New hotel in Tukwila has a robot helper

Hotel Interurban, now the tallest structure between Seattle and Tacoma, opened in Tukwila this week, with 185 guest rooms, event spaces, a dog park—and a little robot helper.

The house robot, a Savioke Relay model, is named “Hazelnut” or “Hazel”; “Tukwila” means “Hazelnut” in Duwamish. The little helper delivers stuff to hotel guests, like toothbrushes, shaving cream, mouthwash, or a morning paper. It can also assist room service with delivering smaller items like coffee and sandwiches. A spokesperson for Hotel Interurban told Curbed Seattle that it’s the first robot to be used in a Washington State hotel.

In January, the Verge took a look at at Relay bots operating in a Las Vegas hotel, observing that “Elvis” and “Priscilla” can even call and ride elevators, then call the guest when they arrive.

In addition to the robot, the Interurban features a two-story lobby with a glass installation by former Dale Chihuly glassblower Bryan Rubino and a solar-panel canopy that powers most of the first floor, including a restaurant, coffee station, and bar.

Mercer Island-based developers Omar and Christine Lee are the majority owners. Columbia Hospitality, which is based in Seattle, operates the hotel, along with many other area staples, like Snoqualmie’s Salish Lodge and Spa. Hotel Interurban is connected to the Airmark Apartments, another Tukwila high-rise.

• Hotel Interurban [HI]