Patricia Watkins 
Enjoy the sensational views and distinctive flavors of these PNW properties
Residents of the Pacific Northwest who want (safely) to make the most of local travel temptations have increased stays in Seattle. Yet out-of-town guests certainly also see the appeal of the area’s hospitable hotels.
You don’t have to drive too far to discover natural gems like The Lodge at Kenmore in St. Edward Park or Alderbrook Resort & Spa in Hood Canal. However, many choose to stick with the downtown sites that offer easy access to ferry docks and must-see sites like Pike Place Market.
Here’s a guide to finding accommodation that best suits your personality and preferences. *
For environmentally conscious travelers
Elaia Spa at Hyatt at Olive 8 offers seasonal treatments using eco-friendly products – Photo courtesy of Hyatt at Olive 8
Warm hues and top-notch COVID protocols greet guests at Hyatt at Olive 8, a downtown venue that allows for simple stays with luxurious touches. As Seattle’s first certified “green” hotel (awarded LEED Silver by the US Green Building Council in July 2009), the establishment enables conscientious visitors to take care of the planet and their own well-being at the same time. time.
Among other features, the building has one of the largest living rooftops in the city, measuring 8,355 square feet. The hotel’s emphasis on sustainability and environmental conservation permeates everything they do here; Olive 8 uses 32% less water and 20% less electricity than an average building of this size.
This attention is reflected at the hotel’s TIDAL +, a Pacific Northwest inspired seafood restaurant with an all new menu and raw bar. Make sure you don’t miss the fresh oysters (served with a blueberry ancho granita and a mignonnette of Washington apple), the seafood soup worthy of a rave, the Alaskan halibut or the local salmon accompanied. of jasmine rice and long beans.
An on-site cafe now helps patrons start their morning like a local, with fresh bagels from Blazing Bagels, pastries from Macrina Bakery, and coffee from Victrola.
Victrola currently also plays a role in the decadent and eco-friendly Elaia Spa, where a 90-minute Seattle coffee sugar massage and scrub experience allows guests to embrace one of the most signature aromas of the city. the region, while letting their body and mind completely relax. After a dazzling spa treatment, which seems to succeed in refreshing the complexion, stimulating circulation and eliminating muscle tension (in a hypoallergenic room), take advantage of the spa’s sauna, hammam and saline pool.
While guests may be tempted to never leave the soothing property during their stay, this hotel proves to be an ideal base for concerts and shows taking place at the nearby Paramount Theater. Especially environmentally conscious guests may also want to take a short walk to the Hyatt Regency Seattle, the tallest and first (and currently only) LEED Gold certified hotel in the city.
For farmer’s market fanatics
Most of the State Hotel’s 91 downtown guest rooms have either water or city views – Image courtesy of The State Hotel
If you know you’ll be spending most of your time browsing the bustling stalls of Pike Place or visiting nearby historic sites like Smith Tower, book a compact and comfortable room at the State Hotel. In addition to a prime location, highlights here include contemporary vibes inside a historic building (1904), comfy hooded bathrobes, and an 8th-floor terrace that overlooks the bustling market scene below .
At dinner time (Wednesday to Sunday), the ground-floor restaurant Ben Paris serves comfort food ranging from crispy Brussels sprouts and buttermilk fried chicken to lamb tagine. Weekend brunch here means ricotta pancakes, smoked salmon omelets, and turkey croissants that fuel a long walk in the market.
The venue also showcases local talent, with memorable artwork like an exterior mural by Shepard Fairey, the world-renowned street artist known for creating the ‘Hope’ poster for Barack Obama’s election. in 2008. Other prints include an electric rooftop painting by Seattle artist Takiyah Ward, a fantastic Ben Paris mural by local illustrator and tattoo artist Kyler Martz, and a collection of wallpapers and portraits inspired by Pike Place by Kate Blairstone, based in Portland.
The Palihotel Seattle, located on Pine Street, couldn’t get guests closer to Pike Place Market – Photo courtesy of Palihotel Seattle
Nearby, the Palihotel, located a stone’s throw from the main market entrance, is a funky boutique hotel marked by mismatched patterns and charming hipster touches (think Smeg fridges and stacks of hardcover novels). Located on the original site of the 1900s Colonnade Hotel, now a National Historic Building, rooms at the venue offer views of glittering Elliott Bay and the Spinning Ferris Wheel.
Other perks include an eclectic and bright lobby lounge (perfect for remote working opportunities) as well as dining with a touch of The Hart and The Hunter, the second inspired Los Angeles restaurant outpost. south of the mark. Popular breakfast options include cookies and gravy or waffles with fried chicken and a fried egg; later, enjoy the Palicobb salad, the Reuben sandwich or the “Pugetâ€, a royal salmon burger with marinated fennel, arugula and tartar sauce.
For lovers of the history of music
At The Edgewater, located directly on the waterfront, the Pearl Jam Suite attracts those who lived for grunge at the time – Photo courtesy of The Edgewater
By booking at The Edgewater, music fans are following in the footsteps of the traveling international rock bands that performed in Seattle in the 60s and 70s. (Read more here.) As the only true waterfront hotel from town, the building overlooks Elliott Bay on piers, which explains how the Beatles once took “fishing” photos straight from their window. Die-hard fans can now book the Beatles Suite to recreate the famous scene.
True grunge enthusiasts, however, should consider rocking their stay in the Pearl Jam Suite inside the rustic-modern lodge with Northwest inspired decor elements. The hotel partnered with Seattle’s Eddie Vedder and the band’s fan club to design the ultimate music-inspired space filled with art and memorabilia, a record player, a library of the band’s best albums and a replica of Mother Love Bone from Easy Street Records. wall.
About half of the hotel’s 223 rooms offer stunning Olympic Mountain and sunset views; Equally stunning views can be found at the hotel’s chic seafood restaurant, Six Seven. After the sun sets, catch a performance as the music comes to life at historic locations like The Crocodile (in his new home in Belltown) – which has helped kick off acts like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Mudhoney – The Showbox ( at the market) or The Triple door.
Looking for the ultimate PNW excursion while savoring Edgewater hospitality? Meet next to the FRS Clipper Pier to book a daytime whale watching adventure or an overnight stay on the magical San Juan Island.
For luxury lovers
LOTTE HOTEL SEATTLE offers ultimate luxury in the heart of downtown – Photo courtesy of LOTTE HOTEL SEATTLE
LOTTE HOTEL SEATTLE, a dreamy oasis perched high above Seattle and across from the Columbia Tower Club, offers a total escape. In bright and vibrant rooms and suites, with modern northwest meets mid-century decor and luxe amenities, guests sink into plush hotel beds while gazing at the sparkling water in the distance.
Diners also gaze at the city skyline from elevated spaces at the Charlotte Restaurant & Lounge on the 16th floor, where Executive Chef Alexander La Motte and his team present seasonal ingredients in locally inspired dishes.
From the moment guests enter the property here, they feel impressively taken care of that is caring, warmly genuine, and non-intrusive. Part of LOTTE, Korea’s largest hotel group, this new location (only the third outpost in the United States) gives PNW guests the chance to feel like they’re on a global adventure, even s ‘they just came from downtown from a nearby neighborhood.
Attractive amenities throughout the hotel include the magnificent on-site Le SPA at the LOTTE hotel, which offers a variety of upscale treatments, body wraps and facials (with products from the exclusive French line Biologique Recherche ) cupping sessions and foot scrubs.
For brunch buffs
Chef Kaleena Bliss sends delicious food to start the day right at Thompson Seattle’s Restaurant, Conversation – Photo courtesy of Thompson Seattle
Brunch at Conversation isn’t the only reason you should choose the Thompson Seattle Hotel, but it’s definitely a compelling reason. In a most welcoming space, which encourages a true human connection (to name the restaurant), Chef Kaleena Bliss has reinvented a menu that starts every morning on the sweetest note.
Try standouts like the smoked salmon lox platter; smoked ham fondant with bacon, tomato, arugula, cheddar, sourdough and breakfast potatoes; or Belgian waffles with peaches and fresh blueberries, whipped cream and maple syrup. (The restaurant plans to reopen for dinner on October 12, 2021.)
Located in the heart of downtown and on the outskirts of Belltown, this contemporary 12-story hotel was designed by Olson Kundig, the internationally renowned Seattle-based architectural firm. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, while Deluxe Rooms and Suites feature hardwood floors and charming mid-century furnishings.
The real piece of resistance of this hotel? Exquisite panoramas offered from the rooftop lounge bar, The Nest. Currently open Wednesday through Sunday evening, this 21+ hot spot is the perfect place to enjoy seasonal cocktails, small bites (from charred sweet corn to Dungeness crab sliders) and some of the best views in bird’s eye view found throughout downtown Seattle.
* Be sure to keep up with the latest mask mandates and check all restaurant opening hours online, as many of them are still evolving.
