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With the exception of Lopez Island, which has just a handful of rather homey inns, accommodations in the San Juans can be quite plush. Rosario Resort & Spa on Orcas Island and Roche Harbor Resort on San Juan Island are favorite spots for special-occasion splurges, and both islands have seen an influx of either new or luxuriously updated inns in recent years. These places often have perks like lavish breakfasts and on-site outfitters and tour operators.
There's a pretty striking contrast of accommodation styles at this cosmopolitan complex that tumbles down a hillside overlooking Friday Harbor, from intimate Euro-style rooms that lack exterior windows to expansive suites with water views to ginormous bi-level penthouses with two bedrooms, private decks, gorgeous full kitchens, and astounding views. Amenities include Blu-ray players, posh Malin + Goetz bath products, and satellite TV.
This 82-acre property may not have invented glamping, but it was one of the first to nail the travel trend, and the resort's hip 450-square-foot yurts—which share a private lakefront beach and firepit—are as luxurious as they come, with fireplaces, kitchenettes, spacious bathrooms, and private decks with hot tubs. Other options include real log cabins, a lake house, and the handsome lodge, which sits on a scenic lake frequented by swans and geese. There's also a campground for tent and RV camping and some canvas tents for a rustic stay.
This sprawling resort, with several types of accommodations ranging from historic hotel rooms to luxurious contemporary waterfront suites, occupies the site of the lime works that made John S. McMillin his fortune in the late 19th century. Rooms in historic Hotel de Haro are filled with notable antiques, like the claw-foot tub where actor John Wayne used to soak. Posh suites in the McMillin House and Quarryman Hall have fireplaces, heated bathroom floors, and panoramic water views from a private veranda. The beachside Company Town Cottages, once the homes of lime-company employees, have rustic exteriors but modern interiors. Elsewhere are contemporary condos with fireplaces; some have lofts and water views. Walking trails thread through the resplendent gardens and the old lime quarries, an elegant spa offers a full slate of treatments, and several atmospheric restaurants serve food at a range of price points.
The charming lodging options here range from affordable, compact rooms with private baths down the hall, to downright cushy two-bedroom suites with gas fireplaces, spacious sitting rooms, pitched ceilings, and terrific harbor views. Whatever room you choose, you're treated to great service, beds with fine linens, free use of bicycles, and in-room coffee makers. The hotel's sister property, the Earthbox Inn & Spa, is also downtown and well recommended.
This old-school cabin compound with a dazzling beachfront location on the island's northwest shore, just a 10-minute drive from Eastsound, can be a good value for families and groups of friends, especially in the shoulder season—most of these compact, rustic cabins sleep four to six guests, and all have kitchens. The furnishings are fairly basic, although the owners continue to make upgrades; if you're seeking a few more creature comforts, request one of the deluxe suites, with large deck and more room to kick around. Amenities include a convenience store and espresso bar with a good selection of groceries, beer, wine, and Lopez Island Creamery ice cream; boat rentals; and a full-service marina. There's RV and tent camping at the resort, as well as a handful of tent cabins.
