How To: Plan Your Perfect Fifty Shades of Grey Vacation

As you all know by now, I am a huge Fifty Shades of Grey fan! It's such a bad obsession to the point where I have planned a vacation with my boyfriend Shawn to go and have a Fifty Shades of Grey themed vacation for our TWO year anniversary!! Yes indeed girls, I have done it! I wanted to share you with the ideas I had for the trip so maybe in the future you can take your own Fifty Shades of Grey themed vacation. You know you want to!

***PLEASE NOTE: All of these pictures are my OWN!!!***

Escala
1920 4th Avenue, Seattle, Washington (Intersection of 4th Avenue and Virginia Street)

The infamous home of Christian Grey!! It's a must have on your places to visit if you are going to plan a trip all around Fifty Shades. The public is not allowed in the building unless you are an actual resident of the building or if you have made an appointment to view a model home. They only take serious inquires so don't even try to make up a story. You might get caught! They should seriously consider charging people for tours of the place because the book is such a huge hit and when the movie comes around, we all know this place will be packed!! You can take pictures outside however so that is what I plan to do. If I could, I am going to try and get a picture in the lobby...*crosses fingers* (Update: I didn't get to go in but I had an opportunity. You will see it in this video.)

Click for Escala website



Ralph's Grocery and Deli
2035 4th Avenue, Seattle, Washington (One block west of Escala)

I believe Ana talks about this grocery store in Fifty Shades Freed. The store name is not mentioned in the book but it is "two blocks from Escala". Ralph's is just one block so close enough for me! Ms. Jones does some of her grocery shopping at this store since it's just a few blocks away from Escala. I plan to buy a bucket of Ben & Jerry's vanilla ice cream here...

Click for Ralph's website

Pike Place Market
1st Avenue and Pike Street, Seattle, Washington

This market is close to where Ana's apartment is with Kate. In the book they did not mention the exact address to where her apartment is but we do know it's located in the Pike Place Market area. So why not stop buy and do some grocery shopping here. Some interesting places to check out here is the first Starbucks store (1912 Pike Place) and The Gum Wall.

Click for Pike Place Market website


Puget Sound

Seattle, Washington

This is the exact sound that Christian takes Ana on board The Grace in Fifty Shades Darker. I believe they also take another trip on The Grace in Fifty Shades Freed. For those of us who don't own our own yacht, we can always take a ferry around Puget Sound. I am planning to take the Harbour Cruise. It's a one hour trip around the sound and departs at various times throughout the day. You can take amazing views of the Seattle skyline. I can't wait! 

Columbia Tower
701 5th Avenue, Seattle, Washington

Yes indeed girls.....this place EXISTS!! But as for the Mile High Club on the 76th floor that Christian Grey owns, it's not real. This is the tallest skyscraper in Seattle which is a plus because they have an amazing Sky View Observatory that the public can check out. Supposedly it has the best views of Seattle and is better than The Space Needle. It is also cheaper than The Space Needle! It only costs $9 for adults and $6 for students!! Please note these prices are as of August 18, 2012. Prices may change! There is an exclusive club on the 76th floor. It's called the Columbia Tower Club. I have looked into it and it's great for people who live in the area but not for us tourists.

Click for more Sky View Observatory information

Parking Lot
Boren Avenue and Stewart Street, Seattle, Washington

Yes I know....I have done it again....THIS PLACE EXISTS! If you all remember that steamy car scene that Christian and Ana shared after the intense car chase in Fifty Shades Freed, this is the exact parking lot!!! I plan to visit this place but as for doing the deed in public in a car parking, I don't think so.

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel
411 University Street, Seattle, Washington

This is the hotel that Christian and Ana stayed at when they find out that Christian's home is no longer safe in Fifty Shades Darker (I don't want to spoil who it was for those who haven't read it). They stayed in the Cascade Suite. Don't forget to order the Chicken Soup when getting room service. It's the same soup that Christian has ordered for Ana in Fifty Shades Freed.

Click for Fairmont Olympic Hotel website

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Now moving onto locations to check out in Portland, Oregon. It's about a three hours drive from Seattle, Washington. I tried to find Ana's apartment in Vancouver, Washington but it does not exist. Same as Clayton's Hardware Store.

The Heathman Hotel
1001 SW Broadway, Portland, Oregon

The hotel where the magic happens. Well more like where they spent their first night together. I plan to stay at this hotel for one night. I am not sure what suite that Christian and Ana stayed in. I'm imagining the biggest suite. They also stay here in Fifty Shades Freed, where Ana got to enjoy their Tarte Tatin. I tried looking at their menu and it's not on there! They have special Fifty Shades of Grey packages that can be added to your hotel room. They are only there for a limited time! They just recently however came up with a cocktail inspired by the books. It's called Fifty Shades of Gin! So if you can't get a hotel room here, at least stop by the hotel bar and grab a cocktail! This hotel is right in the Downtown core of Portland so there is tons of things to check out! Please note, there is also another Heathman Hotel in Kirkland, Washington. But the one in the book is Portland, Oregon. (Update: Check out my hotel room tour for the Deluxe King Suite HERE!)

Click for The Heathman Hotel website

Public Domain Coffee a.k.a. Portland Coffee House

603 SW Broadway, Portland, Oregon (4 blocks south of The Heathman Hotel)

This coffee shop used to be called Portland Coffee House where Christian and Ana had their first date in Fifty Shades of Grey. It is just a few blocks from the hotel which they walked from after the photoshoot. Don't forget to order a Twinings English Breakfast tea! I highly doubt they have it but it's worth a try.

Click for Public Domain Coffee website

Le Pigeon a.k.a. Le Picotin Restaurant

738 East Burnside Street, Portland, Oregon

I could not find Le Picotin anywhere in Portland so I decided to settle for whatever was the closest. This restaurant has a French cuisine and has a very laid back type of feel to it. Attire is casual so don't worry about having to dress up too much. It is located in the Industrial district which is perfect because Jose's Art Show (Fifty Shades Darker) would be in the type of area. I would say I did a great job at finding a close match to Le Picotin. 

Click for Le Pigeon website

Voodoo Donut

26 SW 3rd Avenue, Portland, Oregon

These are the doughnuts that Ray Steele requests Ana to get for him in Fifty Shades Freed. They have several locations around Portland. Just looking at their website makes me drool. I am definitely making a late night run for doughnuts. They do have locations that are open 24 hours so no need to worry if they are closed!

Click for Voodoo Donut website

I hope you enjoyed this and please let me know if you do plan a vacation with a Fifty Shades of Grey theme! I would love to know if I have helped you at all! Don't forget to check back for updated photos. It should be up not later than October 2012. Don't forget to share this with your other Fifty Shades of Grey obsessed friends!