The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, 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.

We stayed for 3 nights in an 8th floor suite which was really spacious, good tea/coffee making facilities, comfortable beds (but I bit high for me - I’m 5ft 3 and had to climb up) powerful over the bath shower. We used the gym which was pretty good but rather busy and the pool and hot tub once which was really nice. We didn’t have breakfast there so can’t say what that was like. We ate at Shuckers once which was really nice, our waiter was very friendly and efficient and we were seated at a nice table by the window. We both had the battered halibut and chips which was really tasty but the fish was tiny and pretty expensive. We tried one evening to sit in the bar but there were no seats free so we went elsewhere. All of the staff we encountered were very friendly and professional. It’s an old style hotel in a good location, nothing particularly stood out as wow but zero complaints either.

HORRIFIED I am heartbroken. This used to be my favorite hotel, but after today I don’t know if I could ever come back. We trusted valet parking, which is supposed to be a secure garage, only to find our car broken into. The window was smashed, glass was everywhere, it smelled like cigarettes, and things were stolen. The worst part? My daughter’s car seat was covered in shattered glass. Now not only is this upsetting, but it’s going to disrupt my entire work week trying to deal with repairs, insurance, and replacing what was taken. I’m devastated and angry. A hotel like the Fairmont should never let something like this happen. I truly hope they take responsibility and make this right. We were driving home with the plastic on our windows and it blew off on the 520!