Selah Inn on Hood Canal

The Hebrew word Selah means "to be at peace, to pause, to meditate." The Indian meaning of Selah is "place of smooth, still waters." Both are just the right words to describe the Selah Inn, a plush bed and breakfast located on the Hood Canal and whose beachfront was once a fishing and gathering place for local tribes. Many a meal of crab, oysters, clams and salmon was shared and many "talk stories" exchanged on the shores. The inn is situated off the highway and surrounded by tall fir trees. Local wildlife includes eagles, abundant birds, raccoons, coyotes, deer and sea lions.

Hosts Pat and Bonnie create a warm and friendly atmosphere at the Selah Inn. Pat is an environmental civil engineer and has worked on projects to help restore salmon runs, estuaries, and water purification in many areas. Bonnie, a former associate pastor, uses her talents and training in foods to the inn's kitchen, creating many delights for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pat and Bonnie met in college and have been married 43 years, with four children and eleven grandchildren.

The Inn was designed and built in 1997 with the goal of providing guests with superior hospitality and comfort in a beautiful, peaceful setting. The owners have owned adjacent waterfront for 28 years, now living there full-time and are pleased to have the opportunity to share the beauty and peace of Hood Canal with their guests.

Warmth Inside

Through its attractive cedar shakes, broad porch and dormer windows, the Northwest lodge style inn harmonizes well with its natural surroundings The common areas are a continuation of this classic elegance and comfortable flair-especially the library. It's a wonderfully quiet place to curl up with a good book from the bookshelves. In the living room, Mardi and I like to enjoy a glass of wine in front of the river rock fireplace. But, the day starts best in the beautifully tiled sunroom. Wrapped in large windows, it is the setting for the hearty breakfast.

The inn has seven guest rooms with private bathrooms, plus two two-bedroom cottages that share a bathroom. Beds are comfortable kings and queens, and the contemporary style distinguishes all accommodations. Our two favorite rooms- the King Suite and Beach Suite-include private decks with outstanding water views, as well as cozy fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs.

Northwest Delicacies

A full breakfast is an essential component of a stay at Selah Inn. It includes local fresh fruits and vegetables, apples from the owners' very own orchard, blackberries and huckleberries season, and homegrown herbs.

Be sure to reserve in advance your seats at one of the inn's special five-course dinners. The meal features excellent Northwest seafood, such as fresh halibut, salmon, Dungeness crab, clams, and oysters. Dinner is served in front of the large windows of the sunroom.

Bonnie describes the inn's philosophy well: "My hope is to share the best we have with our guests. That includes the location, the guestrooms and facilities, the food, service and atmosphere. We are here to serve, and we are gratified when our guests' experience becomes a great memory." They succeed in doing just that.

While most guests at the inn arrive by car, we did it via kayak, pulling right up on their beach. From kayak to fireside dinner in only an hour. It was much more difficult to get back into the kayak following breakfast that next morning.