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.