The Best Hotels with a Ton of Seattle Heritage
From the Klondike Gold Rush, when the city sprang up around the prospectors who hoped to strike it rich, to the more modern past when the grunge scene ranged supreme, Seattle has a fascinating history. Heritage lovers: These historic hotels are for you.
Alexis Hotel
Why it made the list
The pair of four-story buildings occupied by this chic boutique hotel date to the Gold Rush days, when they were among the first to rise up after the Great Seattle Fire of 1899 destroyed the business district. Several of Seattle's original storefronts, now considered part of "Underground Seattle," can still be seen in the hotel's underground parking structure.
The Arctic Club Seattle
Why it made the list
Steps from historic Pioneer Square, this handsome nine-story Beaux-Arts building, famous for the terracotta walrus heads that line its third floor, was built in 1916 as an HQ for The Arctic Club, a fraternal group of Seattle businessmen with Klondike Gold Rush and Alaska connections.
Hotel Max
Why it made the list
Hotel Max's Sub Pop floor pays homage to the iconic indie record label that became famous in the late 1980s for first signing Seattle bands such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Mudhoney (think large-scale photos and record players in the rooms). The cool building dating to 1926 is a bonus.
Hotel Sorrento
Why it made the list
Built in 1909, when Seattle was still a feisty upstart of a city, the Sorrento once attracted gold prospectors, eager entrepreneurs, and visitors to the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. Today the 76-room Italianate hotel hits the sweet spot between vintage glamour and on-trend modern-eclectic design.
The Edgewater
Why it made the list
The city’s only waterfront hotel -- built in 1962 for the World's Fair -- is a local landmark most famous for hosting the Beatles in 1964 on their first world tour. The Fab Four fished from their suite during their stay in Seattle, which was captured in a now iconic photo.
The Fairmont Olympic Hotel
Why it made the list
The Fairmont Olympic, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was Seattle's first world-class hotel. Built in 1924, no expense was spared for the high-society set it attracted. Today you can marvel at the stately lobby's bygone-era splendor while enjoying the modern style and comfort of newly renovated guestrooms.
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