In 1964, Beatlemania was sweeping the nation. When the Fab Four’s tour stopped in Seattle that summer, other local hotels turned them down, fearing property damage by rabid fans. But the Edgewater Hotel happily welcomed the British band, a decision that cemented its future as a city icon.
Fifty years later, the Edgewater still enjoys a mystique as the hotel where John, Paul, George and Ringo slept, dined and fished out of their guestroom window. Their room was eventually turned into the Beatles Suite, a 700-square-foot bayside oasis filled with Beatles CDs, memorabilia and images of the famous rockers. Since then, dozens of headliners — including David Bowie, REM, Rod Stewart, the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin — have called the Edgewater home, and photos in the hotel’s lobby lounge resemble a who’s who of musical celebrities.
But there’s much more to enjoy at the Edgewater than its place in rock ‘n’ roll history. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, it is Seattle’s only waterfront hotel. Oceanfront units sport exceptional vistas of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains.
The legendary establishment pays tribute to its environment with local elements and urban Northwest decor. Each of its 223 guestrooms features a river-rock fireplace and a grizzly bear footstool. An upgrade completed in 2013 brought modern amenities, such as flat-screen televisions, and regional touches such as forest-printed drapes, pine furniture and birch wallpaper. Guest bathrooms embody rustic elegance with hand-cut slate floors, glass-enclosed showers and, in certain units, claw-foot tubs.
Six Seven, the hotel’s award-winning waterside restaurant, maintains the property’s Northwest theme with its fireplace, wood highlights and, during warmer months, unparalleled outdoor seating right over the water. Views of passing ferries and harbor lights add romance to the repast. Standout dishes include the Dungeness crab and shrimp cake appetizer, braised pork shoulder entree and triple chocolate mousse for dessert. The chef is dedicated to using local ingredients and fine wines, so every bite and sip tastes fresh and exciting.
Location plays an enormous role in selling the Edgewater, since it is within walking distance of many of Seattle’s most popular attractions. To the north clients will find Olympic Sculpture Park and Myrtle Edwards Park, with its 1.25-mile paved seaside path. To the south they will find harbor cruises, the Great Wheel and Pike Place Market. Seattle Center is also nearby and includes the Space Needle, the Pacific Science Center and Key Arena, where the Beatles set fans screaming in 1964.
Adding to the Edgewater’s enviable location, Seattle’s waterfront is currently undergoing a reinvention, with plans for new parks, public spaces and pedestrian access. The project is sure to secure the hotel’s status not only as a music legend but as an unmatched accommodation.
The Details
Edgewater Hotelwww.edgewaterhotel.com
