Seattle Getaways: 4 Hotels in the Pacific Northwest

The Woodmark Hotel's pet-friendly philosophy is symbolized by its mascot, Woody Meg.
The Woodmark Hotel's pet-friendly philosophy is symbolized by its mascot, Woody Meg. 

Recently Luxury Travel Advisor got a chance at a lightning tour of four independent properties affiliated with Destination Hotels & Resorts in and around Seattle. From a new urban hotspot to a soft adventure retreat in the Columbia River Gorge, here’s the lowdown on each. 

The Woodmark Hotel

Our first stop was the yacht-club inspired The Woodmark Hotel on the shores of Lake Washington. 15 minutes east of Seattle, the property can serve as a great base for watersports. The on-property Woodmark Waterfront Adventures offers stand-up paddleboard, kayak and jet ski rentals on the lake (we got to try the standup paddleboard for the first time, and only fell over a few times). 

Good to know? The property is pet-friendly. No additional fees are required when traveling with a pet, and during seasonal “Yappier Hour,” pet owners can enjoy a cocktail and meet the property’s mascot, black lab Woody Meg. 

We hear the best suites are those with views of the lake, particularly the Woodmark Suite, which has an entertainment center with a built-in four speaker sound system, an MP3 station with a device charger, a 42” flatscreen TV in the living room and a 46” LCD TV in the dining and meeting area. (Since Seattle is the land of Microsoft and Amazon, this hotel works to keep its gadget-mad guests happy.)

At the property’s Still Spa, it is recommended that advisors book at least two weeks in advance. The HydraFacial and Relaxation Massage is said to be the top-notch treatment. 

Motif's new rooftop bar, Frolik, attracts a big local crowd.
Motif's new rooftop bar, Frolik, attracts a big local crowd.

Motif

From the lake, we dashed to the city: the new Motif in downtown Seattle occupies the former Downtown Seattle Red Lion Hotel. Inspired by the ever-changing mores of the fashion industry, this property, which just opened in June, partners with a designer to select a new design theme every year. This theme is then reflected in the hotel’s stationary and rotating lobby artwork. 

Visitors will definitely want to check out Frolik, the hotel’s rooftop bar. Being the only such establishment in the city, it attracts a strong local crowd, and the scallops with pork belly and risotto are a particular favorite.  

The local connections don’t stop at the bar. We hear the hotel is partnering with the Seattle Symphony on a busker program to bring live music to its ground-level patio. Additionally, a partnership with the local theater could bring greeters in a costume that is tied to the show to the property.

Many of Suncadia's rooms have kitchens - a good fit for families.
Many of Suncadia's rooms have kitchens - a good fit for families. 

Suncadia Resort

After hitting the town, it was time to relax with a trip to the country. We drove to Suncadia Resort, which is on its own 6,000 acre preserve in the 2.2 million acre Wenatchee Washington National Forest.

This resort offers ample opportunity to explore the surrounding wilderness. We opted for a rafting trip down the Yakima River, but guests can also enjoy hiking, biking and 36 holes of mountain golf. 

This resort offers numerous options for family and multigen getaways. Most families and groups use the 450 square foot Deluxe Lodge Studio rooms, which have a resort-style kitchen with a Keurig single-cup coffee maker and utensils, one king-sized bed, a queen sofa sleeper and a gas fireplace in select units. Even better are the one-bedroom suites at The Lodge, which offer a full kitchen with stainless steel European-style appliances and a Keurig single-cup coffee maker, a formal dining room, a stack washer and dryer, a living area with queen sleeper sofa and a king-sized bed in the master bedroom. Top of the line is the two-bedroom Penthouse Suite, also in The Lodge. 

The Glade Spring Spa has 14 treatment rooms, four outdoor mineral baths of varying temperatures, two dry saunas, three treatment decks, natural walking paths (for spa guests only), lounge and fire pit areas, and a private women’s garden with hot mineral bath, sauna, treatment deck and lounges. We found the outdoor mineral baths a particularly nice touch, since they are landscaped to provide the illusion of soaking in a forest glade. The property recommends booking at least two weeks in advance for weekends and a week in advance for weekdays. 

Skamania's new zipline course is easy enough for many levels of skill and bravery.
Skamania's new zipline course is easy enough for many levels of skill and bravery. 

Skamania Lodge

Skamania Lodge was the last stop on our whirlwind tour. Near the Oregon border, the property is only 45 minutes from Portland. When we arrived we got a chance to check out the property’s new zipline course, which has seven lines ranging from 100 to 1,000 feet in length through the Columbia Gorge forest canopy. The course, the guides explained, was designed not to be too challenging in order to appeal to all ages and skill levels (although the guides are still happy to let down anyone who really loses their nerve). 

One last local tip? For craft beer fans, try heading to the nearby Walking Man Brewing, which is open until 9 p.m. every day except Monday and Tuesday. With a nice outdoor patio and a wide selection of local beers, it’s a good chance to discover a new favorite.