Outlook Inn on Orcas Island

After a treacherous icy drive up I-5 and then a much calmer rainy ferry ride, complete with impromptu performance by Bellingham bluegrass band Pole Cat, we arrived on Orcas Island. A meandering road brought us up one side of the horseshoe shaped island, through fields of woolly sheep, frozen ponds and sleeping vegetable gardens, dropping us off in the town of Eastsound at the crux of the island.

When we pulled into the parking lot of the inn, I had a moment of worry. Eyeing the wind battered annex buildings, it reminded me of a slightly better version of many of the thousands of beach front motels that line the Pacific Coast. It brings to mind my mom's favorite story about me as a pudgy three-year-old: Staying the night at a beach front motel during one of many trips between Seattle and Berkley, I noticed the bathroom's crevices lined with mildew, and announced to my parents, "Now I know the difference between a Motel and a Hotel: In the motel, the bathrooms are just a liiiiiiiitle bit dirty."

A few minutes later, I was swiping the key card and stepping into a beautiful suite overlooking the water. Remodeled in 2007, this is my kind of luxury room - upscale without frill, romantic but not sappy. Any doubt I had melted as I turned on the fire, took in the view and drew a bath in the jetted tub.

Can you see out of the window? That's the water!

Perched atop the water, at the entrance to town, the Inn is only one block away from Allium on Orcas, the top notch restaurant mentioned this year in the New York Times. Allium's chef and owner, Lisa Nakamura, is in the process of opening the doors downstairs for Lily, a small spot selling locally made ice cream, hot cups of clam chowder, fresh rolled sushi, and gift baskets of local products. 

If the location, the beautiful rooms, and the chance to eat at Chef Lisa's restaurant is not enough to entice you, maybe a special discount will tip the scale? The owner of Outlook Inn just announced the best deal on the island - $150 for one night stay at the Inn and a $100 credit in the on-site restaurant, New Leaf Cafe. A second night can be added for another $100. You must book your room by Tuesday night - March 8th at 8pm! The deal applies to reservations from now until May 20th, 2011. The cafe is open Thursday through Monday, and I recommend their halibut chowder! You can reserve your room by calling 1-888-OUTLOOK.

If you want a glimpse of what you will be getting on a sunny spring day, sitting on the balcony of Allium and eating a leisurely lunch, you really should check out Kelly Cline's photos. It was her blog post that first made me obsessed with the need to get out to the island to eat at Allium. Enjoy the trip!