Conde Nast Traveler Review

Reviewed by Greg Freitas

 

Why book?

This restored 1924 landmark is one of Seattle’s liveliest and most sumptuous hotels, with revamped public spaces, an indoor pool, a full-service spa, elegant rooms, confident service, and one of the greatest hotel bars on the West Coast.

Set the scene

Grandeur, tradition, and Jazz Age architecture set the tone here. The historic lobby glows with warm lighting, inviting guests to linger in what has become Seattle’s communal parlor. Even in REI-obsessed Seattle, this is a see-and-be-seen setting where guests dress to impress. Ladies who lunch at The George cross paths with ladies who launch (startups, that is), men in smart suits are occasionally gala-bound, and creatives on laptops greet locals stopping in for a drink or afternoon tea under the ornate ceilings. It’s the kind of place where you are never surprised to run into someone you know.

The backstory

Built on the site of the original University of Washington campus, the Olympic Hotel opened in 1924 and quickly became Seattle’s grandest address. The Fairmont group took over management in 2003 and has since shepherded a series of updates. The most significant transformation came in 2021, when Spanish design firm Lázaro Rosa‑Violán oversaw a renovation that preserved the landmark’s architectural soul and gave it a cleaner, more contemporary edge, with warmer lighting and a refined arrival experience. The renovation introduced a sweeping circular bar and revived the former Georgian dining room as The George, a high-end brasserie. The result is a hotel that honors its past and moves confidently into the present.

The rooms

Rooms are decorated in a cool, muted Pacific Northwest palette—soft shades, brass accents, and heavy drapes that cut the light just right. The design avoids trend-chasing and leans into classic refinement, with crown molding, velvet benches, and carved desks with built-in charging ports. The most-requested rooms are the corner kings, which offer more space and light, but the regular deluxe kings are just as comfortable. Upper floors tend to be quieter, with rooms on the south side featuring peekaboo views of the water and Olympic Mountains. Bathrooms are spacious and finished in marble, with backlit mirrors and Le Labo products. Many still contain that last vestige of grand hotel luxury: a proper soaking tub.

Food and drink

The Olympic Bar is where you go to take the pulse of the hotel, drawing a mix of travelers and locals with its circular layout, plush seating, and efficient staff. From mid-afternoon into late night, it hums with conversation and clinking glasses—and the service is brisk without feeling rushed. It’s the kind of place where beer and wine drinkers order a Manhattan or a martini–it just feels appropriate. Food is available all day, and afternoon tea is served as it has been for more than a century.

For something a little different, slip behind a hidden bookshelf to Founders Club, a speakeasy-style bar with polished brass, candlelit corners, and an impressive spirits list. When it first opened, it was the toughest reservation in town. These days, it isn’t that difficult to get in or to find—just look for the clipboard-wielding host. Going through the bookshelf is a cool enough experience for a drink, but if you miss it, it isn’t the end of the world.

The George, the hotel’s signature restaurant, is the place to splurge on elevated cooking in a stunning room. The seafood-forward menu includes local oysters, Dungeness crab, fresh-caught salmon, and steak frites. Shuckers Oyster Bar keeps the seafood bounty going, with Crab Louie and fish and chips in a more relaxed pub atmosphere. “Oyster Hour” features $2 oysters and drink specials from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The spa

Penelope & The Beauty Bar spans more than 4,000 square feet of space, offering bespoke facials (including sea salt exfoliation, gua sha, and micro-current LED therapy), advanced massage and body toning treatments, and hair, nail, and lash services. It's consistently rated among Seattle’s best full-service day spas.

Adjacent, the hotel’s health club includes a 42-foot, 83°F heated indoor pool, a 20-foot hot tub, a dry sauna, Peloton bikes, and chilled spa water—plus crisp Washington apples, an appropriate flourish. Guests can rent courtesy bikes or use trail maps to explore local running routes.

The neighborhood/area

The Fairmont Olympic sits in a quiet downtown pocket, equidistant from the glass-and-steel Rem Koolhaas–designed Seattle Public Library and the Seattle Art Museum. Pike Place Market is a five-minute walk, and the business district buzzes below. The tucked-away location makes the hotel difficult to reach during afternoon rush hour; be back by 4 p.m. or don’t plan on being back until 6.

The service

Efficient, courteous, and polished, the service here meets expectations for a grand hotel. The concierge team is old-school knowledgeable and equally adept at securing last-minute dinner reservations as they are at pointing you toward the city’s best indie coffee. Bellhops double as valets, housekeeping is meticulous down to the neatly coiled phone charger, and a courtesy car will be available soon for short trips. The experiential fee includes a business center, late checkout options, and fun perks like the daily sparkling wine sabering masterclass—which isn’t nearly as complicated as it sounds.

For families

The Fairmont Olympic treats kids like honored guests, greeting them with pint-sized robes, plush orcas, and cookies with milk—or a baby kit stocked with organic toiletries and a stuffed otter. Little Kings & Queens Afternoon Tea is a standout, with kid-sized teapots, PB&J sandwiches, and confetti cupcakes, while The George’s Wish S’mores Cake supports Make-A-Wish. Build-A-Bear Spa Bears in silk pajamas add a collectible twist, and families can tap into exclusive discounts at the Seattle Art Museum, MoPOP, and more.

Eco effort

As part of the Accor group’s Planet 21 initiative, the hotel has eliminated single-use plastics, adopted energy-efficient lighting, implemented recycling programs, and introduced refillable toiletries. Rooftop honey from on-site beehives makes its way onto breakfast plates, and the kitchen sources local produce and sustainable seafood. The guest-facing Every Day Is Earth Day program rewards guests who skip housekeeping with a $10 daily food-and-beverage credit.

Accessibility

All public areas are thoughtfully designed for accessibility, and staff offer guidance without fanfare. The historic layout is easy to navigate. Accessible rooms include roll-in showers, hearing-impaired amenities, and ADA-compliant hallways.

Anything left to mention?

Valet parking is worth it at $60/night, but the smallish U-shaped driveway can get jammed at peak hours. Self-park in the nearby managed garage for $45. Architecture lovers should take a moment to admire the mezzanine staircases and restored hand-painted ceilings—quiet reminders of the hotel’s legacy.