I live in Seattle and often host visiting friends and family. Here are the top 9 hotels I recommend, from no-fuss hostels to luxury waterfront suites.

Built in 1904, The State Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Seattle with views of the waterfront as well as a rooftop deck and fitness center. The central location makes it a great place for visitors attending a show at nearby theaters like The Showbox or Paramount Theatre.

Its 91 rooms are modern and comfortable with walk-in showers and lots of natural light, and some have views of the water or the city. Grab a bite at Ben Paris, a restaurant in the hotel serving American food, cocktails, wine, and beers in a lively and vibrant atmosphere.

If you're looking for a low-fuss hotel where you can socialize and get a good night's sleep, check out one of citizenM's two Seattle locations, one in South Lake Union and the other in Pioneer Square.

All the rooms have the same comfortable size and modern layout, and you can book a room with a view for an extra fee. They also have free WiFi, a power shower, blackout blinds, and luggage storage available. For socializing, there's a bar in the lobby — full of colorful accents and chandeliers — and large common spaces. There's no on-site parking, however, so be prepared to find street parking or an overnight garage.

For a hostel that's close to Seattle landmarks and experiences, the Green Tortoise Hostel in central downtown Seattle is a great choice. It offers private bathrooms, a communal kitchen, luggage storage, a loaded breakfast buffet, and more.

Depending on your preference, you can book a coed room, female-only room, or private room. Each bed includes a personal storage locker, and shared rooms have privacy curtains. And if you're traveling solo or on a budget and want to meet people, join one of the hostel's free biweekly ice-cream socials or free/pay-what-you-want walking tours.

Located on Pier 67 of Seattle's waterfront, Edgewater Hotel has a rich history of hosting music legends, from the Beatles to Stevie Wonder, and offers beautiful panoramic views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains. Amenities at this luxury hotel include a 24-hour fitness center, printing services, and an in-room record player that's available on request. There's a one-time fee for pets and its signature Rock the Dog program includes a pet bed, water, and food bowl you can use during your stay, plus special treats upon check-in.

Rooms have a device docking station and Keurig, and all guests get two complimentary hours to use the hotel's Zybra bicycles. Check out Six Seven, a rustic on-site restaurant with indoor and outdoor waterfront dining, which has some of the best seafood I've had in Seattle. Grab an appetizer of mussels and clams or the king salmon. You can also grab coffee or a few Seattle souvenirs at The Brim.

W Seattle is a luxury Marriott hotel centrally located near Pike Place Market and the Seattle Art Museum, and just a mile from CenturyLink Field and T-Mobile Park, which is great if you're planning to see a game or concert and want an upscale place to stay.

When you enter, you'll be welcomed by a large lounge around a fireplace with leather seating. Rooms are spacious with large windows, sleek wood finishes, and flat-screen TVs, and there are several meeting spaces you can use during your stay. The bathrooms are large, and suites come with glass-enclosed showers, jetted tubs, and windows with views of the city. There's also a free gym and live music from emerging artists and DJs on the first Fridays of the month.

Stop by TRACE Market, its signature restaurant and cocktail bar, for a market-driven menu for breakfast and lunch, which is a crowd favorite among visitors. You can also join a rejuvenating yoga session if you're staying on the last Saturday or Sunday of the month. Since this is a Marriott hotel, you can also earn points as Marriott Bonvoy member.

Ace Hotel is a great option if you're looking for an intentionally designed hotel in Belltown that won't break the bank. It's a little further from the center of downtown Seattle, but accessible enough to attend shows, visit Pike Place, or get around with buses and the light rail.

You can book deluxe rooms with private bathrooms, or standard rooms with shared bathrooms, which all come with Rudy's shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, a flat-screen TV, and a hair dryer, bathrobe, hair iron, and a locked safe to use during your stay. The rooms are pretty simple, so it's a better choice for visitors planning to be out and about most of the time. There's no restaurant or bar on-site, but there are plenty of restaurants in Belltown to grab a bite — I recommend List for small plates during happy hour and Karaage Setsuna if you're interested in sushi and karaage.

If you're hoping to skip the chain hotels or stay outside of downtown Seattle, the art-deco Graduate Seattle hotel is conveniently located minutes away from the University of Washington-Seattle campus, Neptune Theater, and at least half a dozen boba-tea spots. The U-District light-rail station is nearby so you can get to Capitol Hill and downtown Seattle within minutes.

Given the location, it's popular among young folks and UW alumni. The rooms vary in size from a small studio to an apartment-style room, and they all have a view of the city.

The Graduate is also pet-friendly (with a fee attached) and offers a 24-hour fitness center and free passes to the nearby YMCA, complimentary bike rentals, and even loaner headphones. Grab coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Poindexter Coffee in the lobby, or ride up to the 16th floor for the scenic rooftop bar, the Mountaineering Club, where you can enjoy views of the city and small plates, cocktails, and even roast-it-yourself s'mores that you can cook over an open flame and assemble to your liking.

View Insider's comprehensive guide to visiting Seattle, Washington.