The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle

The Fairmont Seattle is a perfectly nice hotel, and the location is excellent. My biggest complaint, though, is something I find very frustrating for a hotel at this price point: you cannot simply pick up the phone and call the front desk. Instead, there is a “Royal Service” button that connects you to an AI-operated system rather than a person. They also offer a texting service, which I have used, and I will say that the people responding by text have been very nice and accommodating. The problem is that when you have an urgent or time-sensitive issue, texting isn’t particularly helpful. You send a message and then have to wait for someone to respond, which can take several minutes. For what guests are paying to stay at a Fairmont, I think it is completely reasonable to expect to be able to pick up the room phone, call the front desk, and speak directly to an actual person when needed. Technology and texting are great as additional options, but they shouldn’t replace basic access to hotel staff. Otherwise, the hotel itself is fine and the location is very good, but the lack of direct phone access to the front desk really detracted from the experience for me.

At the Fairmont between flights, so only used the room. On checking in, knowing the Fairmont does not automatically provide fresh milk to go with tea in its rooms, we specifically asked the receptionist to have some sent up. He replied 'Certainly Sir, I'll see to it immediately. ' The milk never arrived. Knowing we had to leave the hotel by 05.00 and too tired to complain we went to bed. Result black tea in the morning. Thank you Fairmont.

I had another superb experience at the Fairmount Olympic Hotel. Valet service was like seeing old friends, I can’t believe they remembered me from a year ago. The people at the front desk could not have been more accommodating and the room was awesome! Housekeeping showed up 3 times in a one night stay to see if they could be any more help. And a special thanks for the lovely bottle of red wine and the chocolate covered strawberries. Can’t wait to stay here again. PS the spa, gym and pool looked great, but I didn't have time to take advantage of.

So basically, if you look like a typical upscale family, they'll treat you as such. But, if you don't, you're the one needing to ask for everything. Nothing will be offered to you unless you go out of your way and ask for things. Overall, I would not stay here again. We came here to relax but instead found ourselves having to double check and make sure we were getting everything the website stated.

My hubby and I were coming into town for a wedding. We came in a week early to spend time with out son who lives in Seattle. Booked, via Amex, a one bedroom suite. We knew we had a late flight. I called the day before to let them know that we would be arriving close to midnight. We got to the hotel and they had given our room away. This, after I was reassured the room would be held for us. We were exhausted and no matter what we could come up with as a solution, we were downgraded to a regular room. In all of the years(62 and counting) I have been alive and traveling, this has never, ever happened to us. The hotel tried to make it up to us on check out but that was only after my husband had to talk to the manager. Up until that point, crickets were chirping. As for the hotel itself, it is a Marriott or a Hyatt. Nowhere close to a 5 star property. The bathrooms are generic and old. The rooms are very sterile. The hotel lobby is gorgeous as a bonus however. The bright spots were the service in the restaurant. Great staff. We will not stay here again when we come to town. On a side note, the Fairmont in Victoria was spectacular. Thank goodness we went there after this debacle.