Hotel Theodore is a modern four-star boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown Seattle. I arrived by taxi on a Sunday, a few hours early for check-in, but was accommodated nonetheless.
My first impression of the hotel was that it was a relatively uniform downtown accommodation, which swayed away from notable quirks or aesthetic touches and instead leaned into sleek, sophisticated, pseudo-minimalist design. Where the Hotel Theodore shined was its location—here’s what we thought of it.
Why stay at Hotel Theodore?
The main reason to stay at Hotel Theodore is its fantastic downtown location—it’s not a bold alternative to its competition, but there is nothing disappointing about it, either.
The beds are comfortable, there are nods to history throughout the building, and it ticks most of the boxes anyone wants from a downtown hotel—it’s a whole lot more than an acceptable option, which sits right in the heart of the Emerald City.
If anything, the main grab of Hotel Theodore is its history. This place started life in 1929 as the Hotel Roosevelt, which explains the neon “Roosevelt” sign that still sits atop the building. The 18-story structure is another Art Deco masterpiece in the heart of Seattle and was the city's tallest hotel for many years.
What are the rooms like at Hotel Theodore?
My first impression of the rooms at Hotel Theodore was that they are a little on the small side. I stayed in a standard king room, and the large, comfortable bed took up the majority of the space—not that there’s anything wrong with sleeping in a large, comfortable bed, other than that it means there isn’t a huge amount of room left to move around in (I had to sidestep between the bed and the wall to reach the second window). The bathroom was even smaller (the Lockwood toiletries were excellent), borderline cupboard-sized.
Of course, there are plenty of more sizable options available at Hotel Theodore. The hotel’s showstopper is the Roosevelt penthouse suite, a massive suite spanning the entire 19th floor and offering stunning views of downtown Seattle’s skyscrapers. The suite covers 2,000 square feet and even has two outdoor decks and a hot tub. There are also king and queen suites, along with the interesting Seattle Made suite, which features a range of local products. The hotel also offers premium, deluxe, and standard rooms, each with walk-in showers and city views, and given there are 234 rooms and suites in total, this place doesn’t feel as “boutique” as anticipated.
What are the best things to eat and drink at Hotel Theodore?
The hotel doesn’t offer a breakfast of its own, and instead I relied on Made Coffee, which has a selection of warm sandwiches, pastries, and excellent coffee. At the time of my visit, the only way to pay for anything purchased in the cafe was to put your order on the room and pay at check-out (though this may have been a technological issue during my visit). However, the staff were excellent, engaging in charming conversation with everyone who stopped by. They also responded very well to criticism; when one hotel guest stormed in and asked if they “served hot coffee” in a highly sarcastic (and arrogant) manner, both members of staff responded professionally.
Once dinner rolls around, food is provided by the RIDER restaurant on the ground floor. RIDER is a classically stylish American setting, with a somewhat crowded main room with booths, tables, and bar seating, along with a larger room to the back for a more formal experience. On my first night in Seattle, I decided against eating at RIDER and sat instead at the bar for a beer: there was a variety of local beers on tap, along with an extensive cocktail menu, and the servers were professional and engaging throughout.
I sat for dinner on my second night at Hotel Theodore, ultimately deciding on filet mignon that certainly hit the spot. RIDER’s menu predominantly focuses on seafood (there is an extensive raw bar featuring a huge seafood platter), but there are also steaks, chicken skewers, pork belly, and more. There are also special happy hour, brunch, lunch, and lounge menus.
What is the service like at Hotel Theodore?
The receptionist who checked me in was professional and concise, but I wouldn’t say the staff were exceptionally personable or friendly. I do not mean it entirely as a criticism—it simply felt as though they had been trained to act in a specific way, no matter who the guest was or what question was being asked.
However, the staff in both the restaurant and the cafe were delightful. While the restaurant staff struggled to remain attentive as they got busier, they remained cheerful and personable throughout. The most important aspect was that each individual member of staff seemed to have their own personality, which made for a more enjoyable experience in both the restaurant and the cafe. Where the reception staff came across as somewhat robotic, the food and drink staff were the exact opposite.
What are the facilities like at Hotel Theodore?
When I checked into Hotel Theodore, I wasn’t informed of any extra facilities available. No gym, no spa, no special offers for guests, no extra amenities to enhance my stay, even though one of my main reasons for booking this particular hotel was the fitness center.
I had to work it out for myself, but there is indeed a fitness center on the second floor. It ticks all the usual boxes, with exercise bikes, cardio machines, free weights, and the rest. However, the website suggests there are plenty more amenities at Hotel Theodore that the front desk neglected to inform me about, amenities that would have seriously enhanced my stay in the city. These include a complimentary wine hour from 5 pm to 6 pm, complimentary bike rental, daily credit at the cafe and restaurant, and more. Be sure to ask for more information when you check in.
What is the neighborhood like around Hotel Theodore?
Hotel Theodore is located in the heart of downtown Seattle, a stone’s throw from the convention center and just a short walk from many of the city’s most famous landmarks. While staying at the hotel, I was able to nip in and out to explore the city without straying too far from my base. Pike Place Market is a simple 10-minute downhill walk from the hotel, while the Space Needle (and surrounding museums and park) is an easy 25-minute walk away. There are plenty of public transport stops around the hotel.
Downtown Seattle is one of the most energetic downtowns in the U.S.A.: the city is famous for its commitment to good coffee, and there are plenty of excellent coffee shops in and around Hotel Theodore. There are also lots of quality restaurants, shops, and museums in the streets surrounding the hotel. However, many of Seattle’s homeless population congregate in the downtown area, although it is rare that any problems are caused by the public—instead, blame seems to fall on intoxicated tourists.
Why you should stay at Hotel Theodore
While the room sizes and service at reception left a lot to be desired, this hotel can almost guarantee a steady stream of customers thanks to its favorable spot in downtown Seattle, which did offer me a good base for exploring the city’s landmarks.
DETAILS
Address: 1531 7th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
Price: From $220 per night
Closest transport: Seattle Washington State Convention Center bus stop, King Street Station (train) is a 30-minute walk away. The Greyhound bus station is two miles away. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is 15 miles away.
Book now: via Booking.com
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