THE HISTORY

Prior to my arrival, I had been enticed by the history of the hotel – the fact that it’s the city’s oldest continuously operating hotel after opening in 1927. Marie Dempcy – who now co-owns the hotel – became Seattle’s first female hotel general manager, and helped turn Mayflower Park into the gem that it is today. The long history of the hotel is certainly evident in the beautiful open-plan lobby with old-world furnishings, tasteful vintage decor, and glistening crystal chandeliers – and I fell in love immediately.

THE AMENITIES (NAMELY – COFFEE)

As I walked into my suite, I was greeted with a gorgeous parlour where a staple glass table sat in the middle, a plethora of local magazines laid across it. Having come to Seattle with zero plans, I wanted nothing more than to just fall back onto the sofa and scour their pages for inspiration. However, first thing’s first – coffee.*

There was a small selection of Starbucks coffee on a wooden stand – unsurprising, considering Seattle is the home of the famed coffeehouse chain. I freshly brewed some Caffeè Verona, and it was so rich and cocoa-y that for the first time in my LIFE I didn’t add sugar as I didn’t want to risk ruining the flavour. As there were little branded takeaway cups in my room, I was also able to take out a fresh brew each morning when I inevitably had to do a last minute-dash outside because I’d lost track of time (although that’s possibly not the intended use).

THE SUITE

The suite itself was extremely charismatic and charming, with a little desk area where I was able to write some letters home (using the letter writing set I found whilst nosying around the drawers). With statement curtains that matched the scalloped trim of the beds, and a three piece-suite of stylishly mismatched furniture. The earth-tone armchairs were perfect to melt into at the end of a long day exploring, feeling cozy and cared for and content as I gazed out of my two large windows. Around me, there were copious paintings and prints lining the walls, rendering it to feel like my own personal art gallery. How rare is it that it feels just as good to stay in the hotel as it does to explore the city?

I would fall asleep easy each night, swathed in soft white bedsheets in a bed large enough to accommodate my starfish poses, with the city lights twinkling at me from my open window. Arising in the morning to the pink-hazed morning sun falling on my face, I’d open my eyes to the bustle of city life below weaving around the classic American architecture. I’d find myself getting up each morning approximately four hours earlier than usual – fuelled by an insatiable craving to explore both the city and the chambers of the hotel (and honestly the coffee probably helped). Using the abundance of magazines and travel guides to plan my day ahead, I’d kick back on the sofa with my morning paper (delivered daily), legs up on the gold-tinted steampunk barrel, fortunate to be in this little hotel in Seattle.

I felt as though I were in a juxtaposed time warp – the modern convenience of a flat-screen TV and fast Wi-Fi contrasted the antique steel lamps and distressed frames around the large ballet studio -esque mirrors (which made me hyper-aware of every angle of my outfits).

The bathrooms were both finished with golden and cream striped paper, with a bath perfect for getting lost in and a shower framed with a marble and silver arch. On a normal day, in a normal fairytale-less place, I already find leaving showers one of the hardest things to do. But the showers in the suite, which felt both powerful and soft at the same time (my travel partner didn’t understand that either until he had tried them out himself), I could have spent hours in there. Especially when the bathrooms featured shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and embossed soaps by Antica Farmastica, it was a dangerous temptation to stay in there until my skin was as wrinkled as a prune. By the time I dragged myself out of the shower on the first night, swathed in an opulent fluffy robe, with soft and shiny hair, slathered in Grapefruit-scented lotion, I felt like I was at the height of luxe. Not to be dramatic, but I want to live like this forever.

THE FOOD

In the evenings, I would order room service from Andaluca, their Mediterranean Restaurant. Whilst the restaurant was only a few feet away from the lobby, I could never find myself wanting to leave the comfort of my room after a long, hard day exploring (I blame the 6am starts). Their desserts were absolutely stunning – especially the rich chocolate brownies paired with strawberries. For those of you who like more than just desserts, the famed Oliver’s Lounge is also accessible directly from the lobby – the classy downtown bar which has won numerous awards for their martinis. Perfect.

LEAVING THE HEART OF SEATTLE

When I eventually departed the Mayflower Park Hotel, with the two doormen pulling back the glass doors for me and flashing me their usual big smiles, I felt remarkably sad to be leaving. I, like every other person out there, loves to be spoilt – and man, did the Mayflower Park indulge me.

Starting with the base rate of £92 per night, the Mayflower Park Hotel makes it affordable to (briefly) live in luxury. With gorgeous views, equally as gorgeous coffee, and service to die for, I now refuse to stay anywhere else in Seattle. The hotel is located in the very heart of Seattle, being a five-minute walk from the waterfront and Pike Place, a 40-minute train ride straight to the airport, a three-minute walk from Tiffany and Co. (an essential!). The hotel also connects to Westlake Centre, which offers both a four-storey shopping mall and direct access to the monorail (where it’s only a ten-minute trip to tourist attractions such as the Space Needle.

*I officially feel as though the Mayflower Park Hotel has turned me into a fiend for coffee. Thoughts about when I can possibly get my next Caffeè Verona fill plagues me dearly.

And so, would you guys ever consider staying somewhere like the Mayflower Park Hotel, where you’re endlessly spoilt with views, service, and Starbucks? Let me know in the comments below!

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For the past four months I have been living in Victoria, Canada. I have been based on the East of the island, where I quickly found myself consumed by a relative amount of stress on a daily basis. Why had no one told me how expensive this country is? Why had I chosen to live in accommodation which looked like a futile mix of a hostel, jail cell, and army barracks? And most importantly – why had I decided to take an intense language course which featured a regional dialect I had never studied before, that would be deeply important to my overall degree grade back home?

I had been trying to use my spare time to sort out my plans for the future, re-organise my business, and of course, send approximately a million essays to university a week. At the end of each day, I would have my blogging responsibilities gnaw at me, but would be too exhausted to sit down, make a tea, and focus on writing a new post. This, mixed with the overall stresses of temporarily moving to another country, meant that I was getting about 0% of the work done which was necessary to balance a degree and a career.

To combat this, I bought last-minute flights to Hawaii (don’t tell my parents!), and went on road trips to Tofino and Portland and Vancouver. I tried to gain inspiration by writing at friends’ houses, or boutique cafes, or even on top of a bloody mountain. NOTHING. WORKED.

That’s when I read a magazine article about Staycations, and thought you know what? Screw it.

That’s where Chateau Victoria comes in. I was walking downtown one day, minding my own business, when I stumbled upon the luxury hotel. A warm orange glow was spilling out from the glass doors onto the street, and a member of staff pulled back said doors to let in a guest, a beaming smile on his face. I was drawn to it immediately, and knew that if I was going to be staying anywhere in the city, I wanted it to be there. The very next day, I finalised a reservation.

This gorgeous hotel is situated in downtown Victoria, amongst the finest restaurants, shops, and establishments in the city. Walking into the lobby, having the glass doors pulled back for me just like they had been for that other guest, I was welcomed into my temporary haven. It was designed exactly like I imagined Donald Trump’s sitting room to be – gold furnishings, marble desks, staff members raring to make everything perfect.

My apartment featured an open plan dining area, with an abstract carpet print mimicking that of a cosy 50’s house style. There is a little kitchen space where I was able to brew fresh coffee every morning, and a kitchen table where I could drink said coffee whilst typing furiously at my Mac. My sole qualm? The kitchen is within eyesight of an exceedingly comfortable sofa suite – the idea of reverting to a couch potato and abandoning all work was definitely tempting.

The living room features this two-piece suite, a third table (there really is an abundance of places to work from), and a large television showcasing all the North American television shows I’ve read about. My favourite part of the living room is that it opens out onto a balcony, where you can sit back and watch the world go by. At night, I would seek out the twinkling lights of Parliament and tiny people going about their daily business, and during the day, I would glance out at mountains and oceans and miles upon miles of places to explore. In the very early hours of the morning, when the sun is at its brightest, I would meander out onto the balcony, green tea in one hand, book in the other, and just let my mind go blank. I’m not sure how or why, but that quickly leads into some of my most inspired writing – and has singlehandedly cured my writer’s block. When your only plans for the evening are to order room service and kick back on the settee, life feels pretty easy.

There are various frames of artwork hanging around the suite, with my favourite blue-and-green rendition featured in the bedroom. A massive king-sized bed sits in the middle of the quarters, where I spend a bit too much time swathing myself in blankets and overtly plump pillows. With tall curtains facing out to towering skyscrapers, I would find myself waking up to the view of a million other people, racing around to partake in the rat race of life. Somehow, seeing other people rush around whilst I am calm and (temporarily) free of responsibility, is oddly inspiring – is there a way to replicate this outside of a Staycation?

Having written some of my best articles milling around the hotel, I was left with an empty feeling when I knew I would have to check out. I took one last bath, submerging myself in bubbles and later slathering on some of the nicest smelling lotion I have ever tried, feeling more relaxed than I had in months.

I realise now that the idea of Staycations isn’t a futile one – instead, staying at this Chateau has completely rejuvenated me, and utterly fixed my writer’s block. I spent my days there wandering down to the sauna – perhaps after taking a swim in the pool – and writing pages upon pages of blog posts and articles. Sometimes, you just feel like getting pampered and dining on food which you haven’t had to slave over, eventually re-entering into civilisation stress-free. According to Christoffer Arfert of Select Saunas, incorporating a sauna into your staycation routine not only enhances relaxation but also supports better circulation and overall wellness, making the experience feel even more restorative.

This post 100% feels like an ad for the Staycation business – but alas, it’s just your favourite blogger talking about how she’s been one heck of an idiot for the past few years. Even Carrie in Sex in the City would go on a Staycation to her home in Manhattan to write an article when she didn’t have the creative space at home. Now who am I to contradict Carrie?

Have you guys ever taken a Staycation – or are you a naysayer like I was? What’s more, have I tempted you into staying at the Chateau Victoria? Let me know in the comments below!

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YOUR SPECIAL OCCASION ISN’T THAT SPECIAL

Simply saying “it’s my birthday” or “we’re celebrating an anniversary” may not be enough – loads of guests staying in the hotel will be celebrating some kind of occasion. Instead, mentioning that you’re travelling for “business” (extra points if you say it ominously) is far more likely to score you that upgrade. 

BECOME A REGULAR

Likewise to the above, if you mention that you’re a regular then they’re more likely to offer you that sweet upgrade. Props to you if you actually are  a regular – and not just because it’s a fun place to heed over multiple mistresses.

COMPLAIN

I don’t condone this one, but if you complain about your room after first stepping into it, then you can almost bet that the hotel staff will give you an alternate, likely better room. I once stayed in a hotel with peeling wallpaper and mould in their walls – free upgrades here I come.

BE NICE, LOOK NICE

Remember that please and thank-you really does go a long way – especially when matched with a smart outfit. Being polite and looking presentable can be important factors when trying to get a nicer room.

USE A LOYALTY PROGRAM

Credit card schemes such as the AMEX (not a sponsor, I swear) rewards cards often offer upgrades as part of the package. Joining a loyalty program for the hotel itself could also put you first in line for an upgrade.

USE A REBOOKING SITE

Websites such as triprebel.com and yapta.com will automatically upgrade your room should one become available for the same price you paid when booking, or give you the money back should the price drop. It’s an awesome idea, and works especially well when booked in advance.

STAY DURING QUIET TIMES 

It should be pretty obvious, but avoiding public holidays and weekends – the busiest times for hotels – should help your case when asking for an upgrade. When they’re receiving less bookings for rooms, they’re more likely to throw out their unsold upgrades.

HAGGLE AT 6PM

The prime time to ask for an upgrade is around 6pm the night of your stay, as it’s the golden time for freebies. The hour between the majority of check-ins and home-time for the workers, 6pm is when the hotel is most likely to give away upgrades due to the unlikeliness of actually selling them.

ONLY STAY FOR ONE NIGHT

It’s also a lot more likely that you will only get the option for a one-night upgrade, due to the availability of rooms. It just doesn’t seem viable that they’d offer an upgrade to someone staying three or so nights – they’d be missing out on people that actually spend money on good rooms. Same goes for the amount of people – you’re much more likely to get an upgrade as a couple than a party of six.

ASK FOR SPECIFICS

Rather than just asking for an upgrade, mention that you would like a sea view or a room on a higher floor. The latter, as a rule of thumb, tend to be nicer and more expensive the higher up you go.

BOOK THE SECOND CHEAPEST ROOM

Or the third, or the forth. If you book their most affordable room, you’re really pushing your luck to then try and score one of the most expensive. Instead, if you go one or two price bands up, the staff is much more likely to bump you up a grade or two.

There are also other things that you could do, such as not making any specific requests at the time of booking (they may allocate your room ahead of time), and even sliding a $20 note towards the receptionist (although that technically renders it not a free upgrade). I hope some of my tips help you guys kick back in a Presidential, and if so – let me know in the comments below!

BUT BEFORE YOU DO – WHY NOT SHARE THE LOVE AND PIN THIS POST?

Having just returned from a gorgeous hostel stay, I’ll be the first to admit that my mindset in regards to travel accommodation used to be that they’re just places to rest, and can be as low-quality as they like. After all, I have stayed in rotting rooms in Dublin, pest-swarmed hotels just out of Istanbul, and windowless holes in Warsaw – and couldn’t have cared less. Or at least, that was until I decided to lay down in a luxury hotel, having been swept in with the promise of spa treatments and a panoramic view of the capital.

Trailing a room with windows thrice as long as the super-king-sized bed, with my own dining area and large nude-coloured washroom with a deep-set tub and glass shower, I had stepped into a world unimaginably different to what I was used to. Laying back in my armchair with the option of pastries and desserts brought to the door, I felt like I could happily spend my days exploring the chambers of the hotel – if only I could summon the intent to leave the room.

The rules of day-to-day life seem to disappear upon entrance to the hotel – think mid-morning cocktails in the luxury lounge and casual dips to the Hammam. Arise greeted by charming staff serving breakfast sourced from local farmers, located less than five minutes away from the main shopping district. Easy city links surpass the hotel, with the calm pace of Welsh life awaiting the front door step.

Everyone knows that I’m inexplicably in love with Wales, and so it’s no question that the capital is one of my favourite places to venture to. The bustle of city life intertwines with the laid-back nature of the country, and comes together in a mix of welcoming locals, endless places to explore, and Welsh cakes. The hotel is located within easy travel distance to Cardiff Castle, the Wales Millennium Centre, and Cardiff Bay – and for any Gavin and Stacey lovers out there, a trip to Barry Island is not off the table.

The hotel restaurant is an expert in “bistronomy” – French fine dining with an unpretentious twist. The casual atmosphere and waiters with a genuine interest in their guests renders a dining experience that is worth more than just food – and with luxe decor and design, every aspect of taste is catered to.

I would arise each morning swathed in pristine bedsheets with the sun falling on me through the silky blinds, opening my eyes to the Victorian architecture and early-risers bustling outside. How would I begin each day – a trip to the spa, a dip in the pool, a French breakfast brought to the dining area of my room?

Starting with the base rate of £97 per night, the Mercure Holland House Hotel and Spa makes a luxe stay affordable. The spacious rooms, Jacuzzis, and opulent room service are features I have missed out on during so many trips away, but my opinion has now definitely been altered.

Now, over to you guys – what’s your mindset on hotels? Do you think you could ever be swayed? Let me know in the comments below!

To find out more about some of the best ways to spend a weekend in Cardiff, check out my friend Amber’s post on her recent trip to the city!