Orcas Island is one of those rare places that feel exciting and calming at the same time, making it perfect for couples and families planning weekend getaways in Washington. When you stay at our historic Orcas Island Hotel, your trip begins the moment you step off the ferry and see the classic, historic building watching over the harbor. Whether you are dreaming of quiet mornings with coffee and water views, or days filled with exploring and family adventures, our Orcas Island Lodging gives you a comfortable, character-filled home base in the heart of the San Juan Islands.Â
What makes Orcas Island getaways so special is the easy mix of outdoor adventure, charming small-town experiences, and genuinely warm hospitality. You can spend the day exploring Moran State Park, walking along rocky beaches, watching for whales and eagles, browsing galleries and boutiques in Eastsound, and lingering over fresh island favorites at local restaurants, like our Orcas Cafe. It is easy to see why visiting the San Juan Islands is on so many wish lists, especially for travelers looking for something more personal, and end up at our top-rated Orcas Island Hotel.Â
Orcas Island is in the heart of the San Juan Islands, between mainland Washington and Vancouver Island. Most guests travel from Seattle to Orcas Island by driving to Anacortes, then boarding a San Juan Ferry that winds through the islands in a surprisingly scenic trip that feels like a vacation all on its own. Once you arrive at the Orcas Island Landing, you’ll be greeted by our historic hotel. It’s one of the most recognizable hotels on Orcas Island, perfectly positioned above the ferry landing and ready to welcome you.Â
From romantic escapes to memory-filled family trips, Orcas Island naturally encourages you to slow down and enjoy time together. If you’re looking for authentic places to stay in the San Juans that are truly a reflection of the islands they inhabit, our timeless Orcas Island Hotel is an excellent choice. Book your stay, and discover your new favorite address for future getaways in Washington.
What Sets Our Orcas Island Hotel Apart
The Orcas Hotel has stood since 1904, a legacy that feels like the very definition of an authentic piece of the San Juan Islands. It may not be steeped in luxury, but it is steeped in charm and is the kind of place that quietly becomes part of your memories long after you leave. This historic Orcas Island Hotel has welcomed guests for generations, and you can feel that sense of history in the architecture, creaking floors, quaint accommodations, and thoughtful details throughout the building. A stay here is anything but generic.
Whether you are arriving for a family vacation, a romantic escape, or a solo reset, the hotel gives you an immediate sense that you have landed somewhere with a story. Inside, the cozy atmosphere makes it easy to relax into what likely brought you here in the first place: The chance to slow down and sink into a more relaxed island routine. Guest rooms are comfortable and character-filled, with simple touches that make you want to slow down, read, write, or watch the ferries glide in and out of the harbor. Common spaces invite you to linger with a glass of wine, a board game, or quiet conversation, and it all feels friendly and approachable rather than formal.
For couples, it is an easy setting for reconnecting away from daily distractions, and for families, it feels like staying in a beloved relative’s grand old house. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself here on your own, our Orcas Island Hotel offers a safe and welcoming place to unwind between adventures in the San Juan Islands. It’s truly a space for everyone, and a big part of what brings guests through our doors time and again is the hospitality they encounter once here.Â
Our team is warm and attentive without being overbearing, ready with local tips about favorite hikes, viewpoints, and things to do around Orcas Island, Washington. The onsite restaurant and cafe add another layer of comfort to your stay, from fresh coffee and breakfast in the morning to satisfying meals when you do not feel like heading back out. Having great food just downstairs is especially convenient for weekend getaways in Washington when you want to maximize relaxation time and minimize logistical planning. Of course, we’re armed with plenty of recommendations for those times when you do feel like tasting a bit more of what brought you here.Â
As you can see, location is just one of many factors that make our Orcas Island Hotel one of the most convenient places to stay in the San Juans. From thoughtful amenities to its iconic setting, this Orcas Island Hotel offers an experience that feels genuinely rooted in the San Juan Islands. We can’t wait to share this special place with you and introduce you to your next favorite Washington getaway.Â
How to Get to Orcas Island This Winter
Orcas Island sits in the heart of the Salish Sea and is the largest of the San Juan Islands in northwestern Washington State. It is positioned between the Washington mainland and Vancouver Island, part of an island chain known for evergreen-covered hills, rocky shorelines, and wide open water views. Armed with knowledge and a little planning, Orcas Island is easily accessible from major cities like Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. Â
Getting from Vancouver or Seattle to Orcas Island is straightforward and part of the fun. Most travelers drive about two hours from Seattle to the Anacortes ferry terminal. There, you can drive aboard the San Juan Island Ferry to Orcas Island, or you can choose to leave your car behind and park for the weekend. Depending on the ferry route you choose, you’ll either head straight to Orcas Island or you’ll find yourself on a more circuitous yet stunning trip through the island archipelago that includes stops on Lopez or Shaw islands. The trip is roughly the same from Vancouver, just coming south to Anacortes instead of north!
The ferry ride itself usually takes around an hour and a half, depending on the sailing, and it feels more like a mini-cruise than simple transportation, with chances to see mountains, other islands, and sometimes wildlife along the way. Select vehicle reservations for the San Juan ferries are released two months, two weeks, and two days prior to your desired sailing, with approximately 30% of the boat’s capacity reserved for standby vehicles. We recommend reserving in advance whenever possible to avoid hassle and delays.Â
There are also seasonal seaplane and small-plane flights from the Seattle area directly to the islands for those who want to make the most of their time at our Orcas Island Hotel. Regardless of how you get to the San Juan Islands, in just half a day you can go from city streets to sipping coffee by the water, walking forested trails, and exploring local shops and galleries. The journey from Seattle to Orcas Island is a natural reset and is the ultimate way to kick off a winter getaway at our Orcas Island Hotel.