Come Stay And Play At The Chic Moxy Seattle Downtown Hotel

The Moxy Seattle Downtown

Our first impression of the Moxy Seattle Downtown is that it is seriously chic. The lobby is bright and open plan, with some intriguing decorative choices. Think axes embedded in the wall, a giant social media screen, pink flamingoes and a roaring fire. Moxy describes their lobbies as like a ‘living room with a bartender’ which may be slightly far-fetched, but it is certainly unlike any other hotel chain I’ve stayed at. Just check out #atthemoxy on Instagram for beautiful pictures of these boutique hotels, and you will soon realise that this is not your typical boutique property.

As well as the bar and lounging area, there’s a selection of games including Shuffleboard, Jenga, table hockey and a bunch of board games. You could hang out in here and make friends all night, but if you have to work, it also has a ‘plug and meet’ gathering area furnished with modern ergonomic seating.

Moxy concept

Although Moxy hotels launched in 2013, this is my first stay in one of their hotels. Some quick research reveals that the brand came about through a partnership with the Swedish furniture maker IKEA. That’s not to say that rooms are furnished with IKEA merchandise, but you may spot trademarks of the store’s approach to design.

Target market

The launch material emphasises that this is a brand targeted at millennials, and whilst I certainly didn’t feel uncomfortable or out of place there, late on a Saturday night it gets pretty rowdy in the bar. If  you are looking for a romantic weekend away, this may not be the best chain for you.

Moxy Hotels

There are currently less than 50 Moxy hotels globally. The first hotel opened in Milan in 2014 and now there are around 30 properties across Europe, a few in Asia and the remainder are in the United States. The chain have added some interested destinations, including Tbilisi in Georgia and Bandung in Asia, but back to our review of the Moxy Seattle Downtown.

Moxy Seattle Downtown

Check in

On arrival, you check in at the bar and receive a bright pink casino token which entitles you to a complimentary cocktail. It’s quick and efficient even though staff seem to be fulfilling multiple purposes.

The Moxy bar

I use my casino chip for a local Chardonnay which is very nice indeed, whilst Jason selects the signature ‘Got Moxy?’ cocktail. In addition, bar Moxy features wines by the glass, local brews and every spirit known to man (or so it seems!). The bartenders are happy to create cocktails which are not on the menu, and drinks are reasonably priced.

Hotel rooms at the Moxy

We loved our room, as it continued the bright pink theme. Although compact, it housed a king size bed and with rooms starting from $80, its hard to complain at the price.

All bedrooms have a 42 inch flat screen TV to keep tele-addicts happy, plus multiple built in USB ports (always a bonus for a travel blogger with a million devices to charge) and free WiFi.

The bathroom was light, with cool white tiles, bright pink products, and plenty of space to store personal toiletries.

Facilities at the Moxy Seattle Downtown

In addition to the communal lobby, there is a funky gym in the basement. There isn’t a separate bar or restaurant, but this hotel makes great use of limited space and is a fun place to hang out.

Targeting millennials, according to Moxy, means that emphasis is placed on self-service, with 24 hour access to a wide selection of snacks and drinks. This may be slightly more problematic if you are travelling on business, as I prefer to order room service.

Parking

There’s no on site parking, however the Fiona car park next door only charges around $12 overnight. Furthermore, in this area, there is free parking from Saturday evening until Monday at 8am. Do as we did therefore and exit the car park on Saturday evening and park on the street. Spaces are plentiful, but heed the signs as you do not want to fall foul of these. Parking by fire hydrants, and within a certain distance of a junction can result in towing. Spending time releasing a hire car from a compound would not be a great way to spend your holiday!

Moxy Hotel rewards

And finally, the Moxy Seattle Downtown is part of the SPG-Marriott group. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to sign up for the loyalty programme to earn free nights. Every stay (and all spend) will earn you 10 points per US$1 spent on eligible hotel charges, except at Element®, Residence Inn® and TownePlace Suites® hotels (five points per US$1).

You can also boost your balance by signing up for the AMEX SPG Credit Card which allows you to earn a free night quickly.

The group includes 29 brands including well known brands such as Marriott, W, Ritz Carlton and Aloft. You earn points on stays at all properties and can redeem them at any of the group properties. There’s over 6,700 hotels to choose from globally so you will be spoilt for choice.

Personally, this is one of my two favourite loyalty programmes as the beds in these properties are always comfortable!

Verdict

I loved the funkiness of this hotel for a leisure visit, but I’d be less likely to use the hotel for business as I prefer to order room service. I think it is best suited for younger professionals or anyone seeking a weekend away in a chic boutique hotel.