WOW Suite at W Seattle = Swanky Sky Studio

Wow Suites occupy the corners of the top two floors of W Seattle

I have always been amused by the names W Hotels Worldwide applies to its various room categories.  What makes a room “Marvelous” (as opposed to “Fantastic” or “Wonderful”)?  Is there a standard that is used?  Is there someone in the Brand Marketing office whose job it is to think-up these synonyms for ever-increasing levels of “good”ness?  Is he a consultant?  Is it the same guy who has to come-up with new and exciting names for “dark blue” each season, at The Gap (i.e. Prussian, Sapphire, Denim, Federal, Midnight, Navy, and Ultramarine)?  Or perhaps the marketing wiz who subjected the world to the continental mystique that is cup-sizing at Starbuck’s?

Wow Suite bedroom at W Seattle (with a view of the Space Needle through window)

Anyhow, for the past decade or so, I’ve stayed at W Seattle as my travel plans have necessitated my comings and goings in Seattle.  It’s centrally located in Downtown Seattle, on Fourth Avenue and Seneca, well within walking distance to the Pike Place Market, Westlake Mall, Benaroya Hall, Seattle Art Museum, all the shopping and dining and galleries that are in the Downtown area, and contains all of the amenities one looks for in a boutique hotel (funky décor, comfortable beds and linens, good room service, well-stocked mini-bar, expansive in-room movie selection, oversized high-def LCD televisions, etc.).  Additionally, W Seattle boasts a great restaurant (Earth & Ocean) and a groovy hang (The W Bar), as well as a very knowledgeable and friendly group of staffers manning the “Whatever/Whenever” Desk, not to mention complimentary use of the hotel’s fleet of silver Acura MDX cross-over SUVs with drivers to shuttle you around the area. 

There is ample room for socializing in the living area of the Wow Suites at W Seattle

My favorite aspect of W Seattle is the property’s “Wow” Suites.  Located in the corners of the top two floors (25th and 26th), these open floor plan style suites measure roughly 1,000 square feet and include a bright bedroom that opens onto a large living space.  There is ample closet space, and a light, airy bathroom where you can soak in the Jacuzzi tub while looking-out over views of Puget Sound or the Space Needle.  The combination of muted earth tones, dark woods, and chocolate colored carpeting (with occasional splashes of navy blue and cabernet) are a welcome change from the current trend in glaring white that can all-too-easily interfere with a person’s hangover.

The Wow Suite bathroom at W Seattle makes the most of natural light

With enormous picture windows that occupy nearly all of the exterior wall-space, W Seattle's studio-style “Wow” suites incorporate the city’s spectacular views – both natural and man-made – into the design of the rooms; and with the utmost of effect.  I’m not sure what qualifies these suites to utilize the “Wow” moniker, but I’ll say this – the adjective sums things up, quite well.