40 Years of Hospitality in Pike Place Market

The Inn at the Market has the distinct pleasure of being the only hotel in the historic district of Pike Place Market, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Seattle with a legacy all its own.

The Inn at the Market began as an idea to offer a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Pike Place Market. The Inn was the brainchild of Robert Thurston, an avid Washingtonian whose father founded Westin Hotels. Robert grew up with a passion for hospitality and a desire to create his own hospitality legacy in Seattle.

Prior to becoming a hotel, this corner of the market was inhabited by an army-surplus store and the Pine Street Tavern. The Inn was designed by Ibsen Nelson and the red brick cladding and concrete base was intentional to be reminiscent of the historic buildings in the Pike Place Market Historic District.

When it opened in 1986, the Inn became a welcome spot in the city allowing locals and travelers to stay in the heart of the city and experience everything the market had to offer. One story from the early days of the Inn includes a pea-pod costume where members of the sales team may have been spotted on the corner or around the market handing out brochures and encouraging visitors to come stay dressed like produce from the market.

In 1987, Campagne restaurant relocated from its original location on Capitol Hill to the ivy-covered courtyard of the Inn at the Market. For over 20 years, Campagne became one of the most celebrated restaurants in the city and added to the overall experience of staying at “The Inn”. As guests checked in curbside, kitchen staff could be seen through the window prepping and cooking creating a lively atmosphere. In 1994. Café Campagne, owned and operated by Chef Daisley Gordon, opened in Post Alley and remains an acclaimed French café in Seattle, still offering room service for guests of the Inn.

In 2015, Sushi Kashiba opened in the former Campagne and Marché space, beginning a new chapter in the Inn’s culinary history. Chef Shiro Kashiba, widely regarded as a pioneer of Seattle’s sushi culture, introduced the city to its first sushi bar in 1970 and has earned national and international recognition throughout his remarkable career. A three-time James Beard Award nominee for Outstanding Chef, Shiro was also awarded Japan’s prestigious Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, in 2024. Today, Sushi Kashiba continues the Inn’s tradition of offering an exceptional dining experience in the heart of Pike Place Market.

The Inn began to win awards and would go on to receive many honorable recognitions throughout the years from Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler and other well-known publications for its location, water views, charm and understated luxury and hospitality.

Though many well-known guests have stayed at the Inn, part of its appeal is anonymity. Celebrity guests may have preferred the less-formal, yet luxury approach of the Inn. In the 90’s the Inn had a few of its own celebrity moments when it was rumored Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love had stayed there and not long after a photoshoot for The Advocate took place with Kurt Cobain in one of the Inn’s suites.

Sleepless in Seattle became another iconic moment when a scene that took place in front of the Inn featuring Rob Reiner and Tom Hanks became a commentary of the times. This scene has been recreated in front of the Inn by many visitors over the years.

Another exciting moment was the filming of Top Chef Seattle in 2012, Bravo’s tenth season of the chef competition series. The Inn’s restaurant Marché was featured during the Pike Place Market Challenge episode.

The Inn is owned by a group of partners, most of whom were original investors in 1985. Majority ownership was taken over by Craig Schafer in 2017 when Robert Thurston retired. Mr. Schafer is also an avid Washingtonian and shares a passion for hospitality.

The Inn has undergone several major renovations from the late ’90s through 2026. What began as a French-country design featuring plaid and floral elements evolved into a sleek and updated look in the 2000s. In 2025, the Inn was updated again through the design of SkB Architects.

The new design embraces the colors of the Pacific Northwest and Pike Place Market and seeks to highlight the seasonality of the Inn. Offering a cozy hideaway in the fall and winter, and an escape from the hustle and bustle of the area during the summer.

The water view terrace is the ultimate amenity and showpiece of the Inn at the Market. Offering views of Pike Place Market, Elliott Bay, Mount Rainier and the Olympic Peninsula. Guests can enjoy a glass of wine or morning coffee while watching the ferries cross the bay. This terrace has also seen many iterations throughout the years, but the spectacular views remain the same.

The Inn at the Market has been honored to be the host of many celebrations for our guests over the years. Wedding nights, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations and family reunions. Welcoming guests back again, year after year, has been our pleasure.  We are honored to celebrate 40 years in the historic Pike Place Market, and we look forward to many more years to come.