Published September 2005

Skagit, Semiahmoo offer meeting space

By John Wolcott
SCBJ Editor

There’s a new name for one of the Pacific Northwest’s best known recreation destinations: Semiahmoo Resort. Golf. Spa.

That almost says it all. “Casino” could round out the picture, since Semiahmoo is only a short drive from the Skagit Valley Casino Resort.

Together, the two venues create a variety of unusual opportunities for vacationers, tourists and business clientele.

Both Semiahmoo and Skagit are major attractions for business retreats, conferences and meetings, so much so that Semiahmoo recently added 15,000 square feet of conference and meeting space through new construction and upgrading of existing facilities, bringing its total meeting and conference space to 35,000 square feet.

Nearby, Skagit Valley Casino Resort has 14,000 square feet of conference space, with plans for future development and expansion of those facilities to supplement the casino’s expansive hotel and resort.

Group packages can be arranged for staying at either resort and enjoying the meeting spaces and amenities of each one, due to an affiliation established between the two resorts some years ago, although most groups tend to remain at one property or the other, according to spokespersons for the resorts.

While the Skagit resort offers a wooded setting north of Burlington, Semiahmoo is a seaside resort at Blaine, just south of the U.S.-Canadian border, offering two highly-rated public golf courses, a European-style spa and several restaurants, said Patty Guglielmino, executive director of sales for the 193-room hotel.

Semiahmoo’s Clubhouse Pavilion, added last year, provides 3,600 square feet of space for a variety of events from May through October. It overlooks the 10th fairway of the resort’s Arnold Palmer-designed course adjacent to the clubhouse.

Also available for meetings and events is the Tudor-style Loomis Trail Mansion, a short distance from the resort, featuring several reception and dining rooms, along with 15 guest rooms. Both of those locations can accommodate up to 250 guest for various events.

Other space includes the 6,500-square-foot Semiahmoo Grand Ballroom, the Pierside — which accommodates up to 120 people — and other quality meeting rooms within the complex of the Four Diamond AAA resort. On-site banquet and catering services are also available.

Guglielmino said Semiahmoo is unique in Washington state, providing not only golf courses, a spa and restaurants, but also an independently owned 300-slip saltwater marina, fitness facilities with an indoor running track and an 1,100-acre wildlife preserve.

Located adjacent to Interstate 5, the Skagit complex features a resort hotel, conference center, Las Vegas-style gaming, entertainment, fine dining, comedy, live music and dancing. In addition to a 103-room hotel, The Skagit has an enclosed, heated, indoor swimming pool, a dry sauna, fitness room, showers and a hot tub.

The intimate, 450-seat Pacific Showroom spotlights year-round headline entertainment in a theater-style setting. Past performers have included the Oak Ridge Boys, Glen Campbell, Patti Loveless, America, Ronnie Milsap and Tony Orlando.

Semiahmoo Resort is owned and operated by Skagit Valley Casino Resort.

For more information about either resort, visit www.semiahmoo.com or www.theskagit.com.

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