Free cookie consent management tool by TermsFeed

Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle

411 University Street, Seattle Central Business District, Seattle, WA 98101, United States of America (show on map)

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, affectionately known as Seattle’s “Grand Dame,” has been a beacon of luxury since it opened in 1924. Built on the original site of the University of Washington, the hotel was designed by the New York firm George B. Post & Son in a stunning Italian Renaissance style. Its history is deeply intertwined with the city’s growth, having hosted countless celebrities, royalty, and even U.S. Presidents over the last century.

The building is famous for its intricate, historic details, such as the hand-carved oak woodwork, antique chandeliers, and original travertine flooring. Following a massive multi-million dollar restoration, these classic elements were carefully preserved while integrating modern touches, like a striking kinetic art installation above the central lobby bar. Guests often enjoy hunting for hidden surprises, including secret staircases and passageways that once connected the hotel to neighboring buildings.

Location-wise, the hotel sits in the heart of downtown, making it an ideal base for any Seattle adventure. You are just a short walk from the world-famous Pike Place Market, where you can watch the fish-throwers and browse local artisanal crafts.

Culture enthusiasts will also love the proximity to the Seattle Art Museum and the historic 5th Avenue Theatre, located right across the street. Whether you are strolling down to the waterfront piers or taking in the city skyline, the Fairmont Olympic offers a perfect blend of timeless elegance and convenient access to the best the Emerald City has to offer.

Expert reviews

Frommers review:

“Covering an entire city block smack-dab in the heart of downtown, the Fairmont Olympic is Seattle’s grande dame of hotels and the place to stay if you want a traditional, full-service, grand hotel experience. The majesty, opulence and scale of its lobby and the Georgian Room is simply unparalleled.”

Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Seattle.

Lonely Planet review:

“With 450 rooms and every imaginable service, this place is certainly a splurge, but it’s worth exploring even if you don’t stay here – have an oyster at Shuckers, the oak-paneled hotel bar, or pose like royalty on the Versailles-worthy main staircase.”

Fodors review:

“A Seattle landmark since 1924, the Fairmont Olympic offers refined luxury and top-notch customer service. No wonder it attracts a fiercely loyal clientele, who also appreciate its prime Downtown location, many amenities, and timeless glamor.”

Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Seattle.

Telegraph review:

“One of Seattle’s most historic hotels. The Fairmont Olympic strikes the right balance between old-world glamour in its lobby and contemporary luxury in its rooms.”

Guest rating

4.6 out of 5.0

Ranked 3rd in Seattle


This an aggregated guest review rating of Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle. We have taken customer review ratings from hotel booking sites, search engines, the official hotel website and other travel platforms. This is the average of all those ratings. We only list places that have a guest review rating of at least 4.0 out of 5.0


What guests liked


Value for Money

90.6 %

Ranked 3rd in Seattle


We use a smart algorithm to determine the value for money each hotel offers. The score is based on a combination of aggregated guest review ratings and the average nightly rate. The higher the percentage, the better the overall value you receive for the price you pay.


Location

Recent guest reviews

5.0
Jane

3 October 2025

Upscale hotel in great location

Lovely hotel, very clean, food available-sit down/room service, comfortable beds, quiet, attentive staff, location.

We had no complaints

5.0
Jane

29 September 2025

Great location and a well appointed hotel.

The room was clean and spacious. The bed was comfortable. Dining is available from room service to fine dining. The location was close to light rail, monorail, and Pike Market. There are restaurants and bars in walking distance.

The lobby bar while beautiful is extremely busy on weekends. Charges kept appearing on our credit card. We had to go ask the front desk to clear up the charges. We had prepaid but they still charged us. It was easily addressed.

4.5
Sugie

17 September 2025

Very happy to stay in this hotel.

The location of this hotel is very central, easy to go to the attractive city.

Nothing, all good !

4.0
Lynne

15 September 2025

Beautiful but overpriced in all ways

Great location. Attentive staff.

The worst coffee in the room ever! Other hotels had better breakfast options and at much more reasonable prices.

5.0
Catherine

13 September 2025

Amazing property with tons of amenities and huge rooms

Beautiful with lots of amenities and great location to walk to nearby attractions or public transport. Also very large rooms

4.0
Alfred

12 September 2025

Former grand hotel has seen better times, specially the rooms

Nice breakfast restaurant, rooms are sized well. Location is good.

This was a great grand hotel. Rooms are ok but totally outdated, as are the bathrooms. Check-in an check-out are painfully slow.

5.0
Cindy

4 September 2025

This luxury hotel is located in walking distance to many of the main attractions

Luxurious

Valet overnight parking very expensive

5.0
Gerdhh

15 August 2025

We like the luxury feeling and history of this hotel.

location our room with view of the bay, the pool - very nice, breakfast excellent food although i miss the tablecloths

long wait at check in. after 4:45 before our room ready.

4.5
Muhammad

13 July 2025

Excellent stay overall

Excellent location, beautiful building, excellent service by staff

Nothing in particular

5.0
Thomas

18 April 2025

This is really what classic 5 star places should be like

The epitome of luxury and attention to detail.

Nothing

4.5
Renee

23 March 2025

Relaxing fun weekend staycation

Beautiful lobby bar and speak easy, friendly staff

Loved it all!

4.5
Chanda

25 February 2025

Lovely hotel for a downtown getaway

Beautiful lobby, restaurant, and bar! The staff were exceptionally friendly. We loved having dinner and drinks and relaxing on the couches in the bar area. They were close enough to be part of the classic atmosphere but were private enough for conversation.

Rooms were wonderful, I appreciate that the hotel has kept many of the (well-maintained) vintage elements of the bathroom instead of giving in to the ultra-modern cookie cutter style of many other hotels.

We were a little disappointed with the pool and hot tub area, it was a bit dirty and looked like it had not been deep cleaned in a long time.

5.0
Deanna

5 February 2025

Perfection at it's best

Beautiful hotel and Guest services could not have been better.

There was nothing I didn't like.

5.0
Peter

9 January 2025

Excellent hotel in a great location

Everything was first class including room service.

5.0
Mark

24 December 2024

Loved the hotel, will return when next we have the opportunity!

The facilities, decor, rooms. Exceptional.

That to get to reception one had to navigate through patrons enjoying drinks and loud conversation! An somewhat unique and odd feature.

5.0
Jeanine

17 December 2024

Our stay at the Fairmont Olympic in Seattle was superb!

The hotel is beautiful inside and out - and especially so for Christmas. The room was very nice, included lots of amenities and the bed was very comfortable. The location is excellent - easy walking distance to Pike Place market and the waterfront. The staff was friendly and very helpful.

4.0
Alfred

12 December 2024

Great location , clean but outdated

Classic Hotel. Big room.

Needs work over. Noisy bar in the middle of the lobby. Staff not really helpful.

4.5
Mccarthey

9 December 2024

Stayed at hotel several times over many years. Continues to be the grand dame

Room and room service were superb ,
Breakfast in restaurant was excellent
Never waited for elevator
Friendly and helpful staff

Bit crowded in lobby, but people were having fun

5.0
Colleen

2 December 2024

Wonderful beautiful experience:-)

Location and beautiful.

Pricing is high for everything but was worth it for the experience and location!!

5.0
Bethanie

27 October 2024

So much fun for a quick weekend girls trip!

The history and the character.

4.5
Michael

20 October 2024

Great hotel in the heart of the city.

Staff was really professional and friendly. The location was good for our needs. The facilities (that we saw) were great.

It’s simple but the shower temperature setting was almost impossible to get between cool and scolding. Not a deal breaker though.

5.0
Aubrey

19 October 2024

We’ll be back.

lobby and the bar

High tea has to be scheduled unlike others they have a specific time every afternoon. I want to try the high tea for my next visit

5.0
Ronald

25 September 2024

Exceptionally luxurious stay

Exceptional hotel. Great welcome, beautiful room, friendly personnel and good restaurant. Everything was perfect during our stay. We also had room service which arrived beautifully on a cart nicely made up with flowers. Very luxurious.

Nothing, everything was top

5.0
Melissa

3 September 2024

Elegant stunning Hotel

Perfectly located around everything and it’s just a really beautiful hotel.

I have no complaints

Hotel facilities

General

  • - Room service
  • - Non-smoking rooms
  • - Facilities for disabled guests
  • - Barber/beauty shop
  • - Family rooms
  • - Lift
  • - Safety deposit box
  • - Packed lunches
  • - Car hire
  • - Heating
  • - Allergy-free room
  • - Non-smoking throughout
  • - Air conditioning
  • - Minimarket on site
  • - Paid WiFi
  • - Pet basket
  • - Pet bowls

Business facilities

  • - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)

Food & Drink

  • - Bar
  • - Snack bar
  • - Special diet menus (on request)
  • - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
  • - Fruits (additional charge)
  • - Coffee house on site

Reception services

  • - 24-hour front desk
  • - Express check-in/check-out
  • - Luggage storage
  • - ATM/cash machine on site
  • - Concierge service
  • - Invoice provided

Activities

  • - Fitness centre
  • - Golf course (within 3 km) (additional charge)
  • - Spa & wellness centre (additional charge)
  • - Massage (additional charge)
  • - Hot tub/Jacuzzi
  • - Indoor pool
  • - Indoor pool (all year)
  • - Beauty services
  • - Facial treatments
  • - Waxing services
  • - Make-up services
  • - Manicure
  • - Pedicure
  • - Body treatments
  • - Body scrub
  • - Body wrap
  • - Light therapy
  • - Spa facilities

Outdoors

  • - Terrace

Parking

  • - Parking garage
  • - Electric vehicle charging station
  • - Accessible parking

Pool and wellness

  • - Heated pool
  • - Sun loungers or beach chairs
  • - Swimming pool

Miscellaneous

  • - 24-hour security
  • - Key access
  • - Key card access
  • - Smoke alarms
  • - CCTV in common areas
  • - CCTV outside property
  • - Fire extinguishers
  • - Breakfast takeaway containers
  • - Delivered food is securely covered
  • - Access to health care professionals
  • - Face masks for guests available
Check availability 182£162$225¥23850C$175A$175HK$1761S$297SFr211¥1428kr1856kr1359kr1752