Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle is housed in a building dating back to the 1960s that was originally used as a phone switching station. Part of the Kimpton boutique hotel chain, this striking hotel is characterized by its whimsical decor and wonderful perks. Chic interiors are a mix of patterns, colors, and shapes that creates eclectic yet tasteful spaces. The lobby is the heart of the hotel, where guests mingle during the free daily wine hours or chat around the fireplace. Couches, armchairs, and chaise lounges offer lots of space to relax and unwind, while plush deep blue carpets keep noise at a minimum. Two delicate crystal chandeliers and large windows provide light without making the space too bright, and the vases, statuettes, and other artifacts displayed throughout the lobby look like they could belong to the private collection of an adventurer. The hotel is mostly popular with business travelers during the week, but many couples choose this property for weekend getaways. The chain’s open-arms policy towards kids and pets makes it one of the best picks in Seattle for families as well.

The hotel is located on the corner of 4th Avenue and Spring Street, two busy streets in the heart of downtown Seattle. This area is convenient for business and leisure travelers alike, as it is far enough from major attractions as to not feel overrun by tourists, but is still within easy walking distance of Seattle must-sees, such as Pike Place Market (a 12-minute walk away). The Seattle Art Museum and the Sky View Observatory are both a six-minute walk from here, while the Washington State Convention Center can be reached in 10 minutes. The Seattle Center and the Space Needle can be reached in under 20 minutes via public transportation, while the train to the airport stops three blocks from the hotel and takes under 40 minutes (or it's a 15- to 20-minute drive).

Spread across 11 floors, the hotel’s 189 rooms are sophisticated, elegant, and slightly eccentric, with a mix of patterns and colors that somehow works. Red lacquered nightstands, dark carpets, minimalist chairs behind elegant black desks, gray wallpaper with whimsical patterns, ornate mirror frames, and abstract art on walls combine to create stylish, eclectic spaces. Pillow-top beds with fine Italian Frette linens and duvets have several accent pillows in bright reds and colorful flower designs. In a corner, armchairs in a more subdued palette add some balance. This striking design is complemented by upscale amenities, including large flat-screen TVs, minibars, iPod docks, and laptop-size safes. Premier Rooms, located on the top three floors, also have coffeemakers and larger seating areas, some with sofa beds for extra guests. Bathrooms have cute blue-and-white wallpaper, sleek walk-in rainfall showers, and brand toiletries in large wall-mounted containers. Pet goldfish can be requested as companions during the stay, and yoga mats are available free of charge. Wi-Fi incurs an extra charge, except for members of Kimpton’s loyalty program (it's free to join).

Sazerac is the hotel's popular restaurant that serves excellent Southern cuisine with Northwestern touches in a stylish yet casual dining room. The restaurant is especially busy at lunchtime, when businesspeople from nearby office buildings flock here for casual meetings and quick bites. The fitness center is average for an upscale hotel, but features several cardio and strength-training machines, free weights, hula hoops, yoga mats, and Pilates balls. Over 6,000 square feet of flexible meeting space is available for events of all types and sizes, and the hotel offers creative team building activities such as cooking and bartending lessons. A small business center features two Mac computers and a printer. The hotel lacks on-site parking, but valet parking is available for a fee. Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle features all of the great freebies the Kimpton chain is known for, including free daily hosted wine hours, free morning coffee and tea service in the lobby, and free loaner bikes. However, there is a fee for Wi-Fi, except for the hotel's loyalty club members. The hotel also offers in-room spa services and kid-friendly amenities such as welcome gifts. Pets of all kinds and sizes are welcome here, and the property provides dog beds, food and water bowls, and treats.