I just learned a new term, the “ultimate retail resort”. I never thought of shopping in terms of a resort, but the Bellevue Collection certainly changed my mind. This is not your chain hotel at an outlet mall experience but rather an upscale collection of luxury hotels, fine dining, entertainment, and shopping.
I recently had the opportunity to experience their Shop & Stay Getaway which offers the choice of one of three luxury on-site hotels, the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, the Westin Bellevue, or the W Bellevue. Guests also receive a $100 Bellevue Collection Gift Card and a VIP Passport with offers and specials. Each hotel also adds additional perks such as free parking and a late checkout.
Planning a girls’ getaway, you’ll be inspired by The Bellevue Collection where guests can enjoy:
- Over 200 Global, Local and Innovative Retail Brands
- 50 Destination Dining and Nightlife Venues
- 30 Quick Service Food and Café Spots
- 1,315 Luxury & Modern Guest Rooms at 3 Hotels
I was hosted by The Bellevue Collection and stayed at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue. The Bellevue Collection is owned by the Kemper Development Company which is also the developer. Based in Bellevue, the company has ties to the local community and it shows with the mix of local businesses on the property.
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Things to do at The Bellevue Collection
I could spend a week here and not experience all there is to do. The nice thing about The Bellevue Collection is that everything is within walking distance. Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square, and Bellevue Place are all connected by three Sky Bridges that made it easy for me to navigate from my hotel room. I enjoyed a cool city vibe without the hassle of traffic and parking.
Spa and Wellness
There is nothing like a spa day with your best gal pals. There are a variety of day spas in the collection. I found they are very popular so you will want to book an appointment in advance to avoid being disappointed. The Truce Spa which is located in the Westin Bellevue can arrange a spa party for your group with different options available. You can even order food and beverages.
Shopping
There are 200 stores to shop at that range from local to global brands. I found darling boutiques and large department stores. There really is something for everyone. Don’t miss the Made in Washington store. I love all the options for made in Washington items such as Chukar Cherries, a chocolate covered cherry treat, smoked salmon, local travel books, and hand blown glass. They carry all my favorite local products.
Local Fun
One of the reasons Bellevue is such a popular place to visit is that it has a surprisingly small town feel for such a large city. From the Bellevue Collection it is easy to access gorgeous parks and green space as well as museums. Don’t miss the Bellevue Botanical Garden which is a 53 acre urban oasis.
Special Events
The Bellevue Collection offers a variety of events throughout the year from the BAM Arts Fair, the largest arts and crafts festival in the Northwest to the beloved Snowflake Lane parade during the holiday season. Guests can enjoy live music throughout the year at the Bellevue Square Fountain Court.
Where to stay at the Bellevue Collection
I stayed at the lovely Hyatt Regency Bellevue. What a great location. I used the valet to park my car and I didn’t see it again until I left. Unlike some other cities, I felt totally safe walking around alone in Bellevue. The Bellevue Collection is so connected with the three sky bridges that I didn’t even need to go outside unless I wanted to. The gorgeous lobby is huge and a hub of activity while having comfortable seating areas by the fireplace or a trickling fountain. The rotunda makes for a dramatic space with lots of natural light.
The hotel is filled with amenities to include a gift shop, nine dining options, StayFit fitness center and indoor pool with a lap lane. The onsite concierge has a wealth of knowledge on local dining and can assist with booking day trips. The Hyatt Regency Bellevue has 731 rooms with 38 suites. Ask about a view room. Options include views of Lake Washington, the Seattle skyline, and mountain views of either the Cascade or Olympic mountain ranges.
I stayed in a 1 King Bed Deluxe which at 504 square feet with the bed in another room it was more like a suite. The sitting area has a queen sleeper sofa making this a good option for a girls’ trip. It felt like a wellness room to me as the décor was in soothing neutral shades with Asian inspired accent pieces.
Where to eat at the Bellevue Collection
With 50 destination dining spots and 30 quick service food and cafes, there is no lack of options. The challenge is how to choose from the upscale steak houses, chain restaurants like The Cheesecake Factory and Fuego De Chao, and the local spots. There is such a wide diversity of cultures featured in the dining scene. Here are the places I dined at during my visit.
Castilla Restaurant and Tapas Bar
Wow! I have always wanted to visit Spain and experience the tapas dining experience. The Castilla Restaurant and Tapas Bar was a nice taste of what to expect. I lucked out as I went early for dinner and was able to sit at the bar. I highly recommend a reservation because by the time I left it was packed. If you have friends who love to share this is a fun place to dine. I ordered a variety of items to taste and asked for to-go boxes. The menu had such a variety it was hard to choose. Try the woodfired flatbreads, Coca Rustica. The steak one with parmesan, arugula, and pickled grapes was an interesting mix of flavors that just worked. I also ordered from the happy hour menu and tried the artichoke fritters. These were just simply breaded and fried artichokes with an aioli that were so good I ate everyone. I also tried the Vegetables Patatas Bravas which was a potato dish with a flavorful sauce. The bartender Oscar was so helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. He recommended a glass of the Lar de Maria Tempranillo, Castilla y Leon, Spain which was a perfect pairing with my order.
Lady Yum
I dropped into Lady Yum to enjoy their daily special, a glass of bubbly and a macaron for $5. This place is Instagram heaven with ultra kitschy feminine décor. Who knew peacocks and disco balls would look so good together? There are 21 flavors of macarons to choose from, but I immediately gravitated to the Mermaid due to its teal shell topped with mermaid sprinkles and filled with coconut caramel buttercream and rich coconut flakes. Such a delightful stop.
Lady M
I am a dessert gal, so I admit I ate two desserts during my visit to the Bellevue Collection. I didn’t feel guilty either. I went to Lady M to try their famous Mille Crepes. This unique cake consists of 20 layers of lacy French crepes with alternating layers of a soft cream. It so lived up to the hype especially when enjoying a cappuccino with a slice of Chocolate Mille Crepe at their stark, white boutique. It was the epitome of elegance with white tables, glittering chandeliers and fresh white roses on each table.
Eques
Located in the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, Eques for breakfast was a wonderful way to end my trip. The restaurant has a horse themed décor which was rather unique. I opted for the breakfast buffet which offered many items from the menu and an extensive array of options made with Pacific Northwest sourced ingredients. It was the first time I had seen a breakfast buffet “salad” bar which was stocked with smoked salmon, salami, cheese, salad sides, mixed green salad and so much more. Fresh pastries, yogurt, fresh fruit, and a hot bar were just some of the many choices. What I liked was that instead of standing in line for eggs and omelets, the waitress took my order and brought it to the table when ready. What a nice touch.
Bellevue is easy to access from the Seattle Tacoma International Airport and is a good central location for a variety of day trips such as the Woodinville wineries.
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