Heathman Hotel Kirkland

Another Heathman selling point is its seamless service, what general manager Jeff Jobe described as “service from curbside to check-out.” As general manager at the Heathman Portland, Jobe pioneered this concept, which provides every guest with a personal concierge. When I arrived, a concierge named Michael met me at the porte cochere and escorted me directly to my room, without stopping at the front desk. Michael, who had called me ahead of time to find out how he could customize my room, followed up with a phone call after check-in.

“The objective of personal concierge service is to achieve the sense of intimacy guests would experience at a smaller hotel with all the services and resources of a large hotel,” Jobe said.

Another Jobe innovation is the Art of Sleep, allowing clients the opportunity to select their bedtype preference. Each of the Heathman Kirkland’s 91 rooms is outfitted with either a European Featherbed, European Pillow-top or Tempur-Pedic mattress.

Heathman Hotel guest services manager Chris Wehmeyer stressed the importance of the community to the hotel.

“Before we opened, we went to every single shop and retailer in the neighborhood, letting them know we’re here to support them, not take away their business,” Wehmeyer said.

Case in point were the little amenities awaiting me in my room; since I brought along my dog and stayed on the pet-friendly first floor, Michael had provided dog treats and play toys from a local pet store.

The Kirkland community, in return, has embraced the Heathman. That was obvious on a Saturday night, when a congenial crowd gathered in the lounge for live piano jazz. Locals are also loving Trellis, the Heathman Kirkland’s 90-seat wine country-inspired restaurant and bar. Chef Brian Sheehser features fresh produce that he tends on a three-acre farm, while sourcing other products from the region’s artisan and organic suppliers.

“Trellis is Kirkland’s answer to the desires of discerning Eastsiders who long for downtown Seattle quality and sophistication closer to home, without sacrificing the neighborhood friendliness they enjoy,” said DeMond.

Organic products and personal attention play an equally big role in the hotel’s 5,000-square-foot Penterra Spa. Features include side-by-side hydrotherapy soaking tubs for single or two-person use, seven treatment rooms, a manicure/pedicure area, fitness center and relaxation sanctuary.

Emphasizing all things green, the Heathman Kirkland recovers and recycles all of its expended energy in a heat-recovery loop, and it conserves energy in its guestrooms through a network of occupancy sensors.

The Heathman has a turn-of-the-century exterior and guestrooms offer views of the lake, mountains and Seattle skyline that are just far enough away to give clients the feeling that they are getting away from the busy metropolis.