Pensione Nichols

Attention OLD FOLKS: There is no guest elevator. It’s a walk-​up from the street and it’s a steep flight to the first floor, so you’ll be lugging your luggage quite a ways to your room. It’s 2 flights of stairs from the street to the service desk when you check in. There is no service at the desk after mid afternoon. Bathrooms are quaint and shared. There are large windows near the ceilings of some rooms that overlook the hallway. The bathtub is extremely high, so if you can’t get your leg up high or you might trip getting in, avoid the bathtub. Your bedroom might be small, especially for two people, as far as actual floor space. A QUEEN ROOM DOESN’T SEEM HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE. Attn SINGLE WOMEN: There is a large skylight over the bed. The fire escape is right off the living room area overlooking the ferris wheel and the bay with not much foot traffic back there. Also, one of the bathrooms has a large window near the ceiling.
That said, it’s cute and a bargain for the location. Just thought you all should know the peculiarities of the place.

Let’s just remember Seattle is expensive so this was the most affordable place we could find. It’s a small bed and breakfast in an awesome location! It feels like an exclusive club to get in because you can only enter with a code. Which is good for safety reasons but can get complicated when your trying to check in. (she never sent us a code and no one was available at the desk, so we were locked out for a while)
Parking just sucks downtown, and this place has no on site parking so prepare to walk a couple of blocks with all your things in hand. (You do get a discount at the Macy’s parking structure but it’s a few blocks away)
It’s a clean hotel with a homey feeling. The bathrooms and showers are shared which isn’t too bad because they were always kept clean.
Breakfast is served in the morning it’s simple: fruit and bread nothing fancy and you don’t get options it’s whatever she makes in the kitchen.
Overall it’s a nice little place in a great location near tourist attractions.

Husband and I stayed here last month and loved it. European feel to it. I was a bit worried about the lack of an elevator, but the stairs were not a problem at all. It was a straight shot up them and into our room. We got the suite with view room. Beautiful day and nite for viewing. The room and kitchen were very clean, and the bed was very comfortable. Lots of hot water for showering. It’s a block away from Pikes Market and ½ block away from the Irish pub/​Post Alley where hubby had to go to watch whatever game was on. While he was gone I enjoyed the peace and quiet of the location. Breakfast was toast with jam and peanut butter and a large bowl of fresh fruit, complimented by orange juice and delicious espresso. Just enuf to get us started on our day. The breakfast room/​sitting room is very inviting with several large, open windows and comfy seating. The young woman working there, whose name escapes me, was very friendly and helpful with local transportation info and just very helpful overall. The morning we checked out I met and had a short chat with the owner, Lindsey. She was very friendly and endearing, and seemed genuinely appreciative that we had stayed there… and her handsome little pup, Theo, was at her side. Very comfortable stay. We will stay there again.

If you’re paying $ 40 or less per night, this place might be OK. It’s old, not pretty old, but ratty trash old, not shabby chic old. It does not smell too good, either, although it looks clean. The bed was not comfortable. The shared bathroom looked clean. The breakfast was not worth it at all, nothing special.
I was in a hurry when I booked it on Expedia and did not have time to check reviews, but relied on the expedia rating along.
$ 150 I paid was way too much and totally not worth it.

My kiddo & I had an enjoyable stay at the Pensione Nichols. The accommodations were very nice & super comfortable. It was great being able to stay from our room & watch the city go by. The view from the dining/​living room was equally lovely as we were able to see the views of the lake. We slept like logs & the next morning we enjoyed a simple but really filling breakfast. The fresh fruit and yogurt was my kiddo’s fave. The coffee was hot & plentiful so no complaints from me either. After breakfast, Lindsey, the proprietor, gave me suggestions on our best route around the city & the things we should see. After we checked out because we wanted to see a lot of the sites Lindsey allowed us to keep our luggage there so we wouldn’t have to lug it around.
Overall, a great stay & well worth the price.

So to start this off, my wife and I have been to a lot of bed and breakfast places. Most of them are outside the city a bit, in a lovely huge house, amazing breakfast and are super plush, and you pay for it.
This place isn’t quite like that. This place was dead center in where you’d want to be in Seattle (a block away from Pike Market). This place was also an older building, which had lots of charm! The breakfast wasn’t stellar, but man, was it good! Great fresh fruits, awesome bread, peanut butter, jam, butter, French pressed coffee from a local roaster, and OJ! It was certainly enough energy to start the day!
The main living room area is also really nice. Huge comfy couches, piano, and one heck of a stairwell on the outside of the building which a memorizing view of the Seattle waterfront… honestly, I want to stay here again, just to write for hours at night, looking over the city.
Our room was pretty nice, too. Bed was nice and comfy. I heard people complain about the noise, but for goodness sakes, you’re in the middle of a major city! It wasn’t overly loud. It was just the sound of a city. Which can be comforting at night.
Every floor has it’s own bathroom, and luckily, we had a room right next to the bathroom (room 10! It’s great!).
Bathroom was clean, which is always a perk with a shared one.
Lindsay, the proprietor of this fine place, was also just lovely.
We had a great night’s sleep every night.
We even brought our bikes, which honestly, is a great way to get around Seattle. It made almost everything accessible within 10 – 15 minutes, tops! Bikes fit in the room, no problem.
So as long as you’re not thinking this is a typical B&B, you’ll be fine. It’s different to be sure. But it’s really quite nice. I know we’ll be back.

Very charming if you’re looking for a homey inexpensive place to stay in downtown Seattle.
Lindsey made us feel comfortable and even suggested things for us to do in the city. They’re very laid back and allowed us to leave the funds for the room in an envelope at the desk the morning we checked out.
Stayed in the suite with full kitchen and enough room for 4 adults. The view was amazing.
Had a hard time booking online and so decided to show up. The front door has a coded lock that no one answers. Be sure to call before to get code.
Would stay here again for sure.

I just may be the biggest fan of this B&B and it’s proprietor, Lindsey. If you are visiting Seattle, you simply cannot find a cuter, more PERSONABLE and comfortable spot… perfectly located in the heart of downtown Seattle, right next to (actually ABOVE)
our historic Pike Place Market! (If you have a chance, grab one of the two SUITES with a fabulous view of Elliot Bay! None better!) Here, you can step back in time and enjoy all modern conveniences EXCEPT TV, microwaves, swimming pools and that bs. and experience Seattle via my own vintage slash retro lifestyle… aka absolutely DREAMY! Tell Lindsey GAMS sent ya!

This place is wonderful! Old style charm, quaint, great views, nice small breakfast in the morning, and perfect Pike’s Place location. If you’re looking for a hotel style place with TVs and all the amenities, this place isn’t for you. My two friends and I had a blast staying here, and I even live here locally. Will definitely stay here again! Highly recommended!

This place really isnt that nice. But not bad. Lots and lots of repairs and maintence needs done here. Its not too clean. I pry wont return. But we stayed in the so called suite. I do have to say i liked the balcony though. Also the location is good.

So here’s the scoop… This place is very cute and charming and has an amazing view from the main living room. You can’t ask for a better location either. It’s right in the middle of downtown Seattle.
We stayed in one of the private rooms, #3, in the hallway and it was surprisingly quiet. Everything appeared to be pretty clean. We had no issues with sharing the restrooms because we never had to wait for anyone else and they were always clean.
Also, for as old as the building is, we didn’t get any creepy vibes or feel any negative energy, which was surprising.
For the most part, the owner, Lindsey, was very hospitable and helpful. When we checked in Lindsey was having a meditation session and burning incense in the living room with some of her girl friends, we thought that was really cool and it calmed us down a bit from our hectic arrival into the city.
Now… By this point, you must be wondering how could this chick only give 3 stars when she has nothing but good things to say? Well, I aaaaaalmost only gave 2 stars and here’s why… the animal piss smell in our room. It was unbearable. We asked the housekeeper to spray something in there to help get rid of the smell and she said «no problem». We headed out to do some exploring and got a call from Lindsey a few minutes later saying «That’s not urine, it’s the incense. I promise.» Ummm. No… don’t tell me what I just smelled is incense. I am 32 years old, I can tell the difference between Nag Champa and cat piss. I cannot believe nobody else has complained about this in other reviews. It’s really bad. When we asked for a different room, (knowing that all the other rooms in the hall were vacant because Lindsey told us upon checking in) she then refused and changed her story to say there aren’t any other vacant rooms.
Oh! And the «breakfast» was subpar. After seeing a few others have their fruit and bread delivered, while we enjoyed a lovely pot of French-​press coffee, we decided to just skip out on that part and have breakfast elsewhere.
Sadly, we won’t go back … and… if it weren’t for the smell and the fact that the owner called to argue the issue with us about the smell, we definitely would go back.

We stay at this quaint little B&B every time we are in the city. The location is amazing especially considering the price — just a brief walk to Pike Place Market. The rooms are very inviting, and the staff is always helpful. I would recommend Pensione Nichols to anyone visiting the city.

I stayed in view apartment 12 last September. It is very spacious, comfortable and has amazing views. Please note however that it is above a very active alley where the noise from the nightlife extends to the early morning hours followed by the noise of trash trucks early the following morning. Aside from the noise, it was a very comfortable stay.
That said, my main frustration came months later. For several months after my stay, mysterious charges kept showing up on my credit card statement. None of the charges actually went through, but for months, pending charges of $ 20 here and $ 12 there kept coming. I contacted Pensione Nichols several times and they were never able to offer a good explanation other than to say that their system had been «hacked» and her identity stolen and that my information may have been stolen. My credit card company confirmed that it was their merchant ID making the pending charges but they could still not explain why this continued to happen. In the end, I had to get my credit card replaced in February 2013 to stop the mystery charges, so give them your credit card at your own risk.

For the price, this place isn’t that bad. I love the view… and such a great location. It’s a bed and breakfast in the heart of Seattle’s beautiful downtown, ½ block away from Pike’s Place Market.
Breakfast is a little less than desirable (fruit and toast, with coffee/​tea/​juice), so it might be best to skip it and head out to the many amazing breakfast restaurants throughout the area.
4 of us got the suite that included a kitchen and a full bathroom. The beds and sheets were ok. It felt a little like a Motel 6. You can possibly get a better value of you found a place through AirBnB.

The owner of this place is legitimately unstable, and not fit for service or hospitality. She was very rude on the phone, and when we arrived to check in, at 3:05pm, the room was still being cleaned. I called her to see if another room was available as there was no one at the front desk.
She informed me that we would «have to wait», and when I reminded her, politely, that we were past check in time and very tired from hauling our bags to the stairs, she became agitated. I said our circumstance was unacceptable and she told me angrily to «fuck off» and to «get the fuck out now».
When I tried to explain that we had already paid in full she hung up.
We ended up staying one night, because my friend had arrived from overseas and literally BEGGED her to let us stay. She was completely unapologetic.
The place was loud, unclean, the bedding stained and linens tattered. I would not recommend anyone staying here, ever.

Got the groupon for a night’s stay. Completely worth it! Bed was comfy, breakfast was light but filling, the bathtub deep and luxurious. Highly recommended!

I wanted to review the B&B, Pensione Nichols to tell other travelers of my wonderful experience over my five night stay there. I woke up to a delicious continental breakfast with fresh fruit (usually including blue berries) served every morning in a spacious living-​room with a sweeping panorama of the breathtaking Seattle Sound. This living-​room is astounding! I couldn’t dream up a more wonderful and fascinating place to relax at any point of the day or night, well appointed with an antique grand piano, beautiful prints on the walls, large heavily stuffed leather couches, and other curios and antiques. Every interesting curio and antique has an entertaining story behind it, which the proprietor, Lindsey, is glad to tell. On top of all this, the coffee is excellent, quickly and copiously supplied from numerous French presses.
My favorite part was the gorgeous claw-​footed extra-​large antique bathtub which Lindsey saved from a historic building marked for demolition. I had a relaxing hot bath in it every night I spent there. I’m six foot three inches tall and I could stretch all the way out in it. (Tall travelers take note.) There was never a lack of hot water, which connoisseurs of B&B’s may know is not to be taken for granted.
The hosts are kind, welcoming, attentive to detail, conversational, and a pleasure to be around. They are helpful with all questions, directions, and requests.
Another advantage is that Pensione Nichols is centrally located in downtown Seattle, sitting on the very edge of the historic Pikes Public Market. Of course, this makes it within a short walk of most downtown attractions, including my favorite Seattle restaurant, Le Pichet, which is two doors down the street. (Do try it!) Pensione Nichols also provides spare umbrellas, an advantage in rainy Seattle.
I do not have a single regret or complaint about the Pensione Nichols. I plan and look forward to staying there many times in the future.

Any trip to Pensione Nichols begins with the stars so off the bat it felt like a nicer European hostel to me. The space is long, with the front desk relatively close to both the bathroom and the rooms which are lined up in a row, not unlike a dorm. The rooms are small and have limited accessories, no televisions or fancy coolers, but the location is hard to beat as it is very close to the Pike Place Market.
When I was there it was a clam and welcoming atmosphere. The community space at the far end of the hall, has a good view of the sound, and smartly the owner has provided some binoculars. My husband spent a good 30 minutes looking out the window, while I chatted with my mother at a table, and some Russian tourists chatted at a sofa area. It was nice.
Now, I want to make it clear that I did not stay at Pensione Nichols but my mother did, and so I was there at least four times during her last stay. If you were looking for a reasonably priced place to stay while visiting Seattle for a short period of time, this is a great option, but for those seeking more than a place to drop your luggage and/​or read while visiting, this wouldn’t be the right fit.
Lastly, I do want to note that I am glad this option exists so close to the market for tourists who only seek to sleep and read while in their hotel.

I really wanted to write a more positive review, however «A-​OK» it was not. A «bed & breakfast» that fails to provide the latter half of their description (and from the reviews I’ve read, the breakfast wasn’t much to miss) is in need of some serious improvements. The various bathrooms were in a state of overflowing wastebaskets the entire time we were there (and we were the only guests). The shower pressure could’ve used more oomph. The room was a bit stuffy. The parking situation is a bit confusing and they could really do something to explain it more clearly to their guests.
On the other hand, the historic building is picturesque, the bed was clean and comfortable, the manager was pleasant. Not enough for me to want to return.

I’m giving this place four stars for it’s location, charm and view of the city. It’s a pretty old building and our room wasn’t very spectacular, but it was cute and quaint. Also, we took the advice from one of the reviewers below to take the 194 to this place from the airport and it worked out perfect!
PROS:
* We were able to check in early — they just left our key at the counter for pick-​up.
* Our room, as a friend would describe it, was a small cuban room, with a skylight, a ceiling fan, a cute little dresser and a tall green plant in the corner.
* We had three people with us, so they gave us a room with a full size bed and a twin bed.
* The location is key — it’s in the middle of downtown and we were able to walk everywhere just fine. There are plenty of cute restaurants and places to eat around the area, especially since Pike Place Market is just around the corner!
* The living room was cute and had some tables, couches, a piano and some binoculars to look at the amazing view! We were lucky when we went because two of the three days were sunny and had an awesome view at night.
* They have free wifi if you bring your laptop.
* The front desk person kindly printed out our boarding passes for us.
CONS:
* There wasn’t really anywhere to put our luggage, and the room was kinda small, so we had stuff sprawled out everywhere.
* We didn’t have our own bathroom and had to walk down the hall to get to one. There were three bathrooms on our floor, but during peak morning hours, they were usually all occupied.
* They only had single-​ply toilet paper and lacked toilet seat covers. With so many people coming in and out of these bathrooms, you would think they would have toilet seat covers; my friend and i had to steal some from some restaurants to bring back because covering the toilet seat with single-​ply toilet paper didn’t cut it.
* It got kind of noisy in the morning when we were sleeping since our room was right next to the living room.
* We didn’t get to try their breakfast, but from what we saw, it was normally just bread and fruit with some beverages.
* There is no elevator, so you’ll be climbing some stairs since all the rooms are on the second and third floors.
Overall, if you’re looking for a convenient, ok priced place to just sleep, this is perfect. It’s cute and charming and located in the heart of downtown. If you’re the high maintenance type and don’t like charming places, I highly do not recommend this place for you. They actually do have a couple suites, which we accidentally stumbled upon, with their own restrooms, but they’re probably more expensive. I’d opt for that next time if we were to come to Seattle again!