Seattle ยท University District
College Inn
Charles Cowen's 1909 Tudor-style inn for Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition visitors, across from the UW campus; economy rooms share baths.
- Built
- 1909Built 1909 for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition; the inn dates its 'birthday' to June 1, 1909.
- Style
- Tudor Revival
- Type
- Inn
- Area
- University District
- Credentials
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
The story
Real estate developer Charles Cowen built the Tudor-style College Inn in 1909 to lodge visitors to the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, held that summer on the University of Washington campus across the street. It operates as a family-owned, European-style hotel with shared baths on each floor for its economy rooms. A 2024 remodel added private bathrooms to about half the rooms.
The ghost story
A Seattle Times guide to haunted bars tells the story of Howard, a sailor said to have been murdered while staying at the College Inn, who is said to haunt the pub in the building's cellar, mostly its back 'Snug Room', where people glimpse him at the edge of their vision and hear him play the piano.
Source: theticket.seattletimes.com
Good to know
- Address: 4000 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105
Things to do
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Sources (2)
Last verified October 2026. Details change; confirm with the inn before you book.