13 Best Hotels in The San Juan Islands, Washington

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.

At this bluff-top getaway, floor-to-ceiling windows, sleek, modern wood furnishings, and fabrics in serene hues fill the rooms—all of which have gas fireplaces, deep jetted tubs, Chemex pour-over coffee carafes, electric tea kettles, mini-refrigerators, and at least partial views of the marina, ferry landing, and San Juan Channel below. The ferries are especially enjoyable to watch dock after dark, when they're all lit up.

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.

Outlook Inn caters to a range of budgets with its attractively appointed offerings, including basic options with shared bathrooms, mid-range rooms with king or double queen beds, and rambling bay-view suites with gas fireplaces, kitchenettes, and soaker tubs. Some rooms book up months in advance, especially those overlooking Eastsound Bay.

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.

The family-friendly Doe Bay Resort has definite hippie roots, and some of that vibe remains intact—its large communal hot tubs overlooking a lovely little bay are still clothing optional—but the current owners have restored the charming rustic cabins that dot the 38-acre waterfront resort, all of which are clean and comfortable. The treehouse, boasting a lofted bed and an indoor bathroom with a window that hugs a tree trunk, is the hardest to snag during summer.

Thoughtful and friendly owners Anthony and Crystal Rovente operate this large Victorian-style farmhouse surrounded by gardens and framed by Fisherman Bay, where spacious rooms are each painted or papered in different pastel shades and furnished with simple antiques. Some have claw-foot tubs and brick fireplaces. In summer you can sip tea on the wraparound ground-floor veranda or relax with a book on the garden patio. The place looks as if it's at least a century old, but it actually dates from 1988. Bike rentals are available on-site and the owners can connect you to other island adventures too.

Set back from the road behind a large garden overlooked by a lovely covered porch, this B&B in a local landmark Craftsman features nicely appointed rooms with en suite bathrooms. It has an interesting history: it's named for a Depression-era resident kangaroo that provided entertainment for islanders (ask the friendly, knowledgeable hosts for the story), though these days the busy bird feeders and deer wandering through the brush are the main animal attractions.

Spacious units in this atmospheric 1902 house are equipped with a king or queen bed, private bath, and all the serenity a guest could ever want. Suites are equipped with coffee maker, microwave, and mini-fridge; one king suite also has a kitchenette. The inn's restaurant, which features small plates, burgers, and some locally-inspired entrees in an airy waterfront setting, is open for dinner seasonally, usually Wednesday through Saturday.

Rooms are all differently decorated in this 1907 Craftsman bungalow, the one-time summer home of steel magnate Peter Kirk: the Garden Room has a botanical motif, the sunny Trellis Room is done in soft shades of yellow and green, and the Arbor Room has French doors leading out to the garden. You may take breakfast in the parlor, outdoors in summer, or to-go if you're catching an early ferry. A separate cottage provides more privacy and space and is dog-friendly.

At this popular cottage resort and marina on the northwest side of the island, all of the units feature tall windows overlooking the water, high ceilings, well-equipped kitchens, knotty-pine wood paneling, gas fireplaces, and private decks. Each cottage sleeps up to four (even the one bedrooms have additional hideaway beds). You can book a kayak or whale-watching tour, leaving daily from the marina, and there's a small camp store and coffeehouse on-site.

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.