Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square — Hotel in Seattle

I would give this hotel 2.5 stars. Embassy Suites are usually reliable, clean and great places for families. However, this location doesn’t seem to rise to that same standard of other Embassy Suites we’ve stayed at.

While the staff is friendly and accommodating, I imagine they spend a lot of time in service recovery mode vs proactively exceeding guest expectations. We stayed at this hotel twice in two weeks (we did a road trip that began and ending in Seattle) and on both occasions were disappointed.

The amenities in the bathroom (shampoo, body wash, etc.) were not refilled when we checked in, there was hair and old urine stains on the toilet, the pull out sofa didn’t have any blankets or pillows, just sheets, and the TVs which are supposed to be smart TVs that enable you to connect your own device and stream didn’t work. The sofa bed also needs a mattress topper to make it comfortable. Our kids complained of feeling the springs all night.

We were able to check our bags at the hotel when we arrived prior to the room being available which was great. However, when we returned, it took nearly 25 min for the bell desk to find all our luggage and when they first came back, they were missing three pieces that hadn't actually been tagged. Made us feel a lot less confident about leaving our bags again.

The worst experience was the breakfast. The venue is simply not big enough for a hotel this size. Regardless of what time you go, there is absolutely nowhere to sit and the elevator backups are insane. We had to stand during breakfast and it took us over an hour to go down to breakfast, eat and then get back to our room. Eventually, we just took the stairs up 12 flights because the elevators didn’t seem like they would ever come with the number of people who were trying to get to breakfast. When you stay at an Embassy Suites, part of what you factor into the price is breakfast. After that first experience, we elected to go out instead because we didn’t have the time or the inclination to stand up while eating again.

The last two issues we had with this hotel are not their fault but worth considering if you’re thinking about staying here. This neighborhood is not the best. We walked a few blocks for an early dinner (5pm) and witnessed two people actively doing drugs and then passing out on the side walk. My kids were obviously horrified and didn’t know what was going on so we had to have a conversation about what the people were doing and assure them that they weren’t dead. Seattle, like a lot of big cities, has a serious homeless issue and it seems particularly acute in this neighborhood. Next time, we’ll check reviews for areas that feel safer.

The final issue is that as a Hilton Honors member, I take advantage of the digital key system to avoid having to check in but rather just head straight to my room. Due to a Seattle ordinance, per the reception staff, they must check ID prior to allowing someone to go up to the room. I’ve never had that issue anywhere else and I travel a lot for work. Knowing that everyone needs to check in at the desk, the hotel is wildly understaffed. The line at the desk is always several people deep and the longest wait during our stay was close to 30 min. In 2024, with all the identify verification technology, checking everyone’s IDs is antiquated and unnecessary, but since that’s not in the control of the hotel, they should staff more people at reception to keep people from standing around for 30 min waiting...

My wife and I recently had a first-class experience staying at the Hilton Embassy Suites in down town Seattle. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm hospitality and impeccable service that remained consistent throughout our stay. This was accomplished for several reasons:||First, The Suite: It was well designed, spacious, and spotless. The king bed was simply heavenly and incredibly comfortable. I have never selpt better and it was like a home away from home. The blackout curtains made for a very restful night’s sleep which we really appreciated after a long day exploring Pioneer Square and attending a local Mariners baseball game. By the way, conveniently, the Seahawk and Mariner stadiums are right out the hotel’s back door.||Second, The View: You really have to see to believe. It is truly spectacular. We have stayed in several different rooms and I doubt if there is a bad view from any room in the hotel. The Seattle skyline is unparalleled. You can see the Puget Sound water way with ferry terminals, Seattle Space Needle, and Smith Tower to the Columbia Center… tallest building in Seattle 933’. Seeing this lit up Seattle skyline from the Suite at night is breath taking. See our pictures attached.||Third, The Amenities: The indoor pool and fitness center are first-class. The work out equipment seems nearly new and numerous…no waiting to use the equipment. We appreciated the quiet and professional ambiance throughout the hotel making it perfect for both relaxation and productivity. Special touches like the evening reception and the made-to-order breakfast included with your stay are simply superb. All very fresh and served with a smile J||Fourth, The Staff: Here is what truly sets this hotel apart from others. They were consistently courteous, helpful, and eager to assist. This began with Benjamin Arriola. His leadership was clearly reflected in every aspect of our stay. From check-in to check-out every staff member we came across was friendly and sincerely committed to making our stay unforgettable. We could easily tell that Benjamine fosters a culture of excellence and care. Benjamine please take a minute and give your housekeeping staff a commendation for a job well done. They kept our Suite impeccably clean and attended to every need promptly. ||If you are ever visiting Seattle for pleasure or business and want more than just a hotel…if you want a “First Class” experience then look no further than the Embassy Suites Seattle Downtown-Pioneer Square. A heartfelt thank-you to Benjamin Arriola and his Staff for creating a stay we will never forget. We felt like more than just guests…we felt like family.||PS If you have children, ask Benjamine to introduce them to “Milton” the hotel’s robotic butler.||Sincerely, Jer...

My experience at Zephyr Bar, located in the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Seattle, was not just disappointing; it was an unmitigated disaster that failed on every conceivable level. We booked a reservation expecting the quality and ambiance associated with the Hilton name, but what we encountered was a masterclass in mismanagement, poor quality, and a complete disregard for customer experience.

First, let's talk about the "decor and layout." To call it a layout would be generous. It felt more like a storage closet where someone had haphazardly thrown an excessive number of chairs and stools into a cramped space to maximize capacity. The result was a cheap, crowded, and claustrophobic environment. Patrons were constantly bumping into each other, navigating a maze of wobbly, dirty tables. It was the antithesis of luxurious; it felt like a chaotic, poorly planned fire hazard. A 20% reduction in seating would be a start, but a complete redesign is what's truly needed.

The ordering system was a joke. A long, disorganized queue snaked towards the bar, where unprepared staff struggled to manage the chaos. People were constantly cutting in to ask questions because the process was so unintuitive and poorly managed. The staff's excuse? They "didn't know a game was happening," a shocking admission of incompetence for a downtown Seattle hotel bar.

When I finally received my draft beer, it was completely flat—a sad, bubble-less pint. When I had the audacity to ask for a replacement, the staff member's visible disappointment was palpable. They clearly did not care about the quality of their product. To make matters worse, all drinks were served in cheap, plastic glasses, further detracting from what should have been a premium experience. The cocktails were disgusting and poorly made, reinforcing the feeling that the entire operation was a cynical attempt to cheap out wherever possible.

The food service was an absolute circus. Orders were delivered late, and servers wandered aimlessly, auctioning off plates to the wrong tables. We witnessed multiple groups accepting food that wasn't theirs out of sheer desperation. The only way we eventually received our order was by hunting down a manager, a step no customer should ever have to take.

Our reservation, which we made to ensure a pleasant evening, was a complete farce. Nothing about our visit was nice, comfortable, or enjoyable. The management of Zephyr Bar needs to take a long, hard look at their operation. This establishment is not just a bad bar; it's a stain on the Embassy Suites and Hilton reputation. They should either shut it down or undertake a radical overhaul. As it stands, I cannot express strongly enough how terrible this experience was. Avoid this place...