WHY VISITING THE HISTORICAL HOTEL LEO IN DOWNTOWN BELLINGHAM IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST

When you’re looking for places to stay in Bellingham, look no further than Hotel Leo. Located in the heart of downtown Bellingham, the magnificent Hotel Leo awaits your arrival. From historical stories of the past, modern and comfortable rooms for the entire family, delicious cocktails and drinks at the on-site bar, to unlocking secrets from long ago in a unique experience, everyone is sure to have a wonderful time – we absolutely did. Nowadays, when searching for hotels, we seek more than just a place to sleep. We desire an immersive experience filled with culture, history, style, and more. Hotel Leo quite literally encompasses it all!

Image 2 from Hotel Leo

Disclaimer: This article is in partnership with Hotel Leo, but as always, all opinions and thoughts are my own. This post also features some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your love and support!

What is the history of Hotel Leo?

The hotel is situated on the site of a former Missionary school, which was built in 1883. Originally, the hotel did not bear the name Hotel Leo. The first hotel on site, the Byron House Hotel, was founded in 1899 and named for its builder, Captain Josiah B. Byron. It was a beautiful nine-story, Chicago-style brown brick building with eclectic elements from the Missionary school that was there before. When the Byron Hotel was constructed, Bellingham was known for its successful ventures in timber, fishing, and coal.

This 93-room hotel was known as the Hotel Byron until 1910, when a German immigrant named Leopold Schmidt, who owned Bellingham Bay Brewery, purchased it for $100,000. It’s said that Schmidt was looking for new business ventures at that time because of the upcoming prohibition. With that, Schmidt constructed a 200-room addition to the Hotel Byron, which opened in May 1913. We’ll never know if some of that new addition was used for bootlegging or was home to a trendy speakeasy! Unfortunately, Schmidt died in the hotel on September 24, 1914, and with that, the hotel’s name was soon changed to Hotel Leopold as a token of appreciation by the hotel's investors.

Images from: npgallery.nps.gov

In the 1920s, further additions were made such as the Tulip Room (now called the Crystal Ballroom) and a large 1929 tower addition that increased the capacity to 500 rooms. What’s pretty incredible about this 1929 tower addition is that it was built in only five months! Can you even imagine if something could go up that fast today? There are photos in the lobby you can view that shows the various stages of this construction that I highly recommend checking out. 

The hotel has also had its fair share of celebrities over the years. In the mid-1930s, the famous actor Clark Gable stayed at the Leopold Hotel while filming the movie "Call of the Wild". Similarly, in the 1970s, Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken also stayed at the hotel during the filming of "The Deer Hunter". It's quite exciting to know that you will be residing in the same hotel as these renowned celebrities when you visit. Now I can say I’ve stayed in the same hotel as these celebrated actors, which is pretty stinking cool!

The Leopold structures that were built earlier were demolished in 1967 and the locations where they first stood are now being used for parking and restaurants on the corner of Cornwall and West Chestnut Street. Currently, the facility comprises the 1929 tower and another 1968 addition and is listed on both local and national historic registries. Despite undergoing changes, much of the original design of Hotel Leo has been preserved, including the terrazzo flooring and Catalina tiling. The hotel boasts a number of historical artifacts that date back to 1929, such as an original piano, a vintage disco ball in the ballroom, a phone booth that can be opened and explored, and a beautiful table in the lobby.

As you explore the lobby and soak in its rich history, make sure to check out the photographs near the elevators. You'll come across a black-and-white image (similar to the one shown below) and if you turn around, you'll see the exact table from the photograph that was taken back in 1929! It's a surreal experience to witness pieces of history in person, much like visiting a museum.

Images 5 & 6 are from Hotel Leo

What are the rooms like at Hotel Leo?

Hotel Leo offers a variety of room styles to suit your preferences. Each room combines classic and modern design elements to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. With four room styles to choose from, including modern studios, grand one-bedrooms, and historic accommodations, you're sure to find the perfect fit. Located in the heart of downtown Bellingham, the hotel draws inspiration from its surroundings to create a unique and memorable experience for every guest. Whether you're looking for a restful retreat or a fun-filled adventure, Hotel Leo has everything you need for a comfortable stay.

The hotel offers guests the option to stay in either the modern wing or the historic wing. The historic wing comprises the original Leopold Hotel building, which has been renovated to combine the charm of a 1929 hotel with contemporary amenities. Some of the rooms feature original tile work and pedestal sinks in their bathrooms and other unique characteristics that add to their charm. We stayed in the modern room but had the opportunity to explore one of the rooms in the historic wing and they were charming and full of touches of the past.

One thing that I find really nice about Hotel Leo, and many other hotels that I have noticed recently, is that they offer rooms with a full kitchen and living area. This is particularly convenient for stays that last several days or when traveling with pets. Hotel Leo is pet-friendly and you are bound to see other guests walking their dogs around the hotel. As a dog lover, I found it really enjoyable to see so many furry friends during my stay.

Why everyone needs to experience Unlock Hotel Leo

Unlock Hotel Leo is a unique and interactive adventure that offers an escape-room-style experience. You and your team will journey through the historic hotel, listening to its stories and unraveling the mysteries it holds. As soon as I heard about this experience, I knew I wanted to participate. Andrew and I are big fans of museums and history, so we were thrilled to partake and learn more about this famous and historic hotel in such a unique and immersive way. We had the opportunity to chat with the Owner and Creative Director of Unlock Hotel Leo, Chris, and it was beyond inspiring hearing the process of what went into the creation of this experience.

I don’t want to share too much about what goes on throughout this 80-minute tour but I will say it’s something you’ll remember for a long time, especially if you do it with your friends and family! Each time slot allows for up to 8 people to participate or you can book a private tour if you have less than 8 individuals and want the experience all to yourselves. Learn more about Unlock Hotel Leo and book your tickets here. 

Images 1,3,& 5 are from Hotel Leo

Why everyone should visit Amendment 21

Amendment 21 is the onsite Prohibition-Era cocktail bar and is the perfect spot for nighttime conversations, happy hour, or a romantic date night, which is what Andrew and I opted for. Upon entering, the decor immediately transports you back to the building's 1929 origins thanks to a photo archive provided by the Whatcom Museum. The walls are adorned with said photos showcasing the town's rich history and the various personalities that have contributed to its development. Grab a drink and be sure to peruse the perimeter of the room to take in all the rich history from these photographs. Amendment 21 is known for its unique craft cocktails, local brews, and fine wines to complement a shareable light-bites menu that’s absolutely delicious. 

We began our evening at Amendment 21 with two unique cocktails that we had never tried before in any establishment. Andrew and I love trying new and innovative cocktail recipes. Finding a craft cocktail lounge or bar has kind of become our favorite thing when we go out. 

The first cocktail we tried was Leopold's Ghost, which is made up of gin, Boomsma cloosterbitter, lime, maraschino liqueur, and absinthe. Our second cocktail was something from a secret menu that we were offered. You can also try this exclusive menu item if you participate in a specific experience I may have mentioned earlier.😉

While enjoying our dinner, we ordered a twist on the traditional whiskey sour – the New York Sour which is a whiskey sour topped with red wine and it was YUM if you’re already a whiskey sour fan. It also looked gorgeous with the layers of red at the top of the drink and y’all know I’m all about a vibey aesthetic.

What is the food like at Amendment 21?

I’m a sucker for bar and pub food which also means I’m pretty well-versed when it comes to a bar or pub menu. The menu at Amendment 21 was far from what I expected in the best way. You could quite literally come to Amendment 21 for a nice dinner and drinks, or stop by for a glass of wine and their rotating cheese board accompanied by an arugula beet salad. 

We were recommended the rosemary fries served with house-made garlic aioli which sounds pretty basic but OH MY GOSH… I will have dreams about these fries because they were SO GOOD. If you’re going to get any food or thinking about food – get these babies! For our main dishes, we ordered the crispy duck leg served on a bed of fig and quince bread pudding, accompanied by grilled chicories, and Jed's Burger, which consisted of a 6oz beef patty, 8-year-old cheddar, black garlic aioli, arugula, and tomato. 

Amendment 21 is a must-visit place in and around Bellingham. The overall vibe, ambiance, and history literally hanging on the walls, create a unique and memorable experience. The bartenders are informative and kind, and the drinks are unlike anything you'll find elsewhere. The menu selection is top-notch, and the food is of excellent quality. If you're in the area, don't miss out on this gem of a spot.

Places to eat close to Hotel Leo in addition to Amendment 21

When looking to visit new areas, I love getting recommendations from individuals who live there or have traveled to that destination before. That being said, I wanted to round up a small list of places we love to go over and over and over again!

BREAKFAST OR BRUNCH: Little Cheerful, Mount Bakery, Bellingham Cider Company, and The Black Cat

COFFEE SHOPS AND CAFES: Camber, Woods, and Caffe Adagio

LUNCH, DINNER, OR DRINKS: Aslan Brewing, The Black Sheep, Carnal, and ÖVN

Hotel Leo still exudes the luxury and grandeur of its past, and visitors can enjoy its original charm to this day. We’ll undoubtedly be back for another staycation, drinks at Amendment 21 with our friends and family, or maybe even Unlock Hotel Leo again! Book your stay at Hotel Leo here. 

XOXO