The Four Seasons Hotel Seattle is a property as dynamic as the Emerald City itself. It is a contemporary contender on the city’s accommodation scene, occupying an enviable waterfront location that gives it a unique sense of place. As such, the hotel has undeniably upped Seattle’s luxury hospitality game.
We quite easily whiled away an entire afternoon, splashing around in the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle infinity pool overlooking Elliot Bay. It was an uncharacteristically dry spring day and craft cocktail after cocktail made its way to us as we soaked in the panoramic view across the water. We’re told that on clearer days, one can see the Cascade Range in the far distance. At sunset, the pool deck transforms into a magical, convivial space. The pool and bay seemingly merged, reflecting the enchanting colours of the fiery sky. Other guests – far more glamourously dressed than we were in our swimwear – joined the spectacle for a pre-dinner drink.
Changing quickly, we headed down to dinner in the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant Goldfinch Tavern (so named after Washington’s state bird). Our new friends at the pool had given us a pro-tip: to get there before the sun set completely. And they were right. The dusky twilight radiating through Goldfinch’s large bay view windows added much atmosphere to the restaurant’s already chic and contemporary design. The food was phenomenal, featuring locally sourced ingredients celebrating the bounty of the Pacific Northwest. From the freshest of oysters and Walla Walla onion bisque to delicious Dungeness crab, to the palate-cleansing huckleberry lemon sherbert, every bite showcased the region’s diverse flavours.
The ethos of the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle is all about contemporary luxury and sophisticated hospitality. Its sleek, minimalist and modern design sets it apart from the other ‘American standard’ high-end hotels in the city.
The bijou lobby gives it a feel of a boutique hotel, despite there being nearly 150 guest accommodations. Curated art pieces, inspired by Washington State’s cultural heritage, add touches of colour and lift the mood.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Insider | SEA | GMT -7 |
| While you’re Out There |
| Location is everything, and the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle boasts one of the best in the city, situated just steps away from the iconic Pike Place Market with its belly-busting food stalls, unique souvenirs and homegrown art shops. Walk to the market’s far end and find the winding queue to enter the first-ever Starbucks. (P.S. The hotel has its own ‘Coffee Concierge’ which is far more civilised than waiting in a long line to have your name misspelt on your coffee cup.) |
In our Deluxe Elliot Bay suite, the understated elegance continued. It was thoughtfully designed with a neutral colour palette of caramel and soft blue, paying homage to the natural hues of the Pacific Northwest and complements the stunning views of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains (not to mention the Seattle Great Wheel) all perfectly framed by floor-to-ceiling windows. State-of-the-art technology, including high-speed internet, large flat-screen televisions and a sophisticated sound system, ensured that we had all the modern conveniences at our fingertips.
The marble bathroom is a spa-like haven, featuring polished glossy surfaces, a deep soaking tub and a separate glass-enclosed rain shower. The his-and-his double vanities ensured there was no squabbling for space.
Not all rooms face the water, there are city-view rooms too at the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle. But even if they come at a premium, we advise not to scrimp. For us, Seattle is all about the water and that iconic view, so our recommendation is to book into a bay front room.
The hotel offers some amazing, tailored experiences. We went behind the scenes with the concierge team to explore the not-open-to-the-public Modernist Cuisine Kitchen, where Chef Nathan Myhrvold’s team of chefs and scientists create cooking innovations and eye-catching, large-scale, limited-edition food photography for their Modernist Cuisine Gallery.
But the most special experience was on the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle’s 26 metre/85-foot private yacht, a spellbinding journey on the water that provided a unique perspective of the Emerald City and the neighbourhoods surrounding the hotel from Lake Union. The vessel can also be chartered for private parties, proposals and even to go out as far as the San Juan Islands for whale watching.
We thought it was rather clever that the hotel has embraced the character and spirit of Seattle, something that is sometimes lacking in ‘identikit’ big-name city hotels. Some might say that it is missing the opulence found at other, grander Four Seasons properties… but frankly, we rather enjoyed the clean lines and understated approach at this one. In fact, we think this hotel ranks high as among the best of the North American Four Seasons we’ve stayed in. From the design to the food to the experiences and staff, the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle is all about being diverse and dynamic – values that underpin the Emerald City.
Photography courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
