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I stayed at a 5-star Four Seasons in Seattle. My $1,000-a-night room had the best view in the city.

I stayed at a 5-star Four Seasons in Seattle. My $1,000-a-night room had the best view in the city.

From my room at the Four Seasons Seattle, pedestrians looked like action figures, cars like Hot Wheels, and sailboats in the bay looked tiny enough to be children's bath toys. But the view itself was anything but small.
I booked a room at the five-star hotel for one night in May. It wasn't my first Four Seasons stay, but it was my first time in Seattle — and it was my first time sleeping in a corner suite with floor-to-ceiling windows stretching across two walls.
In the nearly $1,000-a-night room, I had better views of Seattle than at any viewpoint I ventured to during my three-day trip. And the best part was that I didn't even have to leave my bed to see it.
The Four Seasons Seattle is a top-choice hotel for travelers who want to be steps from the waterfront.
The Four Seasons in Seattle opened in 2008. Located downtown, it's the perfect place to stay if you want to walk to the waterfront or Pike Place Market in five minutes or less.
The hotel has won many awards, including being named the No. 1 hotel in Washington by US News & World Report in 2024. A hotel rep told Business Insider that the Four Seasons Seattle has hosted some celebrity guests, though he didn't specify who.
If you stay in a corner room like I did, you'll have constant views of the bay and downtown Seattle.
I stayed in a Corner Deluxe Bay View King room with a starting rate of $965 during peak season, from May to September, and during the end-of-year holidays. BI received a media rate for the one-night stay.
The lobby was modern and classy, with natural hues and pops of pink.
When I checked in, I noticed dazzling pink bouquets that looked vibrant in an otherwise neutral-toned lobby. And the pops of pink didn't stop there — by the elevators, there were complimentary pink refreshments of the same color, including strawberry jelly beans and gummy bears, rose lemonade, and monochrome M&Ms.
Once I checked in, I headed to my home for the night.
The 21-story hotel has 147 rooms on the first 10 floors and 36 residential units on the top 11.
My room was on the 9th floor. It opened into a small hallway. As soon as I turned the corner, I was greeted by beams of natural light and views of downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay, and the Olympic Mountains. Floor-to-ceiling windows took up the better half of two perpendicular walls.
My room had a king-sized bed and a small couch across from a TV atop a dresser. There was also a table with two cushy dining chairs.
The hotel rep told BI that the rooms, updated in 2019, were inspired by the natural elements of the Pacific Northwest.
"You'll see that in the colors and textures, like the blues and the grays. Being Seattle, we're a little bit on the darker side, so they tried to lighten it up with some lighter elements of color," he said. "You'll see a lot of natural wood in our building to add that element of nature."
My favorite aspect of the interior design was the textured wallpaper behind the bed. It looked like clouds with a mix of cool and warm hues. The decor was subtle, as the outdoor views were the star of the room, but I thought the wallpaper added a dreamy touch to the sleeping space.
At the front of the room was a spacious closet and plenty of amenities.
Inside the closet, I found a luggage rack, an ironing board, a safe, and an umbrella for the city's signature rainy weather. Next to the closet, there was a minibar.
Across from the closet, a sliding door revealed the marble bathroom.
The bathroom had a deep soaking tub across from a sink and vanity with a small TV screen integrated into the mirror.
The bathroom had a tub and a spacious glass shower with a rainfall showerhead.
The best part of the room was undoubtedly the views.
Nothing felt more luxurious than watching the sunset in this lavish room from multiple angles.
Standing against the window in my provided robe and slippers made me feel like I had scored my own private tourist attraction in Seattle.
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A pair of airline incidents gave us a powerful reminder of 2 key safety rules: wear your seatbelt and leave your bag behind in an emergency
A pair of airline incidents gave us a powerful reminder of 2 key safety rules: wear your seatbelt and leave your bag behind in an emergency

Business Insider

time8 hours ago

  • Business Insider

A pair of airline incidents gave us a powerful reminder of 2 key safety rules: wear your seatbelt and leave your bag behind in an emergency

Passenger behavior can be key to preventing injuries, as two recent airline incidents have shown. To be specific, always wear a seatbelt in case of sudden turbulence, and leave your bags behind in an emergency evacuation. On Wednesday, 25 people were injured after a Delta Air Lines plane encountered "significant" turbulence while flying over Wyoming, the airline said. Flight 56 diverted to Minnesota and landed safely, but over two dozen people were taken to nearby hospitals. Turbulence can appear suddenly and isn't always detected by onboard radar systems, so there may not be time for the pilots to put on the seatbelt sign. "It's essentially like taking a box with something in it and starting to shake the box up and down," Guy Gratton, an associate professor of aviation and the environment at Cranfield University, previously told Business Insider. "If you're the person who's inside the box, then you get thrown around inside the box, and that's where injuries happen." " Passengers are told to keep their seatbelts done up because if you're tied to the box, you're much less likely to get injured," he added. Plus, turbulence is getting more common as a result of the climate crisis Warmer temperatures allow the atmosphere to hold more moisture, increasing the likelihood and intensity of thunderstorms. Clear-air turbulence, which occurs near jet streams, is also becoming stronger and more frequent due to changes in the atmosphere. In 2023, researchers at the University of Reading in the UK found that severe air turbulence had increased 55% over a typical point in the North Atlantic Ocean between 1979 and 2020. Leave your bags behind in an evacuation Last Saturday, an American Airlines flight was evacuated at Denver International Airport when a landing gear caught fire before takeoff. The airline said that all 173 passengers and six crew members on board were safely evacuated from the aircraft, while one person was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. However, a video of the incident showed passengers carrying their luggage as they went down the emergency slides. The Federal Aviation Administration warns on its website that "retrieving personal items may impede the safe evacuation of passengers." Aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas previously told BI how this can cause bottlenecks on board, slowing down the evacuation. "You've got to get all the passengers out in 90 seconds," he said. "Now, we're seeing evacuations taking six and seven minutes because passengers insist on taking their bags." When a Japan Airlines Airbus A350 caught fire after colliding with another plane last January, all 379 people on board survived after evacuating in time. Under safety rules, planemakers have to show that an aircraft can be evacuated in only 90 seconds with only half the exits available. "Bear in mind that such tests do not take place in a high-stress environment," Graham Braithwaite, an expert on flight safety at Cranfield University, told BI at the time. The airline's in-flight safety video was also praised for its clear evacuation instructions, and reminding passengers to leave their bags behind. Not all fires end the same way. In 2019, an Aeroflot plane caught fire after an emergency landing in Moscow, and 41 of the 78 people on board died. Experts criticized passengers who evacuated with their carry-on luggage, suggesting it may have contributed to the death count. While there were no fatalities in the American Airlines and Delta Air Lines incidents over the past week, both are stark reminders of how things can go wrong if safety rules aren't followed.

I'm a Professional Organizer, and This Is The Only Way to Pack a Carry-on Suitcase
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Travel + Leisure

time17 hours ago

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I'm a Professional Organizer, and This Is The Only Way to Pack a Carry-on Suitcase

No matter how many trips I take a month, I never look forward to packing my suitcase. Yes, even as a travel writer. And yes, even as someone who writes a packing list newsletter on Substack. Packing is a process that, if done correctly, requires forethought and careful decision-making, especially if you want to go carry-on-only. When the game plan is to pack lightly, every item should have a purpose, every inch of luggage real estate should be maximized, and you should always start with at least a rough packing list. In fact, as I'm writing this, I'm simultaneously going over what I'm going to need for an upcoming trip to Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort in Hawaii (so far, I'm thinking mostly packing comfortable loungewear and a few bathing suits). While every trip requires a slightly different packing formula—and every traveler will pack according to their own personal style—there are a few best practices I use that have removed most of my own packing apprehension (and ensure I never overpack or underpack). Below, I've outlined the ultimate way to pack a carry-on suitcase, including tips on traveling with bulkier clothing, shoes, and toiletries. The first rule of packing footwear is to narrow down your selection. Shoes take up a significant amount of suitcase real estate, so packing as few pairs as possible is the best way to start the process. I typically travel with two to three pairs of shoes, including a pair of cute, comfortable sneakers or boots (basically, whatever my bulkiest shoe is) that I wear in transit. The other two, usually some sort of dressier shoes, whether sandals, heels, or flats, will be placed in a travel shoe bag (or an extra packing cube). 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Denim is also a hardy material that doesn't easily stain or wrinkle, so I'm never too worried about my jeans not being safely tucked away in their own packing cube. Speaking of wrinkles, it should come as no surprise that they're inevitable while traveling. I'll occasionally bring a small portable steamer to freshen up any pieces that tend to get creased. While it ultimately comes down to personal preference, I always recommend packing your socks and underwear together. When I travel, I pack them in a separate packing cube, even adding in my pajamas if there's room. You can certainly use a regular packing cube—it gets the job done—but there are also versions specifically designed for this type of packing role. These styles are longer and thinner, and they work perfectly for taking advantage of those awkward spaces in your suitcase that don't quite fit a standard-sized packing cube. 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How To Access The World's Most Alluring Secret Bars in Hotels
How To Access The World's Most Alluring Secret Bars in Hotels

Forbes

time2 days ago

  • Forbes

How To Access The World's Most Alluring Secret Bars in Hotels

There's something irresistible about a well-kept secret—especially when it involves great cocktails, impeccable ambiance, and just the right amount of mystery. And let's be clear, the new buzz word is secret bars, not speakeasy. (As a cocktail writer for two decades, we're in the era of speakeasy fatigue, so please don't utter that 's' word.) But secret bars as the spin-it-to-win-it phrase? Heck, yes. Hidden behind velvet curtains, tucked behind bookshelves, in random hotel rooms or only accessible by boat, these hotel hidden bars redefine what it means to drink in exclusive style. Here's where to find them, how to get in, and what to expect once you're inside. Epilogue – Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, FL How to access: Located within the adults-only section of the resort, Epilogue is open to resort guests and select visitors. Reserve online on the hotel's site. What to expect: A sophisticated library-meets-Art Deco setting with a literary theme, a cocktail menu inspired by Florida's stories, and high-end mixology led by Jaclyn Keogh. NAVI – The Post Oak Hotel, Houston, TX How to access: By advance reservation only via the hotel's concierge. Guests are led behind a velvet curtain and through a hidden bookcase into the NAVI lounge inside Post Oak Hotel, the only Forbes Five-Star hotel in $125 per guest (includes five bespoke clarified cocktails, five paired small bites, and a take-home gift).Limited-time: Available through August only. La Isla Secreta – Rosewood Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, Mexico How to access: Open exclusively to resort guests, La Isla Secreta is located on a private island tucked deep within the lush waterways of Rosewood Mayakoba. Access is strictly by boat transfer from Zapote Bar, the resort's award-winning cocktail destination. You'll need to book in advance through the concierge—seating is extremely limited, and the exact location remains intentionally under No entry fee, but premium cocktail pricing to expect: A tropical bohemian hideaway with a focus on rare Mexican spirits. It's discreet, transportive, and made for those who love a well-crafted drink with a healthy dose of intrigue. La Botica – Las Ventanas al Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort, Los Cabos, Mexico How to access: Guests of the resort can reserve Las Ventanas al Paraiso's The Pharmacy (La Botica in Spanish) through the concierge. Space is limited, and walk-ins are unlikely. Fee: 1,600 pesos or roughly $85 usd. What to expect: Cuban speakeasy meets vintage apothecary with live music and a cocktail program built for performance and panache. Canes & Tales – Waldorf Astoria Osaka, Japan How to access: Tucked inside the Waldorf Astoria Osaka, the Canes & Tales bar is open to guests and visitors; reservations recommended, especially for to expect: A moody, jazz-inspired space with menus built around literary tales. No password needed—just come ready to sip slowly and soak in the story. Room Nine01 – Hyatt Centric Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale, FL How to Access: Reserve Room Nine01 through the Hyatt's booking system. Once confirmed, you'll receive a password via text to share at check-in. Then, you'll be handed an unmarked room to Expect: Inside, a corner guest room has been transformed into a swanky 1920s–inspired speakeasy—with retro lamps, vintage artwork, and intimate seating for no more than a dozen people. It's small, exclusive, and perfect for connecting with friends without the noise of a normal Vibe: Think Prohibition glamour meets residential cocktail lounge—cozy, nostalgic, and surprisingly quiet for a hotel. Mile High Cocktail Club – Four Seasons Chicago, IL How to Access: Begin your night at the hotel's ground-floor Adorn Bar. You'll be offered champagne before you're escorted up a private elevator to their 46th-floor corner suite—the Mile High Cocktail Club (no relation to the in-flight mile high club). Reservations are recommended, though walk-ins may be accommodated if space to Expect: Stunning city views, plush furnishings, and a refined cocktail experience. It's a lounge hidden in plain sight, ideal for those who want exclusivity without Vibe: Elevated both literally and metaphorically—this venue perfectly balances Chicago skyline drama with cocktail craftsmanship. Iron Door – Holbrooke Hotel, Grass Valley, CA How to access: Hidden in the basement of the historic Holbrooke Hotel. Open to the public—no password to expect: Stone walls, soft amber light, local live music, and a cocktail program with a bold boilermaker twist. Drop in or call ahead on weekends. So & So's – Romer Hotel, Hell's Kitchen, NYC How to access: Look for the discreet blue door inside the Romer Hotel lobby. Open to the public; no password to expect: A casual-cool vibe with a hi-low food and cocktail menu, plus regular live music events under the 'Somebody at So & So's' banner. First-come, first-served, so arrive early on show nights. More hidden hotel bars to check out:

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