Hotel Monaco in Seattle, Washington

While Seattle is known for its coffee, weather, arts & culture and food scene, it is also a very kid friendly destination for families to visit all year round.

My family recently visited and stayed at the Hotel Monaco in Seattle by Kimpton for two nights.

Gorgeous, Chic and Modern

Located in the heart of downtown Seattle on 4th Street and a short distance from popular attractions (Pike Place Market and Seattle Public Library and Ride the Ducks at Westlake Center to name a few), retailers (Nordstrom and Macy’s) and the monorail, Hotel Monaco is a relaxing and quiet boutique hotel that makes you feel  miles away from the bustling city.

Sky high ceilings, murals on the walls, an iron fence to divide the front desk reception area from the living room area filled with plush sofas, chairs and a fireplace,  greeted us as we checked in on a busy weekday afternoon.

Check-in was seamless and we made it to our room under five minutes of stepping through their front door.

Our Premier Queen Queen room on the 9th floor was beautifully decorated. At 350 square feet it featured two queen beds, an amply spaced bathroom, a mini fridge which guests are free to use to store food and drinks (you may have to move things around as the fridge is also where bar items for purchase are stored), a safe in the closet, a desk area and several pillows on each bed.

While it was a well designed and very comfortable room for 4 people, it was the amenities and the service from this boutique hotel that won my family over.

It’s All In the Details & Service

The day before check in, the hotel’s concierge sent an email asking for any room preferences or recommendations he could help with.

While we didn’t have any special requests or questions, it was nice knowing that they were thinking of us even before our arrival.

Gilchrist & Soames products in the bathroom, iPod docking stations, free WiFi for Kimpton InTouch members (their free loyalty program), a yoga mat free of charge in every room and cozy animal print robes made our stay very enjoyable.

As part of their EarthCare program, the hotel gives you the option to forego housekeeping services in exchange for a $5 coupon  for dine-in or in room service at Sazerac – Hotel Monaco’s restaurant.

Free bike rentals are available for guests interested in using them them and while we didn’t during our stay, many guests did. They’re great for those who prefer to explore the downtown area on bike rather than on foot, vehicle or public transit.

Every evening from 5-6PM guests are invited for happy hour in the lobby for wine tasting and light appetizers. If the appetizers we sampled the one night we made it to happy hour (Medjool Dates and Crispy Truffles) is any indication of the type of food that comes out of Sazerac’s kitchen, it is definitely one of the restaurants we’ll be visiting during our next trip to the Emerald City.

There is also complimentary coffee and tea every morning in the lobby from 6-10AM for guests who are pressed for time. If you are more of a Starbucks person, there is one right next door!

While our stay at Hotel Monaco was a short one, the service we received from the staff was impeccable. Every staff member we encountered – front desk, valet (we didn’t have a car but they chatted with us!), bellhops, housekeeping, concierge – always greeted us with a smile and were always eager to help.

Kids and Pets are VIPs at Kimpton Hotels

Families are allowed to request a pet fish at every Kimpton Hotel during their stay as part of their Kimpton Kids Program. The hotel staff takes care of the fish for you so all you have to do is enjoy your new friend!

When we walked into our room the first thing we noticed was our pet fish. Meet Ivan – our curious and playful fish for 3 days and 2 nights.

In addition to our pet fish, a welcome gift was left on the table between the two beds – an activity bag filled with crayons, colouring sheets and some small fish toys.

For kids who are animal lovers, Hotel Monaco has a live 24-hour otter camera at the front desk for guests to watch what the lovable sea otters are up to at the Seattle Aquarium.

It’s these small things that made a big difference during our stay at Hotel Monaco.

Hotel Monaco also loves pets! They are a pet friendly hotel and you can read more about pet amenities here. During our 3 days at Hotel Monaco we saw several dogs – big and small – which were showered with attention (and sometimes treats) by the hotel’s staff.

I would definitely recommend the Hotel Monaco in Seattle to families visiting the area if they’re looking for a  hotel with a central location to must see attractions, impeccable service and kid friendly amenities. It truly felt like home away from home. Now if only my home would look this coordinated!

Hotel Monaco was our first time at a Kimpton property and we can’t wait to check out their other hotels during future travels.