Hotel Review: The Lotte Hotel in Seattle

This sleek and stylish hotel in downtown Seattle caught my attention for its modern design and nods to the Pacific Northwest. Designed by Phillipe Starck, the Lotte Hotel seamlessly blends mid-century elements with organic wood and natural light.

Starck, alongside Ian Schrager of Studio 54 fame, is often credited with creating the concept of a “design hotel” and this hotel certainly showcases that. Drawing on a sense of place, the Lotte hotel reflects Seattle, a unique city that is a true metropolis while also being juxtaposed by tall evergreens, the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, Mt. Rainier and the beautiful Puget Sound with its resident Orcas.

Starck’s design captures the essence of all of this by combining contemporary clean lines, marble surfaces, and wooden accents reminiscent of the Pacific Northwest. The front desk is carved from one long Sequoia log and each of the rooms have a stool carved from natural tree trunks. The restaurant and lounge also exhibit the surrounding nature with wooden tables and chairs in the mid-century and craftsmen style that is seen so often in the area. Numerous floor to ceiling windows in both the rooms and public spaces allow for natural light to stream in creating a very bright and airy feel throughout the hotel. The 189 rooms range from deluxe to junior suites, and some adjoining rooms and connecting rooms with alcoves can be reserved.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available at the contemporary Charlotte where the emphasis is on seasonal, local ingredients. The lobby bar is great for grabbing a craft cocktail and small bites. Room service is available 24 hours a day.

The hotel also features a 24 hour fitness center, full service spa and business center.

You will find both business travelers and families here. The location right downtown and proximity to Pike Place Market make it ideal for both corporate travelers and tourists. Offering several options for intimate private dining, conference and meetings spaces with multiple size options, the Lotte would be an ideal spot for meetings or corporate dinners. Many of the available spaces would be a lovely venue for an intimate wedding and reception.

In addition to the central location, the surrounding neighborhood offers ample shopping, dining, and entertainment options. I enjoyed being able to walk to so many cafes, restaurants, and boutiques.

Overall, I would certainly recommend the Lotte Hotel for its prime location, thoughtful design, and service. The modern vibe and upscale amenities make this a great splurge when visiting Seattle.

The location of the hotel is not in the central tourist area of Seattle but is walking distance to many of the waterfront attractions and the monorail to Seattle Center where the Space Needle, MoPop, and the Glass Museum are located. One thing that catches many first time visitors to Seattle are the hills. The city is walkable but does require a bit of strenuous uphill walking at times. Taxis and ride services are plentiful if you do not want to traverse the uphills required to access the hotel and many other locations.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Seattle. In need of further inspiration? Check out my guide A Layover Guide to Frankfurt.