Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston

Copper & Salt Northwest Kitchen

With ten other hotels and five restaurants under their belts, the Silver Cloud team could have created another great hotel experience without breaking a sweat. Did they do that for their latest project at Point Ruston? No, they did not.

A location like Ruston Point on Commencement Bay with unbelievable views of Mount Rainier, the Cascade foothills, and Olympic mountains, really demands a little more effort. Surrounded by the Point Ruston community, the hotel is in the middle of shopping, dining, entertainment, and a public market. "This is a complete departure from our other hotels and restaurants," says Justine Kunz, Director of Sales and Marketing. "This is the first time we've incorporated a spa into one of our hotels. And restaurant-wise we didn't create a new version of Jimmy's. You can come in for a celebratory steak dinner or stop in for fish and chips or a burger. When you look out the windows at everyone enjoying Point Ruston, you're looking at our guests and they're mostly wearing shorts and flip flops! We want to invite the local community in." Food and Beverage Director Eric Rommen agrees. "This is new, fresh, right on the water in Pierce County. We want to be our own restaurant, not just an extension of the hotel. It will be a destination spot for people from Portland, Tacoma, and Seattle; warm and welcoming and a place where you can be yourself. The atmosphere is casual, the food elevated. We've created a culture that is about community. I want to see guests come in to see if their favorite line cook or bartender is working. We want to know our guests."

View from hotel: bay and Mount Rainier

Copper & Salt Northwest Kitchen is, clearly, about Northwest ingredients, but is also Italian inspired. The one similarity to their other restaurants is the open kitchen. "There are plenty of quick spots to get food in the area," says Justine. "Copper & Salt is meant to be experiential, whether it's a whole evening at the Chef's Table in front of the kitchen or relaxing over drinks and appetizers after work." The bar area flows into the dining room with floor to ceiling windows. There is space for groups to gather semi-privately as well as a complete private dining room that can seat up to 20. In addition, there is a covered and fully heated outdoor patio. "Unless the rain is coming in sideways, the outdoor space will be comfortable in all seasons." Copper & Salt will offer a seasonal fresh menu using locally-sourced ingredients. Their beverage program covers a lot of ground but is definitely wine heavy to stay true to their Italian-inspired concept. The rotating beverage menu will offer new and local wineries, breweries, and distilleries with cocktails curated by their bartenders. The restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and happy hour daily.

View from dining room

Throughout the property, there are natural elements that contribute to a modern and slightly industrial look. "When copper and salt are mixed, they create a unique, one-of-a-kind patina," notes Justine. "As copper oxidizes, an alchemy occurs, and it is transformed with a living patina of vibrant, textured colors. When heat, salt, and water are applied, the transformation is enhanced." The gift shop and grab-and-go area in the lobby is called Patina. A round table at the forefront holds items from the Ruston Public Market. "It's another way we wrap ourselves in the community," explains Eric. Large wall displays of onyx and glass in the lobby areas and elevator hallway rotate colors.

Conference facilities include a grand ballroom, 5400 square feet, that can seat up to 400 for a meal or 500 for a reception and can be divided into three parts. It opens on to the Waterview Terrace, a covered and heated outdoor area which also connects with the junior ballroom, 1560 square feet. "Because it's covered, photographers don't have to work with the sun and natural light for pictures, which is great for weddings in all seasons," says Justine. The Ruston Boardroom can accommodate up to 14. All rooms have both black out curtains and sunshades. The sunshades allow guests to continue to revel in the view. There are pre-function corridors where guests can enjoy cocktails and food. "There's also a 'ready room' that is great for wedding prep, as a speaker's lounge, or a small meeting room," adds Justine.

A first for a Silver Cloud hotel is a full service day spa, Spa Serein, which will open mid-fall 2021. It will include 4700 square feet of private massage rooms, saunas, and a relaxation lounge. The fitness room, 3000 square feet, overlooks the village and includes lockers, bathrooms, plenty of equipment, a TV, and yoga area.

Not a first is the rooftop pool; the Stadium location in Seattle has one as well. This will be one of those must-go-there spots with a pool and hot tub overlooking the village. At one end is a large private room with its own kitchen and bathrooms that opens onto an outdoor space with lounge furniture next to the pool.

Upscale-looking entrances to rooms and suites have dark wood doors, strips with light, and number plaques. The Waterview Suite has panoramic views, private master bedroom, a queen sleeper sofa in the living room, and a breakfast nook. There is also a Waterview Family Suite that accommodates up to six guests. There are Waterview King rooms and two Queen bedrooms, and a Waterview King Jacuzzi room. "The premium rooms are all on the Commencement Bay side of the hotel," explains Justine. "There are Kings and two Queens on the Village side as well. Every room has a small refrigerator and wet bar."

They say location is everything, and in this case, it's really something. But it wouldn't be Silver Cloud without their emphasis on high-level, personal, friendly service. With their stretch to do something really special dining-wise, a day spa, lovely rooms, and incredible event space, they've created a place people will want to return to over and over.

Connie Adams/ August 2021

Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma Point Ruston
Copper & Salt Northwest Kitchen
5125 Grand Loop
Ruston, WA 98407
253-319-8300
888-510-5125

www.silvercloud.com/pointruston/#