Greetings,

Has anyone stayed at the Spring Bay Inn on Orcas Islands in the San Juans? We are looking for a quiet yet well-appointed place for our 25th anniversary and these seems to fit the bill?

Other recommendations for lodging?

We are planning on 4-5 days hoping this gives us enough time to enjoy Orcas and also see some of the other islands or perhaps Victoria?

Any other feedback on Orcas (dining, activities, transportation would be appreciated.

Thanks

Hans,

My husband and I spent 6 days on Orcas Island a few years ago. We stayed at Turtleback Farm Inn (in new annex, on 2nd floor). The Inn is well maintained, romantic and the breakfasts were wonderful. Not being familiar with Spring Bay Inn, I checked the website and it looks terrific.
A good book to research restaurants, sights, etc. is: "San Juan & Gulf Island - Best Places" (Sasquatch Books). If interested in books about San Juan Islands, you may want to phone
Darvill's Book Store (Orcas Island):
(360) 376-2135.

Spring Bay Inn is fantastic! If you can get in there, do so! The owners are very cool people, and it just has such a wonderful, laid-back Northwest feel to it. Plus I love the kayaking trip in the mornings.

Four to five days is a good amount of time there; you'll definitely have time to go to San Juan and Lopez. I'm not sure I'd bother with going to Victoria from Orcas; I think you'd have to go catch the day trip boat out of Roche Harbor on San Juan Island, so it would make for a very LOOOONG day, if it's even feasible due to the inter-island ferry schedule.

My favorite restaurants on the island are Christina's and Ship Bay. I've also been hearing good things about a place called Sean-Pauls, and the new restaurant at the Resort at Deer Harbor. The Compass Room at Rosario is also very good (I don't like their buffets however, nor would I recommend staying there).

Activities: kayaking, whale watching, hiking, biking, exploring the back roads and checking out the artists' studios, and just plain hanging out (I never seem to build enough of that into my stays on Orcas!).

As a follow-up, does anyone know if paying the extra money is worth it for a corner roon at Spring Bay Inn?

The ferry that goes to Vancouver island (lands in Sidney which is about 30 minute drive to Victoria) leaves from Friday Harbor on San juan island, NOT from Roche Harbor. No ferries go to Roche Harbor. And Christina's is the WORST restaurant we've eaten at anywhere in the PNW. The meal was uneatable and expensive to boot. Ships Inn is fine.

I loved Orcas island. I wish to go back - I only had three days and we were running to get it all in.. Th hikes are magnificant - the waterfalls and Mount constitution has views that go 360 degrees! I really liked Bilbo's mexican restaurant on Oracs Island. Especially to get a mexican hot chocolate after the wale watch. The local metal artwork is incredible.. Outdoor sculptures bigger than me!
We stayed at The Windsong Inn - I think it has been sold though. It was wonderful! We are going to try San Juan island next. Gotta explore them all, but I am willing to bet Oracs will still be my favorite.

Hate to keep quoting guidebooks, but "Best Places Northwest" is a sort of Bible around here. I haven't been to the Spring Bay Inn, but the authors give it 3 stars in their 2001 edition, which is extemely good. They don't address your question about a corner room, but they do say, re bedrooms: "...Upstairs, each of the four thoughtfully decorated guest rooms has its own bath and Rumford fireplace; two have balconies. Downstairs, the Ranger's Suite has 27 windows and its own hot tub....The property is adjacent to Obstruction Pass Sate Park, and is laced with hiking trails and teeming with wildlife. After dark, ease tired musles with a private soak under the starts in the bayside hot tub." The book says they offer a complimentary kayak tour!

They also give 3 stars to the Chestnut Hill Inn B&B and they consider it "romantic." It has five guest rooms. "The fanciest, the Chestnut Suite, boasts a TV/VCR and stereo, chilled bottled water and champagne, and two-person Jacuzzi with a dimmer switch for the crtystal chandelier above it." The authors favor the Chapel Room, with a double shower and view of a charming chapel in the pear orchard. There's a pond with rowboat, stable with horses, and gazebo for weddings! So, you might check that one out, as well.

The authors liked the Turtleback Farm Inn, as well, discussed by another poster. They gave it 2 stars. There, they suggest to choose either the larger upstairs rooms or one of the two downstairs rooms with private decks overlookding the meadow. The new annex sounds very nice, too.

Things may be booking quickly for the summer. It doesn't sound like you could go wrong with any of these choices.

Restaurants, they recommend Christina's in East Sound (3 stars and romantic. Fine food.), Ship Bay Oyster House in East Sound (2 stars, fresh fish and local oysters), Bilbos Festivo in East Sound (1 star, Mexican), and Cafe Olga (1 star, midday stop, art shop nearby, home style).

I agree with posters that suggest you stick to the San Juans. There's a lot to see and do there.

heyyyy, let's chat and swap stories at {www.livetravelforum,livetravelforum}. cool site! found it while surfing...

Dominique, I found the travel site, but, try as I might, was unable to find anything but travel ads.