Full disclosure: We never actually saw Hotel Sorrento in the daylight, but that may have actually added to the hotel’s spooky charm.

A touch of strange and a ton of style characterize this historic Seattle hotel, which was the perfect spot to stay for our first wedding anniversary Oct. 6-10.

The skull and spider web decor weren’t the only things stirring up the hotel’s Halloween vibes. Its monthlong Sorrento Curiosities event – which the hotel describes as “a celebration of the dark, the weird and the whimsical” – drew a sizable crowd of curious guests to the Fireside Room on Tuesday, Oct. 9, for professional tarot card readings.

If you can’t make it to the hotel during the month of October, don’t worry; there’s enough mystery to last all year long. Rumor has it that Hotel Sorrento, which opened its doors in 1909, is haunted by the ghost of Alice B. Toklas, a woman who – in true Seattle fashion – is credited with inventing the pot brownie.

Though we didn’t have any run-ins with the famed ghost, her presence certainly adds to the hotel’s character and storied past.

Accommodations

We stayed in room 507, a deluxe room with a comfy queen-size bed and an elegant, all-white bathroom.

Among the room’s features: 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, Caffé Vita French press coffee, complimentary water bottles each day, in-room wifi, prompt room service and delightful Le Labo toiletries whose scent – Santal 33 – smelled a lot like the lobby of the hotel (where, shhh, they hid a scent diffuser in the entryway).

Dining

Our compliments to the chef! We ate dinner at Hotel Sorrento on three separate occasions – in the Dunbar Room and Bar, the Fireside Room, and in our own room – and we were (obviously) not disappointed.

I loved the Beecher’s Mac and Cheese so much I got it twice, while Mike enjoyed the Turkey Club and The Sorrento Burger, both of which were mouth-wateringly delicious.

We each ordered the Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwich, autumn staples that hit the spot after a long day spent outside in the chilly and damp Seattle weather.

Verdict

You can’t beat the charm and character of Hotel Sorrento, its convenient location or the kindness of its staff. We had a lovely stay at the hotel and a wonderful time in Seattle celebrating our first anniversary.

We recommend Hotel Sorrento to other adventuring couples who are looking for a hotel experience that offers unique entertainment, excellent dining and a spooky-chic atmosphere.