Located between the world’s coolest cities in the Northwest, Tacoma is the smaller little sister but still has a vibrant urban core.
Visit the underrated Washington gem located on the banks of Puget Soun and find yourself surrounded by a thriving art scene, awesome shops, trendy coffee shops, interesting museums, charming neighborhoods, diverse cuisine, friendly locals, and world-renowned glass art all framed by beautiful backdrop of Mount Rainier.
Its hotels are pretty funky too, from quirky boutiques to sleek and modern, here are my favorite cool and unusual hotels in Tacoma, Washington…
1. McMenamins Elks Temple – cool, hip, and very Instagrammable accommodation perfect for partying Millenials and Gen Zs
Originally built in 1916, McMenamins Elks Temple has been refurbished and rebuilt as a lively meeting place for visitors and residents.
Located at 565 Broadway in Tacoma, the building incorporates aspects of art, history, and the local community. There you’ll discover entertainment at every turn, from the Old Hangout, a pub evocative of foreign journeys, to the Spanish Ballroom, a huge place offering live music.
The hotel provides something for everyone, whether you want a casual pub experience or a formal dining experience. McMenamins is known for its craft beer, and the on-site brewery keeps a rotating range of unusual and excellent beers on hand.
Furthermore, the hotel’s multiple restaurants and bars provide diverse gastronomic alternatives to suit various tastes and preferences.
Once you’ve got some food and drink, it’s time for entertainment! Throughout the year, the hotel hosts a range of events and entertainment.
There is always something going on at the Elks Temple, from live music performances by local and traveling musicians to film screenings and trivia evenings. Visitors may discover entertainment that meets their interests.
From there, you can go up to the guest rooms on the sixth floor and relax. A lot of lights, lamps, and chandeliers are hanging from the ceiling. Take the last step to seven, where the rooms look out onto the lush indoor courtyard and give you a unique view of the light show from eye level.
Whether you go to the Old Hangout, the Spanish Bar, Doc’s, or the Spanish Ballroom, you’ll find hand-made drinks, stories from home and far away, cozy hiding places, and fun you’ve never had in the hotel!
2. Hotel Murano – a funky and artful downtown design abode with a spa and a wellness center
Hotel Murano is an artistic downtown Tacoma hotel only steps from the Tacoma Convention Center and a few streets from the top museums and restaurants in town.
This lovely hotel is ideal for individuals who appreciate cultural history, as it combines elegant guest rooms with well-appointed event space ornamented with a museum-worthy collection of glass art from across the globe.
Rooms at the Hotel Murano are outfitted with simple, style decor that complements the rest of the hotel, perfect for relaxation after a long day.
Each room has good amenities across all configurations, including air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, minibars, toiletries, towels, hairdryers, safes, irons, and free WiFi. Pillow menus give an added touch of coziness.
If you are on vacation with your family, you can choose a superior or patron suite. These suites have separate living rooms with dining tables and usually have two windows with great city views. They also have more than one bathroom, and master bathrooms in guest suites have hot tubs.
Despite being primarily a business hotel, the Hotel Murano also has several recreational amenities. The hotel’s food and beverage options are among the most popular. The lobby has a bar with beverages, small bites, and seating.
The fourth-floor restaurant has amazing city views and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and a weekend brunch buffet. Patron-level guests can access an exclusive lounge with free breakfast and all-day drinks.
Guests in patron-level accommodations can access an exclusive lounge with complimentary breakfast and basic all-day refreshments.
The hotel also has a large spa and beauty salon, both of which can be accessible from the street and provide a variety of treatments and therapies. There’s also a fitness area with a good assortment of cardio, weight machines, and free weights.
If you have a business conference or an event, the hotel has three beautiful rooms that can hold small gatherings; however, much bigger events and a business center with a printer may also be accommodated.
The hotel has complimentary WiFi. The hotel has both valet and self-parking. The hotel is pet friendly and provides amenities for small pets such as name tags, pet room service, and welcome.
Hotel Murano creates an individual luxury experience that makes your vacation something to enjoy and remember, a time to refresh your spirit and get closer to people you care about.
3. Silver Cloud Inn – a unique boutique which is the only waterfront accommodation in the city
If you want a unique experience, The Silver Cloud Hotel is the perfect destination for you. This beautiful hotel is only two miles north of downtown Tacoma’s amazing museum area and is only ten minutes from the Tacoma Dome & Convention Center.
The hotel is also perfect for family vacations and business trips, with 90 rooms fully equipped with 55-inch high-definition flat-screen TVs, free high-speed wired and wireless Internet, microwaves, refrigerators, and a great sea view.
The guest laundry facility is complimentary, and the front desk may arrange for dry cleaning. When required, room service is also available.
When it comes to dining, the hotel doesn’t offer lunch or dinner but serves a free buffet breakfast with gluten-free options and a good variety of hot and cold dishes.
The hotel has a fitness room with cardio equipment, dumbbells, water, and towels for those who like working out.
Business visitors may use the conference rooms, which accommodate up to 12 people, including free WiFi, a PC with a printer is in the lobby.
The hotel also hosts a complimentary weekly evening reception with beverages and snacks for guests who like socializing.
If you’re an outdoor person, a shuttle bus service operates every 30 minutes, taking guests to and from downtown and neighboring hotspots. Hotel guests may get on a boat tour during the warmer months.
4. Hotel Thea – a newly renovated, urban-chic gem that features an indoor pool
The Hotel Thea Tacoma is excellent for small and big group room blocks. Whether you’re here for a sports event, as part of a construction group working on a project, attending an event at the Convention Center or Tacoma Dome, or just searching for a place for the family to stay during your wedding.
This beautiful hotel is conveniently situated off Interstate 5 in the center of the Puget Sound area, near the Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma Dome, Union Station, Tacoma Place, and the Tacoma Mall, making it the best option for the city’s major attractions easily accessible.
After a day of exploration, you can retire to your hotel’s air-conditioned guest rooms, with luxury bedding and amenities like WiFi access, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, microwaves, and refrigerators.
You may relax and enjoy a fitness center and an indoor heated pool. If you’re in a business meeting, you can remain productive using our free WiFi and print station. But that’s not all.
You may also start the day every morning with complimentary coffee and a freshly cooked Grab & Go breakfast. Various dining options are nearby, making it easy to visit a small cafe or one of your favorite large restaurant chains during your stay.
There’s also free parking for both small and big cars. The hotel’s helpful staff is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure you have all you need for a comfortable trip.
5. Silver Cloud – a modern and chic place that offers panoramic waterfront views
If you’re looking for a unique setting that will keep your nerves calm all day throughout your vacation, Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma is ideal for you. This is the only luxury hotel, and spa along the waterfront in north Tacoma.
Throughout your visit, the hotel features suites and rooms big enough to accommodate your family, friends, or coworkers.
Each room features illustrious ocean and village views with 55″ high-definition flat-screen TVs and includes complimentary high-speed wired and wireless Internet access, microwaves, and refrigerators. Guest laundry facilities are on-site, and valet dry cleaning and laundry are among the concierge services.
The hotel also features an iconic rooftop pool, an innovative dining experience, and a luxurious hideaway at Spa Serein. A huge ballroom and an outdoor terrace are among the extensive convention amenities.
In addition, the hotel has four pieces of cardio equipment, a weight training machine, and free weights. Meeting space is also provided, and the business center includes free WiFi, PCs, and printers for your convenience.
The hotel provides spectacular panoramic views of the Puget Sound coastline and the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. You may also enjoy the great outdoors by visiting PugetSound, a quaint urban enclave with a plethora of high-end eateries, shops, and entertainment options.
For sports fans, the hotel is only a few minutes from downtown Tacoma, a world-class golf course, and one of the most famous event venues in the area. Parking is on-site in the hotel’s underground garage.
6. Courtyard Downtown – an awesome place located at the heart of Tacoma’s downtown
The lovely Courtyard Downtown, located within 5 minute’s walk of the Greater Tacoma Convention Trade Center, offers the ideal balance of refinement and comfort with a hotel experience.
This hotel delights visitors with world-class facilities, stunning decor, and unsurpassed service. Whether a work vacation or a relaxing staycation, a hotel ensures a revitalizing experience to remember.
The hotel has 162 rooms, each with a workstation perfect for workaholics. Other amenities include ironing facilities, temperature control, free wireless Internet, and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Some rooms include a private bathroom with a separate toilet.
Regarding dining alternatives, the onsite restaurant serves daily made-to-order breakfast. The restaurant also provides American cuisine, where visitors get sample American selections.
In addition to downhill skiing and golf, the hotel provides fitness classes, a gym, and an indoor swimming pool so guests can stay in shape. Visitors traveling on business will also appreciate the Courtyard Tacoma Downtown’s 24-hour business center and versatile conference spaces.
If you’re are bored indoors or you want to try something different, like bites, there are trams that travel from the hotel to nearby attractions such as the Tacoma Dome, the Chihuly Bridge of Glass, and the Washington State History Museum.
7. Anderson Landing – a cool and unique holiday home, perfect for big gatherings
Anderson Landing is located in Tacoma, 12 kilometers from the Museum of Glass and 10 kilometers from the University of Puget Sound.
This hotel is ideal for family, friends, and workmates thanks to the hotel’s rooms which are well-designed and equipped with various amenities to make visitors comfortable.
The rooms range from one to two to three-bathroom suites with separate living spaces. All rooms include excellent linen and air conditioning, complimentary toiletries, 37-inch HDTVs with satellite channels and DVD players, microwaves, free baby cribs, free refrigerators, and thoughtful features like free WiFi and safes.
In addition to a fresh, self-serve breakfast spread, the hotel has a bar open all day, a daily “happy hour” for guests, and free WiFi everywhere in the hotel. There are free newspapers and books in the lounge, a place to leave your bags, and laundry and dry cleaning services.
The hotel also features a large presentation room and conference center for business meetings and events. There is also quiet garden with soft seats covered by umbrellas for more comfort.
This is a great place to relax after a day of exploring the city.
8. Contemporary Cottage with Deck and Pond – a spacious single-story cottage that offers modern decor
Contemporary Tacoma Cottage with Deck and Pond is situated 13.1 kilometers from the center of Tacoma. This tastefully equipped cottage is appropriate for a rural eco-tour and a romantic vacation.
With a highly polished white interior and elegant furniture, the cottage has a lot of seclusion and access to various community facilities, such as a calm stream and neighboring ski resorts.
The cottage has two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The interior design of this modern home favors a minimalist and clutter-free look. Its design is distinguished by neutral color palettes, clean lines, and an emphasis on simplicity and utility.
The cottage also features a trendy modern interior with top-of-the-line furnishings and a clean, fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and oven for food lovers.
The cottage rooms include smart home features that enable visitors to operate lighting, heating, security systems, and other parts of the property through integrated technological systems or mobile applications.
For more entertainment and outdoor activities, this cottage often prioritizes outside living, with landscaping, garden spaces, and outdoor amenities such as fire pits, sitting areas, and BBQ facilities being prioritized. There are two terraces with direct access to the peaceful Purvis Pond.
This luxury Washington cottage is an excellent high-end home base for exploring Puget Sound, skiing, or visiting Tacoma’s vibrant downtown area!
9. Spacious Getaway 2 Mi to Old Town! – a chic and modern vacation home nestled in a first-class location
Spacious Tacoma Getaway 2 Mi to Old Town is located n Tacoma, 6 km from the Museum of Glass and 2.1 km from the University of Puget Sound. This fully furnished and family-friendly house provides sufficient indoor and outdoor gathering space and basic conveniences that leave nothing to be desired, ensuring a stress-free stay in Tacoma!
The hotel’s accommodations are big, with plenty of space for leisure and pleasure. This is ideal for tourists who like extra rooms or are traveling with a group.
Each accommodation offers four bedrooms with a well-equipped kitchen, parking, WiFi access, laundry facilities, an outdoor space or backyard, and entertainment options like a TV or board games.
For nature lovers, the hotel also provides a variety of outdoor activities. Those who prefer outdoor activities may find the retreat intriguing if it is adjacent to parks, waterfront regions, hiking trails, or stunning overlooks.
While staying at Spacious Tacoma Getaway 2 Mi to Old Town, you may have easy access to major attractive architecture, shops, restaurants, and cultural activities, including the Museum of Glass, Chihuly Bridge of Glass, Point Defiance Park, Tacoma Art Museum, or the Washington State History Museum.
10. COZY 2 BDRM APARTMENT Southend – a comfy and quirky apartment great for longer stays
Cozy 2 Bedroom Apartment is located in South Tacoma, 1 km from Tacoma Mall and 5 km from the Museum of Glass. This boutique hotel offers relaxing views of the inner courtyard.
It is ideal for business trips since it provides free WiFi, patio accommodation, and on-site parking. The hotel is also perfect for a family holiday since it is non-smoking and is 45 kilometers from the Hands-on Children’s Museum.
Just like the name suggests, the two-bedroom apartment has a living area with a flat-screen TV and streaming services, a fully furnished kitchen with a dishwasher and oven, and one bathroom with a bathtub.
The flat provides towels and bed linen. The rooms have separate entrances and are guarded around the clock for enhanced privacy. The hypnotic hues and cozy common room couches will make you feel so at ease that you won’t want to leave!
It is a one-of-a-kind and romantic setting to unwind and rest after a long day. The hypnotic lighting and seductive mood will help create an intimate artistic expression and amusement environment.
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Gary is an award winning full time professional photographer and videographer with too much wanderlust for his own good. Fueled by strong coffee, you’ll often find him wandering well off hiking trails in search of interesting photographic subjects or scenery to video. Self taught and with the use of pioneering digital techniques, he quickly built up a strong client base and has worked with many prestigious organizations, including GQ, BBC, London Fashion Week, Grazia, Sky, Metro, Vogue Italia. He specializing in evocative images of people, places and cinematic videography and his goal is to make the viewer look twice and engage. As well as a penchant for good design, travel, starting up new businesses, the ketogenic diet and Hungarian Vizslas, he also has a huge affection for Chicago, Bucharest, Scandinavia, Croatia and absolutely everywhere in Italy. Find Gary on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or his Website.
