If you're familiar with the Outlook Inn in Eastsound, the Orcas Hotel has much the same flavor. Â I don't like Orcas Hotel as much though because it's right off the ferry dock - tons of horns honking (car horns and ferry horns) at all hours of the day. Â Some people like that though... Â The hotel is nice, with that quaint atmosphere that many people love. Â Very homey and clean and comfy. Â Cozy little dining room. But I don't think I'd stay there again just due to it being so close to the harbor. Â I prefer the Outlook and some of the other places out in Eastsound, and Moran State Park area.
Review Source:This place is great! The rooms are really cute and some have amazing views. The cafe and the restaurant Octavia's were both delicious! The staff is really friendly as well.
The only complaint I have is that our room was above the cafe. And on Sundays they serve breakfast as early as 6-7am so it was hard to sleep in! But their free breakfast (offered with a room) totally made up for it.
I look forward to planning another trip to this destination.
We can not wait to stay here again! Such a beautiful vintage hotel. The history is very rich throughout the hotel. Lots of fun games and puzzles for both kids and adults in the parlor as well as two restaurants to choose from for dinner. Both with lots of options, even if you are a vegan or have a gluten allergy like I do. The staff was vey helpful and let us check in an hour early so we did not have to wait. Â We stayed in the blind island hotel. The view was not the best, but was the least expensive ($89) a night. The room was vey clean and even had movies we could choose from for no extra charge. It is also conveniently located right across the street from the whale watch tour we were going to. My boyfriend and I will definitely be stay here again!
Review Source:The hotel is vintage turn of the century. Â Very warm and inviting. Â We stayed in the Blue Heron Room which, while it could use a little maintenance, was very clean and comfortable. Â The staff was very friendly. Â We very much enjoyed our stay and would go back again. Â The hotel's cafe was quite good for breakfast with good coffee and pastries. Â My only real complaint is that the staff was hard to find.
Review Source:Overall, it was very nice.
The room, and hotel are very clean, and nicely decorated.  There was a TV with dish, that wasn't listed on the website; a pleasant surprise. The room had no phone.  I went  down to restaurant for ice. The bed was very comfy. The view, spectacular. The wall were pretty thin, and we easily made out conversation next door. Which was a little awkward as we only noticed after expressing our affection for each other for sometime.
This room had a jacuzzi tub which did not work, was aging and looked a little... crusty. I went to the front desk to ask for help but the only employees in the building seemed to be the waitress and the cook. Bless her heart, the waitress tried to help, but had no more luck than me. At checkout in the morning I was promptly and cheerfully given a credit for the amount of the extra cost, for the room with the tub.
We went on a groupon. The groupon did not list any restrictions or say that anything that a regular guest was entitled to would be unavailable. The website stated that guests receive a complimentary breakfast and coffee from the cafe. Yet, when we ordered, I was told that groupon customers did not get breakfast. This made us feel like second class customers, and we left without breakfast. Given that previous groupons at competitors (Deer harbor Inn), have offered MORE perks than regular customers, this was an unpleasant surprise. Â
Bottom line: lovely, comfy, recommended; especially for the groupon price.
The only reason I'm giving two stars instead of one is because the view from the hotel is amazing.
Pros:
- Great view
- Easy access from the ferry
Cons:
- Staff isn't very helpful
- Walls are paper thin
- Interior is dated and the jacuzzi in our room was broken.
Bonus:
- The group in the room next to us were partying until 3:00 a.m. Â There was no staff to complain to. Â When we checked out, we told them about the noisy neighbors and the staff didn't apologize or seem sympathetic.
Once more, I found myself stuck waiting around for a ferry on a Sunday , with the Orcas Hotel Café as my only practical choice for dinner. On this visit, I found things to be much improved. The service was still grudging, but the food was noticeably better. The baked goods were particularly good; my daughter had a raspberry scone that was really tasty. My wife's sandwich came with a surprisingly good house made blackberry BBQ sauce.
The evil clam chowder from my previous visit was nowhere to be seen.
We went to the Orcas hotel just for one night to Just get away.we went during the week and it is was nice and quiet ...in guessing during the weekends its probably different....the walls are very thin but even so our stay was peaceful. The view from the blue heron room is amazing..dusk was wow!!! The complimentary breakfast was yummy and the staff was more than amazing. ....it was a great stay..
Review Source:So sweet! Â The hotel was built at the turn of the century and has period wall paper, furnishings, and linens. Â There is a large parlor and a restaurant with great views, plus a wraparound porch. Â We stayed in the jacuzzi suite which had a balcony with a nice view of the water (and the ferry, but hey it's not there that often). Â The front yard is full of rabbits and consequently really, really excited kids. Â The jacuzzi is topped by a hilarious frame that says "the walls are thin: please abstain from noisy use of the hot tub after hours" which was a really funny, non-hostile way to convey that delicate message. Â They have a bunch of board games in the upstairs hallway or if you prefer the rooms come standard with free wifi and cable television. Â I heard from several people that there isn't cell phone service on the island, but I got perfect service inside the hotel. Â Literally steps from the ferry and the well-stocked grocery store.
The breakfast in the cafe downstairs was good -- really nice fresh bread and homemade English muffins and jam. Â The server was a total hippie who needed some nudges to stay on track but in the end she got the job done. Â I wish they would switch out the Starbucks for some local coffee - I got tea instead.
My wife and I were married here more than a year ago, and so we have stayed overnight there a total of three times. Â The owner, Doug, is phenomenal as an event organizer (in terms of planning the space, food and amenities). Â The food, catered from Octavia's Bistro, has always been fantastic. Â Much of their meat and produce are locally acquired, free range, all that good stuff. Â The rooms are quaint, comfortable, old-fashioned, cozy. Â
We plan on returning once a year, and look forward to it every time.
This place has some great sandwiches! Â I highly recommend the salmon sandwich and the grilled cheese. Both exceptional as you sit and wait for the ferry. Washed down with a draft beer and gourmet coffee. Wait staff super friendly, especially the dark haired girl with the camelbak on. Check it out.
Review Source:My husband and I had a local destination getaway and stayed at Orcas Hotel for two nights. The location is very convenient for the ferry, which is nice. We stayed in the Morning Glory room -- mostly for the private bathroom. The room was very clean, cozy, and neat. We also got free breakfast  in their cafe since it was the hotel's May special. The service is not very friendly and the food is greasy, but the bread and homemade strawberry preserves were  delicious! We loved the porch where we could just sit and hang out/eat outside while enjoying the sunshine and view. Sigh... island livin'!
Review Source:A beautiful and charming  historical inn which overlooks the water. The owner Doug was super cool and helpful, as were the rest of the staff. Priscilla is a doll baby! Yummy breakfast is included if you are a guest of the hotel. My husband and I stayed in room 15, which I highly recommend...great view of the water, beautiful stained glass window in the bathroom. Sure, it's an older hotel but that's part of the beauty. I will certainly stay here again when we next visit the island!
Review Source:The hotel and its staff are fantastic. We were drenched from days of kayaking in august rain in 50 degree weather and they gave us a room for the four of us. Smiling and helpful they let us stow the boats on the lawn even gave us a rollaway cot for free and sent hot tea up to the room for us to warm up. Food downstairs is good, rooms quaint and decorated from the turn of the last century, great bed. Thank you Orcas Hotel!
Review Source:I am writing this review for the Orca's Cafe, not the hotel. The only thing I have to say about this place is order the salmon sandwich!!! It is delicious! I had to come back for a second one before leaving the island! We did order breakfast here too on our last day. It was very busy and there was only one lady working...taking orders, cash register, cooking. That was kind of crazy, but she was good and as fast as could be expected. The breakfast was decent, but I'd come back for the salmon sandwich!
Review Source:LOVED this small, intimate & cozy hotel! Â You have to stay here when visiting Orcas Island! Â
First of all the staff are all SUPER nice & helpful and are so attentive to what you want or may need. Â They tell you everything you may need to know (breakfast times, locations, where to find anything you may need, etc). Â We loved it here, sure it's small and the walls are thin and it's not a resort but the perks are WAY bigger: the view is 100% AMAZING, the food in their restaurant downstairs "Octavios" is 5 star, the breakfast is SO much better than a resort that gives you Costco meals, and the staff are available anytime to make your stay on just at the hotel but o the island so much better!
I'm glad we stayed here, and will be back many more times!
Most of the rooms you have to share a bathroom, or you can ask for a room with your own bathroom. Â If you stay in rooms 14 or 15 you get a jacuzzi and balcony and in the summers this is a super great idea to book!
Don't know if there is wifi here, we weren't really concerned about that as we used our data plans. Â Parking is conveniently outside and the hotel is situated 2 steps away from the ferry!
Very crowded spot. The sitting area for the cafe was small and cramped. The place would have been excellent if it weren't for that. We sat outside were there is an outstanding view of the water and ferry terminal. The chicken wrap was amazing. I had to ask for the menu as the chalk board was pretty confusing. Overall great spot and the food good, just too small.
Review Source:Had the breakfast at the Orcas Hotel and was pretty disappointed.
What I've Had: Â Basic Breakfast Â
First, I had to pay $3 extra ($13 instead of $10) for the basic breakfast b/c I couldn't order from the counter and was told I had to go to the dining room which was a bit weird. Â
Second, the breakfast was pretty average and I was expecting a ton better from this place. Â The potatoes were cold and average. Â The eggs were unsalted or peppered and bland. Â The bacon was overcooked. Â The wheat toast was pretty amazing but was only one piece of toast and not two which is standard.
In addition, I ordered an orange juice and they forgot it until the end after I noticed it on my bill. Â
There are TONS of amazing breakfast places in Eastsound and so I'd definitely stay away from this tourist trap next time I visit Orcas!
Without a doubt the saddest bowl of clam chowder to be found in all of  the northwest. Instead of the usual rich and creamy goodness one expects with this dish patrons can look forward to a bowl consisting mostly water and more corn than clams. In fact there was no clam to be found ... in either taste or the strangely rubbery morsels. It tasted as if someone in the kitchen said "Uh oh! We are out of cream, milk, flour, butter and clams. I don't know if I can make clam chowder today... unless.... "
If this Clam Chowder was a beer - it would be a warm flat can of Hamms on a hot summer day.
If this Clam Chowder were a comedian - It would be Carrottop without props performing for a bunch of seniors.
If this Clam Chowder were a state of mind - it would be in serious need of some prozac and zoloft.
Your better bet is to go to the deli right next to where the Ferry docks and grab some sandwiches and chips.
So I stayed here with my SO for two nights... In the middle of winter. I LOVE coasting trips in winter, the only way they could get better is when I have my own tops'l schooner and can do them right proper coastwise sailing. But anyway--this hotel is beautiful and romantic and exceptionally cheap in winter, with complimentary breakfasts which are actually quite filling and involve real food. And a free latte of any size--go quad shots!
Downside was an unsecured creaking door which kept me awake (I'm hypersensitive to noise), but I just jammed it shut with a lawn chair and nobody cared, it was to a balcony nobody would be using during a winter storm anyway. It's mostly European Style so without bathrooms/showers in the rooms, but that was comfortable enough and never got overcrowded in the showers or bathroom... in winter. I'd want a room with both inside of it in summer though when the island is packed.
They're very responsive, though, turned the heat down for us when we asked and then let a portable heater in the room so we could control it ourselves as it overheated otherwise, and it's charmingly romantic and in tune with the sailings of the ferries. What more could you want in the San Juans?
This review is for the Orcas Hotel Cafe, which we mistakenly thought was Octavia's even though it clearly says Orcas Hotel Cafe on the door. Octavia's, I found out later while searching for the restroom, is on the opposite side of the hotel. The cafe is counter service only and seems to serve similar food as Octavia's though in a more casual setting. Chris had the Orcas burger with waffle fries, and he said it was very good though I thought the fries could have been hotter. I had the salmon cake on a bed of greens, which was really good. Just a note without going into too much detail, if you have stomach issues with restaurant salad greens, skip the salad here. Enough said.
We got a cranberry oatmeal cookie to go and, to be kind, it was very healthy tasting. Kinda like sugared sawdust, but in a good way.
One of the few places in Orcas Landing to grab food before/after the ferry and well worth the stop.
This hotel is the warm welcome to the mystical island that makes the island what it is. From the moment you come off the ferry and see the beautiful turn of the century victorian mansion of the Orcas Hotel on top of the hill, the enchantment sets in.
I stayed for a week and during that time I really enjoyed getting to know the wonderful staff. They all bring the essense of Orcas to life. From their intense eye contact, to their overwhelming willingness to help in everything from service, to good hikes to just good conversation.
The food in the cafe is top notch. I had a blissful experience devouring an Orcas burger one night and heard a story about a customer that travels all the way from Portland, Oregon every once in a while just to come for the Orcas Burger and get's right back on the ferry and goes home. I said to the staff, "Wow that is some committment", and they said "or just a REALLY GOOD burger!".
Octavia's bistro is the fine dining room in the hotel and it is quite a fanciful treat. The waitstaff is very professional and knows their business. The food is increadible...had the oysters and fried calamari...mmmmm.
The view overlooking the bay and the surrounding islands with their cedar forests and beaches is breathtaking. The building has a timeless charm to it, and looks and feels very similar to the hotel in "Somewhere in Time". There are photobooks of weddings during the summer and a huge lawn and tent on the hill which seats 150...it would be a paradise of a wedding!
For being right in front of the ferry landing it seems like one would not have to go to far once on the island to have an increadible experience immeadiately. Though of course...check out the rest of the island!
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