The Arctic Club Hotel, Seattle
The Arctic Club Hotel is a true Seattle landmark, deeply rooted in the history of the Klondike Gold Rush. Built in 1916 and designed by architect A. Warren Gould, the building originally served as an exclusive men’s social club for prospectors who returned from the Yukon with fortunes in their pockets. Today, it remains a designated City of Seattle Landmark, offering a fascinating window into the city’s adventurous past.
The hotel’s exterior is instantly recognizable thanks to its unique terra cotta ornamentation, which features 27 iconic walrus head sculptures gazing down at the street. Inside, the preservation is just as impressive; the hotel’s most famous space is the “Dome Room,” a grand event hall crowned by an ornate, stained-glass ceiling that has been painstakingly restored to its original splendor.
Throughout the property, you’ll find subtle nods to its history, including vintage Edward Curtis photographs of Gold Rush-era figures and Indigenous peoples. The rooms themselves are designed with a boutique feel, balancing 12-foot ceilings and historic character with the comforts of a modern hotel.
Location-wise, the hotel is perfectly placed in downtown Seattle near the corner of Third Avenue and Cherry Street. It’s an easy walk to major attractions like the historic Pioneer Square, the bustling Pike Place Market, and the scenic Seattle Waterfront. Whether you’re interested in the city’s maritime heritage or modern professional sports at Lumen Field, the hotel provides a convenient and storied home base.
Expert reviews
“This meticulously kept hotel just steps from historic Pioneer Square exudes charm and character. The handsome nine-story Beaux-Arts building, famous for the terracotta walrus heads that line its third floor, was originally commissioned in 1916 as an HQ for The Arctic Club.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Seattle.
“Back in 1917 rooms were roomy and forthright, with beamed ceilings, wood baseboards and crown moldings, and beds were big and solid and covered with woolen blankets. That’s how it is today, too, only with updated amenities of all kinds and furniture that evokes the Art Deco era when the club was in its heyday.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Seattle.
What guests liked
- Boutique style
- Comfortable beds
- Top location
Location
Recent guest reviews
22 November 2025
Historic classy hotel big rooms and clean. Would stay there again
Great character
Expensive parking
6 September 2025
A very nice hotel with old world charm.
We liked the very comfortable bed, the high ceilings, and the jacuzzi tub.
The air conditioning was not very powerful, and the room, and lobby did not cool off completely.
25 August 2025
Excellent stay near the Amtrak Station.
Great service, beautiful hotel, great facilities.
No shuttle
17 August 2025
Great hotel downtown Seattle
Breakfast was great. Staff was extraordinarily attentive, nice, and helpful. Our room was spacious, comfortable, and very clean. We had a very nice view. The hotel‘s location downtown was perfect for us.
7 August 2025
Great stay - thanks
The front desk staff were very helpful and professional.
4 August 2025
Very Comfortable stay, we will be returning soon!
I love the fact that they try to maintain the original hotel as much as possible, its like stepping back in time when I walked in the lobby. The Valet service gave me piece of mind and we highly recommend everyone goes and buys a drink from Mike at the hotel bar!
The location as far as distances from attractions is amazing and a reason we will be returning to this hotel, but the views from the room are a bit of a let down with the lot across the street on the south side of the building.
31 July 2025
To settle in after long fight to join cruise
Old architecture
Nothing really
28 July 2025
we stayed for a concert, handy location
very nostalgic feel , free breakfast was great
little high priced
25 July 2025
convenient financial district location; easy access to retail, cultural and tourist attractions
location is directly across the street from Sound Transit light rail to Seattle-Tacoma airport, University of Washington and many other destinations.
9 July 2025
Excellent service and valet
Breakfast was incredible. Huge selection. The coffee was nice and strong.
$$$$ but I at least feel like I got what I paid for.
9 July 2025
We thoroughly enjoyed our one-night stay with our family and will recommend it to others.
The breakfast was exceptional with good variety. The location made it easy to walk to the waterfront and tourist areas.
The historic significance of the hotel was interesting and very appropriate for our stay before an Alaskan cruise. The staff at the front desk were very friendly and helpful.
1 June 2025
Great historic hotel in downtown Seattle.
Great location and historic touches.
Paid parking off site in a sketchy neighborhood. Seemed unsafe, but car ended up ok.
30 May 2025
Walk into the history.
Great staff. Beautiful ambiance.
It is great that the place offers breakfast but something is off in the oil that they use for cooking.
8 May 2025
Surprisingly tucked away and quiet once inside.
Historic and pleasant and comfortable
being the city
23 April 2025
Enjoy yesterday’s charms with today’s modern amenities
Love the old world charm whilst still enjoying modern day amenities
Nothing
1 April 2025
Other than the noise and garbage site for a view it was a great place. Workers were very friendly and helpful.
It was very loud late at night around 1am there was lots of booms going off or something happening outside that echo into the hotel. It made it hard to sleep. Also the dump site or homeless camp not sure what it is out our bedroom window was not nice to see.
24 March 2025
The facility is a very nice one and it is close to public transport.
Breakfast is excellent. The view from the room was the worst. I stayed in a room with a street view on a former trip which was better. The food service for meals other than the breakfast could be a lot better, I did not like that a 20% tip was included when the waitress did not deserve it. The hotel is wonderful otherwise and I really enjoyed my stay.
Food service outside of breakfast was not great. When it’s cold and wet outside and I don’t want to walk around with a whole bunch of street people, food service in the facility is a plus. I’ve visited the hotel twice and both times I would say that food service was a weak point.
19 March 2025
An elegant hotel in the heart of Seattle
If you wnat a break from the normal boring chain hotels stay here. It is a touch of class and elegance in Seattle.
4 March 2025
Classic Era hotel with great bar and staff.
The Arctic Club Hotel is a classic era hotel located perfectly in the heart of Seattle. The lobby, reception, bar and common areas will transport you to another time. The staff are amazing, friendly and hospitable. The Polar Bar is a wonderful area to have evening meals and drinks or relax after a busy day touring. The rooms are classicly decorated and very comfortable. Beds, linens and pillows are very nice. Bathrooms are large and comfortable. The breakfast in the Juno room is beyond good. This hotel is located in the perfect location if you use public transportation during your stay. The light rail and virtually every bus line connects directly in front of the hotel. You will not need to rent a car if you stay here. Ferries to other areas are walking distance away as is Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square. If you are seeking a classic experience in a piece of Seattle history, I can't imagine you can do better than this hotel. Highly recommended.
The area near this hotel and most of Pioneer Square is the center of Seattle's homeless population. Also sirens are heard frequently throughout the day and night. These might be issues for those who are not used to this.
3 March 2025
Historic hotel was great stay and the best happy hour around!
Fabulous bar with amazing drinks!! We saw a Candlelight Concert so the hotel
was perfect!
NA
13 February 2025
Felt like I stepped back in time and relaxed
clean and very quiet great views and nice ambiance
not applicable
7 February 2025
Better than expected
Sharon at the front desk. She went out of her way to help get my phone back by calling it until someone answered. Breakfast was a bit better than the average free hotel breakfast too.
24 January 2025
Great place and exceptional staff
Great room and experience
12 January 2025
Good Solid Bet in Seattle
The breakfast was quite adequate. The hotel room was large, comfortable, and very clean. The staff was responsive. The location is within walking distance of Harborview Medical Center.
30 December 2024
Had a great time will come again
Food was great!
23 December 2024
Great historic hotel
The old world charm, comfy beds and exceptional staff.
It took an hour and a half to get our car from valet parking. It was chaotic and truly a mess. We were standing outside waiting all that time. For a valet only hotel you would believe their system for car retrieval would be a well oiled machine.
Hotel facilities
Services
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Express check-in/check-out
- - Luggage storage
- - Pet basket
- - Pet bowls
Food & Drink
- - Bar
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
Activities
- - Fitness centre
- - Billiards
General
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Lift
- - Safety deposit box
- - Heating
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
- - Paid WiFi
Parking
- - Accessible parking
Accessibility
- - Wheelchair accessible
- - Toilet with grab rails
- - Raised toilet
- - Lower bathroom sink
- - Visual aids: Braille
Miscellaneous
- - Key card access
- - Security alarm
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - CCTV outside property
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Breakfast takeaway containers
- - Delivered food is securely covered
Reception services
- - Invoice provided

More photos

5 December 2025
We will be back