We will be in the Seattle area for my parent's 50th wedding anniversary in early July and would like to do a 2 or 3 night "getaway" after the party. We would be looking to find a place to chill out and maybe do a bit of hiking/touring/beachcombing. A room with a hot tub and view would be nice. Any ideas?

One particular thought I had was to explore the Olympic Peninsula. It's been years since I've been there. What would be a good base for exploring that area if that is what we choose? I know it is a VAST place.

I've read great things about the Inn at Langley. I'm not that familiar with Whidbey Island. Would one go solely for the Inn or is there stuff to do on Whidbey Island?

Thanks for any and all ideas.
-Bill

The Olympic National Park would be perfect. Book a room at Crescent Lake Lodge, which is quiet, well situatated and has a very good restaurant.

I like the Washington Coast down at Long Beach, Grayland, etc. about 3 hrs. from Seattle. Great beachcombing, sand dunes, funky restaurants.

Whidbey Island is fun too and much closer (I've always stayed at Captain Whidbey which I think is down-home-ier than the Inn at Langley).

Snoqualmie Falls and the Salish Lodge might appeal to you (inland 1 hr. from the city but very nice hotel with spa).

I'm not a big fan on the peninsula, but it's more a personal thing. Living in Seattle is damp enough without hiking in a mossy ole rain forest!

We just moved away from the Seattle area this year, and already miss all the great things to do in the area! The Olympics are great and you got a good suggestion for that already. I like Whidbey, but a day or so is always enough for me.

One place that we love to go is the Leavenworth area. It is nestled in the mountains, about 2 hours east of Seattle. There are some very nice places to stay and some incredible hiking! We have been there numerous times and still have not explored all we want to.

Our favorite places to stay that fit what you asked for are these, 1) Pine River Ranch (www.prranch.com) 2)www.runoftheriver.com 3)www.mthome.com 4)www.pensionanna.com 5)www.blackbirdlodge.com 6)www.mtsprings.com. We have enjoyed all of these places and have been back to a few several times. A good website to see the area is www.leavenworth.org. It will give you a good idea of the hiking in the area as well as other things.

Hope some of this helps, and have a great trip!

rosario resort on orcas island is gorgeous. the ferry ride alone is worth the trip. but the lodge is nice.. has view .. you name it.

Thanks for your responses.
Just stumbled across the Alderbrook resort on the Hood Canal. Has anyone stayed there recently since the rebuilding of the place? Looks very nice, but looks are often deceiving...
Thanks again,
-Bill

We have looked at the rooms, but we've never stayed there. The rooms are nicely appointed, but they are pretty expensive considering that they don't have views and that Union, WA doesn't have much to offer. Crescent Lake Lodge is rustic, but the location is wonderful.

lovingheart,
Thanks for the input. I think we will do Lake Crescent for two nights in one of cabins or maybe Whidbey Island in one of cottage rentals.
-Bill

If you like beach combing, you might also check out the Juan de Fuca Cottages. You will be right on the Dungeness Spit.
We've stayed at the Lake Cresent Lodge and the Inn at Langley. They are vastly different in their feel. The room at the Lake resemble motel rooms. The surround is lovely. The Inn at Langley is walking distance to town. The tub in the room is great and you can get a room with a water view.
We did eat dinner at the Inn at Langley and found it immensely overrated!

Good friends live up the road from the Alderbrook. Her mother just stayed their over the holidays. Per my friend, "It was snooty enough for mother". You will be across the road from the Hood Canal at the Alderbrook. There is not much in Union(location of the Alderbrook) but the canal is lovely. The closest place with any restaurants etc besides the Alderbrook will be Shelton.

I think we are leaning towards doing an overnight trip to Whidbey Island or Lake Crescent.
lovingheart,
Is Lake Crescent too far to do as an overnight trip? Would we still be able to do Hurricane Ridge or is it too far?
suze,
Have you stayed in or know anything about the 2 bedroom cottages at Captain Whidbeys? There are now going to be four of us (my parents are coming ) and I think the cottages would be great for us. Has anyone else stayed at Captain Whidbeys?
Thanks again for the help.
-Bill

Lake Crescent will be fine as an overnighter. Just get an early start and plan to get back the next day fairly late. There is so much to do and see in that area!

I have not personally stayed at the Captain Whidbey Inn, but our family stayed there many times when they came to visit us. They loved it and that was the only place they wanted to stay. Several times they did that with a few other relatives, so basing on my families experience I would say the cottage thing would be a good way to go.

I've been to the Olympic Penninsula many times - love it out there. Lake Crescent is beautiful. Get their cabin just a bit north instead of the lodge. Food is good at the lodge, but expensive - you're better off cooking. You can visit the Quinault reservation and get excellent blueback salmon to cook back at your cabin. No hot tub though. Bring some other goodies from Seattle's great groceries and you're all set.

Lake Quinault Lodge is also beautiful (Roosevelt stayed there when he dedicated the Olympic National Park), and has wonderful, easy hikes into the rain forest just behind the lodge. Hoh rain forest is near by and a must see.

Forget Alderbrook. It was recently remodeled after being a religious retreat, but although Hood Canal is wonderful, it can't compete with the coast, and neither can Whidbey. I've stayed at Inn at Langley also - excellent food and nice views.

If you do end up on Whidbey -make sure you visit Coupville and the Ebey Park - beautiful walks along the beach original prarie.

I just made a reservation at Captain Whidbeys in one of their two bedrrom cottages with a hot tub. It seems like a good place for us.
Thanks to all who posted replies!
-Bill