Despite being the only state named after a president, George is not what immediately comes to mind when Washington is mentioned. Instead, lush forests, rocky mountains, bubbling volcanoes and ocean waves frame the picture. With such environmental riches, it’s no wonder the state works hard to protect and promote it to the large number of eco-tourists who fill our Washington hotel accommodations in summer.
Olympic National Park alone contains over 900,000 acres of stunning, rugged coastlines, alpine peaks and temperate rainforests, more than enough to earn its status as both a national park and World Heritage Site. Even Seattle, the state’s largest city, is in the green game, committing to becoming North America’s first climate neutral city, making hotels truly “clean.” If you're near Seattle, make sure to check out Pike Place Market, featuring nine acres of farm-fresh foods, entertainment and shops.
But energetic preservation does not preclude a vibrant, active business environment, especially with 60 percent of the total population in and around Seattle area. Starbucks, Boeing, Microsoft and Amazon have no doubt elevated its global portfolio, but it’s the music that defines the cool in Washington. As hotel guests will vouch, Seattle rocks and remains one of the premier places in the country to shake your moneymaker and bang your head. Just ask Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Neko Case.
