JennyL

We're thinking of doing an overnight visit to the San Juans during our visit to Seattle. Does anyone have suggestions for Orcas Island or Friday Harbor lodging with kids? This would be midweek in May. Thanks!

NWWanderer

Does it have to be Friday Harbor on SJI? I think Roche Harbor is the best place to stay with kids.

If it does have to be Friday Harbor (because you're not taking your car, maybe?), then try Elements motel there.

On Orcas--I'd probably go with Cascade Harbor Inn.

JennyL

Thanks, all three of those look great. Cascade Harbor is way cheaper, I wonder if the experience would be as well. We would probably take the car, so Roche Harbor is an option as well.

NWWanderer

Cascade Harbor is an older motel style place--nothing fancy at all, but it does have nice water views and is very close to Moran State Park, which is (for me anyway) the main focus of any visit to Orcas.

Elements is a motel also and right in town (which has plusses and minuses) but the owners have renovated it with some style.

Roche Harbor has the benefits of being in a more remote, scenic location than Friday Harbor and all the bells and whistles of a resort.

So all 3 will be very different experiences--it's really a question of what you're looking for.

JennyL

We stayed at Elements, and I thought it was the coolest renovation of an old style drive up motel I'd ever seen. Thanks for the recommendation!