After this past year, there are experiences that seem more decadent than ever — like sinking into a plush hotel bed (peering out across the city skyline toward twinkly water views), or laughing over cocktails and conversation with brand-new friends in a chic, artsy lounge. LOTTE HOTEL SEATTLE, an oasis perched high above Seattle, provided both of those special opportunities recently, and we are feeling especially grateful.

From the moment you step foot onto the LOTTE property, you feel taken care of and looked after in a way that’s impressively elevated, warmly genuine and non-intrusive all at once. As part of LOTTE, the largest hotel group in Korea, this new location (only the third outpost in the U.S.) gives PNW guests the chance to feel as though they’re on a global adventure, even if they’ve merely arrived downtown from a nearby Seattle neighborhood.

Extensive COVID-appropriate protocol here instills great confidence and reassurance; at stations scattered around the property, hand sanitizer pours out of fancy spouts, TV remote controls come encased in plastic wrapping, and unbroken seals outside each guest room prove that the interior has been thoroughly cleaned.

Hour-long reservations must be made to use the light-filled fitness center (to spread out guests’ usage times), and the hotel team has found creative ways to adapt show-off spaces like the Sanctuary Grand Ballroom, initially intended to host large groups for celebratory occasions. The Sanctuary, a United Methodist Church that’s one of the oldest pieces of Beaux-Art architecture in America, features a pipe organ and stained-glass interior on the ground floor.

Alluring amenities throughout the hotel range from the gorgeous on-site spa (on the third floor) to the 16th-floor Charlotte Restaurant & Lounge.

Grab a seat in the lounge during a daily happy hour that spans from 3 to 6 p.m. Stand-out cocktails include the Smoking Barrel (Spanish Brandy, Amontillado Sherry, Mirto, Pineapple-Demerara and Smoked Sage, with a delightful aroma that lingers long after the server has dropped off your drink) and the Sakura Blossom (pictured: Nikka Gin, Mancino Sakura, Elderflower, Grapefruit Bitters, Pea Flower), a cocktail originally created for International Women’s Month. Be sure not to miss lounge snacks like the Broccoli Tempura and PNW flatbread featuring foraged mushrooms.

At the restaurant, soak up sunset views over Elliott Bay as you dine on contemporary Pacific Northwest fare. The culinary team sources hyper-locally for incredible dishes like the Hamachi Tartare (pistachio, puffed rice, jalapeno, sesame cracker), avocado gazpacho, black cod or the porterhouse (for two, 30 ounces of wagyu beef, aligot potato, broccoli(s), hedgehog mushroom, compté).

The hotel has 189 modern guest rooms featuring whimsical artwork and splashes of color, plus attention to detail that catches your eye in the least expected places. Think fluffy robes, top-notch toiletries perfectly laid out in a Jenga-like pattern and luxurious bathtubs (in certain rooms).

As the city slowly returns to some pace of “normalcy,” LOTTE HOTEL SEATTLE has launched its Re-Do Menu offerings to help guests celebrate life’s moments that may have been overlooked this past year. These options range from reinstating wedding vows at The Sanctuary, to enjoying personalized dining menus, refreshing spa treatments and in-room celebrations with artisan cakes.

Definitely consider pampering yourself at Le SPA de l’hôtel LOTTE, where your heart rate slows the moment you step off the elevator to find calming overhead music, all-white decor vibes and a most lovely mint-and-basil candle scent wafting through the halls. Customized facial and body treatments here feature the exclusive French skincare brand, Biologique Recherche, as well as luxury brand MBR. For a true indulgence, lovebirds enjoy sharing a couples massage in a spacious corner suite.

While the LOTTE property’s amenities consistently “wow,” we found the impressive service to be what creates the most lasting impression. Each staff member has gone through extensive training — something that becomes evident immediately upon arrival, yet the team is also quick to laugh and make guests feel warmly at home. (The best combo, in our humble opinion.)

If you’re looking to treat yourself to the ultimate downtown staycation, we will attest that a luxurious LOTTE visit offers the boost you’ve long been craving.

Nearby tips: Starbucks devotees will happily find a very friendly cafe located directly across the street, and Red Bowls (one block away) is a great place to pick up fresh seafood bowls for a quick lunch. And then, of course, Pike Place is only a short stroll away — providing the ultimate peek into Seattle’s bustling market scene. Enjoy!