A short but steep walk from downtown, Seattle's most elegant hotel sits aloof on an outlying hill, looking down on the self-consciously hip boutique-hotels below. Attention to intangibles draws corporate types, celebrities and a large repeat clientele through its front door.
An Italian fountain is the centerpiece of the entrance courtyard. Haphazardly parked cars clog this courtyard occasionally, but valets are swift, if often overworked. The hotel's Italian boxy Renaissance-inspired architecture makes the hotel look like cubist palazzo, with four classic turretlike towers crowning the frieze-laden brick facade.
The stylish contemporary furniture in the lobby bodes well with the room's classic Continental overtones. A glowing fireplace warms the adjoining lavishly furnished, octagonal mahogany-paneled lounge. A harpist
or pianist accompanies tea and cocktails most evenings.
The elegant brick-walled Hunt Club restaurant is a gleaming assemblage of paneling, polished brass and chandeliers. Soft classical music underscores the restrained elegance. Although it's pricey, its fine chef and northwestern cookery have garnered many accolades, and several of its former chefs have gone on to open some of the city's best independent dining rooms. During the summer, a small courtyard cafe, inspired by Harry's Bar in Venice, dishes up delectable Italian fare for lunch.
A beauty salon and 24-hour gym are welcome amenities, and the concierge can arrange for a certified personal trainer or a massage. Meeting space is limited to an elegant rooftop suite and terrace with a capacity of 100 people. Motorists pay $26 for overnight valet parking, 
pets exact $50 per stay, and airport transfers are provided for a fee, too. The complimentary chauffeured town car, a thoughtful perk, is not always available because of high demand.
The fastidiously maintained guest rooms are as stylish as the public areas, blending antique and custom furniture. Asian art, mahogany carvings and Italian marble baths are set against a sophisticated neutral palette. Luxurious imported linens, down comforters and mounds of custom pillows dress the unbelievably comfortable beds. TVs hide in armoires, French-press coffeemakers come with gourmet coffee, and stereo systems offer three-disc changers. Multiple-line phones (including a cordless model) provide voice mail. Cable-DSL Internet access in the rooms is free of charge, as is the wireless Internet access in the public areas. In-room fax machines are also free of charge for all incoming pages. No two rooms are alike on any single floor, and prices fairly reflect the 
variations. The rooms range from 400 sq ft to 1,500-sq-ft penthouse suites; close to half the units are suites. Rooms on floors 5 to 7 provide views of the skyline to the west and the mountains to the east. One mark of the service here is that on cold nights, housekeeping places hot-water bottles under the sheets at turndown. Proof of brilliant housekeeping shows when you look under the beds; lift the shams to reveal little cards that read, "Yes, we clean under our beds!"
Although some may find the old-world ambience stuffy, this property exists in a class of its own. It ranks above the more contemporary Monaco and The Inn at the Market as Seattle's best small luxury hotel for business travelers and well-heeled individuals. The Fairmont's superior location and comparable service make it another easy favorite.
