The George restaurant, which was previously known as The Georgian.
Photo: Courtesy of Fairmont Olympic Hotel
Hotel of the Week: Seattle’s Restored Fairmont Olympic Hotel Celebrates 100th Anniversary
A recent refresh by architecture firm MG2 and Barcelona-based Lázaro Rosa-Violán brought this historic hotel back to its glory days
The majority of the renovation took place on the lobby level, and included the Olympic Bar. Photo: intodust photography/Courtesy of Fairmont Olympic Hotel
This year officially marks the 100th anniversary of the historic Fairmont Olympic Hotel, favorably situated on University Street in Seattle’s lively downtown area. Ask any local, and they’ll say that the 450-room property has been a mainstay in the city’s social scene throughout the years—and it was even added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
The landmark destination, which many Seattleites crown the finest in the city, first opened its doors in 1924 and was built as part of Seattle’s post-World War I building boom. The still-intact façade features Italian Renaissance–inspired details such as terracotta, limestone, and masonry as imagined by the original architect, George B. Post & Sons, who worked in collaboration with local architects Bebb and Gould.
The interiors, on the other hand, underwent a major $25 million revamp in 2021 in advance of the 100th anniversary. This renovation, the largest in 40 years, was overseen by architecture firm MG2, working with Barcelona-based Lázaro Rosa-Violán. “Whenever we design within a historical landmark, such as The Olympic, we always try to respect architectural elements as much as possible—we just want it to look at its best,” explains Rosa-Violán, design principal of the Spanish design studio. His vision was an evolution towards a more “fresh, elegant, and casual concept” that was approachable and unstuffy, while honoring the past.
The interiors underwent a $25 million renovation, including in the lobby. Photo: Courtesy of Fairmont Olympic Hotel
The majority of this massive renovation took place at the lobby level and included The Olympic Bar, the secret Founder Club’s bar, and the hotel’s signature restaurant The George (formerly known as The Georgian). The Olympic bar is the first thing visitors see when they come up the escalator from the hotel’s main entrance. “The idea was to restore the sophisticated atmosphere seen in old pictures, yet refreshed with some light-hearted and easy tweaks,” says the designer. The new concept features a mix of wood, steel, and metal details with a variety of seating options. Look closely and you’ll spot a kinetic art installation, handcrafted in Spain, fixed above the bar itself. The nautical theme was inspired by the hotel’s original ship logo and pays homage to Seattle’s maritime history.
The Olympic features all-day dining seven days a week, so belly up to the bar, take a seat on plush velvet stools, or cozy up on one of the sunken couches situated in various nooks throughout the space. Quieter during the day, it’s a perfect spot to work from your laptop or enjoy the hotel’s famous afternoon tea service. At night though, get there early, as it transforms into the city’s premier downtown bar and is hard to snag a seat.
Tucked behind a bookshelf is the hidden Founders Club bar. Photo: Courtesy of Fairmont Olympic Hotel
Founders Club
If you want to keep the night going, a second, hidden bar is tucked behind a faux bookshelf just off the main lobby. Unlike the more public and open lobby bar, the Founders Club whiskey bar is focused on clients who seek privacy and intimacy, making it a perfect date night spot. The crimson interior immediately gives the allure of a moody, red-light district vibe. “The combination of low lighting, dark color velvets and leathers, amber illumination, padded velvet on the walls, wooden chevron-shaped floors, and the fireplace, were the key to creating a pleasant atmosphere of relaxation and enjoyment,” says Rosa-Violán.
Design-wise, the windowless space presented a bit of a challenge, as it was quite small and its location within the lobby area was not really visible. “From the outside nobody really understands or knows what is inside, then suddenly when you open the door you discover this little pearl inside,” explains the designer. Fun fact: Regulars to the social club can keep their own bottles reserved in their personal cabinets, even if the bar is open to everyone.
The bar at the hotel's signature restaurant, The George.
The George
At the back end of the lobby level, the hotel’s signature restaurant, The George, features a brassiere-inspired dining experience, highlighting the Pacific Northwest’s freshest seafood, courtesy of Executive Chef Gulliermo Carreno. As noted during the renovation, the bones (high ceilings, pleasant proportions, beautiful moldings, and large windows) were already quite beautiful, so the design team used that as a jumping off point. “The inspiration actually came from the space itself, which was the basis on where we decided to apply new layers,” explains Rosa-Violán.
That meant updating the space with elegant chandeliers, rich wood paneling, plush velvet seating, and hand-painted tiles to compliment the original details. “We wanted to maintain the classical framework and beauty that the restaurant’s architecture had, but add a few powerful elements such as the marble floor, with its geometrical pattern and colors.” Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it’s the perfect spot to hang out with loved ones or convene for a business meeting.
The Fairmont Olympic Hotel is a landmark destination in downtown Seattle. Photo: Nick Tortajada
Terrazzo Floors
Perhaps one of the biggest surprises of the renovation was the discovery of the hotel’s original terrazzo floors on the main staircase and landings. Terrazzo, which consists of chips of marble or granite set in concrete, then polished to give a smooth surface, has to be hand-laid and is a very laborious process. The original plan was to just replace the old carpet with new, but once the design team saw the terrazzo, they knew that they had to restore the flooring and staircases to their original glory and the result is truly a work of art.
The waiting room at Penelope and the Beauty Bar. Photo: Courtesy of Fairmont Olympic Hotel
Additional Amenities
The pet-friendly hotel consists of 450 guest rooms that were updated in 2016 with modern touches and furnishings inspired by the Pacific Northwest (re: a blue, green, and gold color palette). The updates included marble bathrooms stocked with full-sized Le Labo products. Notably, however, they will be updated in the coming year. The hotel is also home to 4th Ave Espresso Bar, which often has a line wrapped around the block first thing in the morning. Also highly recommended is a dinner reservation at Shuckers Oyster Bar, one of Seattle’s oldest and most preeminent oyster bars.
For spa services, head down to the lower lobby to find Penelope and the Beauty Bar. As a part of the centennial celebrations you can book an indulgent ‘Salt & C’ ten-minute facial, which includes gua sha therapy, micro-current technology, LED light therapy, and a lengthy head and neck massage. Other popular treatments include hydrafacials, massages, and aesthetic injectable services. Just note the independently owned spa isn’t full service, but you can enjoy the hotel’s indoor pool along with various amenities including a sauna, hot tub, and fitness center on the second floor.
As a part of the hotel’s centennial celebrations guests can enjoy a handful of activities being rolled out through the end of the year. The list includes a special Archive Menu at The George, a Centennial Cocktail at Founders Club, a special Centennial Celebration room package, and a 100th Anniversary Soiree on December 6.
Cover: The George restaurant, which was previously known as The Georgian.
Photo: Courtesy of Fairmont Olympic Hotel
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