1 Hotel Seattle

Rooms and decor

Picture walking into a five-star lobby and, instead of glittering marble walls, finding a two-storey wall of living green plants climbing all the way to the ceiling — that's the first sign that 1 Hotel Seattle isn't your typical luxury hotel. It was rebranded from the former Pan Pacific Seattle, with the whole building redone and fully finished in 2025 under the 1 Hotel brand's sustainable-luxury idea — luxury that's easy on the planet. The rooms lean into earth tones, reclaimed wood, and recycled materials that feel warm and natural. The highlight a lot of guests love is the real potted trees set in the room, so you wake up to greenery beside the bed instead of a cold grey minimalist box. The beds are soft and comfortable, big windows pull in natural light, and small touches — wooden hangers, refillable amenities that cut down on plastic — quietly reinforce the eco stance. If you're tired of loud, shouty luxury and want a stay that feels as relaxing as being in a forest in the middle of the city, you'll probably fall for the design here.

Food and amenities

The charm of 1 Hotel Seattle is the way it pulls nature into every space — from the plant wall in the lobby through to the common areas, where reclaimed wood and natural light do the heavy lifting. There's an in-house restaurant built around seasonal local ingredients in the brand's signature farm-to-table style, and a rooftop bar to head up to for a drink while you take in the South Lake Union evening. For anyone who likes to work out, there's a well-equipped fitness center. A detail plenty of guests appreciate is the Whole Foods organic supermarket right under the building — you can pop down for snacks, fruit, or morning coffee without going far. Every part of the hotel is tied together by the sustainability idea, from water-saving systems to cutting plastic waste and choosing eco-friendly materials, and it's all respected enough to have earned a MICHELIN Key, the mark for hotels that deliver a standout stay.

Location and getting there

The location lands nicely, because it sits on 2125 Terry Avenue, right on the seam between downtown and South Lake Union — Seattle's most modern, fastest-growing district, packed with tech offices, new restaurants, and the pretty Lake Union waterfront. The standout is how easy it is to get around: the South Lake Union Streetcar runs out front and links you into the heart of downtown in just a few stops, while popular landmarks like the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and Seattle Center are only about a 5-minute drive or rideshare away. If you're visiting, you can stroll around Lake Union or hop the streetcar to shop around Pike Place Market without much hassle, and if you're here to work in the tech district, you can practically walk to the office. In short, this location works for sightseers and business travelers alike — the convenience of the city center without sitting in the full chaos of downtown.

Things to know before booking

To help you decide, here's the straight talk. The first thing to know is that this hotel only finished rebranding in 2025 — the design and rooms get praise, but some reviews note that service and coordination in a few spots aren't as smooth as a luxury brand that's been running for years, like requests that are sometimes slow or small details still being tuned; if something's off, flag it with staff right away. The second is price: during high season and big-event days in the city, rates climb quite a bit, while the rooms aren't especially large, so some guests feel they're paying a lot for the space. The third is the view — because the hotel is in a developing district, some rooms face neighboring buildings and the view isn't open; if you want a city view, ask for a higher floor on the open side when you book. Finally, on driving — there's valet service with a parking fee, as is typical for a hotel in the heart of the city, so budget for that too.

Our take

From reading through real guest reviews and the hotel's details, 1 Hotel Seattle is the option that clearly and distinctively sells luxury with a point of view about the planet. The biophilic design that pulls nature into every corner — from the plant wall in the lobby to the real trees beside the bed — plus recycled materials throughout and the MICHELIN Key make it stand out plainly from a typical luxury hotel. If your idea of the trip is a stay that feels as relaxing as being out in nature, easy in-and-out of the city by streetcar, a quick drive to the Space Needle, and supporting a place that cares about the environment, this is a great fit. But if you expect a luxury hotel with flawless, perfectly smooth service everywhere, the fact that it just finished rebranding means you may still hit a few rough edges. Overall we give it 8.8/10 — best for couples, business travelers working in the tech district, and anyone who wants luxury with a conscience.