McMenamins Anderson School
downtown Bothell, Bothell
Hotel in Bothell, United States
Book with PearlWhy go
McMenamins Anderson School converts a 1930s Bothell elementary school into a casual hotel with a pool, multiple bars, on-site dining; all at mid-range Pacific Northwest pricing. Booking is easy year-round except summer weekends. The staff culture is relaxed and community-oriented, which is a strength for leisure stays and a minor friction point if you need sharp, attentive service.
About McMenamins Anderson School
Quick Verdict
McMenamins Anderson School is the right call if you want a hotel stay in Bothell that actually has something to do on-site; a pool, multiple bars, a soaking tub, event spaces all housed inside a converted 1930s elementary school. The novelty is real, not just marketing. Rooms book easily, prices stay well below comparable novelty-hotel concepts in the Pacific Northwest, the staff-run atmosphere leans genuinely hospitable rather than corporate-polished. If you're comparing it against a standard Bothell business hotel, this wins on character at roughly the same price point. If you need five-star service and a spa treatment menu to match, look elsewhere.
What the Experience Is Actually Like
The Anderson School conversion is thorough: classrooms became guest rooms, the gymnasium became an event venue, outdoor spaces were repurposed into a pool courtyard open to hotel guests. The staff approach here follows the broader McMenamins model; casual, community-oriented, notably unhurried. That works well for leisure stays and group trips. It works less well if you're arriving late expecting a sharp check-in and immediate attention. Front desk operations at McMenamins properties are typically relaxed to a fault, so arriving during off-peak afternoon hours gives you the smoothest experience.
Dining on-site covers more ground than you'd expect for a suburban Bothell address. There are multiple food and drink outlets within the property, which means you don't need a car after you check in, a practical advantage if you're visiting for a weekend without a fixed itinerary. The food program skews toward pub-style American comfort, not ambitious tasting-menu territory. For more considered dining options in Bothell, check our full Bothell restaurants guide.
Value is the real argument for booking here. The combination of a pool, multiple bars, an outdoor courtyard, distinct room styling at suburban Pacific Northwest pricing makes this one of the more complete packages in the area. Comparable conversion hotels in Portland or Seattle trend noticeably higher for similar room counts and amenity access. Families travelling with older kids tend to get strong value from the shared-space setup; the pool and casual dining make the property self-contained in a way that cuts trip overhead costs.
For a broader look at where Anderson School sits among Bothell's accommodation options, see our full Bothell hotels guide. And if you're building out a longer Pacific Northwest itinerary, properties like Sage Lodge in Pray, Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, or SingleThread Farm Inn in Healdsburg offer a comparable sense of place-specificity at higher price and service tiers.
Booking Logistics
Booking is easy. Rooms are available through standard OTA channels and the McMenamins website directly. Last-minute availability is common except during summer weekends and when large events are scheduled on-site. If you're targeting the pool courtyard in warm months, roughly June through September in this part of Washington, book at least two to three weeks ahead on a Friday or Saturday night. The rest of the calendar is forgiving.
How It Compares: Practical Overview
| Venue | Price Tier | Booking Difficulty | On-Site Amenities | Leading For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McMenamins Anderson School | Mid-range | Easy | Pool, multiple bars, event spaces | Leisure weekends, groups, families |
| Chicago Athletic Association | Upper-mid | Easy-moderate | Rooftop bar, game room, restaurant | Design-forward city stays |
| Troutbeck, Amenia | Upper-mid | Moderate | Pool, grounds, full dining | Weekend retreats, couples |
| 1 Hotel San Francisco | Luxury | Easy | Spa, rooftop, full F&B | Eco-conscious travellers |
Inside McMenamins Anderson School
Planning details
- Location
- 18607 Bothell Way NE, Bothell, WA 98011
- Website
- mcmenamins.com/anderson-school
- Phone
- +1 425 398 0122
The take
The Take
The Vibe
McMenamins Anderson School leans into its schoolhouse origins: corridors read like corridors, the gym still reads as a gym, and murals by in‑house artists cover the walls in a folk‑art vernacular. The conversion keeps the building’s patina front and center rather than polishing it into contemporary luxury, so the place feels both familiar and idiosyncratic. That institutional backbone—paired with bars, a soaking pool and communal spaces—creates a casually charming, slightly eclectic atmosphere where the building’s history is the main attraction and anonymity is impossible.
Best For
Anderson School is best for travelers who prioritize character over slick luxury: weekenders, families and groups who enjoy communal, sociable hotels will find it especially appealing. The presence of multiple bars, repurposed public rooms and a soaking pool makes it a natural base for relaxed socializing and group getaways, while the school’s quirky murals and preserved spaces attract visitors curious about adaptive reuse. It suits guests who want a neighborhood institution to explore rather than a polished city‑center boutique.
Venue details
Ambiance
Low amber lighting with surreal murals and quirky historic decor creating a cozy, eclectic atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Amenities
Accessibility
About the Stay
- Rooms
- 72
- Check-in
- 15:00
- Check-out
- 11:00
- Property Style
- Historic Schoolhouse Repurposed Into a Quirky Hospitality Campus
- Design Style
- Art Deco with Mcmenamins Eclectic Murals and Found Art
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Aman New York; Notable alternative
- Amangiri; Notable alternative
- Hotel Bel-Air; Notable alternative
- The Beverly Hills Hotel; Notable alternative
- The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel; Notable alternative
Hotel context
Against true luxury hotel comparisons, McMenamins Anderson School is playing a different game entirely; and knowing that upfront saves you a booking mistake. Aman New York and The Beverly Hills Hotel offer service depth, room finish, F&B ambition that Anderson School doesn't try to match. If those are your reference points, book accordingly and don't expect Anderson School to compete on polish or precision.
Where Anderson School does compete is on value, character, self-contained convenience within the suburban Pacific Northwest market. Against a generic Bothell business hotel at a similar rate, the converted-school setting, pool access, multiple on-site bars make it a clear upgrade for leisure stays. For visitors who want something with a sense of place without paying Seattle downtown rates, it works well. Properties like Hotel Bel-Air or Amangiri represent a different tier of resort experience; remote, highly curated, priced to match; none of which applies here.
The closest comparison category is the conversion boutique: historic buildings reimagined with personality and a communal bar program, priced for accessibility rather than exclusivity. On that axis, Anderson School delivers. Families, groups travelling together, weekend-trippers from Seattle looking for a short-haul destination hotel get the strongest return. Solo business travellers or couples wanting a quiet, refined stay would be better served looking at other Bothell hotel options or extending into Seattle proper. See our Bothell experiences guide for what's worth doing in the area once you've checked in.
Explore Bothell
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full McMenamins Anderson School guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare McMenamins Anderson School
| Venue | Awards |
|---|---|
| McMenamins Anderson School | No published awards |
| Aman New York | 2026 Mr & Mrs Smith Luxury Hotels2026 La Liste Top Hotels2025 World’s 50 Best Hotels · #612025 Forbes 4-Star2025 Michelin 3 Keys2025 AAA 5 Diamond Hotel2024 World's 50 Best Hotels · #372024 Michelin 3 Keys2023 World's 50 Best Hotels · #25 |
| Amangiri | 2026 Forbes 4-Star2026 Virtuoso Luxury Hotel Collection2026 Mr & Mrs Smith Luxury HotelsConde Nast Gold List 20262026 La Liste Top Hotels2025 World’s 50 Best Hotels · #982025 Forbes 4-StarMichelin 3 Keys 20252025 Michelin 3 Keys |
| Hotel Bel-Air | 2026 Forbes 4-Star2026 Condé Nast Traveler Best Hotels in California2026 La Liste Top Hotels2025 World’s 50 Best Hotels · #422025 AAA 5 Diamond Hotel2025 Michelin 3 Keys2024 World's 50 Best Hotels · #352024 Michelin 3 Keys |
| The Beverly Hills Hotel | 2026 Virtuoso Luxury Hotel Collection2026 Forbes 5-StarStar Wine Lists 20262026 Robb Report The 50 Greatest Luxury Hotels on Earth2026 La Liste Top HotelsConde Nast Gold List 20262025 World’s 50 Best Hotels · #652025 AAA 5 Diamond Hotel2025 Forbes 5-Star |
| The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel | 2026 La Liste Top Hotels2025 World’s 50 Best Hotels · #642025 Forbes 4-Star2025 Michelin 2 Keys2024 World's 50 Best Hotels · #302024 Michelin 2 KeysPearl Recommended Hotels |
Side-by-side comparison to help you decide where to book.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to book McMenamins Anderson School?
Book at least a few weeks ahead if you're visiting during summer weekends or around local events in the Bothell area; that's when last-minute availability tightens. Outside peak periods, rooms are generally accessible on short notice through the McMenamins website or standard booking channels. Weeknight stays are the easiest to secure and tend to offer more room category options.
How is the pool and spa at McMenamins Anderson School?
The pool is one of the main reasons to stay here rather than a generic chain hotel nearby; it's a converted on-site facility that gives the property genuine amenity depth. It's more community-pool in character than resort-spa, so if you're expecting a luxury wellness experience, manage expectations accordingly. For a casual soak after a day out in the greater Seattle area, it does the job well.
How is the location of McMenamins Anderson School?
The hotel sits at 18607 Bothell Way NE in Bothell, WA; a suburban corridor about 15 miles northeast of Seattle. It's not a walkable urban location, so a car is useful. The upside is proximity to the Eastside and Snohomish County without downtown Seattle hotel prices. If you need central Seattle access, this is a trade-off worth considering before booking.
How is the dining at McMenamins Anderson School?
McMenamins properties run multiple food and drink outlets under one roof, Anderson School follows that model with several bars on-site. The format is casual and pub-oriented rather than destination dining, which fits the converted-school character of the property. Don't book here expecting a serious restaurant; book here because you want a drink without leaving the building, that part works.
Do loyalty programs work at McMenamins Anderson School?
McMenamins operates its own passport and loyalty system rather than participating in major hotel loyalty programs like Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors. If you're chasing points from a major chain, this property won't deliver that. The McMenamins system rewards guests who visit multiple properties across their Pacific Northwest portfolio, so it's worth it if you plan to return.
Which room category is best at McMenamins Anderson School?
Rooms converted from classrooms vary in size and configuration; en-suite rooms are the practical choice for most travelers, as some room categories share bathrooms in keeping with the school-conversion concept. If a private bathroom matters to you, confirm that detail at booking. For couples or solo travelers open to the hostel-adjacent format, the soaking-tub or shared-bath rooms offer better value.
Is McMenamins Anderson School family-friendly?
The pool and open campus layout make it a reasonable option for families with older kids. The multiple bars on-site mean it skews more toward adults in the evening, so it's less suited to families with very young children looking for a quiet night. Think of it as a family-acceptable property rather than a family-first one.
