Travel

New Bellevue Hotel’s Voyeuristic Glass Showers May Not be for Everyone

W Bellevue’s lake-house motif ensures a vacation vibe—no matter the season.

By Nia Martin August 10, 2017

W-Bellevue_King-Bathroom

This article originally appeared in the August 2017 issue of Seattle magazine.

The recently opened W Bellevue (Lincoln Square, 10455 NE Fifth Place; 425.709.9000) is a place to see and be seen—literally. A peek inside one of the 220 guest rooms (there are also 25 suites) reveals a floor-to-ceiling glass shower, placed boldly in the middle of the space. But then, “shy” has never been the W’s style. 

Billed as a pop version of a family lake house, the hotel boasts multiple fireplaces in communal spaces, swings and a place for some retro relaxation in The Library, with its shelves of board games and romance novels. 

Grab a drink, or two or three, at Civility & Unrest—a speakeasy lounge serving craft cocktails—and chase it with seasonal farm fare prepared by chef Jason Wilson (formerly of Crush and Miller’s Guild) at The Lakehouse restaurant, which could be a bonafide destination. Afterward, stumble back to your room, where guest drawers are stacked awry like suitcases, the bedroom side tables have attached lamps modeled after waterside dock lighting and the carpet is “stained” with a spilled red wine design.

When the sun rises, go ahead and request an aspirin and seltzer. The W won’t judge; after all, what happens at the lake house stays at the lake house.

 

Follow Us

Hidden Washington: The Other Vancouver

Hidden Washington: The Other Vancouver

Explore rich history and vibrant scenery on the north bank of the Columbia River 

The English explorer George Vancouver and his associates embarked on a naming spree in the Pacific Northwest unlike any seen before. In his fantastic book...

A Stunning BC Beauty

A Stunning BC Beauty

Check out Manning Park. Just don't tell anyone about it.

During early spring, when the snowpack is deep in the Northwest, and the ski resorts are still buzzing with enthusiasts getting their last turns in before the season runs out, my wife, Kristy, and I like to head further north to Canada. Photo by Sophia Yip/Getty Images

Chasing the Solar Eclipse: Seattle to Indianapolis

Chasing the Solar Eclipse: Seattle to Indianapolis

The city is near the center of the totality of the eclipse

On April 8, the heavens will put on a spectacular show as a total solar eclipse graces the skies, forging a path from Mazatlán to Montreal. For those seeking this unforgettable experience many prime destinations beckon, from the Texas Hill Country to Buffalo. For us, Indianapolis emerged as a prime destination, lying near the center

Ruby Beach Recognized as One of the World's Best  

Ruby Beach Recognized as One of the World’s Best  

Sparkling red and strewn with sea stacks, Washington's rugged shoreline stands out

Situated on the Olympic Peninsula, a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Seattle, Ruby Beach is known for its towering sea stacks sculpted by centuries of wind and waves, and its thriving tide pools.