Seattle, WA
Seattle Hotel Market: A Shining Beacon of the Pacific Northwest | By Eileen Bosworth
A key driver of Seattleâs leisure demand is its cruise industry. In 2023, the number of Alaska cruises reached 291, a record number compared to 213 in 2019. The Port of Seattle estimates the annual impact of a cruise season on the region at $900 million. This demand particularly benefits local hotels, as passengers typically stay overnight in Seattle before and/or after their trip.
While downtown hotel occupancy for 2023 did not reach the low 80s of year-end 2019, the recovery trajectory remains positive, supported by relatively robust growth in 2023. From June through September, occupancy levels trended in the low-to-mid 80s as major concerts by artists such as Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, and George Strait drew significant crowds to Seattle. Downtown ADR increased moderately in 2023, largely attributed to a strong first quarter, followed by softer growth for the remainder of the year due to the national economic environment and reduced discretionary spending.
The city successfully hosted an estimated 100,000 attendees during the MLB All-Star Week Midsummer Classic in 2023 and approximately 40,000 attendees at the NHL Winter Classic at T-Mobile Park on New Yearâs Day in 2024. Both events emphasized the cityâs ability to accommodate major sports games. Looking forward, Seattle will host several matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup series.
Corporate demand recovery continues to be influenced by Downtown Seattle office vacancies. According to market participants, Amazon is expected to generate 290,000 room nights in 2024, which is approaching the peak of 335,000 room nights in 2019. Beginning in May 2023, Amazon mandated that employees work from the office at least three days per week, and a full-time return to office is expected in early 2024. Meta, another major tech employer in the region, currently has a similar in-office mandate of three days per week.
In January 2023, the $1.9-billion Summit building was completed as a 573,770-square-foot expansion of Seattle Convention Center (SCC), nearly doubling the centerâs event capacity and putting it into the category of convention centers with one million-plus square feet of exhibit space. The expansion allows SCC to compete more effectively for large national conventions against competitive facilities in San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Anaheim. While the number of events for 2023 exceeded historical levels, attendance levels were muted comparatively. The 2024 booking pace suggests a positive outlook for 2024, particularly as Microsoft plans to host all future events in Seattleâa major upside for SCC.
Notable hotel renovations in 2023 include upgrades to the premier suites and meeting space at the Four Seasons Hotel; a $25-million renovation at the Fairmont Olympic, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024; and a multimillion-dollar renovation at Hotel 1000, including the addition of a new cocktail bar. In terms of hotel openings, the 265-room Astra Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, opened in South Lake Union in 2023. New supply to watch in 2024 includes the 120-room boutique Hotel Westland (fall of 2024), a 175-room AC by Marriott in South Lake Union, and the highly anticipated, 251-room InterContinental Bellevue at The Avenue in Bellevue. This luxury property is expected to become IHGâs West Coast flagship hotel.
Noteworthy hotel transactions in 2023 included the sale of the Residence Inn by Marriott Seattle South/Renton ($380,137 per key) in October, as well as Pebblebrook Hotel Trustâs sale of the Kimpton Hotel Vintage ($33.7 million at $269,600 per key) and the Kimpton Hotel Monaco ($63.25 million at $334,656 per key) in May. Pacifica Hotels, the buyer of Hotel Vintage, plans to conduct an extensive guestroom and public-area renovation, with a relaunch of the hotel expected by end of 2024. InnVest, the buyer of the Hotel Monaco, plans to reposition this property with a comprehensive renovation. With more than ten CMBS loans secured by hotels coming due in the next two years in the Seattle metropolitan area, hotel investors are closely watching this market. However, despite Pebblebrook Hotel Trustâs exit from Seattle, the recent acquisitions also indicate a strong appetite for the Seattle market and faith in its continued recovery.
The coming year is expected to be boosted by a robust cruise season, higher foot-traffic levels in Downtown Seattle, a positive booking pace at the SCC, and a vibrant lineup of events, with headliners such as Madonna and Tim McGraw. Additionally, a more meaningful return of international travel is expected due to new flight routes announced for 2024, such as Deltaâs direct route to Taiwan in June 2024; Lufthansaâs nonstop route expansion to Munich, Germany, by May 2024; and the seasonal Alaska Airlines route to Nassau, Bahamas, from December 2023 through April 2024. The opening of the Ocean Pavilion at the Seattle Aquarium this summer should further boost leisure travel downtown. Going forward, the planned 2025 completion of the Seattle Waterfront Park connecting Downtown/Pike Place Market with the Waterfront promenade is expected to bolster leisure demand as well.
Despite the lagging recovery of the corporate demand base, Seattleâs strong leisure and group demand dynamics, significant investments coming to fruition, and somewhat limited new supply pipeline herald a bright future for Seattleâs downtown hotels.
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Seattle, WA
MLB Mock Trade: Seattle Mariners Deal Luis Castillo to Atlanta Braves
The Seattle Mariners have had a busy offseason as they try to improve their roster and break through to the World Series for the first time in franchise history. Seattle has been active in free agency and on the trade market. One of their final roster questions is who will serve as the backup catcher behind Cal Raleigh. The Mariners could make one more move before the start of the season to address this need, potentially through a trade with the Atlanta Braves.
The Atlanta Braves are dealing with some serious injuries to their starting rotation this offseason. After an impressive 2025 campaign, Spencer Schwellenbach has been shut down because of bone spurs. Breakout candidate Hurston Waldrep was also shut down during Spring Training with elbow inflammation. Both pitchers underwent surgery in February, leaving two open spots in Atlanta’s rotation. Let’s break down a mock trade centered on Luis Castillo that could help fill those holes for the Braves.
Atlanta Braves – Seattle Mariners Mock Trade
Atlanta Braves receive SP Luis Castillo
Seattle Mariners receive C Sean Murphy, SP Owen Murphy
In this mock trade, the Braves acquire All-Star starter Luis Castillo. In exchange, the Mariners receive former All-Star catcher Sean Murphy and a young pitching prospect in Owen Murphy.
Fantasy Baseball Outlook
Luis Castillo would slot into the Atlanta Braves’ starting rotation behind Chris Sale and Spencer Strider. He has been very effective for the Mariners since they acquired him from the Reds at the trade deadline four seasons ago. In 2025, Castillo went 11–8 in 32 games with a 3.54 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 162 strikeouts. His fantasy value would likely dip if he left Seattle’s pitcher-friendly ballpark. Still, he has proven himself as a reliable, effective starter through consistent performance, and he would play a key role for Atlanta.
With the Mariners, Sean Murphy would serve as the backup catcher behind Cal Raleigh. He would likely see a drop in playing time in Seattle, but this move could also give the Mariners more opportunities to use Raleigh at DH. With the fifth spot open in the Seattle rotation, Emerson Hancock and Cooper Criswell would be viable, experienced options. Alternatively, Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan are elite prospects who have had strong Spring Trainings and could break camp on Opening Day. The young pitching prospect Owen Murphy would also join a talented farm system and provide a future option for the rotation.
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Seattle, WA
VIDEO: Scream Club Seattle keeps growing, midway through first year
(Story originally posted 8:22 pm, updated 12:32 am)
By Torin Record-Sand
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
From a distance, they looked like a regular crowd of people enjoying a nice evening walk on the shores of Lincoln Park. But they were gathered here for a singular purpose: to scream. Since September 2025, the Scream Club Seattle has met at Lincoln Park on every third Sunday to scream, led by head organizer Amber Walcker. No explanation, justification, or invitation to scream is needed – come as you are. “There are some harder emotions people come here to deal with, sure, but some people also just come to scream.” head organizer Amber explained.
Tonight’s crowd showed the club is rapidly growing. From around a dozen or so participants in the first gathering in September, tonight seemed to attract around 40 people gathering to let it all out.
As the sun started to set, and everyone was finally gathered together, the Scream Club was ready to begin.
There are only three screams, organizer Amber explained. The first, she said, is a scream to get used to doing it in public. The second scream is there to ground you. And the final – and longest scream – is there to let you have an emotional catharsis.
She also wanted to make sure people were taking care of their vocal health beforehand. As she told everyone to walk a little bit from the meeting place and start to gather near the shore, she instructed the crowd to hum for a few minutes on the way, to warm up the vocal cords.
With that, the crowd walked towards the shore.
“On the count of one – two – three – scream!” said organizer Amber.
You can see our video of the proceedings here. After the screaming, we talked to a few participants about why they came out.
“There’s not one thing that’s really making me want to scream. There’s a lot of stuff going on for me, a lot of emotional ups and downs. Screaming into the ocean together gives you a sense of community.” said Jessie.
“This is my third or fourth time coming to scream. With the political climate, with everything that’s happening, getting together with local community to scream feels more productive than screaming into the internet on social media.” said Ursula.
“This is my first time coming out.” said Liz. “I screamed after the Seahawks won the Super Bowl, and I really felt something. I realized I’ve been feeling a lot of frustration recently, and it felt like coming here was a healthy way to get it out rather than screaming at your neighbors.”
Organizer Amber recognizes much of what they were saying. “Meeting like this can be an important element to have in your mental health toolbox. It’s rare to have scream therapy.” She shared an anecdote about the therapeutic origins of the group, which originally started with a chapter in Chicago. “The founder was a life coach. Their girlfriend was having a bad day, and they encouraged them to go to the Chicago Pier and just let it out. He walked her through the process, and that was that. Eventually they invited more people to come do it.” She hopes to bring that same therapeutic energy to the practice here. “It’s a moment of emotional release more than anything else. Depending on what’s going on in people’s minds, everyone will come here with a different mindset and purpose. We’re providing a safe space to do that.”
Scream Club Seattle meets at Lincoln Park on the first Sunday of every month, and they are also starting to meet on the third Sunday of every month at Golden Gardens in Ballard. Tentatively, the next events will be in Lincoln Park on April 5th around 6 PM, and Golden Gardens on March 15th around 5 PM. If you’d like to know more, you can find them on Instagram here or look at their future events on their Eventbrite page here.
Seattle, WA
Detectives Investigating Robbery, Shooting Over $20 Necklace – SPD Blotter
Seattle police detectives are investigating a robbery and shooting of a 23-year-old man over a $20 necklace in Pioneer Square this morning.
At about 12:40 a.m., patrol officers responded to a shooting in the 500 block of 2nd Avenue. There, they found a victim, bleeding, with a gunshot wound to his right thigh. Police and the Seattle Fire Department treated his injury. Medics took him to Harborview Medical Center (HMC) in stable condition.
Police determined that the victim just left a bar, getting into the passenger seat of his friend’s car, when the suspect, wearing a ski mask and armed with a firearm, approached him and demanded his necklace. They struggled over the item, and the suspect shot the victim in the leg. The shooter fled in a vehicle with the necklace before police arrived. The value of the “chain” is about $20.
Detectives in the Robbery Unit responded to the scene and HMC. Anyone with information is asked to call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip line at 206-233-5000. Anonymous tips are accepted.
Incident Number: 2026-57536
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