What Do a Historic Seattle Hotel and the LeMay Collections at Marymount Have in Common?

The time I learned to drive a Ford Model T isn’t something I get to mention very often. Recently, that personal milestone unexpectedly became the perfect introduction to one of Seattle’s most intriguing — and historically significant — hotels: the MarQueen.

It’s been a few years since I took the wheel at the Model T Driving School at the LeMay Collections at Marymount in Spanaway, learning the quirks of the more than 100-year-old automobile that helped transform American transportation. I never imagined that experience would eventually connect me to the Queen Anne hotel.

To my surprise, the MarQueen was built in 1919 as the Seattle Engineering School, where workers employed at the Henry Ford Model T factory, once a mile and a half away, trained and lived. The connection between my own Model T experience and the building’s past was an interesting coincidence.

Located just a short walk from Seattle Center, the Space Needle, and Climate Pledge Arena, the hotel remains true to its early industrial era of craftsmanship, character, and detail while being situated near many of the city’s contemporary attractions.

Following a 2025 renovation, the property continues to preserve the charm that makes historic hotels so special. The building has had several lives over the past century, first as the Seattle Engineering School and dormitory, and later as an apartment building, before becoming the MarQueen in 1998.

Today, it’s one of Seattle’s few independently owned boutique hotels, offering guests a stay filled with history, character, and original details.

Guests are welcomed by gold mirrors studded with peacock motifs; original wood floors that carry just the right amount of creak; velvet chairs and sofas; and the hotel’s grand original staircase, still used today because the building has never had an elevator. Old-fashioned rotary dial telephones sit on the desks in each guest suite, adding another authentic reminder of the building’s past.

One of my favorite touches is right at the front desk: a small bell guests can ring to hear a live history story from the staff.

The on-site Tin Lizzie speakeasy-style bar adds another playful nod to the Model T era, serving craft cocktails and bites with names inspired by the early 20th century. With its delightful outdoor sidewalk seating and low-lit, dusky interior vibe, it’s a charming spot to enjoy the energy of Queen Anne while soaking in historic atmosphere.

Executive chef Emelio Sansone brings a creative touch to the seasonal menu, from flavorful sourdough flatbread pizzas to a vibrantly fresh, crunchy snap pea salad. During my visit, cocktails were tended by Jason Cowdrey, whose attentive approach complemented the cuisine and helped create an inviting destination for both hotel guests and locals.

I’ve always loved historic hotels — the way they make you feel connected to the past through architecture, little details, and stories waiting to be uncovered. I didn’t expect one of those stories to involve the fact that I know how to drive a Ford Model T.

Book your stay at the historic MarQueen Hotel and experience a Seattle landmark for yourself. Or, better yet, learn how to drive a vintage Model T by visiting here.