Hotel Sorrento
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Hotel Sorrento · Seattle, United States
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Expert Review: Hotel Sorrento
Hotel Sorrento, a Michelin Key Selected property in Seattle, is widely celebrated for its blend of historic charm, elegant design, and exceptional service. Often referred to as the "grand dame" of Seattle, this century-old Italianate hotel consistently receives high praise from guests.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Hotel Sorrento is overwhelmingly positive, with an "Excellent" rating of 8.7 based on 255 reviews, and a 9.2 out of 10 on Hotels.com. Guests frequently highlight its "classy, charming, and just really beautiful" atmosphere, appreciating how the hotel is "old yet well maintained". Michelin describes it as "a hotel of character, personality, and charm that's operated with obvious pride and considerable care," offering an exceptional stay.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently praise several aspects of Hotel Sorrento:
- Service & Staff: The staff is frequently described as "outstanding," "amazing, friendly and helpful," providing "A+ service without even asking for it". The staff performance rating is particularly high at 9.6.
- Design & Ambiance: The hotel's "original design and woodwork" are loved by guests, who appreciate its "beautiful and charming" character. The "old-school opulence of the Italian Renaissance" is evident throughout, with Venetian marble, Honduran mahogany wood, and century-old antiques contributing to its unique appeal. The Fireside Room, with its mahogany-lined walls and fireplace, is a notable standout.
- Location: Situated in the "quiet and pleasant" First Hill neighborhood, the hotel offers "good access to Capitol Hill and downtown". It's considered "very walkable" to many attractions.
- Amenities: Key amenities include the iconic Fireside Room, which hosts live music, performances, and silent reading parties, and the Dunbar Room (now STELLA.) for dining. The hotel also offers an amazing courtyard with food, drinks, a fire pit, lounge area, and live music. Other conveniences include a 24-hour fitness center, business center, barber shop/salon, massage room, dedicated concierge, free shoeshine service, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is also pet-friendly.
3. Room Quality
The 76 individually decorated rooms and suites at Hotel Sorrento are designed for comfort and elegance. Guests describe them as "extremely comfortable," "nice comfy bed," and "classy, charming, and just really beautiful". Rooms are spacious by urban standards, starting at 250 square feet, and feature plush pillowtop beds with Egyptian cotton sheets, down comforters, and premium bedding. Modern amenities include 42-inch flat-screen TVs, minibars, French Press coffeemakers, and marble bathrooms stocked with Le Labo products. Hypo-allergenic bedding and blackout drapes are also available. ADA-compliant guest rooms are offered, featuring grab bars, low-profile showers, and wheelchair-accessible pathways.
4. Dining Experience
Hotel Sorrento's main features often revolve around its dining and drinking options.
- STELLA. (formerly The Dunbar Room): The in-house restaurant, STELLA., brings the vibrant flavors of coastal Italy to Seattle, focusing on fresh, seasonal ingredients. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, combining traditional Italian techniques with innovative flair. It has been described as a European bistro, American steakhouse, and Pacific Northwest seafood destination. STELLA. offers both indoor and outdoor dining, including the Main Dining Room, the Fireside Room, The Bar, and The Garden. Guests can enjoy a lively jazz-fueled brunch with bottomless mimosas on Sundays.
- Fireside Room: This elegant lounge is a popular gathering spot for cocktails and also hosts live music, performances, and silent reading parties.
- Breakfast: A full breakfast is available for a fee, typically ranging from $12 to $25 per person.
5. Service & Staff
The hotel consistently receives high marks for its staff, with a rating of 9.6. Guests frequently comment on the "outstanding staff" who are "friendly and helpful". One guest noted "A+ service without even asking for it". The staff is described as welcoming and non-stuffy. However, some guest reviews have mentioned complaints about service, particularly in the restaurant. Employee reviews also present a mixed picture, with some praising the "awesome staff and culture" and opportunities for growth, while others have expressed concerns about management and understaffing.
6. Location & Accessibility
Hotel Sorrento is located in the First Hill neighborhood, a quiet and mostly residential area that is still very accessible to Seattle's key attractions. It's within walking distance of Virginia Mason Hospital, the Town Hall performance venue, and the Frye Art Museum. Downtown shopping, Capitol Hill nightlife, the Washington State Convention Center, Seattle Center, Space Needle, Aquarium, and Pike Place Market are all nearby. While walking to Pike Place Market and the waterfront can take over 20 minutes, public transportation is convenient, with the G Bus line right outside the hotel and the Link Light Rail accessible from University Street Station. Taxis and valet parking are available, though valet parking incurs a significant fee. Guests should be aware that the walk uphill from downtown can be steep.
7. Value & Pricing
Hotel Sorrento is considered a "great value" given its comfort and elegance. The average room price is around $277, which is slightly higher than Seattle's average of $264, but many guests feel it offers "exceptional value for money". Recent prices found on KAYAK ranged from $134 to $258, and Hotels.com shows rates from $147 nightly. It's important to note that there is a facility fee of $25 per room per night.
8. Common Complaints
While largely positive, some recurring criticisms include:
- Service in the Restaurant: Some guests have noted issues with service, specifically in the restaurant.
- Room Conditions & Noise: Occasional complaints about room conditions and noise levels have been reported. Street-facing rooms can be prone to city noise, including sirens due to the hotel's proximity to hospitals.
- Air Conditioning: The presence of standing AC units has been a "deal breaker" for some guests.
- Parking Costs: Valet parking is expensive, at $65 per night, and can be "insane" if driving everywhere in Seattle.
- Breakfast Not Included: Breakfast is typically an additional fee.
- Room Maintenance: Some employee reviews suggest that rooms might need more investment in maintenance, indicating a "middle ground of repair".
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While largely positive, some recurring criticisms include:
- •Service in the Restaurant: Some guests have noted issues with service, specifically in the restaurant.
Google Reviews
1,499 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
John Carlson
Always a pleasure to stay at the Sorrento! This was our third time over five years and it was nice to see a lot of familiar faces. The hotel itself has a warm, old charm elegance without being stuffy. The rooms are spacious, well appointed and comfortable with nice bedding and towels. Despite the fact it’s surrounded by hospitals, it is quiet. Stella, the restaurant has delicious food and a cozy b...
Response from the owner
Thank you for such a wonderful and thoughtful review. We’re truly honored to be a place you continue to return to and are so glad it felt familiar and welcoming to see friendly faces again.<br><br>It’...
Zainab Alsaad
The perfect Seattle getaway! Such a lovely hotel, the building was so beautiful and well maintained. Everything about this hotel is so charming. The staff was excellent, Jordan greets everyone at the door throughout all hours of the day and was so friendly and helpful throughout my stay here. The staff is all very friendly and welcoming, even the restaurant in the hotel was great. The rooms are ve...
Response from the owner
Thank you so much for this thoughtful and generous review. We’re delighted to hear that you found Hotel Sorrento to be the perfect Seattle getaway and that you enjoyed the charm, comfort, and characte...
Scott Stanley
My husband and I stayed at Hotel Sorrento after a long day of travel and we were thrilled with the place. Comfortable, cute and cozy. There was one issue, however...their website doesn't accurately reflect the restaurants hours. It's open longer than advertised and we would have made different plans had we known. Other than that, it was a good experience.
Response from the owner
Thank you so much for staying with us after your long day of travel. We are delighted to hear that you found the hotel comfortable, cute, and cozy. That is exactly the feeling we hope every guest expe...
Sandra Spurlock
We have always loved the Sorrento and looked forward to our stay this past weekend. We were in room 310 which was beautiful. Unfortunately we found the mattress too soft causing us to roll into the middle. Also, the pillows were not very comfortable - they were too big. Everything else was delightful. Warmly, Sandra
Response from the owner
Thank you for your continued loyalty. It truly means so much to us that you always look forward to your stays, and we are delighted you enjoyed room 310 and the rest of your visit.<br><br>We are sorry...
Ronnie Crenshaw
My stay at the Hotel Sorrento, though brief, was truly delightful. The rooms strike a perfect balance between modern comfort and the timeless charm of the hotel’s historic character. Everything was spotless, inviting, and thoughtfully furnished with a touch of nostalgia. The staff were exceptionally warm and attentive, making me feel welcome from the moment I arrived. The restaurant offered a coz...
Response from the owner
Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful and generous review. We’re delighted to hear your stay — even a brief one — captured the blend of historic character and modern comfort that makes the Sorrento ...
flea Thomason
Exceptional Experience from Start to Finish I recently had the pleasure of working with The Sorrento Hotel, and I cannot say enough wonderful things about this venue and its team. From the sales staff to the front desk, restaurant, and valet, every person operates with professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail. The hotel itself is absolutely stunning. A charming boutique property with bea...
Response from the owner
Thank you so much for sharing such a generous and thoughtful review. We’re truly honored to hear that your experience with our sales team, front desk, restaurant, and valet was seamless and welcoming ...
Hyatt
