HotelChatter

Celebrity Scoop / Drew Barrymore / Ace Hotels / Seattle Hotels / Hotel Parking / Hotel Amenities / → All Tags

How We Shared A Shampoo Bottle With Drew Barrymore at the Ace Seattle

Where: 2423 First Ave [map], Seattle, WA, United States, 98121

Hey Drew, we've got our eye on you

Being shallow and all, there’s nothing we like more than staying at a celeb-filled hotel, and staying in a celeb’s room? That really tips us over the US Weekly edge.

So we could barely contain our excitement when we arrived at the Ace Seattle on Monday only for the guy at check in to tell us casually: “You just missed Drew Barrymore.” And when he went on to say we were staying in the room she’d been in the night before, we nearly swooned all the way down the staircase.

And if you’ve stayed at the Ace you’ll know that part of the deal is the supersized, communal soap dispensers that you get in the bathroom. So yes, we shared a shampoo bottle with Drew Barrymore.

more ›

Hotel Hell / Hotel Emergencies / Seattle Hotel / Hotel Housekeeping / → All Tags

Pepper Spray Goes Off at The Hotel Andra

If you travel with pepper spray, it goes without saying that you should be careful with how you use it but we bet you never thought the hotel housekeeper would accidentally set it off. That's what happened last night at the Hotel Andra in Seattle.

According to the KOMO-TV, a housekeeper accidentally tipped over a can of pepper spray while servicing a guest room and it went off. The entire fifth floor was evacuated and five people had to be treated at the scene for their symptoms.

The hotel, which belongs to the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection, released a statement explaining the pepper spray mishap and said that once the hotel was all aired out, guests could return to their rooms. There were no injuries and no guests had to be relocated.

In case you were wondering, About.com says "Milk or sour cream, a baking soda paste or honey are decent pepper spray antidotes."

Spa Packages / Hotel Spas / Seattle Hotels / Sports Widow Hotels / → All Tags

Another Hotel Offers 'Relief' for Sports Widows

Where: 2125 Terry Ave. [map], Seattle, WA, United States, 98121

It might seem sexist when hotels like the Four Seasons Chicago offer anti-football spa packages that automatically assume that women don't like pigskin. The Pan Pacific Seattle's not-so-subtly named "Sports Widows Package" is a more obvious example, but even the ladies who love the game might want to set the DVR on Sunday to avoid the boozing sports fans in their living room and take a break at the spa. And for everyone else, the only excuse needed to get pampered is that it's a day that ends in "y."

The Sports Widow’s Package features your choice of treatment from the hotel's Vida Spa: manicure and pedicure, massage or facial. You also get accommodations for one evening in a deluxe guestroom at the Pan Pacific, along with overnight valet parking. Instead of the usual football fare of beer and pizza, the hotel provides Champagne and strawberries, plus you get a cocktail in The Bar.

more ›

Hotel Parties / Seattle Hotels / Reality TV Hotels / Deadliest Catch / → All Tags

The Edgewater Hosts The 'Deadliest Catch' Send-Off Party

Where: 2411 Alaskan Way, Pier 67 [map], Seattle, WA, United States, 98121

Fans of Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch can send off the crab fishermen aboard the Sea Star at the Edgewater Hotel in Seattle on Sept. 13 as the crew prepares to set sail for the Bering Sea off of Alaska’s coast to shoot the show's sixth season.

The Sea Star became famous in 2004 after the Discovery Channel aired the documentary America’s Deadliest Season, starring Capt. Larry Hendricks and his crew. The doc was so successful—more than 100 million viewers worldwide tuned in—that a spin-off reality TV series was created following some crab boats during the fall and winter on the Bering Sea. The Emmy-winning show seems to have a cult following.

more ›

Beatles Hotels / Seattle Hotels / Hotel Packages / Rock n' Roll Hotels / → All Tags

Come Together, Right Now Over The Edgewater Hotel For a Beatles Party

Where: 2411 Alaskan Way Pier 67 [map], Seattle, WA, United States, 98121

It seems impossible to believe that at one point in time, hotels refused to host The Beatles, the most brilliant band of all time, whose impact on rock n' roll and pop culture continues to this day, even though it's been nearly 40 years since the band last played together.

Why just the other night we were having a discussion over which Beatle would we want to marry even though it's 2009 and there's only two Beatles still living and only one of which we would actually want to be with (Sorry, Ringo.) Nevermind the fact that we are already married. Ah, the strange things tequila makes you do!

But yes, in the early days of the band's history, old folks were not keen on anything to do with the Fab Four from Liverpool. And that was true for Seattle hotels when the Beatles arrived in the states for their first world tour. All except one----The Edgewater Hotel. Here's their experience with Beatlemania:

The year was 1964 and the Beatles were embarking on the Seattle leg of their first world tour. After other hotels in the city apparently refused to accept them as guests, The Edgewater Hotel happily welcomed the Fab Four.

During their stay, the band famously fished from the window their suite, the photo of which has become legendary. On August 21, The Edgewater will celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Beatles’ stay at the hotel and the band’s first Seattle concert, with a line-up of special events.

more ›

Hotel Wedding Guide 2009 / Hotel Weddings / Hotel Packages / → All Tags

Plan the Perfect Proposal With a Little Help From Your Hotel Friends

Where: 2411 Alaskan Way, Pier 67 [map], Seattle, WA, United States, 98121

Wedding season is here. For many of us, that means it's time to dust off the dancin' shoes, check out those registries and clear room in the closet for that hideous bridesmaid's dress — but for a lucky (or unlucky) few, now's the time to be picking out invitations, scoping out florists, test-driving DJ's and showing off that blinding bling. This week, we're kicking off a summer of bringing you all the new need-to-know info about hotel weddings — tips, news and info about what goes down at hotels during the summertime vow season — whether you're attending one or saying your nuptials. Got some hotel wedding tips for us? Send 'em over.

When we worked at a swanky ski resort, we used to have chitty chats with the concierge over coffee to get the hot scoop on all the magical wedding proposals she'd helped to plan over the years. Proposing at romantic hotels — rose petals, sunset views, champagne and chocolate, etc.

But you don't necessarily need the helping hand of the concierge if you're a gent (or a lady! Hell, it's 2009!) getting ready to get down on one knee. Some hotels are making it even easier, with start-to-finish packages to plan the best proposal in the history of proposals.

more ›

Sleeping in Seattle / Ace Hotels / Hipster Hotels / Budget Boutique Hotels / → All Tags

Once-Hip Ace Hotel Seattle Loses a Bit of Its Cool

Where: 2423 First Avenue [map], Seattle, WA, United States, 98121

Over the weekend we spent a few days in Seattle checking out the city's coffee shops, fish markets and, of course, the hotel scene. One place we didn't get to cruise is the Ace Seattle. But we asked our new Seattle-based contributor to give us her thoughts instead. Any questions or suggestions? Let us know.

Once the darling of the downtown Seattle hotel scene, the Ace Hotel has lost a bit of its luster over the last decade. Sure, its $99 per night rate for a standard room with shared bath is a real steal, but travelers throwing down $195 for deluxe accommodations may feel a bit slighted – especially when comparable deals are available at Hotel Max (rates start at $129) and Arctic Club Hotel (rates start at $159).

more ›

Valentine's Day Hotels / Seattle Hotels / → All Tags

A Valentine's Day Pajama Package That's a Little Cheap

Where: 2125 Terry Avenue [map], Seattle, WA, United States, 98121

Chocolates, rose petals, champagne and strawberries are standard fare for the current round of Valentine's Day special packages every hotel dishes out around this time of year. And at the Pan Pacific Seattle several of these are included, too, in particular the champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries, as well as brunch in bed, extended check out time, and a room with a view of Seattle's Space Needle from the bath tub.

While you're lying in bed, you'll have something to watch as the package also includes free access to all of the romantic in-room movies (really? Only the romantic ones?). And what do you think you'll be wearing in bed? Probably half a set of pajamas.

Yep, this package includes one pair of pajamas to share: they suggest top for her, bottoms for him. We presume they're trying to come up with a cutesy idea but really, can't we decide for ourselves which bits we want to wear, if any? The package starts at $390 per double but we'll only book if we get a pair of pajamas each. And no cartoon ducks or chickens on 'em.

[Photo: betsyjean79]

Hotel Hell / Seattle Hotel Reviews / → All Tags

Guess What Caused These Stains at the Ramada Seattle

Where: 2200 5th Avenue [map], Seattle, WA, United States, 98121

When you wind up with a bad hotel room, you tend to whinge to your pals about it for a while. Some people even mention it to management. And others write really long detailed letters that get published all across the world, thanks to the modern wonder of the internet. Blogger Propaganda Sifter had plenty to say about a stay in the Ramada Downtown Seattle, starting with a too-small TV and a broken airconditioner. A discovery of cigarette burns in the blanket led to further investigation:

Having kicked off the comforter on the bed, I turned and encountered the biggest, most horrible-looking, unsavory stain on the box spring. In all my life I have never knowingly slept on something so disgusting.

After a sleepless night, this unhappy guest checked everything more thoroughly and found a few more less-than-perfect points to his room:

The bathroom wall had unsightly stains next to the toilet, at eye level, where someone had apparently used the wall as a snot rag ... The shower had some disturbing-looking reddish stains on the back wall. There was also a filthy stain on the entry wall, where someone had apparently spilled a soda or something. Finally, when my fiancee decided she needed to iron a shirt that next morning, she was treated to a stained ironing board that looked as if someone had used it as a toilet.

Hmm, sounds a bit less than appetizing.

Related Stories:
· Ramada Downtown Seattle reviews [TripAdvisor]

Anti-View / Seattle Hotel Reviews / → All Tags

Room with an Anti-View: The Ace Hotel

Where: 2423 First Ave [map], Seattle, WA, United States, 98121

You know the scene. You open the door to your brand new hotel room, run over to the window, open the blinds and bam, you are hit with the anti-view. Maybe you are looking down a dirty alley, witnessing a drug deal, staring at an air shaft in the face, or seeing a brick wall. Whatever you are viewing it is not extremely pleasurable. Help out your fellow hotel mavens by uploading your anti-views to the HotelChatter/Flickr photo pool, or by sending the photo along to us. Remember to tell us the name of the hotel and the room number with the not-so-easy-on-the-eyes view.

The Ace Hotel in Seattle is a pretty cool hotel, but we always deemed it to be a step above a hostel. So we can't really expect that much from the room views.

Related Stories:
·  Bradley Allen's photostream [Flickr]
· Ace Hotel reviews [TripAdvisor]

Hotels / → All Tags

Andra's "Contemporary Woodsy" Decor

Where: 2000 Fourth Ave [map], Seattle, WA, United States, 98121

Hotel Andra is the Pacific Northwest version of a boutique hotel--one that can still be a little crunchy and woodsy without being too rustic. Located in Seattle on the edge of a Belltown neighborhood that's going through some revitalization, the hotel was formerly the Claremont until it reopened a year and a half ago as Hotel Andra.

The Los Angeles Daily News has more than the full report on the hotel's combination of midcentury design and log cabin decor, along with a bit of everything from across the globe.

That window above the fireplace? It's a flat-screen TV in a frame, alternately showing camels in the Sahara, London's Tower Bridge, a starfish and Rome's Colosseum. The three-paneled aquarium behind the front desk? It's real....And, just to keep everyone guessing, the hotel's restaurant, Lola, is Greek-themed.

Andra is not what you would expect of Seattle--Would Kurt Cobain stay here?--yet somehow it is.

Even better, the staffers were reported to be "friendly and accomodating" and  not your typical "We're here to look cool but do no work" sometimes found at other boutique hotels.

Related Stories:
· Seattle's Hotel Andra reflects world as well as Pacific Northwest [Inside Bay Area]
· Hotel Andra reviews [TripAdvisor]

Hotels / → All Tags

Seattle Downtown Hotel? We'll Try The Ace

Where: 2423 First Ave [map], Seattle, WA, United States, 98121

We were recently asked for a hotel recommendation in downtown Seattle.

The hotel reqs? Centrally located, $100-$150 a night, funky/arty yet reasonably nice/romatic, centrally located, and clean/private.

Sounds fair enough.

We would go with the Ace Hotel. We have been wanting to check this place out for some time. The Ace is a classic budget boutique.  A basic room with some style, a step above a hostel, but a step below a full service hotel.

The Ace is located in the converted Belltower in the midst of Belltown, where grunge rock was born. Sure there are reports citing the Ace is not the cleanest or most service oriented hotel in Seattle, and this property definitely is not for those looking for a night in the lap of luxury. However, for just over $100 you can get a boutique basic room smack dab in the middle of downtown Seattle. Sounds good to us.

Furthermore, the Ace was featured in Wallpaper*, Details, InStyle, and other popular mags, and you know we are suckers for a little glossy press.

Here is what Wallpaper* said:

Eric Hentz transformed it into a basic yet brilliantly appointed hotel that is destined to be a bolt hole for aspiring young web designers, documentary directors and Sapporo club kids. Boasting an array of sassy street level businesses that ensure guests invest in the immediate community. With rooms starting at $65.00 a night, it's affordable for one night or nine weeks.

The $65.00 rooms come with a shared bath, so we would double our bill and secure a room with a private bathroom.

One last note: All the rooms come with a copy of the Kama Sutra, the Bible, and a couple of condoms.