

4 hours ago, Bruin Steve said:

How much do they charge for that round trip?  Our hotel doesn't appear to have too many restaurant choices nearby...I was thinking of Ubering to a restaurant...

 

The mall is probably the Southcenter Westfield, which has Din Tai Fung, Duke's Seafood, a couple of Japanese restaurants and then the usual chains, The Cheesecake Factory, BJ's, OG, Bahama Breeze, BWW, etc.

 

There are actually some very decent restaurants very near SeaTac like Sharps RoastHouse, 13 Coins, and Copperleaf.

[Dan G]

seattleexpress.com actually operates the mall shuttle and it's free

[John99]

We’re flying in a day early before a cruise and staying at an Airport hotel (Hampton Inn).   Many cruisers recommend using Seattle Express from airport hotel to the pier.  Thanks for the recommendations.  Do you have to prepay before the using the shuttle?  When is goodtime to order the shuttle?   Should I wait until we arrive at the Hampton Inn?  John

[vswan]

Does the Seattle Express shuttle pick you up at your hotel or do you need to go back to the airport? Has anyone taken the light rail type service (not sure what it's named in Seattle) from sea tac area to cruise port area (pier 61)? Is this doable if you have limited luggage?

[DaveOKC]

Seattle Express answers:

 

You prepay (online) your reservation prior to your trip and set a pickup time at your hotel.  Make sure your hotel is on their list (easy to find on the site plus MANY hotels on it).

 

Seattle Express will pick you up at your hotel - no need to return to the airport.  I understand that Seattle Express has recently added an airport pickup option though.

 

I recommend the return trip from the pier to the airport.  They have shuttles waiting just beyond the bus location - just give them your name and jump on the shuttle - quick and easy!  You prepay for this as well and there is a bit of a discount for purchasing roundtrip transfers.

 

[Ferry_Watcher]

Once you decide on Seattle Express, please book them.  There were CCer's last season (2022) who put it off and found that Seattle Express  booked up and they had to find another vendor/alternative transportation to book their ride to SeaTac.  

[vswan]

I am in a bit of a bind on my end and would like opinions. I booked my airfare through NCL and won't know flights until about 30 days out from my cruise. Did deviate to come in one day early, but I have absolutely no idea what flights I will be given or what time they will arrive. I understand that no one can answer this question for me, because I'm sure it varies from week to week what's available. MSP - SEA

 

I know I need to book a hotel room for the night. Not sure if I should book one close to the airport with a shuttle and just take the Seattle Express in the morning, or if I should be looking at one closer to the cruise port. If we get in early on the day before I would want to be down near Pike Place, the Space Needle and the waterfront for the afternoon. Prices are higher downtown and if we get in late I do not want to be traveling into the downtown area just to have a place to sleep. I am traveling with my 14 year old grandson and want him to see and experience as much as he can, but he would also probably be happy with an airport hotel that has a pool....

 

I would like to book something sooner rather than later figuring prices will go up, not down. I guess the other option would be to go with an airport hotel and if we are early, drop our bags and take the rail into the city for the day.

[Mary Ellen1]

21 hours ago, vswan said:

I am in a bit of a bind on my end and would like opinions. I booked my airfare through NCL and won't know flights until about 30 days out from my cruise. Did deviate to come in one day early, but I have absolutely no idea what flights I will be given or what time they will arrive. I understand that no one can answer this question for me, because I'm sure it varies from week to week what's available. MSP - SEA

 

I know I need to book a hotel room for the night. Not sure if I should book one close to the airport with a shuttle and just take the Seattle Express in the morning, or if I should be looking at one closer to the cruise port. If we get in early on the day before I would want to be down near Pike Place, the Space Needle and the waterfront for the afternoon. Prices are higher downtown and if we get in late I do not want to be traveling into the downtown area just to have a place to sleep. I am traveling with my 14 year old grandson and want him to see and experience as much as he can, but he would also probably be happy with an airport hotel that has a pool....

 

I would like to book something sooner rather than later figuring prices will go up, not down. I guess the other option would be to go with an airport hotel and if we are early, drop our bags and take the rail into the city for the day.

I hate to say this, but Seattle is not what it used to be.  Seattle has really let their tourist areas go, and is providing, instead, a very welcoming destination for crime, homelessness and drug use.  It's unfortunate -- we wanted to spend several hours there before our home-bound flight, but after researching it, we opted to go to the airport and wait 5 hours for our flight rather than putting up with what downtown Seattle has become.  

[KeepCalmBearOn]

22 hours ago, vswan said:

I know I need to book a hotel room for the night. Not sure if I should book one close to the airport with a shuttle and just take the Seattle Express in the morning, or if I should be looking at one closer to the cruise port.

 

I would book a hotel near the airport for now with a no-penalty cancellation. All the majors, Hilton, Marriott, IHG, etc should have options. Once you get your flight info, if it actually allows enough time to see the things you want, rebook in Downtown or near the Space Needle.