The George Washington Inn: Posh, Palatial and “Presidential”

Located just east of Port Angeles, Washington, on a bluff high above the Strait of Juan de Fuca, sits a remarkably familiar sight, a B&B offering spectacular views and accommodations alike. This Bed and Breakfast is modeled after a legendary home built over 200 years ago on the opposite end of the country in Mount Vernon, Virginia, by the first President of the United States…the George Washington Inn.

George Washington Inn in Port Angeles Washington

The George Washington Inn has become an iconic area landmark and quickly catches your attention as you approach. The long driveway draws the eye, creating an instant sense of familiarity. Everything about the Inn is grand…from its stature, grounds, entry to the sweeping views.

This palatial estate has only five guest rooms (due in part to local zoning restrictions), so each suite, as well as the common areas, is quite spacious. There are all kinds of places to relax and enjoy the property…one of my favorite spots was the deck facing north toward the water that stretches the entire width of the house—watching the sunsets there was spectacular. The Inn is four stories, however only the 2^nd and 3^rd are used for guests. The basement is where the owners, Dan and Janet, call home. The top floor is still unfinished, but there are tentative plans to turn it into a conference room to attract corporate events and retreats.

I was lucky enough to share my visit to the George Washington with someone special, which allowed us to take full advantage of the experience…from a soak in the Aquatic Whirlpool air tub, to playing chess on the deck while enjoying a sunset over the water.

Three of the rooms at the George Washington Inn are considered “Deluxe Suites” and feature the following amenities:

Private front & veranda entrances
Parlor, coffeemaker, microwave, refrigerator
Mountain and ocean views, flat screen HDTV, Wi-Fi
King bed, electric fireplace, Aquatic Whirlpool air bath, shower

Mount Vernon suite at George Washington Inn

The other two suites don’t have private entrances or parlors, but nearly everything else listed above.

The day before our arrival to the Inn was spent hiking and camping and we were a bit tired, and we ended up retiring early so that we could start the day off with a much-anticipated home-cooked breakfast. The fresh strawberry infused yogurt and spinach salmon quiche did not disappoint. We also met a lovely couple and ended up spending nearly two hours conversing during the meal. Meeting interesting people is just one of the many advantages of staying at a B&B over a hotel.

After a fun day spent touring the town of Sequim, we ended up having dinner at a wonderfully quaint restaurant called “Alder Wood Bistro,” which is an intimate place in an older home converted into a lovely dining experience. As we made our way back to the George Washington Inn and entered the foyer, the smell of freshly baked cookies filled the air. Both lovers of a “tasty morsel,” Rhonda and I made a dash for the platter of warm chocolate chip cookies, which we took back to our room to enjoy…actually devour!

Each B&B/Inn has its own structure to its breakfast service; at the George Washington it’s served at 8:30 with guests sharing tables on the cozy, enclosed patio. I always find it fun and interesting meeting new people, especially those who have a common interest in travel and B&B lodging. Rhonda and I met some fascinating folks during our stay. Each morning we had breakfast with a different couple. Below are some of the menu items we enjoyed…

Fresh strawberries in a custard yogurt with whipped cream with Spinach and salmon quiche for the entrée.
Baked Pear along baked egg and ham on toasted bread
Fresh local raspberries drizzled with chocolate, blueberry scone and poached eggs.

The Olympic Peninsula is a very popular place to grow lavender, during the summer months you’ll see the bright purple blooms everywhere…including the property at the George Washington Inn. Dan and Janet produce a number of lavender infused products…from soaps, honey, tea to bath salts and lotions. All the products are produced on-site and sold in the gift shop, which is located in the lower part of a separate structure on the property (the Carriage House)—the upper portion of the carriage house is available as a vacation rental.

Speaking of vacationing…The George Washington Inn, and the Port Angeles /Sequim area is a fantastic place to use as a hub for exploring the Olympic Peninsula. Here are just a few suggestions, all of which I’ve done:

Take a ferry across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria, Canada for a day trip.
Trek across the Dungeness Spit to a beautiful lighthouse.
On a clear day, drive to the top of Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park for some spectacular views.
Tons of hiking in and around the Olympic National Park.
Drive to the most northwesterly point of the lower 48 to Cape Flattery.

Dan and Janet are extremely gracious hosts and will do everything they can to make your stay with them and the area, an experience you won’t soon forget.

If you’ve been to the George Washington Inn Bed and Breakfast, leave a comment below and share your experience.