Downtown Suite

Downtown Suite Overview

You know what, Downtown Suite really surprised me when I stayed there last month. I’ll be honest, I was a bit skeptical about finding a five-star place right in the heart of downtown that actually lives up to the hype, but this place genuinely does. The location is just perfect – you’re literally steps away from Pike Place Market (you can actually hear the fishmongers if you open your windows, which I kind of loved), and the waterfront is maybe a three-minute walk down Pike Street. The staff at check-in were incredibly welcoming, though I noticed they can get a bit swamped during the evening rush around 6 PM, so maybe plan accordingly.

What really got me was the attention to detail in each room. I mean, these aren’t just standard hotel rooms – they’re proper suites with separate living areas that actually feel livable. The kitchenettes (well, they call them kitchenettes but they’re honestly more like full kitchens) have everything you’d need, including a proper coffee machine that doesn’t make that terrible hotel coffee taste. The beds are ridiculously comfortable, and the blackout curtains are a godsend if you’re trying to sleep in – though honestly, the energy of First Avenue below is pretty infectious in the mornings. One tiny thing though: the bathroom lighting is almost too bright at night, so maybe bring an eye mask if you’re sensitive to light.

The building itself has this cool industrial-modern vibe that somehow works perfectly with the historic character of the Pike Place area. There’s a small hotel restaurant on the ground floor that serves surprisingly good Pacific Northwest cuisine (the salmon there is incredible), and they’ve got parking available in their garage, which is honestly a miracle in this part of town – though it’ll cost you about $35 a night. The spa facilities are compact but well-designed, perfect for unwinding after walking around the markets all day. I spent way too much time in their steam room after trudging up and down those hills! The whole place has this energy that’s both sophisticated and approachable, and you’re right in the middle of everything that makes this city special. Just be prepared for some street noise on weekends (it’s downtown after all), but the double-paned windows do a pretty decent job keeping most of it out.

Facilities