Thursday, December 18, 2008

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel which opened its doors in 1924, breathes history. Located smack downtown, this Five Diamond beauty puts you in the middle of one of Seattle's entertainment areas. For one, you're at walking distance from the Seattle Central Public Library. If you think you don't need a library during your stay in Seattle, reconsider. The building designed by world renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, is more than a library, it's a site to see, it's a learning tool, a meeting place, a smashing hit you can't afford to miss.

Benaroya Hall, home of the Seattle Symphony, is only a few blocks west. Across the street from the recital hall, you'll find a fantastic music venue and Pan-Asian eatery The Triple Door as well as restaurant Wild Ginger.
Closer yet to your home away from home is the 5th Avenue Theatre, where Shrek the Musical was mounted in the spring of 2008.

Another great venue is the Paramount Theatre. If your visit includes a first Saturday of the month, you shouldn't miss a tour, and do check out the rest of their programming. Oh, and when other theaters are "dark" (on Mondays) you can watch a silent movie at this grand location.

Fans of open markets, will enjoy Pike Place Market (where salmon gets to fly). Many of the restaurants in or around the Market present wonderful views of Puget Sound and the Olympic mountains.

The Fairmont Olympic was renovated in the early 1980s and is an elegant building listed on the Register of Historic Places. The Fairmont Olympic is a fine example of Historic Hotels of America.

From the moment you step out of your car and enter the regal lobby of the Fairmont Olympic, you will experience personal attention and service. The Fairmont Olympic takes up a whole city block, and while there are all kind of attractions in the area, you could spend your entire visit in and around the hotel itself.

I'm thinking tea at The Georgian after our arrival, cocktails in the piano bar, dinner at Shuckers, breakfast in bed, or perhaps a "grand crème" with a croissant at the lovely French coffee shop you can get to from the lobby. Reading the newspaper and watching passers by on 4th Ave. will probably make us want to have a baguette at the same place, why not? Then, dinner at The Georgian (or at least a cup of mushroom soup (at the Terrace), it is de-li-cious), and if we feel we need to, we can work it all off at the gym or in the swimming pool.

Luly Yang's Boutique is on my list, as are the other shops inside and around the hotel. Mmmh.

Hotel Max

About the Hotel Max
Remember the old Vance Hotel? It's now called Max, and it has had a total make-over. Smack downtown and yet with ample breathing space. The view of the Court House garden is really green. Hotel Max is a mere 6 blocks from Pike Place Market, 7 from Western Ave. (furniture lovers haven), and 8 from Elliott Bay's waterfront. Combine business with pleasure in this startling designer hotel decorated with over 350 works of art by 39 local artists and photographers. You like the sink?, go ahead and buy it (a fresh one that is), same for linen, plasma t.v. etc. Like the art? The concierge will connect you with the artists or their gallery. A catalogue of all works of art and artists is available at the front desk for $20.

Hotel Max is Mod, Hotel Max is Innovative (designed to display real art), Hotel Max is Romantic and it Rocks! Rooms and bathrooms in this stylish brownstone are not large but attractive, with lovely linen, New Millenium features, and great service. The excellent Westlake Specialty Market (Wild Board cold cuts, wine, desserts etc.) is around the corner as is local favorite Uptown Espresso. Close to museums, libraries (Koolhaas and Braille) shops and theaters.

Previously published by hotelsbycity who credited (in this case) seattleblogman9 for my writing.

Marqueen Hotel

Built in 1918, the half block that now houses The Marqueen Hotelwas an apartment complex when we arrived in Seattle. With Cafe Ladro Espresso and bakery at your doorstep, the in-house Spa and Salon Intermezzo Piccolo, and Mercer Ten all located within the same structure, you don't have to venture far for special treats.

Thespians will find McCaw Hall (Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet) Seattle Rep, as well as award-winning Intiman Theater, Rock & Pop Lovers the Experience Music Project (EMP) and the plain curious Pacific Science Center at walking distance. Not to forget the zany Teatro Zinzanni where dinner and entertainment are mixed on the spot.

The Marqueen Hotel, is an excellent starting point to investigate the rest of the city. Although, with a multitude of eclectic restaurant choices for each meal of the day within a 100 yard radius from the hotel, you may be enticed you to stay in one neighborhood. Queen Anne Hill has it all.

Recommended to Wagner buffs, hoofing aficionados and savvy thespians, who keep an eye on innovative Intiman and Seattle Repertory programming.

Previously published in slightly different form by hotelsbycity which (in this case) credited my pal seattleblogman9 for my writing.

Inn at Queen Anne

Pretend you live in Seattle. Shop for local delicacies across the street. Treat yourself to a special in-room bite before going to On-the-Boards, the Seattle Repertory or Intiman Theatre. Dress up for the Seattle Opera or the Pacific Northwest Ballet, or casually slip into Uptown movies. Browse the stacks at Easy Street Records for a CD by an old time favorite, or the latest by the up-and-coming. Watch people brave the spray of the International Fountain at Seattle Center on a hot day. Mount the complimentary shuttle to the Olympic Sculpture Garden and afterwards have cocktail at Cafe Mecca, an appetizer at T.S. McHugh's or a coffee at Uptown. Act like you're at home, you are at the Inn on Queen Anne.

Don't forget to check out the specials for a night on the town, or an extra day at the foot of the Hill.

Previously published by hotelbycity which credited an other blogger for my writing.