Back in November I stayed at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle and was thoroughly impressed — so much so, in fact, that I felt compelled to write a review for OMAAT detailing my experience there.
Continue reading: Review Update: Fairmont Olympic Hotel Seattle
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Oh no!! I'm sorry to hear that. I had never stayed there before but stayed there this past June as I was in town for an interview. They put me there at the Fairmont. I actually really liked it. I was not in a suite, just a regular room. But I thought the bathroom was awesome, the towels and linens all excellent (plush towels, soft and high thread count sheets, etc etc) and I liked the décor in the rooms. Service at all touches (check in, concierge, gym) was excellent. And the breakfast room (I think it was called the Georgian) was excellent. Tremendous service and I thought the food there was both traditional and creative (loved the avocado toasty for breakfast). I really liked it and I'd stay there again.
Same experience at the Fairmont Victoria which their newly renovated rooms and def offercharging food offers and afternoon tea
I stayed there a couple weeks ago, also in an Executive Suite. Instead of Silver and nasty Gold, my room was done in Silver and Teal, and I thought it was modern and classy.
As for the furniture in the lobby, I found it old and worn. The couches down by the valet were saggy and looked awful.
The Guest rooms and lobby, definitely don't match.
That's so disappointing when new design doesn't respect the original feel of the hotel. The Palace Hotel in SF did an amazing job at their renovations. It maintains the charm and history of the space but with modern amenities like Toto washlets in the rooms.
C.P., totally agree with you that the Palace is a perfect example of a historic grande dame whose renovations honored the heritage and spirit of the hotel while keeping the guestrooms comfortable, up-to-date and fresh.
Considering a substantial number of Fairmont's properties are historic grande dames, their approach to the Olympic is disconcerting.
"gone from being a grand old dame with dignity, to an old lady with bad plastic surgery"
great line and spot on. i hate, hate, hate the cheap modern look that has proliferated in the age of IKEA. in my experience, sofitel has the most consistent aesthetic that conveys comfortable, modern luxury without looking too fussy or antiquated. the one in beverly hills is a good example.
At the end of the day, how was the crab omelette from room service? Not too dry, was it?
These are my same thoughts about the Intercontinental Barclay in NYC. What used to be one of my favorite, classic hotels has been completely ruined by a "modern" upgrade.
Yes, the Intercontinental was starting to get worn, but it was predictable and stood out as from another time. Dependable, faithful, never-changing. It was like coming home to visit an old friend every time I was up in NYC.
Now all of it's been demolished and turned into some generic hipster-centric trendy crap.
Alex S is right about the Barclay, all it needed was a refresh not a total make over which has turned it into a bland generic looking place, with some questionable designs - it could be in Dubai or Beijing, no feeling or respect for what was a real New York looking, fine hotel. I have found this to be the case in a number of U.S. hotels recently- the Plaza has been ruined as well. If you want to see a totally professional renovation of a classic look no further than the Savoy in London, it's operated by Fairmont but they were not responsible for the work!