Kimpton Hotel - Hotel Monaco Seattle
 

Trying to get all 10 lights lit up before the end of the year (you get one light based on the different hotels), so the Monaco in Seattle is the hotel for this evening.

Greeting at the door was not a happy one. I was struggling with all of my luggage (4 countries/2 weeks I have "stuff"!) and three bellmen were talking amongst themselves. Nobody even offered to open the door for me. Irritating.

Then Claire, the front desk manager came out (after I asked for a manager). She could not have been lovelier. Truly. Her graciousness made me feel like I was at FireSky again!

Checked into room. The Monaco Suite. Large sitting room with flat screen TV, table/desk (square table with glass top) and two chairs. Closet with the usual leopard robes and socks (for sale). Sofa, Chair, coffee table. The bedroom has a King sized bed, armoire with TV inside of it, chair, and two nightstands. Bathroom is nice size too with a separate shower (not walk-in).

Had breakfast today at Szerac the restaurant associated with the Monaco. The French Toast that I had was amazing! It was a bananas foster type of French Toast and was perfect. Service was also perfect.

Met a friend for happy hour - 4 - 8 PM. This was one of the best happy hours we have ever gone to! Definitely needed reservations though - the place was packed! We tried a lot of the dishes and drinks. Service was good; food was really good.

Stayed 4 extra nights at this hotel - it was just wonderful. The staff is truly what makes this hotel. Wine hour was offered every day from 5 - 6 in the lobby. With all of the holiday decorations it was warm and cozy. People brought their pets which made it really fun as well (especially since all of the pets were so well behaved you didn't even know they were there!).

This hotel has turndown service every night which is nice too. It is the staff that made the difference for me though. Gracious is the best word to describe them.

This hotel is very pretty, especially the lobby, but I never (never!) get an IC upgrade, and there's always something a little off about the staff. Anyone had good luck here?

That is too bad. Perhaps you arrive at a date and time that the hotel is very busy. I have been upgraded to either the Monte Carlo or Premier Monte Carlo Suites 3 out of 4 visits. The one time I did not get the Suite was when the hotel was full two weeks ago.

I agree the staff can be a bit pixielated.

Oh well.

Actually, come to think of it, I did once get an upgrade to a Deluxe King (oddly, it's much bigger than a Premier King) -- but that was before I was IC!

Funny. 3 years later and this hotel continues to impress. Was at Happy Hour at Sazerac this week. Had posted ahead of time on the FB page. Turns out Chef Jason wasn't there but Chef Gary was and he and his staff were absolutely amazing in so many ways. My friend and I had a blast. I sent 3 coworkers who were visiting from out of town the next night and they too came back to say how impressed they were. Fabulous staff at this hotel.

Another stay another happy time!
 

Have been making the rounds to requalify for Inner Circle for next year. Stayed at 5 different Kimptons during this last week. Hotel Monaco is the best in Seattle imo. WONDERFUL staff!

I agree with you about the Monaco. They are efficient and enthusiastic. I was there again last Friday and enjoyed my stay. I particularly enjoyed the policy of a pet fish in IC rooms. Have fun requalifying.

There is no such policy. Or at least I never get a fish as an IC.

If you want a fish in your room, you should ask for one. :)

The Seattle Monaco has a policy of pet fish in an IC's room. If he or she complain about it they note that on the profile.

I'm certain there is no such "policy". I've never received one there and never complained.

All Kimptons will provide a fish to any guest (IC or not) upon request.

Definitely not a policy. I've never asked one but do know they are offered to all guests who ASK for one. There used to be a sign at the front desk talking about it (and showing a pic) but I didn't see the sign there last week.

Policy?
 

I stayed in April and was surprised by the presence of a fish. I did not request one. Upon checking out I asked why it was there. I was told that it was a policy to put them in the rooms of IC members. On my 3 subsequent visits there has been a fish. At least when it comes to me it is a continuing policy of the Monaco.:)

How can one hotel be so amazing?
 

Perhaps this is why I look at other hotels and think "why can't YOU be like the Hotel Monaco in Seattle?" Checked in to this hotel tonight again. Mattress Run so I make sure I requalify for Inner Circle next year. Just perfect. Amenity in room. At check in was told "we're sorry, but we were only able to complementary upgrade you to the Monaco Suite" (apologizing?!). Room is gorgeous. Amenity was in room. FISH was in room (first time that happened but so cute!).

Was at Sazerac (it really is my favorite happy hour in the city). Got to meet Jason the Executive Chef. Gary, the second chef in command explained how I have been wanting to meet him (Jason) forever. Chef Jason was unbelievably gracious, warm, and just truly lovely (now I see why the staff at Sazerac is so wonderful - this is TRUE leadership!).

Just a great stay (OK - so I only stayed in the room for 15 minutes but still. .. ). I just love this hotel. If you are in Seattle I HIGHLY recommend this hotel for your stay. This is just an impressive hotel all the way around. Why? Because of their staff. Every hotel in the world has a room/bed. This hotel just has so much going for it in so many ways!