LevAmus

We are looking to surprise a friend, who lives in Seattle, with a relaxing weekend away. I am looking at vacation rentals in the Seattle area but am perplexed! I'd love to find us a spot that is relaxing & unique. She's a city girl so I thought it would be fun, and potentially something new to her, to rent a beach house on Whidbey Island or something along those lines. It would be three girls and two dogs. Any suggestions would be fabulous!! Thank you!!

RainyDay09

when? We are having a Pineapple express storm right now. It might be quite rainy for the next few weekends. It sounds quite boring to stay at Whidbey without being able to go on hikes to enjoy the nature.

RainyDay09

have you thought of having a fun weekend in the city? or going to Victoria, BC?

happytrailstoyou

Yes, it sure when help to know when you will spring the surprise.

Depending on the time of year, possibilities include the aforementioned Victoria, Vancouver, Lake Chelan, a Roosevelt cabin on Lake Crescent, Lake Quinault Lodge, Captain Whidbey Inn in Coupeville, the Methow Valley (Winthrop), and Cannon Beach or Manzanita on the Oregon coast.

HTTY

LevAmus

Thank you for your responses. We were planning on doing our long weekend in January, so definitely rainy season! I live in the Willamette Valley and it is currently POURING outside. I imagine where ever we go, we may be house bound but it would give us a good chance to catch up and drink lots of wine. We want to stay close to Seattle so I'll research a couple of your closer suggestions. Thanks, again!!

Toucan2

If you are foodies, how about the Herb Farm? The meal of course is an event itself, and they have the Willow Lodge righ tthere right there as well. Chateau Ste Michelle Winery right up the road. Not cheap, but a very unique outing.

http://www.theherbfarm.com/recognition/

1JAR

http://www.portludlowresort.com/inn/

Ehe views of Puget Sound and Mt Rainer are very nice, lodge feeling inn,restaurant is quiet cozy and the breakfasts are hearty. Fireplaces in the rooms of the Inn..or you might consider one of the condos near the water...It is just enough country (with ferry access and 1st right off of Hood Canal bridge) but with all the best amenities...only downside no spa.

http://www.thewoodmark.com/guest_rooms/index.html

In city (Kirklnad but on LAke Washington), very upscale, cozy and has a spa w/Aveda amenities.

http://www.willowslodge.com/about/

I prefer Willows Lodge in woodinville to the Herbfarm..

happytrailstoyou

If you're looking for a place that won't cost a bundle, consider Ocean Shores. You might be able to find a two-bedroom condo that will accept pets (the Polynesian, perhaps). Ocean Shores has a good supermarket, liquor store, restaurants, bars, a casino, and a movie theater. And, the dogs will love running on the expansive beach. It is a 2 1/2- to 3-hour drive from Seattle.

HTTY

lovesadventure

I'm not sure Willows or the Woodmark will allow a dog.

I've got the perfect place for you. Port Townsend and Chevy Chase Beach Cabins. www.chevychasebeachcabins.com

Port Townsend is a quaint little Victorian town. There's enough there to occupy an afternoon in the shops (curiosities, antiques, souveniers) and a number of restaurant choices. Oh, and it's in what's referred to as the Banana Belt of Washington...they are in the rain shadow of the Olympics so you have a better chance of being dry there than in Seattle proper.

Chevy Chase Beach Cabins are about 5 minutes outside of town and they overlook Discovery Bay. No tvs. 1, 2 or 3 bedroom configurations with kitchens and living rooms with fireplaces (it is January, dry or not). And, they are pet friendly. Very clean. Great management. You'll wake to an amazing view and can take the dogs down to the beach (we only ran into 1 other couple while we were there) to run, run, run.

The kitchens were fantastic. One night we just bought some dungeoness crab from a local fisherman and steamed them for a delicious, simple and fresh meal.

lovesadventure

Forgot to add that since you're in your own cabin, you can kennel or otherwise leave your dogs in the room while you go out for a while. We have two beagles and that wasn't a possibility in a hotel because of noise from adjoining rooms getting our dogs going. Not the case at the cabins. Not only are the detached buildings, but there is quite a bit of room between most of them. And the whole complex is only maybe 8 cabins, so there's no flurry of activity.

Enjoy!

Toucan2

Missed the part about the dogs. Oops!

beanweb24

The Willows Lodge is *very* dog friendly. The welcomed my 75 pound shepherd/greyhound mix with no issue. When we got to the room, my pooch had her own bed (which was way too small so she slept with me), her own dishes, a copy of City Dog Magazine, and her own room service menu! I was allowed to leave her in my room un-kenneled while having dinner at the Herbfarm. It was a great weekend!

LevAmus

Thank you all for your responses!! Sounds like several girls weekends will be in order! The Herbfarm meal has been on my list for a long time; I think that may be a good anniverary trip the hubby and I and good to know we could potentially bring the mutt to The Willows Lodge. I'm particularly intrigued by the Chevy Chase Beach cabins. That looks like a very fun trip! Thanks, again!

Jenski

I can't recommend the Freestone Inn in Mazama, WA highly enough (it's in the Methow Valley). I live in NYC but have taken numerous trips there with a friend who lives in Seattle. it's a good 4 hour drive from Seattle but so worth it. Gorgeous weather-lots of snow and sun-cross country ski trails, great restaurants, nice walks to go on-and then at the lodge you get great meals, a hot tub and rentals to get out and explore the outdoors. You can also do a hut-to-hut cross country ski trip.

suze

I LOVE Mazama and the Methow Valley (don't know the particular places being recommended as I always camp-out there) but it's *incredibly gorgeous* countryside. Absolutely amazing imho.