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After moving to Washington State, Whidbey Island found itself high on my radar due to the wide variety of activities that the island offers. When it came time to plan a weekend getaway for my birthday in November, I dreamt of staying in a cozy cabin, hiking and wine tasting by day, and eating delicious food or cozying up in front of a big fire at night - needless to say, Whidbey Island fit this bill to a tee! I began researching where to stay on Whidbey Island, hardly finding any great options, and then I saw it. A historic lodge that had a recent facelift, with rooms and cabins to choose from, and located on the water. It was a perfect match and afterwards, exceeded my expectations. This truly is, the best place to stay on Whidbey Island!

Captain Whidbey Inn Overview

This hotel has been around since 1907 and sits right on the water at Penn Cove giving you great views all year round. In early 1900, Whidbey Island became a popular, sought-after tourist destination for people wanting to escape urban life from cities such as Seattle or Tacoma. They would take the ferry, as many still do today, and enjoy being immersed in nature. Since then, it’s changed ownership and purpose many times and most recently went under new ownership in 2018 where the entire property got an overhaul. The new owners, of course, kept as much of the original structure and detail as they could, but put a modern, nautical twist on the décor. During your stay at Captain Whidbey, you’ll be greeted at the front desk by a large, original stone fireplace, cozy rooms, cottage style bathrooms, and stunning views of Penn Cove! (I did a quick search on Tripadvisor and the photos are not updated at all so make sure to check out their own site!).

The On-Site Restaurant and Bar

There is a restaurant and bar on site at Captain Whidbey Inn and it will not let you down! Reservations are not required, but are highly recommended, especially if you’re visiting during the peak Summer months. Within the restaurant, the vibe remains true to its’ roots; cozy, historic, and a bit quirky. The décor is rustic yet minimalistic with pictures hanging on the walls displaying the history of the inn. If these pictures were anywhere else, I would immediately straighten them out, but their slightly off-balance hanging technique works perfectly with the theme and the space. The bar is U-shaped and stocked with every type of liquor you could imagine. Although the cocktails and wine are great here, the food is the real shining star. Every ingredient is sourced locally & sustainably, and cooked in small batches, so if something on the menu catches your eye, be sure to order it! We happened to get the last bit of roasted brussel sprouts and I was so glad because we basically licked the plate clean! Be sure to try the homemade chowder as well, and they also serve fresh mussels and clams straight out of the waters of Penn Cove! Aside from the main restaurant, there is a new addition to the property, right outside of the main lodge. They’ve added a small shed near the garden and turned it into a gift shop and breakfast café where you can grab a complimentary coffee or purchase a pastry or snack. It was super convenient for us to stop in before heading out for a morning hike!

The Rooms at Captain Whidbey Inn

Captain Whidbey Inn offers a few types of rooms. There are four small private cabins, Historic Lodge rooms located in the main building on the second floor, and Lagoon Rooms located in the building next to the pond across the garden. I initially wanted to book a cabin, but they were all already reserved and after speaking to the concierge whilst checking in, we learned that they book very well in advance - I’m talking about 6 months in advance, so plan accordingly! We ended up booking a lodge room because I wanted that cozy cabin feel and you’ll definitely get that with these rooms! The lodge rooms have original wooden walls, just like a log cabin, with a large bed, two bathrobes, and a sink in the corner. Something to note about this hotel is that there are only shared bathrooms. I know that may be a non-negotiable for you, and I thought it was for me as well, but it honestly wasn’t bad at all. I was pleasantly surprised! There are less than 15 lodge rooms that share the bathroom and shower. Fortunately during my stay, I never had to wait on anyone else to finish with the facilities and it was nice to brush my teeth and wash my face at the sink in the room. Keep in mind that this hotel was built in 1907 and the owners tried to keep the renovation as true to the original structure as they could, so there is a heater along the bottom of the wall in each room which puts off ample heat and the windows also open up to bring in fresh air in the warmer months.

The Location

The location can’t be beat! Captain Whidbey Inn is located in Penn Cove which is positioned almost in the center of the island. It’s located right across from Fort Ebey’s Landing, making a morning hike accessible with just a short five minute drive. I also loved that it is a short distance from Deception Pass Bridge and state park so if you choose to make that stop on your way onto the island like we did, the hotel won’t be too far after that. The hotel is also conveniently located less than 15 minutes away from Coupeville which has great dining options on Whidbey Island, including Little Red Hen Bakery, which is where we ate breakfast at every day! If you’re visiting the island for the many wineries in the area, this hotel has you covered there as well. Most wineries are about a 30 minute drive from Captain Whidbey Inn and mostly clustered together in the same area.

After our two night stay ended, we were both a little sad to leave our room and the property itself. I loved learning about the history of the inn, along with the history of the island and cannot wait to visit again! I’d be thrilled to stay in a lodge room again, but I have my eye on a cabin for a stay in the Summer months!

Happy travels!

- Tess

Tess Arnold

Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip!  If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!