In a striking and stylish full circle, the newest boutique hotel in Seattle was originally one of the earliest hotels in the city. Constructed in 1910 as the Calhoun Hotel, today’s retro modern 97-room Palladian hotel returns with stately class and world travelers to the corner of 2nd Avenue and Virginia, in the Belltown neighborhood. This 115-year-old property, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been entirely refurbished and re-imagined for the savvy traveler—now a polished four-star hotel with views of the city, water and Space Needle beyond. Joining a trio of distinctive Kimpton Hotels in the city, this newest member is the most singular yet, with an expertly arranged mash up of period design, mod-con furnishings and intriguingly eclectic amenities.
While the exterior and lobby entrance are understated to the extreme (you may question if you’re at the right place), the lobby, with its repurposed wood, brass, leather, marble and exposed brick, ensures you’re checking into comfortably luxuries. If you had any doubt what city you’re in, the formal portraits of famous Seattlites dressed in full colonial regalia—like Jimi Hendrix and Bill Gates—will ground you in The Emerald City.
The guest room décor is amongst the most stylish and unique I’ve encountered for a hotel. Think country lodge meets Brooklyn loft, with masculine-tilted old world arts and craftsmanship and uber-modern electronic fixtures. I was particularly taken with the flat-screen TV perched on a hefty, wooden easel. Each guest room is kitted with divine beds and crisp white bedding (a la Kimpton), livened with a signature (possibly alarming) realistic pillow featuring celebrity portrait, again, in full regal garb. I slept with George Lucas, though other lucky guests can share a bed and wake up next to Leonardo DiCaprio, David Bowie, Tom Selleck and others.
The prime Belltown location means it’s just a short walk to Pike Place Market, the Space Needle and downtown shops. The hotel has custom designed public bikes available for guest use, or if the rains are threatening, make use of the yoga mats in rooms or the fully equipped fitness center.
Harkening back to the Colhoun’s speakeasy roots, there are two on-site spots to slake your thirst and tame your tummy. Watch for a Grazers column on seafood bistro Shaker + Spear, and the watering hole/social salon Pennyroyal Bar to be posted about shortly here on SipNorthwest.com. No worries about dining solo—you can always make a grand entrance with your new cuddly sleeping buddy. He’s dressed to impress.
Palladian Hotel || 2000 Second Ave, Seattle || palladianhotel.com
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