by Anne Garber & John T.D. Keyes

We were surprised to find the lights out and nobody home at the Camlin Hotel recently. The reason is explained in this press release from June 5, 2003:

REDMOND, WA -- Trendwest Resorts, the world’s leading point-based vacation ownership company, announced yesterday that it is purchasing the historic Camlin Hotel located on the corner of 9th Avenue and Pine Street in downtown Seattle from Camlin Hotel, LLC.

Later this year, Trendwest will begin a $7.5 million restoration of the building, including refurbishing the façade, interior lobbies, sign, and rooftop architectural elements that are on the National Historic Register. “The Camlin plays an important part in Seattle’s history. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to restore its grandeur as one of the City’s premiere destinations,” stated Jeff Sites, Trendwest Resorts president and chief executive officer.

During the 10-month renovation, Trendwest will convert the 100 hotel rooms into 38 studio suites, 58 one-bedroom suites and four two-bedroom penthouse suites, all inspired by The Camlin’s original 1926 residential-style hotel design. Each vacation suite will maintain The Camlin’s original classically elegant design, including crown moldings, classic furnishings and in-suite kitchenettes. “We know that many Seattle residents have very fond memories of The Camlin. We are confident that the restoration of this historic landmark will provide our future guests with an elegant vacation experience in an urban setting,” added Sites.

In addition to the extensive restoration of the building, Trendwest’s renovation of The Camlin will give the Denny Triangle neighborhood a much-needed economic boost. It is expected that the renovated Camlin will have an annual occupancy of more than 80 per cent attracting 44,000 annual guests who will contribute more than $5 million annually to the downtown economy, including transient occupancy tax.

Once renovations are compete -- and if the general public can stay there or visit the famed Cloud 9 restaurant atop the ediface -- we will revise and re-publish our review.