Rose and I are still on a giddy wine buzz after staying at Seattle’s glorious downtown Hotel Vintage Park! My friends have been gushing about Kimpton boutique and luxury hotels, so we were keen to stay in a Seattle one. Vintage Park suited our aesthetic perfectly: red rum decor, eco and pet friendly rooms, free wine tastings in the fireplace-lit lobby.

From the moment we arrived, we were treated like royals — and even got upgraded to a queen suite. The staff genuinely enjoyed meeting guests and sharing their favorite spots in Seattle. (For those who requested it, here’s a close-up of Rose’s handmade fox hat. She only works with vintage furs.)

As a travel TV host and writer, I’ve stayed in a lot of hotels. The tiniest details can transform a stay. Plenty of mirrors and proper lighting for makeup — check. Ridiculously comfortable beds — check.

I was so happy that Hotel Vintage Park had wireless internet; how else could I Twitter and Skype with Sebastiano? Each room is named after a Washington winery that donates art for the room (so that each has an individual look) and officiates wine tastings.

The intricately folded toilet paper made us giggle. And I was pleased because the shower had several pulse settings (yes, these things matter!)

Kimpton hotels are legendary for their playful personality. Just look at the animal-print robes, which match our leopard prints.

My butterflies are flitting into Rose’s mouth. What’s that on our fingers? Introducing… the Super Exclusive Spooky Friendship Club Rings! I have a few more to give out. Who else on this blog do you think deserves a spider?

We adore the Hotel Vintage Park concierge, Louis (who immediately added me on Twitter and recommended a burlesque carnival night). He sent up a basket of rose wine, chocolate chip cookies, truffles, and a DVD about Washington winemakers. I wished I had brought Basil Farrow along to make furry friends…

That afternoon, Phil of Naches Heights Vineyard held a wine tasting. It was a pleasure to chat with the other guests, and I was fascinated to learn about the wine-maker’s biodynamic growing principles.

You can see more photos of our Japanese Punk leopard-print outfits in this post (all the brands are listed).

Rose and I can’t wait to return and say hello to Louis! Boutique hotels have much more flair and individual service than the same-old Sheraton or Marriott. If you’re stopping in Seattle, we encourage you to check out Kimpton’s Hotel Vintage Park. (Rooms start at $145 a night; we were hosted as media for our stay.)

What do you look for in a hotel? Which ones are your favorites?

Japanese Word of the Day: Juutan = Carpet
Song of the Day: Anita Ward – Ring My Bell