9 hours ago
I spent a night in a brand-new luxury hotel in Seattle. I wasn't familiar with the chain, but now I'll book it worldwide.
The luxury 1 Hotel Seattle opened on May 6. I stayed there four days later.
The 1 Hotels chain has been around since 2015 and operates worldwide. It has locations in the US, the UK, and China, among other places. Nearly a dozen locations are open and running, and more are coming soon to Texas, Mexico, Copenhagen, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.
Every 1 Hotel is centered on nature and sustainability, according to the company's website.
The newest location in Seattle opened on May 6 and has a starting rate of $400 a night, a hotel representative told Business Insider.
The hotel is located on the southern edge of South Lake Union, Seattle's tech neighborhood. It's less than a mile from the waterfront and Pike Place Market.
"All 1 Hotels are rooted in their surroundings, so what sets 1 Hotel Seattle apart is how deeply it channels the spirit of the Pacific Northwest," general manager Rob Brandenberg told BI.
The natural vibe of the hotel was clear upon entering.
I was greeted with a driftwood sculpture of the brand's signature No. 1. Organic textures filled the space, from the floors to the walls.
"The hotel draws from the raw beauty of the Pacific Northwest, with reclaimed wood, natural stone, moss-inspired art, and live-edge furnishings woven throughout the design," Brandenberg said.
I stepped inside a hotel lobby unlike any other I'd seen before.
The lobby brought the outside in with furniture resembling tree trunks, potted plants of all sizes, and what Brandenberg calls a "living wall of greenery" climbing two stories behind a reclaimed timber and stone staircase.
As I stepped inside, a soothing soundtrack made me feel like I was in some kind of sanctuary. I was listening to the Sounds of 1, the chain's signature playlist curated by Michaelangelo L'Acqua, the global entertainment director for 1 Hotels' parent company, Starwood Hotels.
"Acoustic instrumentation and soulful vocals are balanced with select electronic elements, creating a sound that transitions seamlessly from the energy of the day into the moodier tones of night," a hotel representative told BI in an email. "The music ebbs and flows with the rhythm of the property, complementing the natural materials and calming atmosphere found throughout the space."
With a calming soundtrack inspired by nature, an array of organic textures to touch, and greenery surrounding me, I thought the lobby was a great place to practice mindfulness.
The hotel had a restaurant and a lobby bar.
Brandenberg said the on-site restaurant, La Boba, fuses Spanish, Japanese, and Mediterranean cuisine using local ingredients.
"And at Drift, the lobby bar, guests can expect fresh, locally sourced ingredients and Pacific Northwest-distilled spirits — an elevated yet easygoing take on modern mixology," he added.
Brandenberg said the hotel works with local farmers and offers zero-waste mixology classes.
Across from the lobby, there was a gift shop.
The 1 Hotels gift shop, Good Things, has a sustainable clothing collection with youth and adult sizes, accessories, scents, and other small items.
Six event spaces were spread out on the second floor.
On the same floor, there was an outdoor terrace.
The patio, which is open year-round, was surrounded by towering buildings and trees with a stellar view of the iconic Space Needle.
Brandenberg called it a "quiet spot to connect with nature."
The second floor also housed the gym.
Known as the Field House, the on-site gym had free weights and cardio machines, like resistance treadmills and Peloton bikes, as well as group classes and personal training sessions.
A basket of green apples and a filtered water tap were also near the entrance.
My room calmed me with warm lighting and natural hues.
The hotel has 153 rooms, 45 of which are suites. I stayed in a 327-square-foot City King room.
The room had a king-sized bed with organic linen sheets across from a 55-inch TV. It also had a cozy sitting area, a wardrobe, and a full bathroom. I found many amenities, from an espresso machine and a mini bar to a yoga mat.
Nods to the natural environment were everywhere. The reclaimed wood headboard was anchored above a tree-trunk nightstand. A tree-like coat rack hung on the wall next to a potted plant with draping vines on the console table.
The bathroom blended nature and modern luxury.
The bathroom surfaces were a mix of natural materials, from wood bases to Chiara quartzite counters.
A rainfall shower with pebble stone flooring was on one side of the room. On the other side was a large bathtub with a sliding door opening to the rest of the room, so I could watch TV while soaking in the tub.
Inside the bathroom, I found Bamford toiletries, a hairdryer, slippers, and a robe that felt like a giant sweatshirt.
The standout parts of the room were the sustainable amenities.
I found amenities I'd never seen in a hotel room before. Rather than a greeting printed on cardstock, my welcome message was written on a textured chalkboard.
Instead of disposable water bottles, my room had a filtered water tap and glassware sourced from recycled wine bottles.
There was also a small, wooden plaque detailing the hotel's "1 Less Thing" program, where guests can leave clothing to donate to Mary's Place, a local family shelter the hotel partners with.
These details set 1 Hotel Seattle apart from other luxury accommodations I've booked around the world.
"This isn't just another hotel," Brandenberg said. "It's a place for travelers who care about where they stay, how they stay, and the impact they leave behind."
The natural vibe of the hotel was so alluring that it made me want to be a more sustainable traveler. Now I'll stay in a 1 Hotel every chance I get.
