Stay at the Alexis while in Seattle.
After the intense thrill of New York, Seattle comes as a more gentle alternative and famous for the role it played in the Grunge music scene with bands like Nirvana calling it home. More recently Seattle was the setting for TV shows like Frasier and Grey’s Anatomy. In 1962 it was on the science cutting edge with the launch of the Space Needle and Monorail as their vision of the future. Today, Frank O’Gehry’s molten-shaped ‘Experience Music Project (EMP)building welcomes the monorail as if into a psychedelic womb.
Seattle is also famous as the home of Starbuck’s Coffee and fish throwing at Pike’s Market with its 100-year history along the water’s edge. Select fresh flowers, and sea-food, over 200 shops and restaurants, or just people-watch at this quintessential Seattle “hot” spot. Seattle also birthed Microsoft.
Maybe it was that many people we walked past seemed like aging rockers, work shirts faintly disguising tattoos and pony-tails or young technology millionaires in leather loafers and zany shoulder carry bags. We liked being in Seattle. At Nordstrom, a Seattle-born department store, service is of such a high standard that is redefines the shopping experience. Located at 500 Pine Street, and surrounded by such names as Barney’s New York,Niketown, Diesel, Macy’s, Tiffany & Co., among others- there is shopping heaven in Westlake Mall (where you catch the Monorail to Space Needle.
The Alexis, a trendy downtown designer boutique hotel has just completed an R80-million refurbishment. We stayed in their fabulous Author’s Suite (one of the hotel’s one-bed roomed fireplace suites). Each Kimpton Hotel (that manages The Alexis) has a story or theme around which the hotel is designed.
Although the theme at The Alexis is “Art Hotel” I think “Book Hotel” better describes it with its Book Shop bar and Library restaurant.
They’ve created a weekend package to suit the theme that includes overnight accommodations for two, admission for two to the Seattle Art Museum and a discount at the Seattle Art Museum Store. They also provide a Buddha Board - an etch-a-sketch to express your individual artistic temperament. Sports fans aren’t ignored either. They’ve packaged offers to watch the Seahawk (say Seahock) football games that cleverly includes a taxi voucher so no parking hassles. Although many good hotels offer creative packages, (these of themselves are not interesting) they do demonstrate their commitment to an exciting guest experience. I especially like their free evening hosted wine receptions which is an opportunity to relax and connect with other guests. For travellers on their own, this is a nice touch.
Don’t just take my word for it: The Alexis is listed among Condé Nast’s Gold List of luxury hotels and chosen as one of the 500 Greatest Hotels in the World by Travel + Leisure. The Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group is a recent recipient of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 100% Corporate Equality Index-they claim to be the only hotel company to achieve such an honour.
Feel free to bring pooch along (I imagine they’ll object to your anaconda but it might be worth putting their pet-friendly policy to the test.) Many great hotels offer a pet concierge but services and facilities at The Alexis are especially impressive considering their affordable room rate.
[03-Oct-08]
Brian Berkman
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