Hotel Monaco Seattle

Like a moneyed earth mother who trolls Whole Foods for overpriced organics, this 189-room hotel strikes an odd balance between simple elegance and conspicuous glitziness. Cheery, humble Mediterranean design is on display in the lobby, where dolphin murals adorn the walls; and several guest rooms follow suit with whitewashed armoires, Santorini blue-and-white wallpaper, and framed watercolor seascapes. But other rooms are theatrical, with bold raspberry-and-white striped wallpaper and shabby-chic sitting areas that evoke the dressing rooms of an eccentric stage actress. Luckily, all rooms have access to the same luxurious amenities, like in-room reflexology massage using rice- and sake-based creams.