Whidbey Island, in Puget Sound, north of Seattle, is a gem of a find for this Pacific Northwest newcomer. My husband and I had heard whispers of Whidbey Island’s magic, but didn’t experience it for ourselves until recently. About as long as Rhode Island, at almost 40 miles long and 10 miles wide, Whidbey Island offers beaches and forests. We stayed at a charming Whidbey Island hotel in Langley, Washington. The Saratoga Inn is owned by the same family that operates Majestic Inn & Spa in nearby Anacortes, Washington.
If you are planning to visit several San Juan islands, this Langley, Washington boutique hotel is an ideal location for any time of year. As mentioned, this was our first time to Whidbey Island. We started our Pacific Northwest getaway in Astoria, Oregon and then moved on to Anacortes, Washington with our final destination on Whidbey Island. We drove over Deception Pass Bridge from Anacortes and took the Washington State Ferry home after a 2-night stay at the Saratoga Inn.
We’ve stayed at plenty of upscale bed & breakfasts and were delighted with both the island hospitality we received, as well as our room selection. The 2-story, 3 star inn, features 16 rooms, including the luxurious Carriage House. We stayed in room #6, with a water view, on the 2nd floor of the property. Our deluxe king room included a gas fireplace and a comfortable bench seat that looked out, across the street, to the Salish Sea and views of Puget Sound.
We enjoyed the fact that we were within walking distance to the charming village of Langley and the many shops and restaurants on offer. You’ll want to arrive before the 4 p.m. manager’s Happy Hour offered at the inn. They refer to this service as Tea Time, but the focus is on house-made sweet and savory nibbles, as well as red and white wine. Everything coming out of the kitchen is made with care and top-notch ingredients, with a local focus.
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Honestly, I can’t say if I enjoyed breakfast or afternoon snacks better. Their chef has been there for many years and her love of her job shows. I also want to give a shout out to the General Manager Mary, as she takes time to chat with every guest and makes sure their needs are met. She was quick to point out the gluten-free crackers to guests with special dietary needs in the afternoon and gave us Whidbey Island insider tips on the top local restaurants and bakeries.
We stayed in the winter and appreciated the gas fireplace in the living room. There was plenty of room to spread out at the Saratoga Inn, with guests enjoying breakfast in the living room, or the breakfast room. The breakfast room, as well as the living room offered water views. Wooden rocking chairs lined the porch for guests to linger and take in the relaxing Whidbey Island vibes.
Like most guests at the Langley hotel, we explored Whidbey Island and its beaches and forests on our weekend stay. If the weather had turned on us, I would have been happy to cozy up in the Boca Terry robes in our room, turn on the gas fireplace and enjoy a DVD from the downstairs lending library. Instead, we were blessed with good winter weather on our island holiday.
My husband and I plan to return to Whidbey Island to try out kayaking and beach walking in the summer season. I imagine we’ll need to make reservations far in advance as Whidbey Island is a popular summer destination. No matter the season, we’ll be back to this pet-friendly property in Langley, Washington. There are many more nooks and crannies to explore on this not-so-little island north of Seattle.
Room rates range from $180 – $550 depending on the season and room type. The hotel offers AAA, AARP, military and local’s discounts during certain times of the year. You can also compare rates and make a reservation at Booking.com, Expedia or any other online hotel booking site.
Review and photos by Oregon Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown who was hosted by Saratoga Inn. As always, all opinions are her own.
