411 University Street, Seattle - Washington, United States 98101
Tel +1 206 621 1700
Fax +206 682 9633
olympic@fairmont.com

Welcome to
Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle

Located in the heart of the city since 1924, Fairmont Olympic is Seattle’s iconic hotel featuring rich character and history, breathtaking architecture, an innovative culinary experience and best-in-class service. A storied landmark, The Olympic is the heartbeat of the city experience, a true classic Seattle gathering place and a home away from home for generations.

Currently undergoing a grand restoration, the timeless design will unfold in Fall 2020 – nothing short of a total renaissance. A fully transformed lobby with breathtaking character will be anchored by a bold social experience, including a modern classic bar and new culinary flagship, delivering a new vision of Seattle luxury. The renovation extends to all of the key event spaces and the result will be the perfect stage for momentous celebrations. Seattle’s Great Beauty - Reborn.

Accommodation

Elegance surrounds you as you enter our guest rooms and suites at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle. Our 450 hotel rooms feature lavish bedding, luxurious amenities and conveniences such as high-speed wireless internet access.

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Information

Check-in 3pm -
Check-out 12pm (noon).

411 University Street, Seattle, Washington, United States 98101

Located in the heart of downtown, the hotel is close to the waterfront pier, cruise ship terminal and many local attractions including the famous Pike Place Market, Space Needle and Seattle Art Museum.
AIRPORT INFORMATION
The nearest airports to the Fairmont Olympic are Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Paine Field (PAE) and Boeing Field / King County International Airport (BFI).
CAR RENTAL
The Concierge will gladly make all of your car rental arrangements. The following is a list of rental locations near the hotel.
Avis: 1(800) 331-1212
Budget: 1(800) 268-8900
Hertz: 1(800) 654-3131
Thrifty: 1(800) 367-2277
LIMOUSINE
Please contact the Concierge at (206) 621-1700 or via email at sea.concierge@fairmont.com for information.
SHUTTLES
Shuttle Express Airporter Service: https://shuttleexpress.com/
Navigate the city with ease by catching a ride on the Link Light Rail or via the King County Metro Transit Bus services.
Meetings, presentations, and special occasions are all about communication. From amplifying the human voice to providing a romantic soundtrack to underscore precious moments, the Fairmont Olympic has partnered with PSAV, the certified leader in the conference service field, to offer the finest technology, creative expertise and quality assurance necessary to take your meetings and events to the next level.

Guest Services

Babysitting
Bell Staff
Check-In / Check-Out
Children's Amenities
Concierge
Housekeeping
Laundry Services
Parking
Pet-Friendly

Offers

The Fairmont Olympic is pleased to offer special Seattle hotel vacation packages created with your comfort and enjoyment in mind. Whether you are in town for business reasons or strictly for leisure, we have a Seattle hotel package just for you.

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Pool Indoor Pool & Health Club

Spa Penelope & The Beauty Bar

1860

An Educational Start

The land where The Fairmont Olympic Hotel now stands was initially deeded by Arthur Denny in 1861, when it was the original site of the University of Washington. After the University outgrew its home and moved to its present location, a theater known as the Metropolitan Theater was built on part of the site and opened in 1911. In 1921, further plans were initiated for a proposal to build a grand hotel that would wrap around the theater on three sides and take up the entire city block.

1920 Seattle's Hotel.

In 1922, plans for financing the hotel were formulated by a group of about 400 prominent citizens known as the “Community Hotel Corporation.” A bond drive was organized so that anyone could take part by investing in the venture. Public response to the proposal was tremendous and Seattleites purchased $100 bonds and raised $2.7 million dollars for the hotel. The Seattle Times held a contest with a $50 prize to whoever submitted the best name for the hotel, chosen by the board of the Community Hotel Corporation. 3,906 entries were submitted and one name, submitted in several variations, pleased the committee the most. They settled on The Olympic, for which 11 entries had been submitted and the first submitted won the prize. The hotel officially opened its doors on December 6, 1924 with a grand opening gala that had all of Seattle talking. Lights illuminated the exterior walls and two large spotlights on the hotel roof swept the sky. A one night stay with bath would have cost about $3.50.

With the stock market crashing in October 1929, The Olympic, like many hotels nationwide, suffered for business. Still, people on the go always needed places to stay, including politicians hot on the campaign trail. On September 20, 1932, a train pulled into town bearing Governor Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the Democratic nominee for president. Roosevelt was driven to the Olympic as thousands cheered in the streets and threw confetti from the windows above. The crowd outside the hotel’s main entrance was so large that the Governor was slipped in through the staff entrance on 5th Avenue, where he surprised soup cooks, busboys and chambermaids coming off the freight elevator before making it to his suite. Meeting the next day with civil leaders and delivering a speech to a packed house at the Seattle Civic Center where he outlined his New Deal plan to provide relief and stimulate economic recovery, he would later return in September 1937 as a Presidential tourist with his wife Eleanor, the Olympic Hotel becoming the command central for the President’s staff and headquarters to the number of press reporters that followed the President on his travels. DOWNLOAD ARCHIVE

1940 Hope in Victory Square

By the end of the 30s, The Olympic Hotel was making its way out of economic recovery when in 1941, the nation went to war. On May 2, 1942, dedication ceremonies were held in Victory Square, which became a civic focal point for Seattle’s World War II home front. Located on University Street, between 4th and 5th avenues in front of The Olympic Hotel, Victory Square replaced the old gas station and became home to rallies, bond drives and a war memorial. A speaker’s stand, in the shape of Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello, was constructed at the west end of the block, and a 75-foot high replica of the Washington Monument was built on the east end. Throughout the war, Hollywood’s most famous stars going from city to city nationwide to stir up support for the war effort stopped at Victory Square, such as Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and silver screen heartthrobs like Betty Grable and Lana Turner. Even with the war ending in 1945, the monument stayed up until 1949.

When we recall the past, we usually find that it is the simplest things - not the great occasions - that in retrospect give off the greatest glow of happiness.

Bob Hope

The year 1960 saw another Presidential campaign, along with visits to the hotel by both Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. But neither vice president nor the senator from Massachusetts could compare to Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko of Japan, who toured the United States to commemorate the centennial of the first trade and friendship treaty between the two countries. The Imperial Highnesses arrived in Seattle on October 4, 1960 and thousands turned out to witness a rare visit by Japanese royalty. Throughout 1961, most people were preoccupied with construction going on just north of downtown, especially the Space Needle towering above it all. Businesses throughout the city started getting ready for the millions of visitors expected for the upcoming World’s Fair. The Seattle’s World’s Fair—known as Century 21—opened on April 21, 1962. Only a few weeks after the fair opened, The Olympic Hotel was bursting with celebrities, such as a visit from President John F. Kennedy celebrating the Senator Warren Magnuson’s 25th year in Congress. In 1968, one of the largest campaign crowds gathered in University Plaza to see Presidential nominee Richard Nixon. More than 5,000 people jammed the street to hear the candidate talk from a speaker’s platform set up in front of the entrance.

As the 1970s began, The Olympic continued to host royalty and was officially placed on the National Register of Historic Places and preparations soon began for the closure of the hotel for a major restoration project.

Before The Olympic was closed for remodeling, the front desk was inundated with calls from people who wanted old room keys. Charity groups were given keys for fundraising purposes, but those who wanted to own part of the hotel’s past had plenty of opportunity. On October 16, 1980, quite possibly the largest estate sale in Seattle history opened for business as the hotel sold off just about everything. Even the doors to the guest rooms were up for grabs. Within weeks, the building was picked clean, except for the original 1920s chandeliers in the lobby. After a $62.5 million entire restoration, The Olympic re-opened for business on Sunday, May 23, 1982 and continues to define the epicenter of the city.

1980

A Historic Landmark Renovated

Dining

From seasonally inspired menus to dining experiences that will satisfy any craving, see what our chefs are preparing just for you.

Restaurants Shuckers Oyster Bar

Restaurants In-Room Dining

Restaurants Shuckers Oyster Bar

Events

Able to accommodate up to 650 guests, Fairmont Olympic's versatile facilities lend an air of heritage and grandeur to every gathering. Every detail of the hotel's 28,000 square feet of function space encourages optimal productivity in an atmosphere of elegance and comfort.

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Meetings

A legendary meeting place for people and ideas, we can accommodate up to 650 guests.

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Events

We excel in serving restaurant quality cuisine in a grand setting for up to 480 guests.

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