Kraken playoff run provides early-season boost for Seattle hotels
The text discusses how Seattle's tourism is increasing and how hotels are doing better because of it.
Seattle Kraken's success in the NHL postseason is a boost for Seattle hotels.
The Kraken hosted its first home playoff match against the Colorado Avalanche on April 22. According to Visit Seattle, the Lower Queen Anne area and Seattle Center had a higher hotel occupancy that night than on the previous Saturday. It was also 10 points above the city average.
Brennan Payne of Hyatt House in Seattle, the general manager, said that the enthusiasm for the team continues to drive business. "Especially for this second season," he told Business Journal.
Payne, in an email, said that most bookings were from locals wanting to be close to Climate Pledge Arena. However, we have also seen fans from outside the city.
As Seattle continues to recover from its pandemic, the hotels are seeing an increase in business as the peak tourist season approaches.
According to Visit Seattle, the playoffs have also attracted large crowds of people to local bars to watch games, especially around Climate Pledge Arena. The best-of-7 series has been played every other day. Seattle is in the second round of four.
Operators say that after two seasons of Kraken games, restaurants, bars, and hotels have been anchored in the area. This is in addition to the many concerts held at Climate Pledge Arena every year. Alex Vinson, of the MarQueen Hotel, said that the arrival of the Kraken was a "night-and-day" difference from the time the arena reopened.
The hospitality industry has seen another boost in profits from sports. The Mariners played the Houston Astros in a single home game during the first postseason series for the club in over 20 years. The Seattle hotel occupancy rate increased 13% compared to the previous week.
The Kraken has hosted four playoffs games so far, and a fifth is scheduled for Tuesday. The Dallas Stars are 2-1 up in the series.
Seattle will host a game on Saturday if Dallas wins another one. If the Kraken make it to the Western Conference Finals, they will face either the Las Vegas Golden Knights (or the Edmonton Oilers) The NHL playoffs continue into June.
Payne says that the Hyatt House in Seattle, near the Space Needle has a great lobby atmosphere on game nights.