Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Bellevue is rooted in the resilient spirit of the Pacific Northwest and as such, it is in our nature to enjoy the beauty and restorative power of the outdoors, the anticipation and excitement of world-changing ideas, and the sensory exploration of fashion, art, and culturally inspired cuisine. The city’s name is derived from the French term Bellevue meaning (“beautiful view”). With a population of just over 150,000, Bellevue is home to some of the world’s most successful companies. Downtown Bellevue is the second-largest city center in Washington State. Bellevue is known for its high quality of life recently being rated by CNN list of the best places to live and launch a business and by USA Today as the second-best place to live in the entire US.

Seattle is located just 8 miles west of Bellevue, the two are separated by Lake Washington and connected by two bridges (I-90 & HWY 520). Typical travel times can fluctuate between 10 - 30 minutes. Seattle attractions and points of interest are easy to access from Bellevue and are worthy of a visit.

Getting to Seattle from Bellevue is easy by car over either the I-90 or State Route 520 bridge or by bus from the Downtown Bellevue Transit Center or one of several parks and ride lots. In the coming months, in the coming months, Sound Transit will open the new light-rail connection to Bellevue which will directly connect to Seattle including attractions, stadiums, and points of interest in just minutes. 

Bellevue is just 17-miles north of SEA airport on Interstate 405. Seattle is the same distance from Sea-Tac International Airport on Interstate 5. Transportation to and from Sea-Tac to Bellevue is available through Shuttle Express Shared-Ride Vans, Limos, and Charters, via taxi or limousine or by Public Transportation. In the coming months, Sound Transit will open the new light-rail service providing a light-rail connection to Bellevue from SEA airport.

Bellevue offers a wonderful mix of over 30 well-appointed hotels and 5500+ guestrooms. Whether you are looking for location, luxury, a romantic getaway, a family-friendly adventure, or a last-minute deal, you'll find a great place to relax and unwind. 

For your added convenience and the latest available rates, we have made it easy for you to BOOK DIRECT at all of our hotels.

Bellevue is home to a diverse selection of fun and exciting year-round things to do, activities, and events. Looking for events and things to do in Bellevue? There are plenty of must-see Bellevue events and festivals that reflect our city's exciting atmosphere and diverse population. Interested in fashion? Jazz or bluegrass music? How about a family-friendly event? From concerts to puppy parades let us be your guide to all the happenings going on in and around Bellevue during your stay.

Bellevue offers many exciting attractions, entertainment, and nightlife options including Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue Botanical Gardens, Bellevue Zipline Tours, Bellevue Collection (shopping, dining, and entertainment), Old Main Street, Shops at The Bravern, Newcastle Golf, KidsQuest Children's Museum, Crossroads (shopping, dining and attractions), Meydenbauer Bay Park, Bellevue Downtown Park, Forum Social House, Bakes Place, Meydenbauer Center Theatre and much more.

Like most of the Puget Sound lowlands, Bellevue offers visitors a mild oceanic climate where temperature extremes are moderated by our proximity to Lake Washington and Puget Sound. Summers are dry and warm with average daytime highs around 73-80 degrees and low humidity. Days below freezing average just 15 per year and it seldom, if ever, snows. Annual rainfall averages 37 inches; less than New York City, Atlanta, or Houston.

Bellevue is ranked as one of the most walkable cities in North America. Visitors will be welcomed to the Grand Connection at 1.5-mile walking and pedestrian thru-way extending from Lake Washington to Main Street, Downtown Park, and Downtown Area connecting to many hotels, transit center, and Meydenbauer Convention Center. Other connected and highly walkable areas include Crossroads, Wilberton, Eastgate, Factoria, Spring District, and BelRed neighborhoods.  

Bellevue provides the closest easy access to the Cascade Mountain recreation area(s) including Snoqualmie Pass and Stevens Pass which have endless hiking, scenic drives, and year-round sports like skiing and snowshoeing. Bellevue also provides easy access to three iconic National Parks including Mt. Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, and North Cascade National Park as well as the San Juan Islands.

Bellevue is the economic hub of the Seattle region's Eastside and home to the headquarters of various sizes, including the U.S. operations for many international firms like PACCAR Inc, T-Mobile US, Eddie Bauer, SAP Concur, and Symetra. Bellevue hosts a number of satellite offices for large technology companies such as eBay, Oracle, Salesforce, Google, and Microsoft. Celebrated video game companies Valve, Bungie, Sucker Punch Productions, and The Pokémon Company are also based here.

Amazon and Facebook recently announced plans to open large headquarters in Bellevue with plans to add over 25,000 employees including Amazon’s worldwide operations headquarters. Google also opened a major engineering facility in downtown Bellevue.

Some locals will refer to Bellevue and the surrounding areas/cities as the 'Eastside', meaning 'East' of Lake Washington.