San Juans Lodging Recommendations

CAVU

New member
I have friends visiting from back east in April and they would like to drive over to the Islands for a few days. Anyone who could advise on reasonably priced small hotels or bed&breakfast type lodging in the San Juans? They will be driving and taking the ferry over. PM me if you can help. Thanks.
 
I know this doesn't fit your search profile but we stayed at the Best Western in Friday Harbor last spring during a managers' special. $100/night for a suite. After being out a week or so it felt really good. And it is a pretty good facility. There is a place just north of there that is not nearly as nice and costs about three times that. I also stayed out at Beachhaven on Orcas as I recall. There are a variety of cabins, some modern, some not so much. But I really enjoyed the rustic cabin I stayed in. Wood stove, porch right at the waters' edge. A good place to stay. Lots of houses for rent on San Juan Island for a weekend.
 
I took Meredith to a nice B&B just up the road from the harbor. It was our surprise engagement weekend (she didn't have a clue)! IIRC, it was about $125/night but that was 5+ yrs ago. I have a book somewhere with the info on B&B's in FH. I'll have a look to see if I can find it in the office mess.
 
If you want to stay on the water (literally), there is a wooden sailboat moored in Friday Harbor that is a B&B. We have put visitors up there in the past. Not fancy, but kind of unique. I don't have the name, but an internet search should reveal something.
Also this time of the year I would suggest making an offer for a room rate. The island is slow right now and alot of places will entertain a reasonable offer to fill a room. A number of years ago we stayed at the Friday Harbor House ($300 + per night regular) and they charged us $75. Worth a try.
There are nice places in Roche Harbor (McMillan Suite) and the Hotel DeHaro (old but charming).
Tons of B&B's, but a lot of them may be closed for the winter. A number of the owners head south for the slow season.
 
Last year we stayed at the Earthbox San Juan Island Motel and Spa. It's a bit pricey but is very nice. We stayed there as it was within walking distance of the Ferry/Marina and it has some rooms where pets are OK. When we were there for the Friday Harbor CBGT, the hotel was celebrating it's business anniversary and they threw a nice bash with excellent mexican food and free (yes free) margaritas. Free food and free booze was a nice addition to the stay.
 
Hi Ken,

We really like Deer Harbor on Orcas. Just up the road from the marina is Deer Harbor Inn. We've had friends stay there and they really liked it. It also has a good restaurant, but I'm not sure if it's open all year.

It's a nice place, but a little far from town. It will probably be very quiet in April.
Lyle
 
Susan and I got married in Friday harbor in 2003. We and our entire party stayed at the Friday harbor house. Great service and a wonderful view of the harbor. You can just sit out back and watch the ferry and sea planes come and go all weekend.

If you are not staying in the Friday harbor area I would stay at the Lopez Islander resort. Not the best kept in the islands but a great view and a nice restaurant. They have a new pool and hot tub now open. It’s easy walk to town and a nice and quite setting.

It really all depends on what type of weekend your friends are looking for. If its shopping and tourist style sightseeing then Friday harbor or Roche harbor are your best bets. If laid back relax and watch the world go by then its fisherman’s bay, orcas, Deer harbor or one of those . We also stayed in the old rosrio resortWhich is a great place to hang out and watch the world go by, but if they have a car they can see a lot of the island. When Susan and I stayed there ( pre c-dory) we did the whale watch boat from there but also drove to all the islands the next day because inter island ferry service was free. We were able to visit Lopez, San Juan, orcas and Shaw all in one long wonderful day. It was a great weekend.
 
Thanks everyone for the great ideas. I have passed all this info along to our friends. I am sure they will find a great place and have a great time. Thanks again.
 
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