Fairmont Olympic Hotel — Blog — Jenn Chan Photography

Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle / May 4, 2017 by Jenn Chan

Like a scene from a Disney fairytale a smiling valet, in a gleaming uniform, was smiling at my door within moments of pulling into the regal Fairmont Olympic Hotel in beautiful downtown Seattle. "Good afternoon, sir, welcome to the Fairmont Olympic, may I help you with your bags?" "Yes, thank you very much!" And we're off!

The first thing that strikes you as you enter the Fairmont Olympic lobby is the incredible, seemingly 5 mile long, rug that dominates the centre of the opulent lobby. A two story space, resplendent with giant chandeliers and 1920's luxury, that still satisfies modern notions of taste, high end style and comfort. The domed roof gives the space a real sense of vastness and I spent many pit stops between activities enjoying quiet time and taking it all in.

Service. It's the reason a burger at a 5 diamond restaurant costs $50 and at Five Guys, where they make one hell of a good burger, one will set you back $10. That and Grey Poupon, but I digress... The beaming face I was greeted with at the reception desk is the Grey Poupon of the service industry! The booking is in order, credit card info taken, recommendations on activities are given and we're off to the 10th floor and our king executive suite!

I've recently invested in a very expensive California King bed with a NASA-eque, technologically advanced mattress and Fairmont, true to form, boasts comfort that rivals that to which I have become accustomed! Tasteful greys and whites mix with accents of sunshine yellow and the room and its accoutrements are modern, warm and inviting. Everything you would expect in a property dreamed up by the Seattle Chamber of Commerce to bring a world class hotel to Seattle following WWI. The Italian Renaissance structure was completed in 1924 and dubbed "The Olympic" after the Seattle Times held a contest to name it. Its elegant, castle-like design has made it a Seattle landmark and it was designated as such under the National Registry of Historic Places in 1979.

The gym is modern and functional, the spa is prestigious yet affordable and the glass domed pool and hot tub is an oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle. If you're visiting Seattle I would highly recommend the Fairmont Olympic for its service, comfort and value!

Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan

Afternoon Tea Series: The Georgian at Fairmont Olympic Hotel / April 29, 2017 by Jenn Chan

What a room! Grand in a prohibition era kind of way. 50 foot high ceilings, ornate columns and intricate mouldings. A very Downton Abbey feel in the middle of metropolitan Seattle. Adding to our experience was our extremely affable Fairmont host, Valerie, who was a wealth of knowledge on the room and the whole property really. We made a new friend!

Afternoon tea is a luxurious affair. Big Kentucky derby-inspired floppy hats, pinkies raised way up in the air and crisp dresses and suits. Judy Dench wouldn't look out of place here nor would Miley Cyrus if she were sipping her tea mere tables away. It's a space for everyone and there's something on the menu to satisfy their tastes! The first stop on our culinary adventure was mimosa town. On a groggy Saturday afternoon it is the perfect destination for a vacationer; I'll let you guess why! Jenn, Valerie and I raised our glasses to the Fairmont, without a drop of insincerity, and toasted them!

Soon the delicious teatime towers were brought out and placed in front of us. Jenn and I wisely chose the 1907 Blend Tea to accompany them; absolutely delicious and it immediately went into my top five tea list! Blueberry Scones Apricot Jam & Devonshire Cream were the first tier of our three tiered tea-stravaganza. I don't know where Devonshire is, but if you told me it was a magical land where hobbits go on mythical adventures I would believe you. If you told me they stole the recipe for this cream from a dragon I would believe it. The scones, made in-house, are so fresh and soft that they fall apart at the touch. Add the heavenly cream and the incredible apricot jam and it's a very, very satisfying carbohydrate delivery device.

My mom is a saint. I wanted for nothing growing up and love filled our home, but I'm not sure if it's a Manitoba thing or something completely Jean Allan; pronouncing sandwiches 'sammerches'. I think about her whenever I'm served a 'sammerch' and the tradition continued when I made my way to the second tier. Hereafter referred to as the 'sammerch tier'. Waldorf Sourdough Bread, Turkey, Apple, Raisins, Celery, Pecans and Herbs made up the first I tried. If I see a turkey sandwich with apple on a menu I order it. Every time. When I see a salad with pecans I do likewise. When I see a sandwich with both I shriek like a 12 year old girl seeing Justin Bieber. This sandwich is delicious!

Up next was one consisting of Curry Salmon Egg Salad Rye Bread Roll, Smoked Salmon, Curry Egg Salad and Micro Greens. Curry is not just for my beloved butter chicken or tandoori, it makes everything better! This sandwich will make you want 10 more. Which I do. Right now. Come on Chef Paul make it happen! This sandwich alone is worth the trip. The Herb Marinated Grilled Prawn, Tomato Jam, Mango Salsa, Cured Tomato, Parmesan Crisp and Mango salsa. Mango salsa should be on every menu! It would make a boiled rat delectable. It would make a toupee taste like heaven. And when you add it to one of the most delicious ocean dwellers the results are as you would expect. You want this! The Cucumber Watercress Sourdough Bread compliments the Watercress Crème Fraiche, Cucumber, Salmon Roe and Preserved Lemon extremely well. Yum! Sourdough makes everything better! I was not expecting much from a sandwich which lacks a huge protein component as I am a carnivore at heart, but the lemon tang mixed well with the very thinly sliced cucumber, which helped beat back the overpowering nature of the cucumber, and the sourdough rounded everything out.

Tea Sandwiches: Turkey Waldorf, Curry Salmon Egg Salad, Grilled Prawn & Cucumber Watercress

Feeling satisfied from our first two tiers we set our sights on the dessert tier hidden masterfully at the bottom. I started with the milk chocolate brownie. I have had a bad brownie only once. It was a little old and the crunch really detracted from the fudge-y goodness. The Georgian's brownie tasted like it came right out of the oven as we entered the room. Add in the milk chocolate icing and this will satisfy even the pickiest chocolate addict. Macaron shops are the donut shops of the new millennium. As junk food places disappear macaron shops, with their luxury price tag, keep popping up. The sole reason is because they are delicious, like very delicious. The Georgian's rose water raspberry macaron ranks amongst the prestige priced Fauberge and Thierry's of the world. Jenn's favourite was the No bake Matcha Mango Cheesecake. If you've never heard of matcha you will before too long. It is everywhere. From its humble Asian beginnings it is finding its way into foods across the cultural spectrum. This cheesecake would have been good with lawn clippings on the top, but the matcha, with its myriad of health benefits, compliments it perfectly. My favourite was the Pistachio Eclair. In the hierarchy of nut deliciousness pistachio ranks high. This eclair, my first in forever, harnesses the deliciousness that is pistachio and combines it with the slight sweetness of the icing and the freshness of the pastry. It is excellent!

Sweets: Milk Chocolate Brownie, No Bake Matcha Mango Cheesecake, Rose Water Raspberry Macaron & Pistachio Eclair

If you're lucky enough in life to do what you love for a living you have a better life than 99% of people. Real estate is my passion and I'm blessed to exist in that milieu. Photography is Jenn's passion and we are moulding her passion into an ancillary career which we hope will one day become her primary. Valerie is a people person and the hospitality industry is tailor made for her. Three strangers becoming friends over tea. A cliché from, presumably, every British movie where I imagine tea drinking is prevalent. I would also imagine that this isn't the first time friendship has been sparked in this regal restaurant. Take someone for tea at the Fairmont Olympic Seattle today and I guarantee you leave closer than when you arrived!

Click here for more info: http://www.fairmont.com/seattle/dining/thegeorgiantea/