WorldMark Deer Harbor — Hotel in Orcas Island

We stayed here just for a quick one night, mini vacation. It was perfect for us. We stayed in a studio cottage which was spacious and clean and well laid out. There wasn't a separate bedroom but there was a built-in half height wall of cabinets and the fireplace separating the bedroom area from the living room area. We were able to put our son to bed and setup the baby monitor and go out on the deck and sit in the hot tub and look at the stars. And we were able to sit in the living room afterward by the fire and watch TV without disturbing him. So the layout worked great for us. The units are all separate cottages which was also great because we didn't hear a peep from our neighbors and also didn't have to worry about being too noisy, especially with a kid. The bathroom was also gigantic and had a separate toilet closet which was nice. And a huge, beautifully tiled shower. The kitchen was well equipped with pots/pans, knives, cutting board, wine and can opener, glasses, dishes, etc. However, it is important to note that at least this time of year, there is nothing open in Deer Harbor. So it is a good idea to bring everything you would need in terms of groceries with you if you plan to dine in. The surrounding area was really peaceful. Our unit was in the back row, but still had a bit of a view of the harbor. We walked across the road and went for a walk down on the docks and along the road. We saw rabbits and eagles and deer, among other little creatures. So that was fun. The only odd thing was that they ask guests to take out all their own trash before checking out. This wasn't a big deal, but just something I have never seen asked of guests at any other resort or hotel. They also have a pool which was closed for the winter but looked like it would be great in summer. And they had a lounge with a pool table, movies to rent, BBQs on the deck of the office building available to use, etc. We didn't use any of these features since we were only there one night. But they would be fun in better weather and for a longer stay, or maybe with older kids. Overall, this was a great little getaway for us. We enjoyed some time hiking Turtleback Mountain, eating some delicious food, pastries and coffee in Eastsound and driving around the island while our son napped in the car. We will definitely be going...

When my wife scheduled this trip (a special, milestone vacation celebrating our 40th) I was lukewarm about her choice. After all, it's on an island, an hour by ferry from the mainland, and aside from a hike up Turtleback, or Mountain Lake in Moran State Park, or (eccchhhhh!) shopping and browsing in Eastsound, the largest village on Orcas, there really wasn't much to do. But since I provided little input, and even less effort in planning this trip, it would be rude to complain.

But, oh, how wrong I was. Orcas Island is beautiful, quiet, slow, historic and so many other things, and each was both surprising and really rewarding...a pleasant stroll down Prune Alley, with all sorts of interesting shops and other points of interest, like a history museum consisting of several cabins of early settlers, a co-op and a fairly well-stocked market, as well.

As for the resort itself, well, it's the people who make it great. Cynthia, who works the evening shift, will make anyone feel welcome and cared for. It's true, these units are smaller than the average suite, the one we stayed in was a "deluxe studio", and therefore all one room. The bathroom, however, was huge, with a walk-in shower, and a commode behind a door. The kitchen area, likewise, was small...a two-burner electric stove, a full-size microwave, and a college-dorm refrigerator. It is recommended that a cooler be brought if there's a need for more refrigerator space, but ice is offered free, and a guest can arrange for use of an oven in the office, or to borrow a crockpot.

In the end, this week exceeded my expectations by far, and I can't wait to go back.

For another day, Washington Ferries allows walkons for free, so a trip to Friday Harbor is worth it, too....a bit larger and busier than Orcas, if that's to your liking. Or, on Orcas, past Eastsound, Rosario Resort, which has a museum about the owner, Robert Moran (who was a successful shipbuilder at the turn of the 20th Century, and a mayor of Seattle and other accomplishments, and gave the state the land for Moran...

First thing to know if you are going anywhere on Orcas is to get your ferry reservations early. Ticket sales online are sold 1/3 2 months before the date, 1/3 2 weeks before, and 2 days before. Sales start at 7:00am and although my wife and I both jumped on the site at exactly 7:00am, we couldn't get the time we wanted. We ended up staying the night before in Anacortes and then taking the 6:00am ferry next day.||||Orcas is not a big island, but Deer Harbor is on the "far side" so that it is necessary to drive into Eastsound for food, restaurants etc. and then drive further to get to Moran Park and much else. The Deer Harbor Inn is close to the resort and is very good for dinner. There is also a pizza parlor next to the property. The tiny store in the Deer Harbor marina sells mostly drinks. The ice cream is wonderful, but you can buy a whole half gallon of the same Lopez ice cream in town for the price of a cone at the marina.||||The cabin at WorldMark had a small kitchen with a small refrigerator. We ended up shopping at the wonderful Island Market in Eastsound every other day. There is no reason to bring a lot of food with you. The fresh vegetables, fruit and meat sections at the market were great.||||The pool was too small for lap swimming, but wonderful for kids. We enjoyed the DVD library which had several good titles.||||The staff was very accommodating and helpful.||||Don't bother with the Farmer's Market on Saturday. Prices were very high and the quality wasn't that good. Much better to buy at the Island Market.||||We highly recommend Moran State Park. Swimming in Cascade Lake was terrific and we enjoyed the many hiking trails. We also enjoyed renting kayaks just outside Eastsound on the road to Moran State Park. ||||The concert and history presentation at the Moran mansion was definitely worthwhile. Dinner at the mansion was disappointing although, in fairness, they had just lost their chef and one of the stoves broke on the night we were there.||||Our favorite restaurants in Eastsound were Madrona and...