Seattle 1-1-2003

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Seattle
Elliot Grand Hyatt Seattle

Earth-friendly, tech-savvy and perennially hip, Seattle offers plenty for groups.

Recently, a $185 million expansion of the Washington State Convention and Trade Center doubled the venue to 205,700 square feet of exhibit space. Its pedestrian overpass overlooks the historic Pike Place market.

Hotels rub shoulders in a compact downtown. Among the majors: the year-old, 425-room Elliot Grand Hyatt Seattle and the 426-room W Hotel.

With an influx of Pacific Rim chefs, Seattle’s local cuisine has been vaulted to world-class status. The Wild Ginger eatery has won raves for its Satay Bar. A private room there hosts 64.

And contrary to popular belief, annual rainfall here averages 37 inches less than Boston, Miami and New York City.

• B.M.