Residence Inn Downtown

The Residence Inn Seattle Downtown Lake Union is one of the city’s largest and most significant extended-stay properties, providing 234 apartment-style suites in the heart of the nation’s foremost technology and biotech hub. While it differs from a traditional convention hotel, its substantial suite inventory makes it a powerhouse for specific types of group and business travel, including corporate relocations, long-term project teams, and multi-week training programs. Its location in South Lake Union, surrounded by the headquarters of Amazon, Google, and major research institutions, makes it a strategic asset for companies managing extended assignments or large team deployments.

The hotel’s primary value proposition for groups and business travelers lies in its accommodations. The 234 units are not standard hotel rooms; they are spacious studio and one-bedroom suites, each designed for long-term residential comfort. Every suite features a fully equipped kitchen, which includes a full-size refrigerator, stovetop, microwave, dishwasher, and all necessary cookware. This one feature provides a massive logistical and financial advantage for group bookings, allowing attendees to prepare their own meals, reduce dining costs, and accommodate dietary restrictions.

For business travelers on extended assignments, the suites provide a true sense of separation and space. The one-bedroom suites offer a distinct living room, separate from the bedroom, providing an area to work, relax, or host small, informal meetings. Every suite includes a dedicated workstation, plush bedding, and a pull-out sofa bed, adding flexibility for families or teams traveling together. This apartment-style living is a critical amenity for maintaining morale and productivity during a long-term project.

While the suites are the main draw, the hotel also provides a dedicated and flexible event infrastructure, making it a self-contained solution for corporate meetings. The property offers over 3,000 square feet of modern meeting space, capable of hosting small-to-mid-sized conferences, training seminars, and executive board meetings. The largest venue, the 1,664-square-foot Lake Union Ballroom, is a versatile, light-filled room that can host up to 150 guests in a theater setup or 100 for a banquet. It can also be divided into two smaller salons, the Cascade and Olympic, for concurrent breakout sessions.

This meeting space is supported by three additional breakout rooms: the 510-square-foot Denny Room, the 462-square-foot Fremont Room, and the 420-square-foot Wallingford Room. These are ideal for board meetings, small-group workshops, or as administrative hubs for a larger event. For a company booking a large block of rooms for a multi-week training program, this on-site event space is exceptionally convenient, allowing all lodging and meeting functions to be consolidated in one location.

The hotel’s amenities are built to support its extended-stay model and provide significant added value, especially for group budgets. A complimentary hot breakfast buffet is served daily, providing a substantial cost-saving for any organization booking a room block. The hotel also features “The RI Mix,” an evening social held on select weekdays that offers complimentary light bites, beer, and wine, serving as both a meal replacement and a valuable networking opportunity for guests.

For wellness and convenience, the hotel provides a large, 24-hour fitness center, an indoor swimming pool, and a hot tub. A complimentary grocery delivery service is available, allowing guests to stock their suite’s kitchen without leaving the property. Additional amenities include an on-site, 24-hour market for grab-and-go items, guest laundry facilities, and a pet-friendly policy, which is essential for those relocating with their entire family. The hotel’s location provides direct access to the Lake Union streetcar line, connecting guests to the downtown core, Pike Place Market, and the Seattle Convention Center.