Seattle’s hotel scene has perked up in the past few years. With the city’s new hotels bringing the total to 11,000 in the downtown core, there are plenty of options to fit your style and budget.
All I require is a comfy king size bed, a cozy cocktail lounge and sometimes even a room with a view.
Here is the second in a series featuring five Seattle hotels, ranging from brand new to very old. They include Hotel Max, Pan Pacific Seattle, Hotel Andra, The Fairmont Olympic and The Hotel 1000. So pack your bag, invite your favorite travel buddy and check out the Emerald City sometime!
PAN PACIFIC SEATTLE
This is Seattle’s newest hostelry, opening in November 2006. As part of the 2200 Westlake complex, it shares space with a new Whole Foods Market.
Grocery shopping while staying at a hotel? My family and I spent more than an hour perusing the brand new store, and I was like a kid in a candy shop. It was a true urban adventure.
But back to the hotel. Our room had a direct view of South Lake Union with the Space Needle off to the side. But even beter was the view from the bathtub. Shoji style screens open to the bedroom with a view to the lake beyond (or the TV).
Sleeping takes place on a handmade Hypnos bed (warranted by the Queen of england, no less) and the mini-bar contains some of the more unique items I’ve seen: Bubble Up, Real Cane sugar Soda and Aussie Ginger Brew to name just a few. Sensors “know” that you’ve removed an item from the mini-bar, so if you walk around with it for more than 30 seconds, you’ll be charged.
The hotel’s signature restaurant Marazul recently opened, specializing in Asian/Cuban/Caribbean cuisine and palm trees (along with more than 40 rums). A complimentary continental breakfast is served in the Lobby Lounge every morning.
Minor Grumble: Tough to find one, but how about coolers in the rooms to store all the perishables from Whole Foods?
Special Packages: Take advantage of the hotel’s Opening Celebratory Special. Save 50 percent on room rates, with a Deluxe Queen at $193 and an Executive King with Space Needle View for $223. Through March 31, 2007.
Bathrooms feature shoji screens overlooking the main living area and beyond. Photo by Sue Frause.