1. Hotel Max
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Art intrigues people and makes them pay attention to what is around them, so the immense amount of fabulous works that hang upon the walls of the Hotel Max are carefully curated to grab the gaze of guests. The Hotel Max prides itself on the works of art that are throughout the building, in each room, the hallways and the public spaces, offering guests an added bonus to their hotel stay. The works of 39 artists adorn the 163 rooms of the hotel, giving a luxurious and stylish feel to the place.
Art maybe one focus of Hotel Max, but the other is certainly customer service. As part of the Provenance Hotel Group (Hotel Lucia in Portland, OR, Hotel Preston in Nashville, TN), they pride themselves on making sure no guest request goes unattended. Each phone in a guest room has a “You Got It” button to make things easy. In addition, they are found building community and helping out anyone and everyone online via their famously active and well-managed social media program. Be sure to check on their Twitter feed for excellent deals and specials. The downtown location of the hotel makes it a convenient place for business people or pleasure travelers looking to be close to the sights to see and the stores to shop. The convenient location does have its drawbacks, though, which are of course that space is at a premium here and street noise can leak into the rooms that face in that direction. The lobby does provide an excellent area for gathering, so the small rooms are less of an issue, as the hotel was built from the shell of the historic Vance Hotel. Next to the lobby, the hotel’s restaurant, Red Fin, serves up excellent sushi and Asian fusion along with the kinds of cocktails that please all kinds of hotel guests and the public as well. |
2. Four Seasons Hotel
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Like the others in its chain, the Seattle Four Seasons embodies modern ultra-luxury with its every molecule. The new construction building faces the Seattle waterfront, across the street from the Seattle Art Museum and just blocks from the Pike Place Market and convenient to all of downtown. However, with the kinds of service and amenities available inside (at a price, of course), you can barely see reason to leave.
The spacious lobby allows you to see the gorgeous fixtures as you walk to the front desk, during which time you will also be greeted and made comfortable by any number of staff. The overstaffing is what allows the Four Seasons to offer such great service, of course, including help with all manner of sightseeing and tourism. Ask them to help you navigate the nearby Pike Place Market and you might learn that the chef is offering tours of it that day, followed by a lunch made from ingredients there. Ask where to run and receive their localized running guide pamphlet. Ask for help from a concierge and you can be confident you will be sent to the right place. The restaurant and lounge embody the luxury spirit of the hotel by hiring one of Seattle’s top chefs while embracing Northwest ingredients. It is also designed to be at a price point that brings in locals from the streets without sacrificing any of the luxury spirit of the rest of the hotel. Locals know to stop by for the chef’s renowned mini-burgers, especially during happy hour, when they are cheap. The ultimate affordable indulgence here, however, is the $12 all-you-can-eat cheese table. A ten-foot long Douglas fir table is loaded each afternoon with a myriad of fabulous cheeses, both local and imported, accompanied by every cheese accoutrement a person could want. Along side this, there is also an all you can eat Northwest themed tapas table available nightly, a great option for people looking to get a few great flavors of the region. |
3. Inn at the Market
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The Inn at the Market takes a wonderful location and classic styling and wraps them into a beautiful, easy choice for a hotel. The only hotel actually located within Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market, the Inn embraces its historic location both in its identity and its personality. Arriving at the Inn, one is struck immediately by the lush browns and neutral tones that make up the color scheme. It instantly helps to relax the eyes and the brain, to allow it to focus on the natural beauty that is visible out every window, or the commotion of the market that hits when you go back outside.
The rooms on the waterfront side of the hotel offer stunning views of the entire waterfront of downtown, including the ferries coming and going. Each room is outfitted with all of the little things that would be expected from a hotel of this level, including signature robes and complimentary wireless internet. An additional perk of the hotel and the location is the stunning roof deck, accessible only to guests, with some of the best views around, of both the waterfront and looking east toward the city. It would be a shame to miss out on the wonderful location of the Inn at the Market, as visitors can embrace the many different lives of the market. Waking up early, one can watch the fishmongers unload the fresh catch of the day while grabbing breakfast at any of the multiple bakeries. During the lunch hour the crowds of tourists will be joined by the downtown crowd, making their way to the lunch stands and possibly to pick up some dinner ingredients. Finally, at the end of the day the sun sets over the top of the famous neon sign. From the Inn, a guest can choose to join this daily routine, or to simply watch from above. The restaurant at the Inn is also highly acclaimed, a French spot called Campagne, and it’s casual outlet, Café Campagne. Both are staffed by Iron Chef America competitor Daisley Gordon and consistently put out fabulous food. |
4. The Watertown
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Away from the hubbub of downtown Seattle, the Watertown offers a great hotel option for anyone on a budget, looking to get further from downtown or with business at the University of Washington. The Watertown is a simple, hotel that has done a great job of paring away the extras, while leaving the important things in place—plus a few bonuses.
The disadvantage of being outside of the downtown area is easily overcome with the free shuttles the hotel offers to transport guests, not to mention that there are ample bus routes in the area. The advantages of the location, on the other hand, are many. For anyone with any business at the University of Washington, the hotel is mere blocks from the campus. For anyone else, it is mere blocks from the heart of the University District, a vibrant and exciting neighborhood full of spectacular dining deals, interesting stores and home to one of the best farmers’ markets in the country on Saturday mornings. Whether or not there is another reason to visit the University, the campus is a beautiful area to take a walk around, with its academic buildings, a nice fountain, and if the season is right, rows and rows of gorgeous trees filled with light pink cherry blossoms. On the other side of the hotel is the Lake Washington Ship Canal, along which runs the Burke-Gilman path, a meandering walking and running path. Didn’t bring a bike? Not to worry, as the Watertown supplies guests with a free loaner cycle. Other convenient perks from the hotel include free parking, free breakfast and access to the pool at their nearby sister hotel. One other very neat perk is the “A la Cart” program, where they will supply a room, upon request, with a cart full of useful items. Options include the spa cart, the art cart, the surf (web) cart and the grumpy cart, a collection of things aimed at turning any frown upside down! |
5. Sorrento Hotel
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Everything about the Sorrento Hotel is just a little bit different, but only in the best of ways. Skipping the traditional fancy hotel route of being downtown, right in the middle of everything, the Sorrento is on First Hill, mere blocks from downtown, yet somehow, a world away. The Hotel opened in 1909 and exudes the glamour of the day, though in reality every modern amenity is available within.
The rooms are well equipped with Egyptian cotton linen and Direct TV, as well as decorations that match to the architecture. The public spaces, though, really show what staying at a hotel like this can mean. The Fireside Room offers the perfect gathering place for a chat with a neighbor or a stranger, or to listen to live music in the evenings on Fridays and Saturdays. The hotel also offers afternoon tea if that is more the feeling that day. The Hunt Club, the Sorrento’s restaurant also offers excellent quality dining. What truly makes the Sorrento Hotel stand out amongst luxury hotels is the program of evening activities and events that they put on. Night School is offered by the Sorrento and involves bringing in authors to talk and teach. The speaker can range from all types and the ticket prices include dinner and beverages, as well as a copy of the author’s book. Part of that program is Drinking Lessons, which, as the name implies, involves learning about cocktails from expert bartenders brought in from around the world. For a more all-ages friendly event, check out their summer weekly block parties, involving live music and cocktails for the adults. The Sorrento prides itself on customer service and this extends to the furry customers as well. Not only do they allow dogs, they even offer pet concierge services and supply all the tools your furry friend needs for an equally luxurious stay. |
