Comments on: island stay recommendations http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/ (p.s. I now have comments, yay.) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:48:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: sarah http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-50863 sarah Mon, 09 Jul 2007 01:43:33 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-50863 When we went to the islands in Sept, 2004, we stayed at Juniper's place, the Juniper Lane Guesthouse. I cannot recommend this place ENOUGH! Juniper herself is a wonderfully welcoming woman, very warm and kind, and her house is BEAUTIFUL. The aesthetic is rustic-artistic, the palette suitably warm and welcoming for dark northwest nights, the attention to detail incredible and so thoughtful. Juniper has private rooms (and a separate cabin) as well as hostel-style living - all beautifully dressed in deep cozy colour, rich woods, stone and mexican tiles, etc. (most of which have been salvaged from all over the country). Additional benefits include her incredibly reasonable prices, quiet location (just outside of Friday Harbour), AND her mother works at the delicious Duck Soup Inn - so a call from Juniper can score you a last-minute dinner reservation. =) Do, do do check out her website. There's a reason her guestbook is filled with gushing invitations from her guests to stay with them in their homes. http://www.juniperlaneguesthouse.com/ When we went to the islands in Sept, 2004, we stayed at Juniper's place, the Juniper Lane Guesthouse. I cannot recommend this place ENOUGH!

Juniper herself is a wonderfully welcoming woman, very warm and kind, and her house is BEAUTIFUL. The aesthetic is rustic-artistic, the palette suitably warm and welcoming for dark northwest nights, the attention to detail incredible and so thoughtful.

Juniper has private rooms (and a separate cabin) as well as hostel-style living - all beautifully dressed in deep cozy colour, rich woods, stone and mexican tiles, etc. (most of which have been salvaged from all over the country).

Additional benefits include her incredibly reasonable prices, quiet location (just outside of Friday Harbour), AND her mother works at the delicious Duck Soup Inn - so a call from Juniper can score you a last-minute dinner reservation. =)

Do, do do check out her website. There's a reason her guestbook is filled with gushing invitations from her guests to stay with them in their homes.

http://www.juniperlaneguesthouse.com/

]]> By: Susie http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-49914 Susie Wed, 04 Jul 2007 02:09:03 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-49914 I'm going to Orcas next month too! We're staying at the same house we rented three years ago. It's awesome, but it's big enough to house 12 people, so I'm guessing it's too big for you guys. (Besides, I'm pretty sure it's all booked up for the summer.) I highly recommend a visit to Orcas Island Pottery. They have a great swing and about half of the work is displayed outdoors -- it's worth the trip for both the pottery and the scenery. http://www.orcasislandpottery.com/Home.htm Also, it's a great place to find a wedding present... Okay, now the whole time I'm on Orcas, I'm going to be looking at everyone to see if it's you! (Gee, that didn't sound too stalkerish...) I'm going to Orcas next month too! We're staying at the same house we rented three years ago. It's awesome, but it's big enough to house 12 people, so I'm guessing it's too big for you guys. (Besides, I'm pretty sure it's all booked up for the summer.)

I highly recommend a visit to Orcas Island Pottery. They have a great swing and about half of the work is displayed outdoors -- it's worth the trip for both the pottery and the scenery.

http://www.orcasislandpottery.com/Home.htm

Also, it's a great place to find a wedding present...

Okay, now the whole time I'm on Orcas, I'm going to be looking at everyone to see if it's you! (Gee, that didn't sound too stalkerish...)

]]> By: Daniel http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-49831 Daniel Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:40:34 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-49831 Lopez Island. Go to Lopez, it is the nicest of the islands. My family has been taking bicycling vacations to Lopez since the late '60s and I love it there. We always camp at Spencer Spit State park, but there are hotels and B&Bs too. Eat breakfast at Holly B's Bakery http://www.hollybsbakery.com/ Lopez Island. Go to Lopez, it is the nicest of the islands. My family has been taking bicycling vacations to Lopez since the late '60s and I love it there. We always camp at Spencer Spit State park, but there are hotels and B&Bs too.

Eat breakfast at Holly B's Bakery http://www.hollybsbakery.com/

]]> By: Kristel http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-49619 Kristel Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:01:49 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-49619 I'd have to say Orcas over San Juan. I just got back from there yesterday, and San Juan (i.e., Friday Harbor, which was my only stop admittedly) was too Pier-39-if-moved-to-Sausalito for me. Orcas was by far more entertaining--it had more of an arts community feel to it. I'd have to say Orcas over San Juan. I just got back from there yesterday, and San Juan (i.e., Friday Harbor, which was my only stop admittedly) was too Pier-39-if-moved-to-Sausalito for me. Orcas was by far more entertaining--it had more of an arts community feel to it.

]]> By: Courtney http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-49434 Courtney Sun, 01 Jul 2007 21:44:20 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-49434 We used to stay at the Beach Haven cabins on Orcas and loved them. There are slightly rustic and vary in size depending upon how many people you have in your party. All of the cabins are within their private beach area, so beautiful and quiet. I think the website is www.beach-haven.com. We used to stay at the Beach Haven cabins on Orcas and loved them. There are slightly rustic and vary in size depending upon how many people you have in your party. All of the cabins are within their private beach area, so beautiful and quiet. I think the website is http://www.beach-haven.com.

]]> By: Linda http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-49329 Linda Sun, 01 Jul 2007 05:40:55 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-49329 Deer Harbor! We had our wedding reception, such as it was, there. They have some very nice rooms with comfy jacuzzi tubs and gas fireplaces. Deer Harbor! We had our wedding reception, such as it was, there. They have some very nice rooms with comfy jacuzzi tubs and gas fireplaces.

]]> By: thea* http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-49140 thea* Sat, 30 Jun 2007 03:53:36 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-49140 http://orcashomes.com/vacationrentals/index.php some of them are pricey but some are right on the water. lots of privacy with nice scenery ^_^ http://orcashomes.com/vacationrentals/index.php

some of them are pricey but some are right on the water. lots of privacy with nice scenery ^_^

]]> By: michelle http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-48993 michelle Fri, 29 Jun 2007 05:36:05 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-48993 My sis and I had a girls weekend at Argyle House on San Juan. It's a B&B that's within walking distance from Friday Harbor. It's the only place I stayed at up there, so not much comparison. The breakfasts were excellent and the hostess was so nice and informative. Best part about the ferry terminal there, is that you can park your car and then walk over to the shops or restaurants. And there's a wine shop right next to it...and they do tastings! My sis and I had a girls weekend at Argyle House on San Juan. It's a B&B that's within walking distance from Friday Harbor. It's the only place I stayed at up there, so not much comparison. The breakfasts were excellent and the hostess was so nice and informative.

Best part about the ferry terminal there, is that you can park your car and then walk over to the shops or restaurants. And there's a wine shop right next to it...and they do tastings!

]]> By: jennifer http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-48983 jennifer Fri, 29 Jun 2007 04:46:47 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-48983 Try Inn to the Woods - a B&B on San Juan. We stayed there Spring '06 - really lovely and great hosts! Try Inn to the Woods - a B&B on San Juan. We stayed there Spring '06 - really lovely and great hosts!

]]> By: Diane http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-48955 Diane Thu, 28 Jun 2007 23:55:41 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-48955 Honeymooned at Rosario's. Still happily married, almost 27 years later. That's my vote! Honeymooned at Rosario's.

Still happily married, almost 27 years later.

That's my vote!

]]> By: trtlgrl http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-48928 trtlgrl Thu, 28 Jun 2007 19:13:46 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-48928 I recommend Otter's Pond, on Orcas Island. It is so peaceful there, and the breakfasts are gormet! The owners are very sweet too! If you stay there, tell them Rachel and Owen from Oregon sent you :) We haven't been able to go there for a couple of years and I totally miss it! I recommend Otter's Pond, on Orcas Island. It is so peaceful there, and the breakfasts are gormet! The owners are very sweet too!

If you stay there, tell them Rachel and Owen from Oregon sent you :) We haven't been able to go there for a couple of years and I totally miss it!

]]> By: Tara http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-48918 Tara Thu, 28 Jun 2007 18:30:07 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-48918 Apparently everyone else can recommend somewhere to stay, but I can recommend somewhere to visit. WOODSONG FOLK FESTIVAL July 19-22,2007 http://www.woodsonginc.com/concerts.htm http://www.myspace.com/woodsongfestival For the pasts two years, my husband and I and some friends have been traveling to Orcas Island for the Woodsong Folk Festival. It is by far and away one of the most fun folk festivals that I have ever been to. A family donates their property for the week/weekend every year and all of the attendees tent/camp on the property and they have a massive community grill that you can grill out on. It is a short drive to town, where you can explore for the afternoon and buy groceries and a bit beyond on the town there is a beautiful lake, on your way to a Mtn./Lookout on Orcas-there you can see all of the gulf islands. Everything at Woodsong is by donation. There are not set fees, but because of the wide array of musicians, portable urinals, and clean up, they request a 10 dollar donation per person! You can check out the websites above and a myspace website too, to hear the musicians that will be there. Apparently everyone else can recommend somewhere to stay, but I can recommend somewhere to visit.

WOODSONG FOLK FESTIVAL July 19-22,2007
http://www.woodsonginc.com/concerts.htm
http://www.myspace.com/woodsongfestival

For the pasts two years, my husband and I and some friends have been traveling to Orcas Island for the Woodsong Folk Festival. It is by far and away one of the most fun folk festivals that I have ever been to.

A family donates their property for the week/weekend every year and all of the attendees tent/camp on the property and they have a massive community grill that you can grill out on.
It is a short drive to town, where you can explore for the afternoon and buy groceries and a bit beyond on the town there is a beautiful lake, on your way to a Mtn./Lookout on Orcas-there you can see all of the gulf islands.

Everything at Woodsong is by donation. There are not set fees, but because of the wide array of musicians, portable urinals, and clean up, they request a 10 dollar donation per person!

You can check out the websites above and a myspace website too, to hear the musicians that will be there.

]]> By: Martine http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-48911 Martine Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:36:27 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-48911 2 weeks ago I stayed at the Bayside Cottages in Olga (Orcas Island) and it was great: cozy and very relaxing. For food, I recommend Chez Chloe in East Sound, and the King Fish Inn dining room in West Sound. I noticed that a lot of folks have suggested Bilbo's but I ate there and thought the food was terrible. 2 weeks ago I stayed at the Bayside Cottages in Olga (Orcas Island) and it was great: cozy and very relaxing. For food, I recommend Chez Chloe in East Sound, and the King Fish Inn dining room in West Sound. I noticed that a lot of folks have suggested Bilbo's but I ate there and thought the food was terrible.

]]> By: brady http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-48881 brady Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:37:21 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-48881 Try Doe Bay. I haven't been there in years but it used to be great for camping. They also had cabins and tree houses if I remember correctly, along with natural hot springs. Also, don't miss the Orcas Island Dump. It sounds trashy, no pun intended, but it is actually one of the coolest places on the island. Again, it has been years since I lived there so it might be different now but back then, great fun. Have a wonderful time! Try Doe Bay. I haven't been there in years but it used to be great for camping. They also had cabins and tree houses if I remember correctly, along with natural hot springs. Also, don't miss the Orcas Island Dump. It sounds trashy, no pun intended, but it is actually one of the coolest places on the island. Again, it has been years since I lived there so it might be different now but back then, great fun. Have a wonderful time!

]]> By: Julia http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-48794 Julia Thu, 28 Jun 2007 03:22:15 +0000 http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2007/06/27/island-stay-recommendations/#comment-48794 I camped out in Friday Harbor back in 1998 and it was spectacular! We got there at night and woke up to one of the most beautiful views I've ever seen. Have fun! I camped out in Friday Harbor back in 1998 and it was spectacular! We got there at night and woke up to one of the most beautiful views I've ever seen.

Have fun!

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