Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle with Kids (Review)

The Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle is a wonderful place for families to stay in Emerald City. Learn about seven family-friendly reasons to book this whimsical hotel in Washington State, from dining options to fun extras.

Alex, Hotel Monaco Seattle's resident dog
Pets are welcome at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle (Photo credit: Hotel Monaco Seattle’s Instagram account)

1. Hotel for Animal Lovers

During my family’s stay, guests could request a temporary pet goldfish for the duration of a stay at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle. Our fish arrived shortly after check-in and was greeted by the happy squeals of my 5-year-old and 8-year-old children.

As of 2018, this hotel no longer offers goldfish pals. Animal lovers need not feel glum, however, because hotel guests can bring their pet along for a stay. There are no size or weight restrictions on pets. What’s more, there’s zero extra charge for vacationing pets. Dogs, cats and even birds are welcomed at the family-friendly Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle. Canine guests can expect food and water bowls, a pet bed placed in the room, a bottle of water, doggy treats, and disposable pickup bags.

Modern, whimsical decor at Hotel Monaco Seattle
Whimsical decor at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

2. Whimsical Decor

Part of the fun of staying at a Kimpton Hotel Monaco, is its unique decor. Forget beige carpeting and staid framed landscape prints…Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle is all about color and whimsy. Modern patterns mixed with crown molding and other traditional touches will please discerning parents. Keep in mind this is a boutique hotel, so room space is somewhat limited.

Refreshments offered in the Hotel Monaco Seattle's lobby
Refreshments offered in the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle’s lobby (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

3. Hosted Wine Hour

Each evening, from 5 to 6 pm the hotel’s lobby fills with travelers eager to taste local wines, beers and sodas. This provides a perfect excuse to escape the rain, warm up by the fire and get to know the hotel’s other guests over a game of chess or glass of vino.

On Friday nights, a magician entertains table by table with card tricks. Although there weren’t any other kids in sight the night we attended the wine hour, no one seemed bothered by my boisterous children.

The hip Outlier restaurant at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle
The hip Outlier restaurant (Photo credit: Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle)

4. Outlier Restaurant

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle’s restaurant, Outlier, is worthy of a visit even for those not staying at the hotel. It’s famous for its happy hour among locals (Monday through Friday, 2 to 8 pm). My family enjoyed dining in this hip eatery. Their wood-fired pizzas are simply amazing.

A message board filled with fun Seattle happenings at Hotel Monaco
A message board filled with fun Seattle happenings (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

5. Fun Extras

A message board near the elevators invited guests to share their Seattle fun on rainbow-colored note cards. Feeling thirsty? Fill up a cup of juice, fruit-infused water, or good ol’ iced water from the carafes near the front desk. Although Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle does not offer a swimming pool, you can work off extra vacation calories at the on-site fitness center. Plus, yoga mats are provided in every room.

The Great Wheel at Seattle's Waterfront
The Great Wheel at Seattle’s Waterfront (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

6. Location

Located in downtown Seattle, Kimpton Hotel Monaco is within walking distance of Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square and other attractions. An easy jaunt from the hotel, you’ll find the Seattle Waterfront, home to the Seattle Great Wheel, a game arcade with prizes aplenty, some touristy restaurants, the Seattle Aquarium and other amusements.

If you need transportation from the hotel, I suggest walking past the bell service to hail your own taxi. We were warned by our taxi driver on our ride from airport that Seattle’s bellman are infamous for overcharging hotel guests for car service and pocketing the money. Indeed, our bellman did over-quote us (according to standard rates I found posted online) and I found his response and denial rude to boot. Besides that snafu, all of the staff were polite and accommodating.

Complimentary bicycles for exploring Seattle at Hotel Monaco
Complimentary bicycles for exploring Seattle (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

7. Bicycles for Exploring

Want to explore Seattle by bike? There’s no need to rent; simply borrow one of Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle’s complimentary bicycles to pedal around town.

A plush otter greets child guests with the You Otter Book This Package at Hotel Monaco Seattle
A plush otter greets child guests with the You Otter Book This Package (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

7. Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle Packages

We booked the You Otter Try This Package, which included two tickets to the Seattle Aquarium, Otter Pops for the kids at check-in, and a plush toy otter to take home as a souvenir of your Seattle visit. Although this package is no longer offered, Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle always has a variety of packages to choose from.

If you’re looking for a boutique hotel in downtown Seattle that offers more than your standard beige room, I suggest giving Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle a try. Read additional reviews of this hotel via TripAdvisor.

Headed to the Pacific Northwest? Read our tips for visiting Seattle with kids! You may want to check out our Portland with kids suggestions as well.

Have you ever stayed at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle with kids or have you stayed at another Kimpton Hotel location? What did your family think? Let us know in the comments below!

A Note from The Travel Mama: My family received a media rate from Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle for purposes of this review. All opinions are my own, as always.

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6 Comments

    1. Thanks for the comment, Mark! I bet your daughter would love Hotel Monaco Seattle. Our family certainly did!

  1. Any little distraction helps getting kids to unwind from their busy day. The goldfish seems like the perfect answer. And anyone can tell that the goldfish stays when it’s time to go home since sloshing water on the way out the door is hard to imagine.

  2. I love the look of this hotel and it sounds like the location is perfect! My kids would love to have a goldfish in the room but I’m pretty sure that I would also be terrified the entire time that it wouldn’t survive our stay!

    1. Lisa – The location truly was ideal for exploring Seattle. Even with the worry over Simon’s lifespan, the goldfish in the room was such fun for the kids…I highly recommend you “adopt” a fish if you ever get a chance to stay at this hotel!