By Fran Endicott Miller

A recent SFO flight delay caused me to miss my Seattle to Victoria B.C. connection, necessitating an overnight stay in the Emerald City. Perusing the vast number of available hotels, I settled on the Thompson Seattle, a downtown newcomer located within striking distance of celebrated Pike Place Market. (My selection was based primarily on location, and relative ease in exploring notable sights in the few hours I had before heading back to the airport the next day.) What a find. Upon entering the Thompson’s sleek, mid-century modern lobby, I came to see my flight delay as advantageous rather than a frustration. I’d not have otherwise discovered this great hotel and its parent company portfolio.

Thompson Hotels are part of the Two Roads Hospitality group; ten Thompson properties include those in Chicago, New York City (3), Nashville, Toronto, Cabo San Lucas, Playa del Carmen (2), and Seattle. The brand delivers unique, one-of-a-kind hotels and resorts that are products of their environments, each providing a ‘sense of place.’ And no better sense of place will you find than at the 12-story Thompson Seattle, located near Belltown and South Lake Union, where panoramic views of stunning Elliott Bay provide the backdrop.

With just one year under its belt, Thompson Seattle has established itself as a downtown hot spot, thanks largely to its two extremely popular eateries/bars, but the views are what wow overnight guests. My Elliott Bay-facing room overlooked Pike Place Market, Puget Sound, and the Olympic Mountains, allowing for a perfect introduction to the area. Small but luxuriously appointed with floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, luxe linens, and white, navy, and brass details, this room, with its front row seat for the spectacular northwest sunset, easily might have made me an evening shut-in.

But to not have explored would have been a shame. I might have missed The Nest, the hotel’s fantastic 3,500 square foot rooftop bar and lounge, and the only such in the area with westward facing panoramic views. Guests can reserve a table and couch set-up for a more intimate experience, or gather with the energized crowd to watch the 175-foot high Seattle Great Wheel spin. Service includes creative craft cocktails such as the RoseAllDay (Tanqueray no. ten, cocchi Americano, lime, and sparkling rose) or the YasQueen (novo fogo cachaça, amaro di angostura, lime, and orgeat), and delicious Pan-Asian-inspired skewers (pork belly, prawns, and foraged mushroom, for instance).
 
For the height-phobic, the lobby-based ScoutPNW beckons with its rustic-chic ambiance of plaid and Douglas Fir. Operated morning through night by locally-loved and nationally-acclaimed Huxley Wallace Collective under the helm of Executive Chef Josh Henderson, in collaboration with Thompson Seattle Executive Chef Derek Simcik, Scout offers a seasonally changing menu featuring the best of Washington with locally-sourced products such as Puget Sound shellfish and Cascade Mountain wild mushrooms.
 
The Thompson Seattle truly turned what was an unfortunate travel debacle into a felicitous opportunity. The great location, spectacular views, and superb food and drink were key, and the incredibly friendly and accommodating staff were icing on an already decadent cake. Whether your next visit to Seattle is planned or unplanned, drop-in at the Thompson to experience for yourself its unique brand of Seattle hospitality.
 
Thompson Seattle
110 Stewart Street
Seattle, Washington
(206) 623-4600