I typically reserve my wanderlusting for far-flung destinations that involve golden beaches and tropical beverages. That said, I’m a sucker for an amazing hotel, no matter its location – even if it is my hometown of Seattle! This is definitely the case with the recently opened hotel Palladian – a uniquely modern retreat in a historic building in the city’s downtown – it is a design darling.

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Designed by a fave Bay Area-based design firm NICOLE HOLLIS, the charm of the Palladian is in the details. Even though the Nicole Hollis team is from San Francisco they looked to Seattle for inspiration, from the moody color palettes that reflect the all-too-often gray skies to the use of materials that give a nod to the city’s timber trade and gold rush eras.

Each of the 97 rooms in the boutique hotel were designed with the comforts of home in mind – it’s all just much cooler looking than anything you’re likely to actually have at home. For example, the custom platform beds feature massive reclaimed wood headboards with brass rivets and inset shelving that house reading material and old-school manual clocks. The rooms are dotted with vintage city maps and works by local artists and crazy cool throw pillows featuring famous faces adorn the beds (did you spy Tom Selleck above? You might get to snuggle David Bowie, David Haselhoff and Bill Murray too. I got Leo DiCaprio during my stay).

The Palladian, A Kimpton Hotel, Seattle. Designed by Nicole Hollis.The Palladian, A Kimpton Hotel, Seattle. Designed by Nicole Hollis.

The bathrooms are framed by steel barn doors (a cool space-saving tactic you could totally apply at home) and feature classic hexagonal tiles, brass vanity stands and vintage inspired mirrors with bass ledges – I’m obsessed! The larger suites have walk-in showers with classic claw foot tubs. Swoon.

The Palladian, A Kimpton Hotel, Seattle. Designed by Nicole Hollis.The Palladian, A Kimpton Hotel, Seattle. Designed by Nicole Hollis.

The Palladian’s presidential suite takes things a step further. It features a dining room, living area and kickass bar. (I spy Lostine bar stools and Seattle-based Ladies & Gentlemen Studio pendants – I adore both of those lines!)

The Palladian, A Kimpton Hotel, Seattle. Designed by Nicole Hollis.

Inspired by artists’ lofts, the rooms have residential touches including crisp white Frette bed linens, antique area rugs, custom desks, leather sling chairs and curated accessories such as leather-bound books and old-fashioned telephones. TVs are set in custom-made wood artist easels. Warning, you may just want to hang out in your room for your entire visit.

The Palladian, A Kimpton Hotel, Seattle. Designed by Nicole Hollis.The Palladian, A Kimpton Hotel, Seattle. Designed by Nicole Hollis.The Palladian, A Kimpton Hotel, Seattle. Designed by Nicole Hollis.

The Palladian also makes a statement the moment you walk in. The lobby has a “speakeasy” vibe with leather banquettes, velvet upholstery and metallic accents. In keeping with the 1910 building’s history, the original terrazzo floors were restored. A tufted-leather library check-in adds the masculine elegance of a Chesterfield sofa and the architectural fireplace surround and curated collection of antique books and vintage accessories create a homey feel. One of my favorite details are the Seattle icons dotted throughout the lobby including “portraits” of Bill Gates, Dr. Fraiser Crane, Dave Mathews and Jimi Hendrix.

From top to bottom the Palladian is spot on. It’s no wonder that the hotel is featured in the new design book Kaleidoscope: Living in Color and Patterns. It’s a book dedicated to expressive interiors and the Palladian definitely has a lot to say.

So if you’re still looking for a summer escape, I would encourage you to consider Seattle. With its crazy good food scene, booming downtown, gorgeous waterfront and stellar coffee on every corner – Seattle is a seriously awesome getaway. It makes me so proud of my little ole hometown. I’m pretty excited to visit later this month and check out all the new things that have popped up recently. For all my Seattle-based readers, please send me your tips!

For more travel ideas CLICK HERE.

photography by laure joliet courtesy of nicole hollis

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4 Comments

  1. I love this. I wonder where the light fixture in the first photo is from. Do you know?

  2. I’d love to check out this hotel. Great design and wonderful location.

    Here are my recommendations for your Seattle trip food wise:
    Ernest love Agnes – awesome brunch or dinner, fun design
    Hello Robin – amazing cookies
    Westward & Little Gull – beautiful design, right on the water, featured in Remodelista
    Local 360 – awesome brunch

    Hope you have fun enjoying Seattle!