Need help planning romantic escape near Seattle
 

We are looking for a location and hotel within three hours of Seattle for a romantic long weekend in late June. We are not familiar with the area so would love help finding just the right place with these criteria: beautiful area, delicious food, fun things to do in nature, interesting people to meet, thoroughly enjoyable, cozy and lovely lodge, B and B or hotel. Help us please!

It sounds like you are thinking of a 3 day 2 night place to go, right?

Victoria has many romantic B&B's and great places to eat. It's a bit more than 3 hours, but it's on the ferry, so the ride is part of the fun. It will start getting loaded with tourists in late June, though.

Port Townsend also has romantic B&B's and is a cute town. It is on the water and you can explore from there or go kayaking, bicycle.

Another idea is the Inn at Langley. It's a romantic place with a great restaurant. The town is charming, with lots of galleries. It's on Whidbey Island, which is fun to explore. There are wineries, interesting places to walk including along the beach and through forests.

You could also drive up to Anacortes and go to one of the San Juan Islands. There are lots of interesting places to go on the San Juans.

Check these places out on the internet and on this website see if these the sort of places you had in mind.

One of the San Juan Islands would fit your criteria perfectly. Since you are going for a "long" weekend, I'll assume that you'll be able to avoid the usual weekend ferry waits, though it still might take more than 3 hours including the ferry ride (but that's part of the fun). Search for older threads-maybe in particular for Orcas Island-for lodging recommendations (if you can't find them post again and I'll relist some recommendations). There are many lovely b and b's and some good restaurants on Orcas.

Oh, and there will be Orca whales in the San Juans that time of year, too.

Thanks so much for the great suggestions. Any lodging recommendations on San Juan Islands would be much appreciated.

Rosario Resort on Orcas? It's been a special place for couples for decades.

The San Juan Islands are a good pick. Run a search on this site, using San Juan Islands for your search. You will find a lot of discussion of lodgings and of things to do. I'd consider either San Juan or Orcas Island. San Juan Island is the most developed, and Friday Harbor is the largest town on the islands, but it is hardly a metropolis. Also, look up the islands on the internet and see what's going on on the islands. You might be able to catch a great play. We saw an excellent "Romeo and Juliet" out of doors on San Juan Island a few summers ago. It was a cold, windy night and we were nuts, I think, but that is the "Romeo and Juliet" I will never forget.

I would highly recommend Alderbrook on Hood Canal. The entire hotel was recently reconstructed and it is gorgeous. San Juan is nice, but I have to admit some disappointment in my last visit to Rosario. It's a little past it's prime. Some will disagree with me here, but that just makes me wonder what Rosario they see. I do love Langley and the dining is wonderful, but still take a look at Alderbrook. Also, at the top end of your travel time limit is Sun Mountain, just a splendid place. The North Cascades Highway opened today, otherwise it's well over three hours. Plenty of great options. Enjoy!

In Port Townsend, Morgan Hill Design has several places that would be perfect. We have stayed in the Guest Cottage several times, including for an anniversary. They also have a loft and a beach house. The cottage is beautifully done and the owner thinks of everything. Port Townsend itself is a great town to wander, and there is Fort Worden to explore as well.

I think Rosario was a little past its prime 20 years ago. Also, 3 hours to the San Juans is a bit of a stretch, but it's an enjoyable trip, anyway.

One place I haven't stayed, but DW has with her gal pals numerous times (and loooves) is Sleeping Lady, near Leavenworth (fake Bavarian village) in the central Cascades. Evidently the food, wines, and walks are great; no TVs etc. in the room, quite a "green" place. http://www.sleepinglady.com.

I like Captain Whidbey Inn on Whidbey Island, but it's a most rustic kind of place. Does have a good restaurant dining room and cute bar. Closer to Seattle than the San Juans.

Or the Salish Lodge in Snoqualmie? But it may be more upscale than you seek. Does have a spa, dining room, room service, rooms w/fireplaces etc. And of course the falls. Less than 1 hr from Seattle.

Hi, I dont know where your coming from but your going to love the Seattle area!If you go to www.experiencewashington.com you can find alot of ideas and places to visit that you might not have heard of. Have a great trip! Kim

also www.nwsource.com

You might consider The Resort at Port Ludlow.

www.portludlowresort.com

Really nice Inn with spectacular water/mountain views: gourmet food either in the restaurant, bar or out on the heated deck. Great hiking trails from the front desk, nice continental breakfast.
Nice day trips Olympic Pennisula, Hood Canal (try the oysters aphrodisiatc) and visit Port GAmble quaint old lumber/four master ship town with a cute seashell museum. (you can almost imagine the fourmasters sailing in the bay...

We are staying at Lost Mountain Lodge in Sequim in just a couple of weeks. I've never been there but it looks great. It's close to Olympic National Park and you can easily drive to Port Townsend for the day too. There is no restaurant on site but many within easy driving distance.

www.lostmountainlodge.com