Hotels: openings of all kinds

It all began in 1924, just after the Great War, when Seattle was gaining notoriety, thanks in part to its port, which had become the second largest in the United States after New York. As a result, travellers flocked to the city, but they lacked a prestigious address. So it was the Olympic Hotel that set the standard. the start of the town's hotel boom a huge luxury liner in the neo-Renaissance style that was very fashionable in the 1920s. Under the Fairmont banner since 2003 (itself taken over by AccorHotels in 2016), this luxury establishment still boasts the elegance of yesteryear. Its sumptuous lobby, wood panelling and crystal chandeliers, its ballrooms and restaurant still exude the charm of the XIXth century.^e century, maintain a hushed, Henry James-esque atmosphere.

Time travel

It's a trip back in time to this hotel, despite its complete renovation in 2016. The overhaul of its 450 rooms, half of which are suites beautifully dressed in blue-grey tones, cost no less than 25 million dollars. To top it all off, the Fairmont Olympic is one of the few establishments in the city to boast such a large swimming pool, bathed in light to boot. Another unique feature, a recent one, is that cocktails, beers, ciders and homemade desserts are served here using honey produced by the eight beehives installed on the roof. It's clear that a historic establishment of this calibre has a duty to maintain its authenticity. leadership in luxury hotels and, to do so, to be even more inventive. Seattle is on the move, and the competition is fierce.

Even when you're visiting the city for the first time, you can't fail to notice that its skyline is undergoing some major changes. a real upheavalThere are so many buildings under construction. These include offices and housing, of course, as Washington State's largest city, driven by the growth of technology giants, has 100,000 more inhabitants than it did just a decade ago. But it's also home to a new $1.6 billion convention centre, due to open in spring 2022. Inevitably, the big hotel groups follow suit. In 2018, a dozen new addresses have moved into the city centre. With more than 2,600 new rooms, Seattle's hotel stock has grown by 22.5 % in less than two years. From top-of-the-range brands housed in futuristic skyscrapers to boutique hotels housed in historic buildings, the concepts are varied and often innovative.

Among the new features, the Charter Hotel opened at the end of 2018 on the 2^e Avenue, halfway between the famous Pike Market and the Financial District. Housed in a purpose-built tower, this 229-room hotel, including 13 suites, is part of the Curio CollectionA new range of Hilton hotels that reflect the spirit of each city. Gone are the days of standardised hotels! The warm atmosphere is immediately reminiscent of the Pacific Northwest. At the 16^e On the top floor, the 'Fog Room' - combining lounge, restaurant and bar - offers a superb view of Seattle and even part of Puget Sound. To make things even more unique, the hotel invites local artists to be inspired and create works of art which are exhibited in the rooms and public areas.

Lumberjack shirt

This desire to stand out from the crowd can also be found in another brand new establishment, opened in February 2018 in the Salt Lake Union district, not far from Amazon's new campus. The Moxy is surprisingly based on a concept of "urban camping with an open fire, of course, but also a pool table, carved bears and large cushions made from lumberjack shirt fabric or featuring Kurt Cobain, dotted around the large sofas in the lobby. Here too, the spirit of the Pacific Northwest shines through, right down to the 146 rooms, where one amusing reference to the region follows another. The Moxy line, a new addition to the Marriott universeIt's the perfect way to appeal to a younger, more creative clientele looking for a different kind of lifestyle in different cities.

Another opening in 2018, and undoubtedly the most striking, was that of the Hyatt Regency last December, in a 45-storey glass tower built especially for the purpose. Designed to accommodate the large number of business travellers at the future convention centre, the hotel alone has 1,260 rooms - making it the highest-capacity hotel on the West Coast north of San Francisco - as well as 9,800m² of event space.

However, it's not just the big chains that have the wind in their sails in Seattle. In the heart of the city, there are many boutique hotels housed in historic buildings freshly renovated. This is the case, for example, of the Pali Hotel, a pretty 96-room hotel with an original, colourful floral decor, which opened its doors this winter on the site of an old hotel dating back to 1895, The Colonnade, just opposite the Pike Market. A delightful place to stay, or simply to have a drink. And it doesn't stop there. The 2019-2020 vintage looks rather promising, with the Philippe Starck-designed Audrey Hotel in its sights.

And it's a success. Located in a tower nicknamed the F5, on the 5^e Avenue, this extraordinary venue opens at 16^e The first floor features a penthouse-style lobby-lounge with a breathtaking view of the Puget Sound, the entire Seattle skyline and the container port. The wood theme dominates, with check-in behind an immense, strikingly soft polished trunk. More sober than in his previous creations, Philippe Starck's intention here is to very close to natureThe 189 rooms are filled with cushions based on Picasso's drawings and decorated with noble, contemporary or antique furniture. It's all very beautiful. Adjacent to the hotel, a former church dating from 1917 has been completely renovated by the French designer. Even before the hotel opened, this former place of worship was already hosting events. Let the festivities begin.