The Heathman Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Kirkland on the east side of Lake Washington and boasts that it’s the only boutique hotel in Kirkland. The Heathman is just a couple of blocks from the lake, conveniently located in the heart of downtown Kirkland, and a short walk to Marina Park, local shops, and galleries.
While the eastside in typically an area where you’ll want to have a car available, the complimentary bicycles available to guests expand the non-motorized sightseeing options.
Free Wi-Fi makes the hotel attractive for both business and leisure travelers.
We chose the Heathman as we had some business in Kirkland and wanted to stay close and avoid the traffic coming in from our home. It was also a good excuse to add on some wine tasting in the area. There are about 115 wineries and tasting rooms in the Woodinville area and the hotel makes a great home base for exploring. You will need a car, or hire a service, if you’re heading to Woodinville. And, if If you’re not a wine enthusiast, distilleries and cideries are also a short drive away.
You may opt to just stay in Kirkland. There are lots of fun shops and galleries to explore in the downtown Kirkland area, with vibrant restaurants and bars throughout the shopping district. Just a few doors away is Melody Lynne Winery’s tasting room and wine bar. Just a couple blocks more and you’ll find POP Culture Champagne Bar.
We think the hotel shines for couples booking a romantic getaway. Neither of us had stayed there, despite the hotel’s longevity as an upscale spot for a local getaway. All I can say is “what took us so long?” and “we’ll be back.”
The 91-guest room hotel is both spacious and modern, with a variety of room sizes and amenities to meet your individual needs. Room types available at the Heathman Hotel range from the Classic King, the Classic Queen, and the Symphony to the Terrace Suite and, of course, The Heathman Suite. Some of the rooms have balconies.
If you need a bathtub instead of only a shower, be sure to make your personal preferences known when making your reservation. Not all rooms have tubs.
We stayed in a Classic King room, pretty much an entry-level room. It was lovely, with plenty of room to spread out and lots of extra touches. You can enjoy morning news or music (an in-room sound dock stereo system) with a delicious cup of coffee made fresh with your personal French press. There is also an electric kettle for the tea drinkers.
The Heathman is a pet-friendly hotel, so you can bring your furry family members along with you. Pups even get their own signature dog biscuit, a dog bed, and water and food bowls for the duration of your stay.
The on-site restaurant is Hearth and it serves classic comfort food in a relaxed environment. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, depending on the time of year and weather. We stayed in September and during the day it was warm enough to sit outside.
Menu items range from quick meals like salads, sandwiches, and stone-fired pizza. For dinner, the classic entrees include roasted halibut and a New York steak. A regional menu with suggested wine pairings is often available. The bar has a good representation of local craft beers and wine, along with craft cocktails.
If you want to step away from the hotel for a meal, there are plenty of options within walking distance. For breakfast, we like the family-owned George’s. Brunch is served daily until 4 pm, so it’s an ideal place when you’ve slept in way too long but still are want some breakfast food. My favorite is the half order of chorizo benedict. Delicious!
The overall experience at the Heathman Hotel is great – the front desk staff is helpful and informative, not only about the hotel but about the local attractions and restaurants, too. The rooms are spacious and cozy, the beds are comfortable, and the location is great. We have it on our highly recommended list and will stay there again.
The Eastside is pricey, and sleepy little Kirkland (as it was when we grew up near there) is no more. During the summer and nice weather, prices are going to be about $300 per night, which may be more than your budget for a local stay. If you’re flexible on dates or are traveling during the off-season, there are some good deals to be found, and if it’s a special occasion, splash out with a suite.
The Details:
- Address: 220 Kirkland Avenue, Kirkland, Washington
- Website: Here
- You’ll need a car to get to Kirkland, but once at the hotel, you can leave it parked and enjoy a walkable city or use it as your base for exploring the area. The hotel is about a 35-minute drive from Sea-Tac Airport, slightly less from Paine Field (get more info about Seattle area airports), traffic dependent. It’s about 25 minutes from downtown Seattle, crossing the floating bridge.
- Hotel affiliation: The Heathman Hotel Kirkland is an independent hotel and is part of the Stash Rewards loyalty plan.
- Rates: Starting around $225/night based on double occupancy based on a spring rate check, jumping up to about $380/night for the summer. Rates are often lower on the weekends.
This hotel review originally appeared on our partner site, Traveling with MJ.
