
Four Seasons Hotel Seattle
Best for travelers who want modern waterfront views, a rooftop infinity pool, and a spa with Forbes recognition.
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Four Seasons Hotel Seattle is a contemporary waterfront five-star property with a rooftop infinity pool and a Forbes-recognized spa; read this if you want modern luxury steps from Pike Place Market and Elliott Bay. Fairmont Olympic Hotel is a historic downtown 5‑star landmark; read this if you prefer grand, classic luxury and a central location near Seattle’s theaters and convention center.
Updated · about 0.6 km apart

Best for travelers who want modern waterfront views, a rooftop infinity pool, and a spa with Forbes recognition.

Best for travelers who want a historic, grand hotel in the heart of downtown—good for events and a classic Seattle experience.
When Four Seasons Hotel Seattle wins: choose Four Seasons if you prioritize Elliott Bay views, a rooftop infinity pool and a recently refreshed, Forbes-rated spa in a smaller, contemporary hotel footprint.
When Fairmont Olympic Hotel wins: choose Fairmont Olympic if you want a large, historic downtown landmark with grand public rooms, more total guest rooms, indoor pool facilities, and convenient access to the convention center and theater district.
Bottom line: both are five-star downtown options within a short walk of Pike Place Market; pick Four Seasons for a modern waterfront stay and spa-focused downtime, pick Fairmont Olympic for historic character, event space and classic downtown presence.
| Category | Four Seasons Hotel Seattle | Fairmont Olympic Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Contemporary waterfront luxury with modern design and bay views | Historic grand-hotel elegance and formal public spaces |
| Location | Across from the Seattle Art Museum, steps from Pike Place Market and the waterfront | Centrally located in downtown near the convention center, theaters and Pike Place Market |
| Size (guest rooms) | 147 rooms (including 13 suites) | 450 rooms |
| Age/style | Opened 2008; modern 21-story tower | Historic landmark 5‑star hotel (grand early‑20th‑century style) |
| Pools | Heated rooftop infinity-edge outdoor pool (seasonal), hot tub, pool terrace | Indoor pool and hot tub |
| Restaurants & bars | Goldfinch Tavern (Pacific Northwest) + INFINITY pool + bar (seasonal pool bar) | Two on-site restaurants/cafes and one bar/lounge; room service available |
| Spa & wellness | The Spa at Four Seasons — 6,000 sq ft, eight treatment rooms, Forbes Four‑Star Spa | Full-service spa and sauna; spa services on site |
| Events & meetings | About 10,484 sq ft total event space; notable waterfront ballrooms and multiple meeting rooms | Conference center with ~320 sq ft (per listing) and 12 meeting rooms; wedding services |
| Family friendliness | Family-friendly with a Children's Welcome Program; children welcome | Family-friendly; children stay free up to certain ages when using existing bedding |
| Accessibility & practical | Complimentary house car, 24-hour fitness center, valet parking (surcharge) | Elevator, wheelchair-accessible paths, valet/self parking (surcharges), multilingual staff |
Four Seasons sits at 99 Union Street facing Elliott Bay, a short walk from Pike Place Market and the Seattle Art Museum.
Choose Four Seasons if you want immediate waterfront and museum access with a short walk to Pike Place Market.
Fairmont Olympic is at 411 University St in the heart of downtown, close to the convention center and Seattle’s theater district.
Choose Fairmont Olympic for a classic downtown base near conventions, theaters and central business destinations.
Four Seasons has 147 rooms (including 13 suites) in a 21-story modern tower with bay- and city-view options.
Choose Four Seasons for contemporary rooms focused on views and a smaller, intimate guest capacity.
Fairmont Olympic offers a much larger inventory—about 450 air-conditioned guestrooms in a historic landmark setting.
Choose Fairmont Olympic if you need more room availability or prefer a historic grand-hotel room experience.
Four Seasons centers dining on Goldfinch Tavern (Pacific Northwest) plus the seasonal INFINITY pool + bar.
Choose Four Seasons for modern Pacific Northwest cuisine and seasonal poolside dining with waterfront views.
Fairmont Olympic lists two on-site restaurants including a coffee/bar and offers room service and a bar/lounge.
Choose Fairmont Olympic if you want classic hotel dining and convenient in-house options near downtown venues.
Four Seasons’ signature amenity is its heated rooftop infinity-edge pool and terrace overlooking Elliott Bay.
Choose Four Seasons for an outdoor rooftop pool experience with direct bay views.
Fairmont Olympic’s pool offering is an indoor pool and hot tub, useful year-round.
Choose Fairmont Olympic if you prefer a year-round indoor pool in a downtown historic setting.
Four Seasons emphasizes a Forbes-rated spa and a 24-hour fitness centre with bay views.
Choose Four Seasons for a high-end spa program and 24-hour fitness offerings with waterfront outlooks.
Fairmont Olympic provides on-site spa services, a sauna and hotel bar/lounge for evening drinks.
Choose Fairmont Olympic if you want classic spa treatments plus easy access to downtown nightlife and theaters.

Four Seasons — rooftop infinity pool, many rooms with Elliott Bay views and direct proximity to the waterfront.

Fairmont Olympic — landmark grand-hotel public rooms and classic downtown presence.

Four Seasons — a dedicated 6,000 sq ft Forbes-rated spa and a 24-hour fitness center with bay views.

Fairmont Olympic — large inventory of rooms and extensive meeting/banquet spaces near the convention center.
Both are within easy walking distance, but Four Seasons is effectively one block from Pike Place Market and the waterfront.
No — the rooftop infinity pool at Four Seasons is heated but operates seasonally (typically spring through fall).
Fairmont Olympic’s indoor pool and larger interior public spaces make it a steadier choice in rainy or cold weather.
Yes — both welcome children; Four Seasons has a Children's Welcome Program and Fairmont Olympic allows children (up to 3 children 17 and younger may stay free using existing bedding per the listing).
Explore how Four Seasons Hotel Seattle stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·