Seattle, located in the Pacific Northwest, is surrounded by water, mountains and evergreen forests. As Washington State’s largest city, it’s home to the iconic Pike’s Market, the futuristic Space Needle, the first Starbucks, Olympic Sculpture Park, Chihuly Gardens and so much more including terrific, five-star accommodations close to all the best attractions to explore. Known as the Emerald City, there is no shortage of things to do in this cool and quirky metropolis, so this week these Luxury Travel Consultants are embracing the city on the Puget Sound to experience quintessential Seattle, Washington.
The Thompson Hotel
Seattle is a creative hub where innovators and entrepreneurs thrive. The Thompson Hotel embraces this vibe in their contemporary and sophisticated hotel. This luxury boutique property was conceived by the city’s own award-winning Olson Kundig Architects. Thompson Seattle is a contemporary urban landmark with awe-inspiring views of the Puget Sound, seamlessly blended with the culture of downtown Seattle. The Thompson’s 155 rooms and suites offer one and two bedroom options all with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Pike Place Market, the Puget Sound or the Olympic Mountains. We love their long-term stay residences with one- and two-bedroom units complete with all the comforts of home including kitchens, washer/dryers, plus all the hotel amenities at your beck and call. The hotel is literally a stone throw from the unforgettable Pike Place Market. Originally founded as Pike Place Fish Market in 1930, the seafood market is now known for the tradition of fishmongers throwing fish that customers have purchased, before they are wrapped. Get there early and pick up a coffee at the world’s first Starbucks before you explore the entire market. Stalls selling arts and crafts, flowers and other sundries usually open up around mid-morning. If you’re not up for a little seafood in the morning, grab a pastry at one of the bakeries (Le Panier has great almond croissants). While at the market, don’t forget to take a selfie in front of the legendary Seattle gum wall found in an alley under the market. Let WIT curate a custom Market Experience tour to include the surrounding neighborhood complete with a guided history tour and shopping. Who knows, you may even catch a flying fish!
Four Seasons Hotel Seattle
Next we visit Four Seasons Hotel Seattle, located in the heart of downtown and a short stroll to the Seattle Art Museum, Pike Market and the waterfront promenade. Positioned on the first 10 floors of a 21 story hotel and residential tower, Four Seasons Hotel Seattle offers 147 spacious guest rooms, including 13 suites. The newly renovated rooms are the perfect landing pad after a day exploring nearby art and culture. Reflecting the hotel’s appreciation of local art, guest rooms display a selection of 16 works by classic Northwest artists, reproduced from the collection of their neighbor, Seattle Art Museum. We love the outdoor terrace and fire pit, plus the hotel boasts Seattle's only outdoor infinity-edge pool with exclusive views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. From the hotel head across the street to Seattle Art Museum (SAM) whose inventory is wide-ranging, but has an exceptional collection of Native American art from the Pacific Northwest, including basketry, textiles, masks, totem poles and other delicate carvings in stone and wood. A mile from the SAM’s headquarters, on a nine-acre former industrial site at the northern end of the Seattle Seawall, is an outdoor gallery for the museum’s sculpture collection of more than 20 works at the Olympic Sculpture Park. One of the most eye-catching pieces is Alexander Calder’s monumental Eagle, which lines up beautifully with the Space Needle when viewed from the southwest. If pop culture is more your thing, check out The Museum of Pop Culture (also known as MoPOP). It’s a museum experience quite different from most others. It is very interactive and depends on its visitors to engage with the exhibits and collections. Starting from the rock ‘n’ roll movement, it looks at pivotal pop culture icons such as Jimi Hendrix (a Seattle native), the Marvel Universe and game revolutions, plus so much more.
Loews Hotel 1000
Looking for a hotel with contemporary, comfortable luxury? Loews Hotel 1000 fits the bill with a whole new look paired with the genuine Loews service. Located at the intersection of 1000 First Avenue and Madison Street, it is ideally situated just steps from the waterfront along Elliott Bay, near Pike Place Market, Seattle Art Museum, CenturyLink Field, the business district, and historic Pioneer Square. The 120 rooms and suites are modern with luxe touches all focused on comfort. We love The Golf Club, Seattle's only virtual-reality Golf Club, where you can hit the links without having to leave the hotel. This virtual golf simulator features more than 50 courses from around the world, including the Old Course at St. Andrews, Pinehurst No.2 and Pebble Beach. For first timers, it’s par for the course that you visit the landmark Space Needle. Isn’t it exactly what we picture when we think of this fine city! In 2017, they did a $100 million renovation on “the Needle,” so now it is even more architecturally impressive, with visitors able to experience 360-degree views and look 520 feet downwards through glass panels. On the open-air deck are “Skyrisers”, tilting glass walls that you can lean on to float over Seattle from 24 different vantage points. Amazing! The locals say you can’t leave town without crossing the Puget Sound on a ferry; we say it’s a great way to end your day of sightseeing. Let WIT book you an evening passage on the Seattle-Bainbridge Island ferry, for a festive evening ride to Bainbridge Island and back with dessert and drinks. This night cruise is a wonderful way to take in the Seattle skyline too.
Kimpton Alexis Hotel
Seattle is a seamless blend of old and new. Nowhere is it more evident than at the Kimpton Alexis Hotel. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 1901 building once served as the Alaska Gold Standard Mining offices and the treasurer’s office for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition during the Klondike Gold Rush. Rich with Pacific Northwest history, the hotel has morphed into a charming mix of esoteric design, curated local art and casual luxury amenities. The 121 rooms and suites are a warm and inviting mix of modern and vintage. In keeping with old and new, plan a visit to the Chihuly Gardens. Here amid color and light, is a fascinating exhibition of local glass sculptor Dave Chihuly, where his best work is showcased. Like something out of a magical dream, the gardens are filled with vibrant and striking colors at every turn. A mixture of indoor and outdoor exhibits, each display is unique and memorable in its own way. As your last stop in our quintessential Seattle tour, we love The Seattle Great Wheel, a giant ferris wheel at Pier 57 (which is the tallest on the West Coast). What may at first seem touristy, is a great way to take in the scenery from a fully enclosed capsule, which is good news on rainy days or chilly nights. If you fancy an upgrade, let WIT book you a VIP pod with a glass floor, leather seats, champagne and line-jumping privileges.
WIT has very close relationships with these properties, so we can extend exclusive perks and special amenities to our clients. Typically, you will receive complimentary breakfast for two daily, $100 or more resort credit to be utilized during your stay, room upgrade, either at the time of booking or arrival, and early check-in/late checkout, both subject to availability.
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