Across Lake Washington from Seattle, Bellevue is a commuter community that is the state's second largest city (the first is Seattle itself). To its other side is Redmond, home of Microsoft. Between these cities, venues in Bellevue are used to meeting high-tech demands as well as serving as sophisticated backdrops to corporate business.
Bellevue is served by Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), commonly referred to as SeaTac, which is 17 miles southwest of Bellevue's center. It has excellent service from most American gateways.
Convention venues in Bellevue include the bright and modern Meydenbauer Center, which has a 410-seat theater, 54,000 square feet of function space and a new executive conference suite for up to 60 persons.
Hotel venues in Bellevue include the 788-room Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattle's Eastside, which has 53,000 square feet of function space following a recent $185-million expansion. Other excellent choices run to the 353-room Hilton Bellevue, with 26,000 square feet of function space; the 337-room Westin Bellevue, with 25,000 square feet; the 178-room Sheraton Bellevue, with 11 meeting rooms, and the 67-room Bellevue Hotel, which is unique here in having not only a ballroom able to host 400 persons but also a 200,000-square-foot athletics facility complete with huge pool.
Interesting and unique event space includes the Bellevue Arts Museum, which has a lobby for 450 persons, an auditorium for 90 and a veranda for 300. It is joined by the Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art, which has 1,200 dolls on show and space for parties of up to 260 persons, and the KidsQuest Children's Museum, which can host 75. Two other choices are to arrange cruises on Lake Washington with Argosy, which has a fleet of boats of varying size and can host dinners, parties and other events, and to book the gorgeous Bellevue Botanical Garden, which has both indoor and outdoor space for groups.
Dining is good here. Choices able to seat groups include the trendy Purple Cafe & Wine Bar, which can host 150 persons and also has two tables for 12 between its circular, spiral wine walls; Vietnamese restaurant Monsoon East, which has a sibling in Seattle; Andiamo's, with space for up to 70 persons; Maggiano's Little Italy, a second Italian restaurant and a chain one, and well-loved chain steakhouse, Ruth's Chris, for 60 persons.
Some hotels refer to Bellevue as Seattle East, which probably annoys some residents. Bellevue is young, having only been incorporated as its own city in 1953. Formerly, the city was known as a strawberry-growing destination, and annually there is a festival commemorating the fruit.
For Seattle, view all Seattle event venues and check out our info on Seattle meeting planning.
