Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and views of Deception Pass, the churning channel between Whidbey Island and
Fidalgo Island. A high bridge connects these two large islands by way of a smaller
island in the middle of Deception Pass, and overlooks at the bridge allow you to
gaze down on the tidal waters that surge and swirl between the islands.
SPORTS & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
BOAT CHARTERS
Between May and September, the
Cutty Sark,
which
operates out of the Captain Whidbey Inn, 2072 W. Captain Whidbey Inn Rd.
(
&
800/366-4097
or 360/678-4097; www.captainwhidbey.com), offers sched-
uled day-sail cruises for $30 per person. Multi-day excursions are also offered.
SEA KAYAKING
The easiest way to explore the waters off Whidbey Island is
to rent a sea kayak at Coupeville's
Harbor Store on the Wharf
(
&
360/
678-3625
), which rents boats from the Coupeville Wharf. Single kayaks rent for
$15 per hour, and double kayaks rent for $25 per hour.
WHERE TO STAY
IN LANGLEY
Boatyard Inn
Located right on Langley's little marina and designed to
look like an old cannery building, this three-story inn is clad in a combination
of wood, cedar shingles, and corrugated metal. Guest rooms are huge and have
full kitchens, water views, gas fireplaces, and small balconies. There are also four
two-bedroom loft suites. Downtown Langley is a few hundred yards uphill from
the inn, and there's a small adjacent beach as well as the marina. This is a good
choice if you like to have lots of space or need a kitchen.
200 Wharf St. (P.O. Box 866), Langley, WA 98260.
&
360/221-5120.
Fax 360/221-5124. www.boatyardinn.com.
10 units. $165-$210 double (lower midweek rates in winter). AE, DC, DISC, MC, V.
Amenities:
Massage; babysit-
ting. In room:TV/VCR, kitchenette, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
The Inn at Langley
This is one of the most luxurious and romantic inns
in the Northwest. With its weathered cedar shingles, exposed beams, works of
contemporary art, and colorful garden, the inn evokes all the best of life in the
region, and the guest rooms have a Zen-like quality that soothes and relaxes. The
inn's four floors jut out from a bluff overlooking Saratoga Passage, and with 180-
degree views from every room, you'll have plenty of opportunities to spot orca
whales and bald eagles. While the bedrooms and balconies are luxurious enough,
it's the bathrooms that are the star attractions here. Each comes with an open
shower and a double whirlpool tub that looks out over the water. Pull back an
opaque sliding window and you also get a view of the room's fireplace. Every Fri-
day and Saturday, the The Chef 's Kitchen Restaurant serves a five-course fixed-
price dinner focusing on creative Northwest flavors ($80 per person).
400 First St. (P.O. Box 835), Langley, WA 98260.
&
360/221-3033.
www.innatlangley.com. 26 units. $225-
$250 double; $395 suite; $575 cottage. Rates include continental breakfast. 2-night minimum on weekends.
AE, MC, V. Children over 12 accepted.
Amenities:
Restaurant (Northwest); access to nearby health club; spa;
massage. In room:TV/VCR, dataport, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer.
WHERE TO DINE
The Chef 's Kitchen Restaurant
at the Inn at Langley serves the finest
meals on the island. However, these five-course, fixed-price dinners are only
available on Friday and Saturday evenings (and Sun evenings in summer) and
cost a whopping $160 per couple (plus tax and tip). See “Where to Stay,” above,
for details on the inn. For baked goods and espresso, drop by the
Langley Vil-
lage Bakery,
221 Second St. (
&
360/221-3525
).
