A Seattle landmark steep in history
Text by Katherine Ellis • Photography Courtesy of Accor
Fairmont hotels have a legacy of luxury, comfortable reliability, and iconic splendor. With more than 70 properties worldwide, including the renowned Fairmont Empress in Victoria, British Columbia, the well-known brand has left an indelible mark on the hotel landscape. At the core of many of their beautiful locations, lies a love for tea that is delicately interwoven into the culture of each landmark. The Fairmont Olympic in the heart of Seattle, Washington, abides by that notion by offering a superb afternoon-tea experience for guests, locals, and visitors of the Emerald City.
Prior to becoming the historic destination that it is today, the site of the Olympic held many purposes: the original location of the University of Washington (1861), the Metropolitan Theater (1911), and finally, a grand hotel that opened amid the roaring ’20s (1924). The hotel was named through a contest held by The Seattle Times in which a $50 prize was awarded to whomever submitted the best name. Once it received its official moniker, the hotel began to establish an identity for itself. President Hoover visited and checked into the hotel during his term—followed by almost every US President since then—and the hotel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It is clear that this distinguished property lives up to the Fairmont name.
A full renovation to the hotel lobby occurred in 2020, to both restore the building to its glory days and to make way for modern amenities. The transformation at the Olympic wonderfully emphasizes the maritime theme that is evident in details throughout the space. The gold elevator doors showcase the three-mast ship from the original logo for the brand, and an enormous art installation above the bar resembles the parts and movements of a boat. The elegant old bones of the hotel, from the vaulted ceiling to the wooden accents that glisten with patina, combined with the flashy contemporary furnishings present an eye-catching environment that beckons to be admired. Whether you choose to stay in one of the 450 well-appointed rooms or simply want to stop in for tea in the sophisticated lobby, a visit to the Olympic is nothing less than remarkable.
The gorgeous setting and aura of significance when dining where famous people have once sat and sipped is special on its own, but the sumptuous fare and luscious teas speak for themselves. Hosted in the lobby on the weekends to “see and be seen,” the Olympic’s afternoon-tea service is truly lovely. For $75 per person, guests can enjoy a proper menu boasting homemade scones served with crème fraîche, fruit preserves, and marmalade; delectable tea sandwiches, featuring smoked salmon, cucumber with Boursin cheese, shaved striploin with Cheddar and watercress, and chive egg salad, among others; and a marvelous selection of tempting pastries, including classic ginger mousse cake, lemon meringue tartlet, and almond croccantini. A children’s “Little Kings and Queens Tea,” available for $45 per person, offers a freshly baked chocolate chip scone, three tasty tea sandwiches, and delicious sweets, like a cheesecake pop and a mini confetti cupcake. To perfectly complement the petite bites, consider trying Creamy Earl Grey, 1907 Orange Pekoe, Goddess Oolong, or Oregon Mint, which are some of the most popular flavors of the fabulous tea blends from Lot 35, the Fairmont’s line of teas created exclusively for the hotel chain, which can be purchased online at us.fairmontstore.com.
And if taking tea after dark at a glamorous soirée sounds most intriguing, look no further than the Fairmont’s newly established tea-themed galas. “Tea Noir,” a playful twist on high tea, debuted last November in Seattle with plans to expand the events to more locations. A lavish eight-course meal, with every course boasting tea-infused elements, takes you on a gastronomic journey from dawn to midnight. The menu was brilliantly designed and executed by the Olympic’s talented Executive Chef Eraj Jayawickreme.
If the mere thought of indulging in a luxurious and time-honored afternoon tea causes much excitement, then a visit to the Fairmont Olympic—either during daylight hours or as a unique evening activity—needs to be added to any tea lover’s ever-growing bucket—make that “teacup”—list.
The Fairmont Olympic’s afternoon-tea service is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit fairmont.com for more information.
