"Why should we book here?This Philippe Starck-designed hotel occupies 16 floors of the flashy, 44-floor F5 Tower in the heart of Downtown Seattle. Everything about the hotel, inside and out, comes off striking and beautiful. While Seattle's style of luxury usually requires deferring to a casual aesthetic, the Lotte commits to the kind of high-end hotel that appeals to international business moguls. Set the scene.The prime location means that nearly everything is walking distance, including the iconic Pike Place Market and the Downtown malls. The direct area lacks the bustle of restaurant-goers in the evenings or ambience that encourages a casual stroll, but the convenient freeway access right Downtown makes it easy to get to almost anywhere by car or public transport. Not that the type of people staying here are worried about getting anywhere; this is the private car and driver, door-to-door service type of clientele. Give us the backstory.The hotel, which encompasses a historic 1907 church next door, was designed for SLS with a José Andrés restaurant to be included. But the original opening, slated for 2017, never happened. Instead Lotte, a South Korean hotel company with many Asian properties just making inroads in the U.S., snapped it up in 2019. Keeping the Philippe Starck design, the Lotte opened in 2020 with the remodeled beaux arts sanctuary as its ballroom, complete with the church's pipe organ and stained glass. One of South Korea's biggest companies and with a strong reputation for luxury hotels in Asia, Lotte marks the company's third U.S. property and a chance to show off its brand of bold opulence. How are the rooms?Floor-to-ceiling windows with sprawling views of Elliott Bay make the rooms feel even bigger than they are—which is large, for a city hotel. The heavy marble bathrooms (floor, walls, counters) feature arching fixtures to create a luxury vibe, while the mid-century modern furniture, like the small rust-colored pleated bedside lampshades, mixes in a little more fun. The 189 guest rooms include 33 suites, the largest of which is the 2100-square-foot Presidential suite, complete with baby grand piano. What's the food and drink situation?The Charlotte restaurant sits on the 16th floor of the hotel, giving it access to the incredible water views, as it serves its version of contemporary Pacific Northwest cuisine, though Lotte's decision to import a hotel chef from California, rather than hire someone local, shows that its priorities lie in creating a classic luxury feel rather than truly local terroir. Still, for the visiting crowd looking to get the food they know—but made with local ingredients—Charlotte offers the imagined idyll of Northwest food: Alaskan halibut, king salmon, and Dungeness crab. The drinks, including a stellar list of toast-worthy sparkling wines, live up to the luxury billing—and affordably so during the happy hour on Tuesday through Saturday afternoons. Is the spa worth it?Le Spa de l’hôtel Lotte departs from the more classic luxury of the rest of the hotel in design, but not in the service or services. It uses Biologique Recherche products for a range of customized facials, and a series of non-surgical face lifting and plumping treatments including micro-currents, micro-punctures, collagen treatments, and "liquid surgery." Cupping treatments come in detoxifying and cellulite targeting versions, and there's a complete slate of massage, sugaring, waxing, aromatherapy, and hair and makeup options. The sauna, steam room, and 16-head walk-in shower finish out the treatment options. How is the neighborhood around the hotel?The Lotte sticks out from its Downtown surroundings, the shiny glass of the tower skyrocketing up from the otherwise ordinary city streets. Though plenty of interesting sites sit within walking distance, including the beautiful Central Library, the location draw here is more about the easy access to getting elsewhere, mostly by car. Does the service add up?In a town where service often comes as an afterthought, Lotte's staff shines with attentive, personal, and bend-over-backwards interactions. From setting up special meals to just brightening days with smiles and genuine care, the staff here lift the already luxury experience to the next level. The concierge does their best to make any necessary arrangements, including personalized itineraries for seeing the town and making sure kids and dogs enjoy their time in the hotel. Should I bring my family here?The large rooms all have plenty of room for kids and the various suite arrangements accommodate larger families. The staff knows just how to cater to their youngest clientele, welcoming them with kid-friendly treats and making sure they experience the same luxury service as their parents. Is it accessible?ADA accessible rooms are available." - Naomi Tomky
