Tag Archives: san juan islands

where to stay in San Juan islands…

My stepdaughter has reserved a suite/room at the Anchorage Inn on Orcas Island which looks nice (great view from the hot tub.)

Here’s what the NYTimes recommended in 2005 when it did a 36 Hours story on  the San Juans:

The Inn on Orcas Island (114 Channel Road, Deer Harbor; 888-886-1661) offers eight artfully decorated rooms, cottages and suites starting at $185 a night, all facing a bay. Breakfast is included.

The Tucker House Inn (260 B Street, Friday Harbor; 800-965-0123) is in two century-old buildings. Its 11 rooms, cottages and suites are $150 to $275, including breakfast.

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Washington state travels – a little more

Okay, I’ve dug out my journal from 1990 (#20…and fun fact, I just finished #53 last night)  to unearth a few more suggestions for E’s trip to San Juan Islands, Seattle et. al.  Most of the places still appear to be around (and several now have elaborate websites, of course.) Now I REALLY want to go return!

Here they are:

– In Seattle, (on night one of honeymoon) we stayed at the Salisbury B&B in quiet neighborhood at Aloha and 16th Streets.  (Capital Hill)

visited Pike Street Public Market, at Ivar’s Clams (oysters best), walked around Pioneer Square, browsed at Elliot Books; ate at posh Canlis restaurant (courtesy of Uncle Tom, who touted its fresh salmon)

– Anacortes – stayed at another charming B&B, The Channel House (in the “honeymoon suite” no less, only room available) before  taking ferry to San Juan Islands.

– Orcas Island: Stayed at Orcas Hotel,cheerful old hotel, greets you right when get off the ferry; Stopped at craft cooperative/good lunch at Cafe Olgahttp://www.orcasartworks.com/ (in Olga, Wa) cool place and has cabins for lodging! Might be called The Doe Bay Resort http://www.doebay.com/ (hippie dippie is how I described it, with clothing-optional mineral baths, yurts., got new owners in 2002); really lied the old fashioned Rosario Resort (including a free lecture, slide show, musical presentation about the island’s history.) Main part of resort is an old mansion. Dinner we ate at The Bungalow (jumbo shrimp scampi on squid pasta and our waitress turned out to be a hitchhiker we’d picked up earlier in the day. small world, Orcas.) Hiked 2-3 miles around Cascade Lake in Moran State Park in the drizzle; got lost, flagged down a passing car and got a lift; drove to top of Mt. Constitution (great view). Ate dinner at La Famiglia Ristorante, homey Italian.

San Juan Island/Friday harbor: rented mopeds to tour island; romantic Olympic Light b&b (reminded me a bit of the Hamptons w/mountains and w/out flashy mansions/people;  later found out that’s where one of owners is from); Dinner at The Duck Soup Inn – food ok but atmosphere lovely; explored American Camp National Park – spectacular; went to a neat old resort Roche Harbour and organic farm nearby.

I have some other stuff on Port Townsend, other parts if you need E! x0x,b

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where to stay on Orcas and San Juan Islands

We stayed at the Orcas Hotel, which was sweet. (the info is from the san juan islands website)

Orcas Hotel

Orcas Hotel
  • 18 Orcas Hill Road
  • Orcas, WA  98280
  • Phone: (360) 376-4300
  • Tollfree: 888-672-2792
  • orcas@orcashotel.com

The Orcas Hotel in the San Juan Islands has been welcoming guests since 1904. The island landmark occupies a place of honor on the National Register of Historic Places. Surrounded by a classic English garden filled with an abundance of fragrant flowers, superb herbs and arbors of…more

And we visited Rosario Resort & Spa/Moran Mansion – which is definitely worth a visit.!

Rosario Resort & Spa/Moran Mansion
  • 1400 Rosario Road
  • Eastsound, WA  98245
  • Phone: (360) 376-2222
  • Tollfree: (800) 562-8820
  • info@rosarioresort.com
The historic Moran Mansion is the centerpiece for this 30-acre resort and marina located on the shores of Cascade Bay. 23 guestrooms and suites, some with gas fireplaces, offer comfortable accommodations and spectacular views of the water and forested mountains of Orcas…more

On San Juan Island we stayed here. (magical setting). wow this makes me want to return!

Olympic Lights Bed & Breakfast

Olympic Lights Bed & Breakfast
Sunny and restored 1895 Victorian farm house with panoramic views of the sea and Olympic Mountain range. Four bedrooms with private baths, full breakfast included….more
And here’s suggestions from my friend Denise who has been there recently: ’d recommend making an effort to get on a smaller boat and visit/picnic/wander some of the smaller islands, if at all possible.  SO beautiful, and such a different experience than even the most quaint of the villages.  Also, there are sea kayaking excursions around some of the islands that are really great – that was one of our favorite days!  So fun to see seals lounging & all the birds from sea level.  

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