The Alexis Hotel ~ Seattle, Washington – There’s something about a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of a big city that these two baby boomers really enjoy.  Because of their smaller footprint, there seems to be an intimacy that is many times lost in a hotel with 500 rooms.  It’s kind of nice to have the staff at the front desk great you by name each morning as you walk by.  Size alone generally prohibits a much larger hotel to pull that off.

Furthermore, a boutique hotel will generally have a theme of some sort that is designed to cater to a specific audience and add a dash of fun to your stay.

The Alexis Hotel, in downtown Seattle, is just such a place.

The Alexis Hotel lies in the heart of the very creative West Edge neighborhood. Within walking distance you’ll find the world famous Pike Place Market, renowned Seattle Art Museum, energetic Seattle Waterfront, historical Pioneer Square and many upscale art and antique galleries.

And speaking of boutique hotel themes, the Alexis Hotel is filled with wonderful pieces of local art.  A work of art in itself, the Alexis Hotel is committed to the Seattle arts community and displays original pieces throughout its richly decorated guestrooms and public spaces, showcasing the diversity and culture that is distinctive to the Pacific Northwest.

This 121-room boutique hotel has enjoyed quite a number of important accolades.  It has been a AAA Four-Diamond property since 1984, is listed in Travel & Leisure’s “Top 500 Hotels in the World”, and has been on the Condé Naste Gold List for the past six years.

Our guest suite was very comfortable, and I really enjoyed the ergonomic Kielhauer work chair and desk in the room.  When we travel, I spend a fair amount of time working in the room, and this was the most comfortable work station I have ever encountered in a hotel room.  It rivaled my own Herman Miller Aeron chair at home.

Another really fun perk of staying at The Alexis Hotel is The Bookstore Bar & Cafe.  This comfortable pub-like setting is a favorite amongst the locals and features an outstanding selection of single malt scotch, single barrel bourbon, and a wide collection of international beers.

I (David) have never really tasted scotch before and therefore was completely ignorant of the various types of whiskeys available.

I learned that in order to be called scotch, the whiskey must come from Scotland, and that Scotland has quite a number of scotch regions all with their own unique qualities.

To help school me in the matter, the waitress prepared for me a “scotch flight” with 1/2 ounce shots of scotch from five different regions in Scotland.  As it turned out, I rather enjoyed the 16-year-old anCnoc (pronounced a-knock) from Scotland’s central highlands.

Another pleasant surprise of our stay at The Alexis Hotel was the Library Bistro.

We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast here each morning.  With all of the fancy eating we were doing each night, I was being very careful to eat a healthy, balanced breakfast each morning.

However, one morning, Executive Chef Tiffany Layco decided that we should try her famous french toast.  Wow! That was the absolute best french toast ever.  She tried to tempt me with her famous pancakes the next morning, but I stuck to my guns and enjoyed a bowl of steal-cut oatmeal instead.

We spent three nights at The Alexis Hotel in Seattle and enjoyed ourselves greatly.  I have only one regret.  I have been trying to find a bottle of that 16 year-old anCnoc scotch to no avail.  I should have bought a bottle from them before we came home.

If you find yourself in Seattle, we enthusiastically recommend that you lay your head on a pillow at The Alexis Hotel.  It was great fun!

Disclosure:  a portion of our experience was provided by the fine folks at The Alexis Hotel.  Thanks!  We had a wonderful visit!