Inn at Port Hadlock

Poised on the south end of Port Townsend Bay, the Inn at Port Hadlock offers a romantic getaway or energizing retreat in one of the most beautiful natural wilderness areas of the Northwest.

Considered to be at the Gateway of the Olympic Peninsula, the inn is situated in a breathtaking alcove, steps away from a 160-slip marina. After recent extensive renovations, under the vision of owner and philanthropist Paul Christiansen, this historic inn surrounds guests with luxury and a high level of service, while preserving the heritage of the Coastal Salish tribes.

Rich in Cultural and Economic History

The inn's lands were once a renowned gathering point of the Coastal Salish tribal communities. Over the years, this area transformed into a saw mill (which closed in 1907) and, under the driving force of Charles Adams (Ansel Adam's father), it became an alcohol plant. Abandoned from 1913 until 1978, retired Bellevue Buick dealer Ray Hanson purchased the property and spent $4 million dollars to turn the shell of the saw mill into a beautiful resort. In 2004, the alcohol plant was transformed into the Inn at Port Hadlock.

Hip Meets Luxury and Romance

The inn has 46 extraordinary guest rooms and suites with contemporary Northwest décor. All include a microwave and refrigerator. While each guest room offers a relaxing experience, the rooms overlooking the bay and marina offer spectacular views of Port Townsend Bay, the marina, and Skunk Island. Each water view suite features a fireplace, while Standard and Executive Suites also offer large whirl-jet tubs.

On a recent stay, Mardi and I enjoyed the Romance package, which includes a guest suite with a fireplace and water view. Upon our arrival we found a bottle of champagne waiting for us in the room, gourmet bite-sized French dessert cakes and one dozen roses. Come the next morning, we were treated to breakfast in Nemo's Restaurant.

Water View Dining

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the award winning onsite Nemo's Restaurant overlooks Port Townsend Bay. The breakfast menu offers many finely prepared selections, including eggs benedict, Belgium waffles, and made-to-order omelets.

The dinner menu is so extensive (including fish, shellfish, pasta, beef, pork, lamb and poultry) that you could spend two weeks at the inn and never eat the same meal twice. I highly recommend their Salmon Pinwheel. Fresh salmon stuffed with sautéed wild mushrooms, wrapped in bacon and topped with demi glaze and a cilantro pesto is the signature presentation from their executive chef, George Eubanks. Follow it up with their white chocolate raspberry cheesecake and you'll have all the energy you need to take an evening stroll through the marina.

The well-trained servers are attentive, yet the unhurried pace lets you enjoy a leisurely meal so you can talk about your plans for the week-from boating to golfing (two excellent courses are nearby), to enjoying the services of their spa or visiting the onsite art gallery The Art Mine.

Exhibiting compelling works of art by artists of national and regional reputation, The Art Mine is the most respected collection on the Olympic Peninsula. This world class art blended with the history, architectural diversity, and water is what makes the inn so memorable.

It is amazing what they did with this old structure! The walls must be two-feet thick--what a find!!