Roses at the Olympic

A weekend at Seattle’s Olympic Hotel (aka the Olympic Four Seasons and nowadays the Fairmont Olympic) is my idea of a birthday bash and Christmas all rolled into one.  Luxurious surroundings, personalized service, attention to every desire!  And that’s exactly what our last few days were all about.

Nyel had made all the arrangements – right down to a dozen long-stemmed red roses and chocolate covered strawberries waiting in our room.  That was a tradition he began back in our courting days to celebrate my birthday each year – a tradition that had gone by the wayside some years back.  For my birthday this year (back in February) he revived that idea and piggy-backed it with an evening at the Paramount Theater to see “The Lion King.”  That had been my (also) deferred Christmas present.

I loved it all.  The service at the hotel was at its remembered high level. Every staff member (even those you might see down the hallway) calls you by name.  “Good morning, Mrs. Stevens.”  “Have a nice evening, Mr. and Mrs, Stevens.”  And “Welcome back, Mrs. Stevens,” as I’m being helped from a taxi.  How do they do that?

There are bathrobes and slippers supplied.  There is room service with rolling linen-covered and flower-decorated tables.  And there is a package of milk and cookies in your car when it is delivered to you upon your departure – a little snack for the road.

Rafiki and the Giraffes

Saturday night was the final evening of “The Lion King’s” Seattle run.  It was SRO at the theater but Nyel had secured great seats and my view of the action was perfect.  And, for me, seeing those puppets was what it was all about.  I liked the music, too, and the story was totally Disney, but oh! those puppets and the actor/dancers who manned them!  I was transported for every bit of the two hours and forty minutes.

And now we are home again, home again jiggety jig.  It was an enchanted weekend – much needed and much appreciated.  How lucky I am!