Arrival/Check-In: I flew Delta Air Lines through Minneapolis, and because of weather and late aircraft arrivals in both Philadelphia (PHL) and Minneapolis (MSP), I did not land in Seattle until 2 a.m. My goal was to be in bed by 3 a.m. so I could get a bit of sleep and be alert for an 8 a.m. meeting—the first of five that day. I was relieved to find a taxi waiting outside (only one was available), which seemed faster than trying to hail a rideshare at that hour. The drive was uneventful aside from the driver attempting to go down a one-way street in the heart of downtown. I arrived at the hotel to find the doorman on duty despite the late hour, and the front desk attendant checked me in quickly and efficiently.
Guest Quarters: Everything was going according to plan as I took my bag to room 816. For security, the elevator requires a key-card swipe. The room is essentially a generous rectangle with the bathroom on the right as you enter. A king-sized bed sits to the right with two night tables featuring simple metal frames and marble tops. The bed and linens were comfortable, and a single reading light above the headboard lit one side of the bed. A modern black leather chair and ottoman on the left included an over-the-chair table that doubled as a small workspace.
Floor-to-ceiling windows on the far side offer classic Thompson views of Puget Sound and Pike Place Market—an unbeatable location. A large flat-screen TV hangs above a workstation that includes a well-stocked minibar. I did not see complimentary water, so I took a bottle of the hotel-branded water from the minibar; its flask-like shape made me double-check it wasn’t something stronger. The bathroom is functional but has only one sink, which could be awkward for two guests sharing the room. The shower features a powerful rain showerhead, and the sliding bathroom door felt less practical than a traditional swing door. Toiletries from D.S. & Durga were provided and were a nice touch.
Services/Amenities: After our meetings the next day, we headed to The Nest, the hotel’s popular rooftop bar, for drinks and appetizers. The Nest came up repeatedly during our conversations that day—even our Uber driver mentioned it—so we expected a lively scene. It was an unseasonably hot August day, and we grabbed seats at the bar. The crowd was energetic; at one point a woman accidentally knocked over a full glass of white wine into another guest’s handbag. The woman whose bag was splashed handled it graciously, and the person responsible left abruptly. I bought the guest a drink to smooth things over, and it made for a friendly moment at the bar. For dinner there are plenty of Seattle options within walking distance; we chose to eat at Pink Door.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served on the lobby level at Scout PNW, the hotel’s farm-to-table restaurant led by Executive Chef Derek Simcik. The restaurant focuses on seasonal, regional cuisine and provides a convenient dining option for guests.
Top Takeaways:
◆ The concierge went above and beyond by lending me a MacBook Pro charger, which kept my trip on track.
◆ The Nest is the hotel’s must-visit rooftop spot—there are often lines, though hotel guests generally get easier access.
◆ The in-room workstation includes convenient outlets and charging points, which is helpful for business travelers.
THOMPSON SEATTLE
110 Stewart St.
Seattle, WA 98101
tel 206 623 4600
thompsonhotels.com