Get out of town
Picture this. You walk back from Seattle Convention Center’s new Summit building to your suite at The Westin Seattle, where a curved wall of windows in one of two remodeled towers affords sweeping views of Puget Sound, Seattle Center and Olympic Mountains. What lies beyond? I was presented with just this scenario on a recent trip to the Pacific Northwest and decided to explore.
I let my epicurean tastes guide me first to Seattle’s Southside, where a Happy Hour Trail awaited, and then to Sammamish River Valley, where Woodinville boasts four distinct wine regions and more than 130 wineries.
Meet and Explore
The Westin Seattle offered a convenient home base with 1900 Fifth Bar + Lounge in the lobby and more than 68,000 sq. ft. of meeting space within walking distance of Amazon headquarters and Seattle Convention Center.
The three cities that make up Seattle’s Southside—SeaTac, Tukwila and Des Moines—encompass 60 hotels and nearly 8,000 hotel rooms, more than 100 full-service restaurants and are close to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Anything goes here, from drag shows to dance parties and truffle-making tours.
The smoky-sweet barbecued meats served in the private dining room at the renovated Sharps RoastHouse are a fabulous starting point whether the group makes the trip together or uses the Explore Southside Seattle Happy Hour Trails app to find their own adventure through the abundance of international favorites, including Mango Thai Cuisine & Bar, Duke’s Seafood and Lucky Liquor.
Tell your foodies to pace themselves, as they will want to leave room for Maeve chocolates in Tukwila. Formerly known as Seattle Chocolate Factory, the experience of watching ethically sourced truffle-making in person makes the mouth water.
Sip and Stay
Divided into four districts—Downtown, Warehouse, Hollywood and West Valley—Woodinville Wine Country is 30 minutes from Seattle and adjacent to Microsoft’s expanding Redmond headquarters.
Acclaimed Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville is celebrating 50 years by announcing plans for a major renovation on the 105-acre estate that could include a new restaurant, retail and hotel. The property already includes a concert venue and private dining areas. The Manor House and tasting areas will remain, with an emphasis on the wine experience. The pioneer in Washington winemaking is no longer the only place to swirl and sniff.
For those looking for a French chateau experience that includes wide green expanses and the occasional alpaca, Chateau Lill offers their unique take on Sauvignon Blanc and Lill Bebe Rose and charming indoor-outdoor spaces.
Boutique wineries, spirit distillers and nano-brewers proliferate in Artisan Hill, including Rainbrew, a family-owned Korean rice wine maker. This is what exploring looks like in the Pacific Northwest today.
In picturesque Hollywood (named after the local schoolhouse and not the movie-making California destination), four-star Willows Lodge charms as an oasis where spa specialties include lymphatic facial and body treatments to detox and enhance circulation. Opt for gifting the Hurray for Hollywood wine pass for your VIPs so they can explore on their own.
