A little over a decade ago, I was in a wedding at the Pan Pacific Hotel. I don’t remember much about it (the hotel, that is), except that it felt very formal, if not a touch dated, with that general “upscale hotel in any city” kind of vibe. The wedding was fun, but I didn’t think much about the Pan Pacific again, until I received an invitation to check out the property’s newest tenant: 1 Hotel Seattle. Part of the Starwood Hotels group, it puts itself forward as a wellness and nature-embracing brand that doubles-down on connecting with the community in every city where it pops up. For Seattle, that meant working with local artists, craftspeople, and purveyors on aspects including interior décor, food sourcing, gift shop merchandise, and various workshops and classes open to the public. 

“That idea runs through our whole program,” says James Bell, senior marketing manager at 1 Hotel Seattle. “We have multiple living pieces of art around the hotel, including two living walls. We worked with a local company called Floraform.” Guests are greeted with the studio’s installation as soon as they walk into the lobby, where a two-story living wall behind the main staircase depicts a mural of Mount Rainier made with a variety of mosses and reclaimed wood. Another living mural appears at the entrance of the hotel’s restaurant, La Loba, and smaller works dot the halls and other public spaces. “They worked on the bigger piece for 13 months,” Bell says. 

Additional local connections include the staircase’s hand-stitched leather rail, crafted by Jeffrey Randall of Leather Haut, which features more than 6,500 individual stitches; a workshop partnership with Capitol Hill boutique Glasswing; locally made products in the gift shop, and select décor sourced from around the city. The décor—in the guest rooms, lobby, and bar—skews Scandinavian-modern-meets-rustic-woodland, with wood furniture and accents, earth tones, and textured upholstery, and plenty of green plants for a nature-inspired ambiance.

A light-filled studio suite includes a sitting area at one end. Live plants are an important addition to the décor, bringing a natural touchstone into the décor.

Photo courtesy of 1 Hotel Seattle

Spacious bathrooms include a filtered water tap, and in some room configurations, a tub.

Photo courtesy of 1 Hotel Seattle

Just off the lobby sits Drift, the hotel’s cocktail bar and lounge—where guests can get a before-dinner drink or start the morning off sipping coffee or a smoothie—with its inventive libations that focus on regional flavors such as rainier cherries, wild blackberries, and herbal aromas. (The Spotted Rose is a delightful spritzy sipper with champagne foam and rose powder; the bright pink color belies its tart finish.)

At Drift lounge, which sits just off the lobby, a wood shelf is filled with locally found treasures and an abundance of greenery.

Photo courtesy of 1 Hotel Seattle

For food, La Loba is the star of the show—a culinary cascade of flavors with influences from Spain, Japan, and, of course, the Northwest. The night we went, there was a live Spanish guitar trio that set the tone for the evening and served as the backdrop for a bustling crowd, many of whom looked dressed up and ready for a night at the theater or out on the town. 

La Loba is a striking, and delicious, addition to Seattle’s culinary scene, with Spanish-inspired dishes, live music on selected nights, and an outdoor patio for al fresco dining.

Photo courtesy of 1 Hotel Seattle

“La Loba was born from my roots in Barcelona and years of cooking in different contexts, now landing in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest,” says Oscar Amador, the James Beard-nominated chef behind the hotel’s culinary program. “My inspiration is heritage married with what grows around here—technique, respect for product, simplicity, elegance. I wanted to create a menu that feels honest, that honors Spanish tradition while letting local seafood, produce, and flavors shine.”

And shine, they do. The night we went, we ordered a la carte (La Loba offers a tasting menu as well) starting with the patatas bravas (they come in long french-fry-like pieces, with dozens of layers of thinly sliced, crispy potato—we were obsessed) and scallop bucatini and opting for the hangar steak and pan-roasted black cod as mains. (The latter of which was cooked excellently, arriving on a bed of kimchi and assorted pickled vegetables. I don’t eat meat, so I didn’t try the steak, but my fiancé’s empty plate was evidence of a meal well enjoyed.) Portions are large, and we definitely over ordered, but it was a nice change from the rash of upscale restaurants serving three-or-four-bite entrees that leave you hungry a few hours later. 

La Loba’s scallop crudo appetizer brings the creamy mollusk together Tom Kha sauce, candied lime, and pickled jalapeño.

Photo courtesy of 1 Hotel Seattle

“Barcelona taught me precision, balance, and technique,” says Amador, who points out the Punk Caesar, Trinxat croquetas, and lamb loin as highlights. “How to build flavor carefully, how simplicity can be powerful. Seattle brings freshness, a sense of season, wild ingredients, seafood, incredible produce. At La Loba I aim to merge those sensibilities: using classic Spanish methods (like slow braises, drying, fermenting, olive oil, traditional flavor profiles) but with Pacific Northwest ingredients—local vegetables, seafood, meat, seasonal picks. It’s a conversation: my heritage gives structure; this place gives inspiration and raw material.”

Another aspect that the hotel has doubled down on is its approach to health and fitness, which extends beyond your typical tiny gym with a few weights, mats, and treadmills. “1 Hotel Seattle is designed to bring the Pacific Northwest’s natural beauty indoors, and the wellness program reflects that,” says Morgan Zion, the property’s in-house wellness coach. “We offer yoga and wellness classes, seasonal workshops, the Wildhaus sauna, free daily passes to Dryp Yoga [a studio located just across from the hotel entrance], and our fully equipped Field House fitness center.” (Pick up the forthcoming November/December issue to read more about Wildhaus, a unique floating sauna that casts off from the shores of Lake Union. With the hotel’s partnership, guests are whisked to and from the dock in electric Audis.) In the lobby, a farmstand featuring fresh, locally sourced fruit offers healthy (and free) snacks, and each room has a filtered water tap to encourage continued hydration. 

There is no traditional spa on the property, but Zion says that’s intentional. “Instead, we focus on curated wellness experiences,” she explains. “Guests can book private yoga or movement sessions, enjoy the Wildhaus sauna, or participate in seasonal offerings like sound baths and meditation sessions. The goal is to create restorative, nature-inspired experiences rather than a standard spa menu.” If you’re tight on time, the hotel is located perfectly for walking to some of the city’s most popular tourist destinations; with so much access to water, green space, and bike trails, making the city your gym is a great way to see the sites and get in your steps for the day.