Hotel Theodore: Seattle's Bold Spirit

The story of Seattle has always been the story of a city in flux.

Construction cranes stretching across the horizon boldly proclaim that tomorrow's city will look different from today's, and there's much talk about whether the current ruling tech giants will ultimately prove to be saviors or villains. Residents bemoan the loss of affordable rents and beloved freeway overpasses, wistfully harkening to less frenetic times.

But which less frenetic times? Seattle has long been a city of commercial boom and bust-albeit far more boom than bust. Before e-tail it was coffee, before coffee it was software, before software it was jet airplanes. Even before that, it was shipbuilding, timber and Yukon gold.

Reminders of each of these exciting periods in the city's history can be found on each of the elevator landings at the landmark Hotel Theodore in downtown Seattle.

On my floor, it's one of those giant two-man log saws, harkening back to long-dead trees that rose up a generation of homes. Other floors have fishing net floats, vintage computer equipment or bits and bobs from Boeing's past, courtesy of a partnership with the Seattle Museum of History & Industry.

There's a rich-yet-subtle fig tree fragrance about the hotel, mixed with wood smoke from the restaurant hearth downstairs that imparts a wholly Northwest feel to the public spaces and corridors.

Other subtle touches are Presidential: originally opened in 1930 as the Roosevelt Hotel (Theodore Roosevelt, if there were any doubt) certain of the meeting spaces hint at the Presidency, like the Cabinet Room. The 26th President's Rough Rider sensibility can be found in the aptly named Rider, where the bounty of Washington's forests and oceans is laid out for diners to trek through.

Just try not to rave about the (generously portioned) crab toast on social media. Just try to avoid getting more than a few local oysters. Just try not to let your eyes wander to the exhibition kitchen with a roaring wood fire. It's an experience, to be sure.

As though the elevator landing nods to the city's industrial history weren't enough local color, guest room interiors continue the theme. Not only are minibar items sourced in the Northwest, but there's also an ice cream menu from the Portland favorite Salt & Straw, saving sweet-craving guests the hike up Capitol Hill to the shop itself, with its inevitable line.

Guest rooms range from standard kings and doubles with cotemporary furnishings in a style that woudn't have been too out of place during the hotel's seminal years. Modern innovations like Tivoli radios and Nespresso machines round out a spate of creature comforts (including the luscious Provenance bed) and the industrial artwork continues in guest rooms; it was all I could do not to make off with a vintage Boeing poster.

For guests seeking a suite splurge, there's the Seattle Made Suite, which was quite literally designed and built entirely within the city of Seattle by a husband and wife team. True indulgence can be found in The Residence, which spans the entire 19th floor with over 2,000 feet of living space, multiple outdoor decks (right underneath the landmark red Roosevelt sign), one of which features an outdoor hot tub, full kitchen and wraparound views of the city.

The Takeaway

Well-located, historic, and attractively priced for the neighborhood, The Hotel Theodore belongs on any visitor's shopping list.

The Math

I've seen off-peak rates as low as $149.

Instagrammable Moment

There's no shortage of them in The Apartment, but photogs in other room categories will love the public spaces and the cozy coffee corner just off the lobby.

Loyalty

This hotel gets by on personality rather than points.

Good To Know

Pets are welcome for a nominal fee.

Valet parking is the only option for guests with cars.

The hotel maintains a pillow menu for guests with particular pillow needs.

Accommodations were furnished by Hotel Theodore Seattle in preparation for this story.

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