The Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle has long been a favourite with international heads of states, royalty and celebrities. Most recently the five-star property was featured as a romantic hideaway for fictional characters Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele in E.L James’s best-selling Fifty Shades Darker sequel. Breaking Travel News checks in to investigate.

Upon arrival at this magnificent stately building you are immediately transported to a bygone era. Built in 1924, the lobby is still the grandest in Seattle, with marble floors, silky patterned wallpaper, sweeping crystal chandeliers, oak pillars and enormous staircases to set the tone. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the hotel personifies class and elegance, with impeccable service to complete the experience.

Located in downtown Seattle, close to the waterfront pier and cruise ship terminal, the Italian Renaissance revival hotel is walking distance from popular attractions including the famous Pike Place Market, Space Needle and Seattle Art Museum. It is no wonder the Fairmont Olympic, previously named Washington’s Leading Hotel by the World Travel Awards, is the hotel of choice for so many high profile guests – from Bill Gates to Tony Blair.

The 450 guest-rooms are comfortable, stylish and elegant. They are light and airy as well as being well appointed, with lavish bedding including down pillows and duvets. Other amenities included high speed internet access and multi-line telephones. The en-suite bathroom comes complete with terry bathrobes. The selection of 218 suites are often a popular choice for families with optional sofa beds or rollaway beds.

Guestroom at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel

For dining, guests can enjoy the most elegant restaurant in Seattle; The Georgian is a AAA 4 Diamond restaurant featuring French-inspired Northwest cuisine. Meanwhile for a more casual atmosphere, Shuckers is one of Seattle’s oldest oyster bars. The Terrace piano bar is an ideal spot to unwind and listen to relaxing music. We opted for room service, which proved to be a real treat and the service was exceptionally friendly.

The Georgian offers tasty French cuisine in a stylish haven

The well-heeled business traveller will also find everything he or she needs here with 26,000 square feet of meeting space complete with state-of-the-art equipment including video and teleconferencing capabilities. With fifteen meeting and event rooms, The Fairmont Olympic lends an air of prestige to any gathering, from 12 to 750 with capacity to host prominent corporate, civic and social events.

The St James Meeting Room at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel

Friendly Fairmont staff are available 24-hours a day for any requests, from full-service audiovisual services to computer rentals or multilingual interpreters. There is a full-service business centre in addition to a well-equipped health club, and indoor swimming pool. Alternatively guests looking to really unwind can opt for an in-room massage.

Despite being nearly 90 years old, the Fairmont Olympic Seattle maintains its modern, fresh ambience with constant upgrades and enhancements. Most recently, the kitchen has undergone a $2 million dollar upgrade and remodelling. Later this year, brand new custom carpeting will be installed throughout the meetings area, in addition to new energy efficient windows which will be added throughout the entire hotel.

Of all Seattle’s luxury hotels, the Fairmont Olympic works the hardest at being eco-friendly and energy efficient windows is just one of many innovative initiatives in place. The Fairmont recycles 65% of its produce – and even includes in-room recycling bins for the more conscientious guests. In coming months the property’s HVAC and furnace will also be upgraded to bring the hotel more in line with its green initiatives. 

In addition to its green initiatives, the Fairmont Olympic Hotel is supporting the urban bee population. In 2011, the property installed rooftop hives; a programme which has flourished and as a result, the rooftop has become home to five hives and nearly 500,000 honeybees. These have been responsible for harvesting 150 pounds of honey, which is featured in the menu in the Georgian restaurant as well as Shuckers.

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel Shuckers Oyster Bar

Delectable items, such as honey glazed salmon, and the Rooftop Honey Breakfast, which includes a fresh squeezed tangerine juice topped with honey foam and yoghurt, honey with granola parfait are a big hit with guests.

From its pioneering green initiatives, to its quirky, sustainable rooftop beehives programme, the Fairmont Olympic Hotel is a timeless and elegant gem, perfectly located in the very heart of sexy Seattle with all its fifty shades. This charming hotel will not disappoint.

For more information or rates visit www.fairmont.com/seattle.