Seattle Hotels Are Wooing Guests With Weird Amenities Like Loaner Shoes
Hotels across the city compete in the amenities game.
By Danny Sullivan, Callie Little October 30, 2017
This article originally appeared in the October 2017 issue of Seattle magazine.
Remember when a hotel amenity was something like a plush terrycloth bathrobe in your closet? As of June 2017, there were a whopping 2,875 hotel rooms under construction in downtown alone, according to the Downtown Seattle Association. Competition, especially from the likes of Airbnb and VRBO, is fierce, and local hotels are piling on the extras in response. Next time you or your visitors need a bed in town, here’s what might come with it.
Guests at The Edgewater never have to miss a workout thanks to loaner pairs of running shoes from Fremont-based gear company Brooks. Waterfront, 2411 Alaskan Way; 206.728.7000; edgewaterhotel.com; rooms from $199.
Motif’s 2017–2018 visiting artist is Julie Conway (owner of Georgetown-based Illuminata Art Glass Design), whose work is featured throughout the hotel. She’s also providing private glass-blowing demonstrations for guests. Downtown, 1415 Fifth Ave.; 206.971.8000; motifseattle.com; rooms from $258.
At the Alexis Hotel, in-room Amazon Echo Dots are programmed to answer questions about the hotel and area, and the complimentary hotel bikes make it easy to use that info to explore town. Downtown, 1007 First Ave.; 206.624.4844; alexishotel.com; rooms from $255.
At soon-to-open Hotel Theodore (formerly The Roosevelt), suites will be stocked with locally made Freeman rain jackets, there will be a free daily aperitivo hour in the lobby and room service options will include ice cream cult favorite, Salt & Straw. Downtown, 1531 Seventh Ave.; 206.621.1200; hoteltheodore.com; room rate TBA.
Studio-quality recording space for musicians to do their work and for amateurs to live out their rock star fantasies can be found in the W Seattle’s Sound Suite. Studio rental is $220/hour. Downtown, 1112 Fourth Ave.; 206.264.6000; wseattle.com; rooms from $250.
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