Charles Koh
KIRKLAND, WA — Honey has long been known for its natural ability to sweeten up any dessert, provide a tasty drizzle on top of cheese and as a soothing remedy for a sore throat. Now, as part of the Woodmark Hotel, Yacht Club & Spa’s latest program, “Bee on the Lake,” Seattle-area residents will have the chance to taste a buzz-worthy batch of golden honey produced by 180,000 Italian honeybees and six queen bees housed just steps from the property.
Once settled in, it is expected that the six hives of bees, which are located on top of a Carillon Point rooftop near the Woodmark, will begin producing honey around mid-July. At the end of production in September, the Woodmark will have approximately 1,200 pounds of honey to work with, and with that impressive number in mind, has already begun planning how to best use the locally-produced product.
“We began preparing for the arrival of our honeybees several months ago, and have dreamt up all the different ways we want to use the honey,” said John Murphy, general manager of the Woodmark Hotel, Yacht Club & Spa. “Now that they have finally arrived, we have plans to use the harvested product at our restaurant, bin on the lake, in honey and ginger glazed chicken, honey crème brulee and panna cotta, in beer and the French 75, a specialty cocktail. It may even make appearances in treatments at our spa, Northwest Face, or as an in-room amenity for our hotel guests.”
To keep each of the 20 by 10 inch bee hives in tiptop shape, bin on the lake’s Chef de Cuisine Dylan Giordan is taking on the role of beekeeper under the guidance of Daniel Sullivan of Shipwreck Honey, who oversees more than 40 hives in the Seattle-area. Every couple of weeks, Giordan and Sullivan will slip on beekeeper suits to harvest the honey. This involves puffing smoke into the hives to encourage the bees to exit, and then scraping the honeycomb to release the delicious golden honey. The process is not an easy one, involving cleaning and filtering the honey many times over before it is ready for consumption, but the end product is worth it.
To learn more about the Woodmark’s honey program, “Bee on the Lake,” and view installation photos, visit the hotel’s blog on its website.
About Woodmark Hotel, Yacht Club & Spa:
The Woodmark Hotel, Yacht Club & Spa is the only hotel on the picturesque shores of Lake Washington. Personal and comfortable, the Woodmark features 100 rooms, including 21 suites, most with views of the lake, and all with luxury amenities. The Woodmark is the ideal in-town retreat only minutes from downtown Bellevue and other Eastside destinations. It offers a full-service spa, two exceptional restaurants, distinctive event spaces and an intimate, residential, waterside ambiance. Most importantly, Woodmark people are warm and genuine, anticipating guests’ every need. Popular for corporate events, weddings and important family occasions, the Woodmark is ultimately a place where everyone feels at home, and home is a relaxing and rejuvenating place set apart by the water. www.thewoodmark.com
About Destination, Hotels & Resorts
Destination Hotels & Resorts is a privately held hospitality management company headquartered in Colorado. With more than 35 independent, luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and golf clubs, Destination is the third largest hospitality management company in the country. The company’s portfolio features more than 8,970 guest rooms, 15 golf courses and 16 full-service spas. Destination Hotels & Resorts properties are located in key metropolitan and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Seattle, Denver, San Diego, Santa Fe, Aspen, Austin, Phoenix, Portland, Palm Springs, Palos Verdes, Maui and Lake Tahoe. The company is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises.
For a complete list of properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com.
