After Ho-Hum 2000, Western Washington Hotel Market Recovers

SEATTLE, WA-After a forgettable 2000, the Western Washington hospitality market is in recovery mode, says Andy Olson, president of the Chambers Group, a locally based industry consultancy. “2000 was an off year because of citywide conventions that were cancelled in the early part of the year,” Olson tells GlobeSt.com. “That coupled with the (Washington State) Convention Center being under construction–it was a tough year.”

This year and next, well, that’s another issue. “2000 will be better, and 2002 even better still–primarily because of the strength of the group market,” says Olson. “The only major hotel scheduled to open this year is the Elliott, and I expect to see a good, stable market that’s growing.”

The Elliott, a 30-story 900,000-sf luxury hotel with 538 guestrooms and suites, is scheduled to open on or about the first of May. Amenities include 25,000 sf of meeting space and ballrooms along with a 150-seat theater-style facility, 25,000 sf of retail, and a 950-stall garage. The hotel’s restaurant is split on three levels and has an 8,000-bottle wine list.