Nothing says summer like watching America’s favorite pastime in the city, that and rooms overlooking the Puget Sound at the Four Seasons Seattle.
Spokane to Seattle is the ultimate summer road trip for those looking to experience summer activities in the city. From Mariners baseball at T-Mobile Park, to fresh seafood at Pike’s Place Market, the drive to Western Washington brings mountainous views and different ways to make memories as a family.
For the Jones family, our Seattle road trip was a wonderful whirlwind. With only 26 hours in the city, our itinerary was an efficient yet enchanting way to spend time together in a new city (for my husband and boys.) With sunshine on our side, we made the four and a half hour journey from Spokane to Seattle for our Sunday night stay at the Four Seasons Seattle.
The Road Trip
Leaving Spokane early Sunday morning, our virtual journey showed no traffic ahead. Four hours and twenty four minutes until our destination, T-Mobile Park. With the 1st inning set for 1:10, the Jones family was in no rush on the road.
Stopping in Ellensburg for Pita Pit, I had never gone further than the Chevron off of exit 109. Venturing five minutes past that, we drove through some really cute neighborhoods that led us to my healthier road trip choice of Pita Pit. The friendly service and clean establishment ensured I had made the right choice. Topping off with gas, we resumed our family road trip to Seattle.
The long-standing road work from Ellensburg to Seattle has ended, there were no orange cones preventing our trip from its arrival time. We arrived in sunny Seattle to the beautiful city scape around 12:45, giving us some time to find parking and make our way into T-MobIle Park.
T-Mobile Park
The pink neon sign lit my husband’s face up. The energy from the stadium exuded excitement and fun and we could not wait to make our way inside. After scanning our tickets, the game awaited us! The ballpark’s iconic roof was open, letting the sunshine hit the fans and field in a way that screamed, summer fun.
Walking to our seats, I was happily surprised at how many food and drink vendors were available, since I had left my Seattle days in 2018. Just a handful of the ones I wanted to stop at were:
Ballard Pizza Section 132, 242:
A brand familiar to Spokane, Ballard Pizza Co. is owned by restaurateur Ethan Stowell, who owns Tavolàta in downtown Spokane. The slices are classic in the best way, an ideal size to accommodate a ball size Coca Cola. They also offer poppable bite sized dough bites drizzled with garlic oil and sprinkled with parmesan cheese
Piroshky Piroshsky Section 132:
This well-known Seattle staple is known for its assortment of a Russian delicacy, the piroshky. Offering ballpark guests options, try the beef and cheese, bacon hamburger, or the chocolate cream hazelnut piroshky for your sweet treat.
Salt & Straw, Section 111, 328:
An amazing way to cool down from the summer sun, Salt & Straw’s ice cream is a Pacific Northwest favorite, being founded in Portland being spreading to Seattle. With a long and lovely list of ice cream flavors like the Chocolate Gooey Brownie or the Salted Malted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, grab a double scoop or their infamous tacolate for the game.
Not known for small hot dogs, Sumo showcases different Japanese hot dogs in different styles for any hot dog lover. The classic is a modern take with wasabi relish, picked peppers, spicy mayo, teriyaki sauce and minced onions. These culinary style dogs are another perfect ballpark snack at T-Mobile.
Tamari Bar’s line was long, long enough to show it must be great! Tamari is a Japanese restaurant known for its creative and delightful dishes like the Tamari Bar Poutine or “K” Popcorn Chicken, popcorn chicken with homemade Korean style Spicy Gochujang Aioli.
For a full selection of what you can expect for food options at the park, click here.
Our Arrival: The Four Seasons Seattle
Pulling up to the Four Seasons Seattle valet, no matter what ride you’re in, they treat you like a star. “Welcome to the Four Seasons Seattle, may I have your reservation name?”
“Welcome, Mrs. Jones, let me the get your bags,” said our valet, Alex. We shook hands, exchanged a genuine smile, laughed at parenthood, and off we were walking into their newly, beautifully redone lobby. The remodel finished in June 2026, with renovations done to the hotels spa, lobby, and restaurant. The lobby and tavern boasted the same ambiance the brand has strived for since conception, “While we continue to evolve, from the recent refresh of our lobby, Spa, and Goldfinch Tavern bar, our focus remains the same: creating a warm, personal experience that feels distinctly Seattle. To be recognized alongside so many remarkable hotels, including fellow Four Seasons properties around the world, is a true honor,” said General Manager, Graham Williamson.
Checking in was a breeze. The kind gentleman retrieved my ID and credit card, and he checked us in and directed us up the elevator floor seven, room 701.
The Accommodations
Taking the golden elevators, we swiped our room key for elevator access,which gave my momma heart a peace of mind, pushed “7” and up we went. Walking down the quiet hallway, our eagerness builds as we round our final corner and stop at room 701.
Pushing open the oak door, a spacious and sophisticated hotel living room sits in front of us. “Woah!,” our three-year-old said as he ran inside. The media stay graciously allowed us to be upgraded to a two-room, ocean view suite.
A large couch, beautiful art on the walls, a bar and mini fridge, plus another wall of windows- the living room made the hotel seem like home away from home. The space was giving an upscale apartment but with way less for kids to break. They even had a ferris wheel of desserts waiting for us, replicating Seattle’s Great Wheel outside our window.
In awe, the boys ran through the suite as I took in the Puget Sound through our suite windows. The living room was ideal to give us extra space for the family to play or relax, while the bedroom area was our oasis for rest.
I was blown away that I didn’t have to ask for a crib, one was waiting for us when we walked into the bedroom. With organic soap and lotion, a Seattle children’s book, and baby robe, I was internally screaming that I was so fortunate to bring my family to the Four Seasons Seattle.
The kingsize beds, comforter and pillows were editorially white, making me feel even more safe, and like our accommodations were extra clean and tidy. Their pillow game is also 10/10. “We need more pillows,” never crossed my mind. We had an abundance, giving us plenty of cushion for our son to sleep chaotically, comfortably. Regardless if you are a guest for one night or one week, you will have plenty of closet space, trust me.
Walking through our two rooms, our eldest son slid open the door to our bathroom, where I let out a genuine gasp. I had never seen such a sight! With Seattle and the Sound in front of us, Seattle was stamping itself on my heart. The bathroom was head to toe marble. The tan and white stone was charming, and the bath tub was something to write home about. Grandness from the tub never overshadowed the double-head shower either. The entire room was out of a magazine, with nearly floor to ceiling windows, giving you that view of a lifetime.
The Four Seasons Seattle also has an exclusive partnership with Grown Alchemist, a well-known brand I was thrilled to see was at my disposal. With an abundance of towels, lotions, soap, shower caps, bath beads and more- their bathroom is a luxurious form of heaven on earth.
The Goldfinch Tavern
Also newly remodeled with the lobby and spa, Goldfinch Tavern is the Four Seasons Seattle well-known fine dining restaurant. Strikingly beautiful, the upscale feel hits you before you stop at the host stand. With another ocean view, it’s hard to have a bad seat in the house.
“This way, Mrs. Jones,” my server said as he walked me from the stand to my window table overlooking the Puget Sound. “Thank you,” I said. “Sparkling or still?”. The world was my oyster here.
Ordering the “Garden Party,” mocktail, I also ordered the sourdough boule as my appetizer because why not. Warm and gorgeous, the bread loaf was accompanied by a Taggiassca olive, butter spread. Both came faster than anticipated and with charming customer service. “The salmon, please,” I said. Enjoying my meal alone, I was able to take in aspects of the restaurant that I might not have with our toddlers with me, although the hotel’s restaurant is extremely family-friendly.
The Cedar Plank Salmon was a simple rendition with a twist. The butter sauce was a touch that I won’t forget. Salmon in the summer, especially when by the ocean, is always a good idea. The potato side was petite but perfect, and paired with an app and my generous cut of salmon, I was glad that I was a guest at the Goldfinch Tavern.
My Exclusive Interview with Chef Andrea Ferrandi
I had the honor of interviewing the chef of the Goldfinch, Executive Chef Andrea Ferrandi. New to Seattle, but not the Four Seasons, Chef has spent most of his career as a chef all around the world for them. Born in North Italy, near Milan, Chef says that Seattle is very similar to the part of the world where he is from.
“ Seattle, somehow the weather in Seattle is kind of similar to where I grew up in North Italy. Very long winter with dark, until late in the morning and very early in the afternoon,” he shared with Trending Northwest Magazine. “I come from the ocean. Luckily, here we have the ocean that brings us a lot of seafood, a lot of premium, premium ingredients,” he added.
Having worked all over the world, spending 15 years at the brands resort in Nevis, Chef moved to Seattle last year with his wife and three kids. I asked what it’s like to raise a family with such a demanding yet prestigious job.
“ It takes unfortunately a lot of missed holidays, missed birthdays or Sundays, but I try to, whenever I’m off, then to try to not think so much about work and just enjoy the family time with them. They’ve always been very understanding, and they are also used to. And thanks, I was saying to my wife that she’s always been very understanding over the years,” Chef Andrea said.
Being new to Goldfinch, he has spent a lot of time reevaluating the menus they serve.
“Over these last few months, to come back with the concept of the restaurant to a place that is closer to what was the original concept of the opening about 10 years ago,” Chef Andrea said.
“ To use local ingredients as much as possible between fish, seafood in general, produce and meat, keeping it very simply prepared, which is the same kind of philosophy of the Mediterranean cuisine that we have in Italy where I grew up in. Good ingredients, fresh, and very simply prepared, here, of course, in the Pacific Northwest.”
As a dad himself, he highlighted that the hotel and restaurant really go above and beyond for their guests, telling me they move mountains to make meal dreams come true, “Very often outside of what is the written menu to accommodate whatever in the day they may feel they want to enjoy. And as long as the kids are happy, most of the time the parents are happy, so of course it’s a big focus.”
Hosting hundreds of people everyday, Chef said he loves to serve seafood. “ We, we use very nice quality of salmon. We have oysters that they come from literally an hour away in the other side of the, of the, of the sea here in front of us. And, uh, those are simple ingredients as well, like we said. But if they’re fresh, like we are lucky enough to get, and they’re prepared simply, those are one of the things I prefer here.”
Not just the fresh seafood either, the Four Seasons Seattle showcases some of the finest local meats from eastern washington.
“ ….sustainable farmer that raise beef in a very natural way in Eastern Washington, about two hour and a half, three hours away. We’ve started to use their product about a month ago with the new summer menu, and it’s going very well,” he shared.
The new summer menu is available for Goldfinch Tavern or hotel guests to order.
Near-by Attractions
Our suite view granted us front row access to Seattle attractions. The Great Wheel, Pier 58, the Seattle Aquarium, and the Jellyfish Playground at Pier 58 were all in perfect eyesight from our seventh floor view. With less than a 10 minute walk to all, these are some family favorites that won’t leave you walking or driving all day long.
Seattle Aquarium:
Not having an aquarium in eastern Washington, the Seattle Aquarium is something special we don’t get to see every day. From the Sea Otters, to the Giant Pacific Octopus, there are fascinating sights for the family to see. This edition of the aquarium has ample amount of room for kids to get their energy out too. The Caring Cove Playspace allows kids a closer look at water creatures while learning too.
The Great Wheel:
Seattle’s renowned ferris wheel, the Great Wheel is a unique way to give the family a better view of everything the city has to offer. Open seven days a week, the skyline and Puget Sound at night is something worth waiting all day for. They also have a carousel and sea boat tours as extra activities for family adventures.
Jellyfish Playground:
The park has a jellyfish statue that sits 25 feet high, and was picked by local Seattle residents who wanted marine life reflected in their parks. The marine themed playground is accessible for all ages and mobility as well as ADA accessible. There is seating on the outside for parents to enjoy the playground and the sea.
Pier 58:
Pier 58 has something for everyone in your family. The views of the Salish Sea to calm everyone, a turf space to sit or run wild, as well as the playground. There are no permanent food spots, but local food trucks are known to rotate the area.
Pike Street Market:
With its reputation proceeding it, Pike Street is always a fabulous family activity. With lots to see, lots to eat, and lots of new perspective to take in, the market is a great place to spend hours walking around and getting fresh air with your family.
The Overall Experience
The Four Seasons Seattle was something I will dream about for the rest of forever. The pure dreaminess that the establishment exudes, leaves you feeling like royalty, making it difficult to leave. I knew that the Four Seasons hospitality was known for it’s supreme service, but experiencing it for myself, and seeing how they treated my family, meant the world.
From sleeping like a queen in their grand accommodations, to dining like dynasty at the Goldfinch Tavern- my standards are now different from staying at the Four Seasons Seattle. It was so refreshing to be treated so kindly and royally at the same time, it’s understandable why brand is known as the “must stay place,” amongst celebrities and stars.
To book a summer stay for your family, head to the Four Seasons Seattle official website, here.