Review: Thompson Seattle

What struck you on arrival?
Dividing the lobby from handsome all-day restaurant Conversation, a glass-lined floating staircase signals that here’s a hotel for Dwell-reading design fans who lust over notebooks from Leuchtturm1917 and mid-century chairs. Just ahead, an arc-necked floor lamps peeps over a pine-green, velour wrap-around sofa—creating a well-lit spot to relax with your morning coffee or wait for a friend.

What’s the crowd like?
Designers and building buffs love the Thompson chain’s focus on architectural details, and its Seattle location, debuted in 2016, doesn’t disappoint. With an angular glass exterior by local firm Olson Kundig and modern-yet-friendly furnishings throughout, the hotel has quickly earned a reputation as Seattle’s most stylish stay.

The good stuff: Tell us about the rooms.
Olson Kundig endeavored to erase the division between indoors and outdoors via floor-to-ceiling windows that, on the west side of the building, make you feel like you’re floating over the Puget Sound. While these “Water View” rooms can run more than $100 extra, it’s a dazzling effect you don’t want to miss. Throughout, rooms are sharply furnished and understated, with dark woods, navy accents, and stately pin-striped duvets.

How about the little details? Any of that worth a mention?
Free, fast Wi-Fi comes with the room, as do squat bottles of beauty products from Brooklyn-based D.S. & Durga. Minibars entice with tiny bottles of Hendrick’s gin and Glenlivet, crackers from Pike Place Market cheesemaker Beecher’s, and dark chocolate sea salt caramels—less-fleeting in-room offerings include Thompson-themed umbrellas, candles, and flasks.

Anything notable about the staff?
You hear it over and over again, the Thompson has the friendliest staff in town. With an uncanny ability to remember every guest who books one of the hotel’s 150 rooms, the concierge crew always comes through with first-rate dining recs and offers to make reservations.

Anything other features that we absolutely must check out.
The hotel has a small fitness center, but ask your concierge about group exercise possibilities, too. There's no shortage of yoga studios, gyms, and other workout opportunities nearby. On warm evenings, flocks of locals head to rooftop bar The Nest to share vodka-and-Courvoisier punch served from copper flamingos, or sip on locally brewed beers. The scene can lean a little bro-centric, but the spectacular panoramic views eclipse any obnoxious antics. If Nest is full, score one of the sleek bar stools downstairs at Conversation, a good restaurant that churns out excellent cocktails.

Bottom line: Why will we love it here?
Between the epic design details, the dizzying views, and the dangerous amount of good drinks flowing from its two bars, the Thompson offers one of the most delightful stays in Seattle.