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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.
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.
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A Wellness Pilgrimage to the Olympic Peninsula
Two hours from Seattle, a new kind of luxury is taking root—one built on stillness, old-growth forests, and the subtle art of slowing down.
There is a school of thought among the overworked and overscheduled that the most subversive thing a person can do is stop. Put down the phone, close the laptop, and go somewhere that actively resists attempts to stay plugged in. The Olympic Peninsula has always offered this, in its blunt, mossy way. For some city…
Seabrook Is a Little Coastal Utopia
This walkable beach town gives families room to roam, relax, and leave the car parked.
There’s nothing quite like finding an edible mushroom in the forest with a five-year-old. The excitement and pride my son displayed when we found chicken of the woods were contagious, and after battering and frying the mushrooms, our wonderful day got even better. The dark, wet forests in which our mushrooms grew are part of…
Five Easy Summer Outings That Don’t Require a Big Plan
August is wonderful, but it can get a little feral when the kids are roaming free and school still feels far away. Consider this your low-effort rescue plan.
There’s a point in summer when the family starts to fray a little. Camps have come and gone, and the novelty of popsicles for lunch has worn off. Everyone wants something fun to do, but nobody needs a major production that involves sand all over the car or a ferry reservation. These five outings are…
Victoria, B.C.: A European-Inspired Getaway in Seattle’s Backyard
With gas prices soaring and flights canceled, a little Old World charm is just a boat ride away.
Skip the airport chaos and discover Victoria, B.C., a European-inspired getaway right in Seattle’s backyard. Explore castles, historic pubs, and high tea.