Seattle, Washington is one of the dreamiest cities in the Pacific Northwest, and if you are planning on visiting you should stay at 1 Hotel Seattle. It opened last May and has set out to create a luxurious, low-toxic, and environmentally forward hotel experience.
1 Hotel Seattle makes you forget that you’re right in the middle of the bustling city. And when you’re traveling for work, a personal trip, or something in-between, having a space where you can truly relax without even trying is huge. 1 Hotel Seattle makes you feel like stepping into a full wellness retreat.
Disclosure: 1 Hotel Seattle and La Loba hosted this October trip. They provided complimentary lodging and meals. They did not pay for this article, require a positive review, or have editorial control over our coverage. Our observations and recommendations reflect our own experience.
Location of 1 Hotel Seattle
In South Lake Union, 1 Hotel Seattle provides the perfect location for being close to the main Seattle attractions, including Lumen Field (1.7 miles), the Seattle Space Needle (0.6-0.8 miles), and Pike Place Market (0.8 miles). The Seattle Aquarium is also on the waterfront, and a must-visit for animal lovers.
Some of our favorite museums and activities are just a short distance away – Chihuly Garden and Glass for a completely immersive experience in world-class art, the Museum of Pop Culture for those interested in music, movies and all things pop, and the Museum of History and Industry are all a fantastic option for a way to explore the city and learn about some Seattle favorites.
This is just a short list of options, but there are countless attractions, restaurants and activities nearby, so you’ll never run out of places to visit.
First Impressions of 1 Hotel Seattle
The most memorable part of my stay was the attention to detail they brought into the space. Walking into the lobby felt magical with moss hanging from the ceiling, and refurbished wood tables, doors, and decor bringing so much warmth to the space. I also appreciated how attentive the staff was, and they truly provided some of the best service I had ever experienced.
1 Hotel Seattle does offer valet, and you can request your car at any time or indulge in their Audi car experience. Their house Audi is fully electric and will drop you off anywhere in a two-mile radius (please note that the Audi car is on a first-come, first-served basis).
1 Hotel Seattle’s Approach to Sustainability
1 Hotel Seattle is committed to the environment in every aspect. Everything they do is intentional and helps lower their overall carbon footprint. The facility is filled with over eleven hundred plants, and all the natural reclaimed wood has all been sourced from Washington. The property tied in its Pacific Northwest roots with a beautiful moss wall mural of Mt. Rainer that was done by local Seattle artists.
The overall ambiance feels surreal, it truly feels like you’ve been transformed into the woods of the Pacific Northwest. Everything felt calm, and nothing felt rushed. When there was a line of people ready to check in, the staff remained collected. To me, those little details stuck out, the true attention to detail in every aspect of the facility.
A unique thing they offer in their lobby right by their check in desk is a farm stand. They get fruit from local farmers that is “not sellable,” and people can enjoy free fresh fruit from local farmers. And, right next to the table filled with fruit, they have a compost bucket so the fruit can be used for fertilizer in the future. A thoughtful touch.
What Are the Rooms Like at 1 Hotel Seattle?
The rooms here are decidedly experience-centric to ensure that you have a relaxing experience despite being in the heart of the city. I stayed in the Hillside King – a 355-square-foot room with a king bed, sweeping views, and space for up to two guests comfortably. It is spacious enough for you to linger in your room and fully relax. The bed and pillows were so comfortable and fluffy – perfect for a truly restful night’s sleep.
We had a full window that spread the length of the walls, giving us a view of the space needle and the city beyond. The interior of the room was so relaxing and felt like a world away. I was immediately drawn to the spacious bathroom; there was a stunning glass waterfall shower in the corner and a separate deep soaking tub.
The details are considered and highly practical; the towels, bedding, and robes were 100% cotton, and for the eco-conscious, there was no plastic in sight. All the hygiene products were made with all-natural and cruelty-free ingredients. There is a filtered water system in every room, as well as chic glasses so that you can drink filtered water. To me, this was the best feature! The tub, shower, and sink are also all on a filtered water system.
We also had a stocked snack bar with healthier options and a full fridge with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink options. We had a full-sized TV with live TV show options and a full-length wardrobe with 100% wood hangers. Everything you see and touch is thoughtful, luxurious, and makes for an effortless stay.
Wellness Experiences
As travelers increasingly look for ways to nurture their bodies and minds while they travel, 1 Hotel Seattle has provided several options for guests. They are focused more on movement and in-room recovery rather than a spa, and they provide a wide variety of options. Their Field House is a major attraction. It is a stunning gym with high-quality equipment including multiple Peloton bikes, rowers, kettlebells, free weights and treadmills. To keep you hydrated, the gym gets delicious ice-cold lemon water or a general filtered water fountain for individuals to get clean, filtered water.
Back in your room, they partner with HigherDose. They offer services such as their Sauna Blanket and Red Light Face Mask, and they also have a yoga mat for stretching or working on your practice.
1 Hotel Seattle partners with Circle Wellness, a thermal spa experience on Lake Union. As a guest, you can receive $50 off your experience. They also partner with Prime IV, where you can recharge and restore after a long travel day! If you book a treatment with their concierge, you receive a complimentary upgrade to VIP status with zero-gravity massage chair access and an oxygen treatment add-on.
Each room also has a QR code to “The 1 Less Thing” Program, which is a non-profit organization. The organization allows people to leave behind items they no longer need, and those items will be donated.
Dining at 1 Hotel Seattle: La Loba, Drift and More
1 Hotel Seattle has two dining options. The first option being Drift, a more laid-back lounge in the front of the hotel. They serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bar. They have a stunning atrium that you can dine in as well, which truly elevates the experience. For breakfast, they offer a light breakfast, and pastries are available. At lunch, they have artisan sandwiches and a variety of seasonal flatbreads. The evening is truly when Drift comes alive with a live DJ, a curated cocktail menu, and local wine options. Drift is open daily from 6:30 am – 10 pm (11 pm on Friday and Saturday!).
The star of the dining experience is La Loba (located behind Drift). La Loba is led by James Beard-nominated Chef Oscar Amador Edo and offers a Barcelona-inspired menu and atmosphere! La Loba offers a more modern Barcelonian menu but still equally delicious food. I was honored to be hosted by La Loba for both dinner and brunch. La Loba prioritizes high-quality, mostly local ingredients while still keeping the menu approachable. Each dish is made fresh; nothing is ever frozen.
La Loba also offers an extensive drink menu with wine, champagne, night caps, handcrafted cocktails. You name it, they probably serve it. My two favorite drinks were their “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (Amaro Montenegro, Ron del Barrilito Three Star Rum, Lime, Coconut, Pineapple, Carbonated and Clarified) and a Carajilo (house cold brew and Licor 43).
We ordered a mix of hot and cold tapas and pasta and the platos! We ate everything from delicious candied salmon, 30-day dry-aged strip loin carpaccio, eggplant Parmigiana, pan-roasted black cod and more! Dessert is of course a must! We enjoyed their deconstructed key lime pie (vanilla bean gelato, graham crumble, lime gel). And a chocolate lovers dream, their pistachio tiramisu (Chocolate mousse, espresso-soaked ladyfingers, pistachio cream, espresso ice cream)! For the full list of what we ate, click here to see our Instagram post about the experience.
Adding to the ambiance, La Loba has Spanish Guitarists on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday morning for brunch. I would highly recommend visiting them during those times; the environment is truly unmatched! Their dinner hours are Monday through Sunday from 4 pm – 10 pm.
For brunch, they offer some of the same dishes such as their Green Tartare (which was a favorite)! It’s an avocado mousse with red pepper and zucchini served with fried rice paper to dip! It is also one of their celiac and vegan safe dishes! I indulged in their bananas foster waffles which were delicious! However, I would highly recommend however, they are known for their “Tableside XXL” french toast, perfect for two! Of course, you can’t go wrong with a morning mimosa or their handcrafted iced coffee (or both).
Is 1 Hotel Seattle Worth a Stay?
The ambiance, hospitality, views, location, everything was ideal for a perfect Seattle getaway and makes this an easy choice for any traveler. From the second story balcony you get an excellent view of the Seattle Space Needle and the Seattle Skyline. Of course being located in South Lake Union, it’s a nice walkable neighborhood and a great central location to visit the rest of Seattle. La Loba itself is worth the reservation even if you aren’t staying in at 1 Hotel. I would recommend 1 Hotel Seattle to anyone looking to relax, recharge and travel more mindfully while still wanting to explore all that Seattle has to offer.