The Pacific Northwest may be best known as an outdoorsman’s paradise with some of the best breweries in the country and all manner of other casual pursuits, but it’s also a region where planners will find luxury outings to include during the meeting.
Whether it’s a floatplane excursion in Seattle, visiting a whiskey library in Portland, fine dining in Boise or checking into amazing spas and upscale wineries throughout all three states, there are plenty of ways to treat attendees to a special experience.
Washington
Washington state is the nation’s second-largest producer of premium wines, so groups convening in Seattle are encouraged to head to the town of Woodinville, just northeast of the city in a pastoral valley, where they’ll find exclusive wineries that accommodate private events.
“The state’s largest winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle, hosts an A-list summer-long concert series, hot-air ballooning and fabulous food and wine events, perfect for groups,” said Katy Willis, director of convention services for Visit Seattle.
Another top-shelf experience awaiting groups in Seattle is a scenic flightseeing floatplane excursion with a local outfitter like Kenmore Air.
“Floatplanes make experiencing our unique landscape unforgettable,” said Willis, who added destinations such as the San Juan Islands, just 45 minutes north, are popular with groups.
In nearby Bellevue, groups can partake in unique coffee tasting at John Howie Steak, which accommodates private dining and meetings.
“John Howie is proud to serve Kopi Luwak, one of the rarest and most unique coffees in the world,” said Sharon Linton, marketing and communications manager at Visit Bellevue Washington. “The coffee is freshly prepared for each guest and presented Turkish-style in a gilded cup and saucer.”
John Howie Steak is located in downtown Bellevue at the Shops at the Bravern, which according to Linton is one of the most luxurious shopping destinations in the Northwest, and where groups will find international retailers such as Prada and Jimmy Choo.
“The Bravern will offer a personalized and private shopping experience for groups, including fashion shows catering to a group’s tastes or needs—luxe businesswear, resort wear, etc.—or private trunk shows followed by personalized fashion consultations,” Linton said.
In Seattle Southside is Cedarbrook Lodge, which according to Meagan McGuire, vice president, sales and services for the Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority, is the perfect setting for groups to fuse business and teambonding with an overall luxury experience.
Rejuvenation at the spa, including massage and skincare treatments, and a private dinner at Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar, are among the special experiences available for groups here.
Tacoma’s glass art heritage may inspire planners to book a hands-on class at the Tacoma Glassblowing Studio, which provides attendees the unique experience of creating their own glass art.
“Though furnaces and molten glass may not seem luxurious per se, the art that is created will be beautiful and the experience unlike anything else,” said Nick Mann, group marketing manager at Travel Tacoma and Pierce County.
PageBreak
Snohomish County is home to T Spa at Tulalip Resort Casino, a sanctuary where meeting attendees can indulge in stress-relieving deep tissue massages and more.
“Guests start their spa experiences by relaxing in front of a fire with a beverage,” said Brad Zorich, group sales manager at the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau. “A relaxing T Spa experience is completed in the spa’s steam rooms, cedar saunas and exquisite grotto showers.”
A wine-pairing dinner at Bothell, Wash.-based Russell’s Loft is another luxury experience for groups meeting in Snohomish County.
“The facility alone, a beautifully restored 1927 dairy barn, sets the stage for an incredible experience,” Zorich said. “This gorgeous facility includes magnificent cathedral ceilings…it’s simply breathtaking.”
Ladies in the group will be tickled with a visit to GLAMbeauty bar, a group-friendly makeup lounge and beauty salon in downtown Vancouver, Wash., that offers a variety of services, including makeup applications/tutorials and classes, hair styling, lash extensions and facials.
“The space sparkles with posh interiors, pink and gold accents, private rooms and large, open-concept seating,” said Jacob Schmidt, director of marketing and communications for Visit Vancouver USA. “Guests are treated to complimentary bubbles while they wait and are introduced to a variety of unique beauty products.”
Opportunities to luxuriate abound in the fun neighborhood called Kendall Yards, home to unique shops, restaurants and art on the north bank of the Spokane River.
“Groups can enjoy a day at Spa Paradiso and then enjoy a wine tasting at Nectar Wine & Beer,” said Amy Cabe, director of convention services at Visit Spokane. “Afterwards, they can walk across the street and enjoy a blind tasting at Wandering Table. There, they can choose the price, then the James Beard Award-winning chef and his team will guide them through an eight-course meal featuring the best of the season.”
Oregon
The newest way for groups to indulge and refresh between meetings in Portland is to visit Knot Springs, a wellness space that opened in September 2016 just a few blocks from the Oregon Convention Center.
“Journeying through their series of mineral pools is peaceful and relaxing, and offers great health benefits,” said Desiree Everett, director of convention sales for Travel Portland. “Small touches like Pendleton towels and handcrafted furniture give the spa a lush and woodsy Pacific Northwest feel.”
At Multnomah Whiskey Library, which is one of the most stylish event venues in Portland, according to Everett, “brick and leather touches throughout the space evoke a sense of a grand Pacific Northwest lodge.”
Here, groups will find more than 1,000 bottles of whiskey from around the world, as well as other spirits, and private events from tastings and cocktail classes to meetings and dinners are accommodated.
“The Multnomah Whiskey Library provides an elegant and customizable experience for small groups and large,” Everett said.
A high-end wine tasting and tour at Sherwood, Ore.-based Ponzi Vineyards is a popular option for groups meeting in Washington County.
“Enjoy a progressive wine tour, then enjoy a paired tasting in the private room or on the covered, heated patio, which overlooks the vineyard and the valley below,” said Sylke Neal-Finnegan, vice president of marketing and communications for the Washington County Visitors Association.
When Linda Norris, convention services manager for Eugene, Cascades & Coast, considers luxury experiences, dining at Junction City-based Pfeiffer Winery comes to mind.
“Robin and Danuta Pfeiffer welcome groups into their private villa home on the vineyard estate for a memorable evening of exquisite wines and incredible food,” she said.
PageBreak
In Eugene, Hult Center for the Performing Arts is the perfect backdrop for group receptions complete with live music and catered food.
“With its high ceilings, massive wood beams and floor-to-ceiling windows, the Hult Center is both warm and inviting, elegant and unique,” Norris said.
At Turner, Ore.-based Willamette Valley Vineyards, near Salem, groups can arrange a tour with a dedicated winery ambassador, followed by a private, multicourse wine-and-food pairing meal.
“It’s a true luxury experience showcasing the best of Oregon Wine Country,” said Kara Kuh, public relations manager at Travel Salem.
Also nearby Salem is the Silverton, Ore.-based Moonstone Spa at Oregon Garden Resort, where treatments including massages and facials could be arranged in conjunction with a private meal at the on-site restaurant and a private tour of Oregon Garden, an 80-acre botanical garden located adjacent to the resort.
Known for outdoor adventures, Central Oregon is also home to a diverse and delicious dining scene, according to Ted Taylor, communications and content development director for the Central Oregon Visitors Association.
The award-winning, Bend, Ore.-based 5 Fusion & Sushi Bar treats small VIP groups to a chef’s table experience with a three-time James Beard Award semi-finalist.
“Chef Joe Kim is widely recognized as one of the top chefs in the Pacific Northwest and loves creating, presenting and discussing his dishes with groups,” Taylor said. “Even locals who regularly visit the restaurant consider a night at 5 Fusion to be something of a religious experience.”
For an outdoor setting, the Redmond, Ore.-based Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center offers groups a natural backdrop on its 3.65 acres, including manicured lawns, ponds, a waterfall and windmill.
Idaho
In Boise, groups can find a luxury dining experience at State & Lemp, an intimate restaurant with a five-star, five-course prixe fixe menu created with local ingredients, according to Carrie Westergard, executive director of the Boise CVB.
“The restaurant has a customized experience for each guest who arrives, be it a glass of champagne as they walk through the door, unique sets of silverware or individualized name cards and seating,” she said.
Also in Boise is the new Telaya Wine Co., a handsome space located on the Boise River.
“Groups receive private tours of the wine-making facility,” said Westergard, who added that spaces for private events include the tasting room. “Local caterers are available to bring in food for events to match the varietals.”
In Coeur d’Alene is the Coeur d’Alene Resort, which boasts a picturesque lakeside setting and a spa offering group experiences that ensure every attendee can count on some pampering.
Treatments include massage, water therapies and facials, and there are also pool and lounge areas that encourage further relaxation.
Groups meeting at Sun Valley Resort can also count on massage, as well as acupuncture and other spa services.
And a truly unique experience, special to Sun Valley, according to Kelli Lusk, the resort’s public relations and corporate communications manager, is a horse-drawn wagon or sleigh ride out to Trail Creek Cabin for either dinner in the cabin during winter or a barbecue during summer.
