The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle

This hotel is a Fairmont in name but not necessarily practice. Anytime you need to contact anyone you’re routed through an AI portal, and then transferred to a line with a real human. The problem is the wait time on hold is around 10-15 mins per call. We had a snafu with check in as well. The room wasn’t ready so we received two drink tickets. Turns out they’re not for every cocktail on the bar menu! Oh, and you need to pay 15$ for a mini fridge you can actually use for personal things.

This is a beautiful historic hotel in central downtown Seattle. We were grateful to have our room upgraded upon arrival. This resulted in a bedroom, bathroom and adjoining sitting area. The room outlook wasn’t pretty but the windows had reasonable coverings to reduce the light coming in. The bathroom was old with a shower over the bath that I personally found challenging to get in and out of. The king bed wasn’t comfortable and I suspect the mattress had seen better days. We enjoyed access to a gym and inside pool and spa that never seemed to have anyone using them. A small cafe produced nice coffee and offered breakfast foods. The convenience of this hotel makes it a very suitable place to stay while in Seattle.

Tired rooms and facilities and not really worthy of a 4 star accreditation. Probably better described as a business hotel. The catering and staff in George’s and Shukers were good but the one bed suite we stayed in was cold, and the shower (over the bath and not a separate cubicle) was so low powered that it was just hopeless. Bit disappointing overall. I’m an All Acor Platinum member and travel a lot. This was not a hotel I’d visit again.

I’m in Seattle often — 20+ times a year — and Fairmont Olympic is one of my go-to stays. The rooms lean classic and old-school, which I actually appreciate. They’re spacious, well-kept, and offer a quiet kind of luxury that’s hard to find in newer properties. The bar is a standout — one of my favorite parts of the hotel. It’s got that timeless feel, perfect for a wind-down drink or a casual client meet-up. The gym and spa are also solid, especially for a quick recharge between meetings. Overall, it’s a reliable pick for a night or two in the city — consistent, comfortable, and well-located.

This hotel is a gorgeous blend of new & old. A fascinating 100 year history retaining many of its original art-deco features combined with modern luxury. This hotel was hailed as the best in the country when it was built and, in our opinion, cant be far off that claim now. The rooms are spacious, clean & comfortable with all the amenities you'd expect. The staff were all very pleasant & accomodating, especially in the bar. Take some time to look around at all the period features, especially on the floor above the bar where there's a fascinating set of letters & photos from the years. The location is ideal. Seattle has outstanding public transport, so the metro, trams & buses can get you around but everything is within walking distance including the piers on the sea front, bars, restaurants & shops. We can recommend the Yard House for beers, sport and a good menu, the Metropolitan for that up market steak dinner or Pike Place Market for Clam Chowder - all within a ten minute walk. But dont forget the hotels in-house seafood restaurant, 'Shuckers' which we only discovered on the last day, the Oysters are excellent! Seattle itself is a sort of mini San Francisco. There are some hills, but nothing too arduous. We found the people super-friendly, the streets litter-free (littering is regarded as a major crime!) & had no issues with the homeless we occasionally came across. If you want something different to do, hop on a ferry to Bainbridge where there are boutique shops & bars or visit the japanese gardens. Thank you Olympic & thank you Seattle.