In both rooms, the carpeting was old and stained. The bedspread was extremely worn and even ripped and hastily hand-sewn back together in one spot. The bed was lumpy and uncomfortable. The furniture was nicked and stained. If you can’t keep the appearance of the rooms clean, am I to trust that the towels and sheets are being washed properly? If what I can see is dirty, shouldn’t I be afraid of what’s going on behind closed doors?
The climate control in the room was non-existent. Without air conditioning, the only method of cooling the room were to open the windows. And, closing the sliding doors for security reasons leaves only two small windows for ventilation. This was not nearly enough and we were quite warm throughout our stay. In addition, our room was on the bottom floor of the building and, although we asked for one on the top floor, we were unable to be accommodated. Therefore, throughout our stay, we had to listen to the people above us walking, which was extremely loud. We could hear the TV of the people next to us. The rooms and buildings are obviously in need of dire refurbishing.
The customer service at the spa desk was only slightly better than at the front desk. We waited more than 10 minutes to be helped as we stood in front of the desk attendant and watched him take not one, but two, phone calls before helping people standing directly in front of him—there was not even a glance or a hand motion that he’d be with us in a moment. The actual spa services were adequate, although the severely stained carpeting I had to look at while I lay on the treatment bed was extremely off-putting, especially considering the high prices the spa charges. Also, the layout of the treatment rooms next to the gift shop resulted in the constant noise of shoppers talking. Dirty rooms and loud noise negate the relaxation aspects the spa is supposed to give you.

In terms of the restaurant, while some of the food was quite good, the service was poor, especially in the bar and lounge. In the Compass Room, we had to ask for three different wines in all different price ranges before we came across one you had in stock. The waiter took so long getting back to us to take our order that the kitchen had run out of the specials he quoted us when we sat down. The wait staff seemed to forget about you regardless of which restaurant we ate in. The kitchen routinely ran out of food, including the most basic items like bread.

Several people we met at the resort had the exact same complaints and the same feeling of being duped.

I had the same bad experience there around 25 years ago. We checked out after 2 nights and couldn't wait to get out of there. Amazing that all these years later the place still is awful.

Rosarios changes hands more often than
some women working the streets. New owners (some huge corporation) took over about a year ago. They have a great view. As for the poor service when these places only pay staff $8 you can't expect much as only just graduated high school kids, immigrants and "marginal" people would take a job like that in the county in Washington with the highest per capita income.

I stayed at Rosario last summer and had a completely opposite experience. While the resort is rustic as is to be expected in the San Juan Islands, I found the rooms to be clean and tasteful, the amenities great, and the service excellent. Locking the sliding door for security on Orcas Island? Air conditioning in the San Juans? I think you'd be better off at a Four Seasons resort on Maui or something--that or stay in Seattle next time you come to the Pacific N'West. Sounds like you have a bone to pick with someone as well....

I was in the area recently and spoke to a couple who has just come from the Rosario Resort and they also said it was a big dissapointment and way overpriced.

Rosario will be closed from December 1, 2002 thru March 31, 2003 for renovations.

Lor, you took the time to write two lengthy diatribes against Rosario -- I can't help but wonder if you wrote a letter to the management as well? It certainly sounds as though you deserve a refund or at least an apology. You are definitely going to keep others from visiting the resort, which probably gives you the most satisfaction, but I would encourage you to vent some anger on the resort itself as well. A strong letter can go a long way towards fixing the problem -- perhaps some employees are on probation and they would be fired. Try it.

ns, right on about both security and air conditioning. The second I saw "without air conditioning" I was thinking...huh? On Orcas Island? Even if it does get "quite warm", only if one is used to and likes living in a completely insulated and completely climate controlled environment would someone complain about being in one of the most beautiful spots on earth. I can only imagine that the front desk attendant made no hand motions because the one they might have chosen to give to this poster would have been quite rude.

I've lived in the San Juans for 14 years now and know lots and lots of people on two of the islands. Many of them are wealthy too. And I can't think of even one who has air conditioning in their house. I don't think any motel, inn or B&B on the islands has air conditioning either.
If it gets over 75 (which is rare) we open more windows.

My friend and I just spent the weekend at Rosario and must say that the room, service, and food were fabulous. The decor was suppose to look rustic and was not by any means, shabby. The room was freshly painted and the carpet was new. The beds were the most comfortable beds that we had slept in. I don't know what room Lor stayed in but the Hillside Queen at $140 a night(after taxes and fees) was a deal.