Seattle Business Conference Center, Boutique Hotel or Simple Escape, There Are Reasons Cedarbrook Lodge is Ranked #1 in the World

Boutique Hotel and Business Conference Center is Hidden Gem,
Oh So Close to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

By Joe Kennedy

I recently had the pleasure of enjoying an overnight stay at the multiple award-winning Cedarbrook Lodge.  This hotel and conference center is hidden away at the end of a non-descript residential street in the community of SeaTac, just barely separated from the very busy SeaTac Strip by 18 acres of very peaceful wetlands – but worlds away from the hustle and bustle of that major thorough fair that runs in front of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Who would have thought of escaping TO SeaTac to get away from it all?  It never would have occurred to me without experiencing it for myself – but it was indeed a great place to escape to – especially because we were also able to enjoy a fine gourmet meal in the sustainable tradition of farm to table in the center’s wildly popular Copperleaf Restaurant.

The service throughout the 110-room hotel was fantastic – very friendly, yet non-obtrusive and always ready to serve.  The accommodations were nice, cozy and not over the top.  Our room came equipped with a queen sized bed, good sized flat panel television, coffee maker with Starbucks coffees, an iron and ironing board, a hair dryer, in room safe, and a couple of very comfortable looking robes that went unused.

One feature that seemed very unique about Cedarbrook Lodge and popular with their guests is that two of the buildings have community ‘living rooms’ with fireplaces, large flat screen tvs, comfortable furniture and free snacks and refreshments.  These rooms are an excellent place for those staying in separate rooms to get together and spend some time together without someone having to sit on someone else’s bed.

Other features that were obviously popular with the guests included the bar and pool table just outside Copperleaf Restaurant, the very nice exercise room, free wireless internet (two separate connections), complimentary shuttle to and from the airport and light rail stations and the complimentary Northwest continental breakfast each morning.  Several guests were there with their pets and seemed very happy for the hotel’s pet friendly options.

Without a doubt, besides the Lodge’s hidden location so close to the airport, one of the best features about Cedarbrook for businesses is that it is also an amazing meeting, events and convention space – and a fantastic option for companies wanting to host events and meetings conveniently so close to the airport.

Cedarbrook Conference Center was originally built as a conference center and was owned by Washington Mutual Bank until their run was over and they were acquired by JP Morgan Chase.  Chase sold the property to Wright Hotels, also the owner of several other west coast and Seattle properties, including world famous Space Needle, in October of 2009.  The property was renamed Cedarbrook Lodge and is managed by Coastal Hotel Group, which also operates The Resort at The Mountain and Hotel Fifty in Oregon, as well as the Lodge on the Desert in Tucson, Arizona.

The conference center facilities are amazing – with several options from The Board Room, which can seat 32 banquet style all the way up to Tamarack Hall, which can hold up to 300 people for a cocktail type reception or 225 for theatre seating.  Over 18,000 square feet of flexible interior function space. There is also a business center complete with 5 desktop computers, printers and internet access.  The views in each room are great, the technology is top notch and it seems like a great place to hold most any type of business event.  It seems that one of Cedarbrook’s larger clients these days is Seattle-based Alaska Airlines.  It probably makes a lot of sense for them to have a lot of their meetings so close to the airport.

But it’s not just businesses that hold events at Cedarbrook Lodge.  Tamarack Hall is also the site of many a wedding and also hosts other social events as well.

Awards:  In the relatively short time that Cedarbrook Lodge has been open to the general public, it has garnered many prestigious awards including being ranked #1 in the WORLD by Expedia Insiders’ Select 2011, and ranked #1 in the entire US in the 2011 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards.

Cedarbrook Lodge is located at 18525 36^th Ave S, Seattle, WA  98188.  They can be found online at www.CedarbrookLodge.com and you can ‘Like’ their Facebook page.