The Alexis Hotel
Seattle, Washington, US
© Layne Tisdel Martin, 2011
Seattle, Washington, US
© Layne Tisdel Martin, 2011

The Alexis Hotel’s recipe is a definition-defying medley of would-be impossible marriages that elude the confinements of everyday characterization. It’s full of ultramodern old-world magnetism, for example. It’s replete with cutting-edge hybrids of contemporary and vintage-style décor like sleek leather wingback chairs with oversized pinstripe pillows. The deliciously detailed environs are both thrilling and calming, luxurious and relaxed, fastidiously first class and yet invitingly comfortable.
The 121-room Kimpton property is centrally located in the heart of downtown Seattle, within easy walking distance of Pike Place Market, Seattle Art Musem and Pioneer Square. A denizen of the Seattle arts community, the Alexis shows original works in each guestroom and in every public space. The gallery room and lobby feature rotating quarterly exhibitions curated by Barbara Shaiman, an artistic director at the Seattle Art Museum. The hotel occupies a handsomely remodeled historic building on First Avenue, the meticulously restored details of which compliment the creative ambiance with ease. The finishes - exposed brick, stainless steel, rich leather, plush down, gleaming mahogany and smooth marble - are carefully composed, creating an artful blend of texture, color and detail.
Kimpton signatures like nightly hosted wine receptions, pet-friendly policies and Green Seal-certified business practices come with added benefits like the full-service Aveda spa, a complimentary fitness center with a steam room, and a 24-hour business center. The Library Bistro offers contemporary American cuisine with a seasonal, Pacific Northwest focus in a dapper 1940s-style supper club atmosphere.
The Alexis has an impressive variety of room types to choose from, all individualized but sharing the common thread of inspired detail and expertly executed design. Egyptian cotton linens with goose down comforters, 32” flat panel LCD TVs, iPod docks and ergonomic Kielhauer chairs are all standard fare, but for the indulgence-ready, an abundance of higher-end choices range from the 750-square foot fireplace suites with jetted tubs, wet bars and the requisite woodburning fireplaces, on up to the Honeymoon Suite featuring a canopy king bed, a titanic elevated soaking tub and a two-person shower with a skylight.
This intriguing property does well at living up to its catchphrase: “a work of art.” It’s an imaginative, visually sophisticated environment with the style savvy to satisfy even the most discerning design appetite and the complexity of character to stand out in a city known for innovation.
The 121-room Kimpton property is centrally located in the heart of downtown Seattle, within easy walking distance of Pike Place Market, Seattle Art Musem and Pioneer Square. A denizen of the Seattle arts community, the Alexis shows original works in each guestroom and in every public space. The gallery room and lobby feature rotating quarterly exhibitions curated by Barbara Shaiman, an artistic director at the Seattle Art Museum. The hotel occupies a handsomely remodeled historic building on First Avenue, the meticulously restored details of which compliment the creative ambiance with ease. The finishes - exposed brick, stainless steel, rich leather, plush down, gleaming mahogany and smooth marble - are carefully composed, creating an artful blend of texture, color and detail.
Kimpton signatures like nightly hosted wine receptions, pet-friendly policies and Green Seal-certified business practices come with added benefits like the full-service Aveda spa, a complimentary fitness center with a steam room, and a 24-hour business center. The Library Bistro offers contemporary American cuisine with a seasonal, Pacific Northwest focus in a dapper 1940s-style supper club atmosphere.
The Alexis has an impressive variety of room types to choose from, all individualized but sharing the common thread of inspired detail and expertly executed design. Egyptian cotton linens with goose down comforters, 32” flat panel LCD TVs, iPod docks and ergonomic Kielhauer chairs are all standard fare, but for the indulgence-ready, an abundance of higher-end choices range from the 750-square foot fireplace suites with jetted tubs, wet bars and the requisite woodburning fireplaces, on up to the Honeymoon Suite featuring a canopy king bed, a titanic elevated soaking tub and a two-person shower with a skylight.
This intriguing property does well at living up to its catchphrase: “a work of art.” It’s an imaginative, visually sophisticated environment with the style savvy to satisfy even the most discerning design appetite and the complexity of character to stand out in a city known for innovation.