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Vacation Getaways: Cozy Cabins
Seek out the serenity and privacy that comes with renting one of these classic log cabins.
This article originally appeared in the October 2012 issue of Seattle magazine.
TIMBER LODGE
Orcas Island
(Shown above.) Soak in the sweeping view in peace from the deck of this home; after all, you haven’t just rented a three-story, four-bedroom, 3,100-square-foot Pacific Northwest log cabin near Rosario, you’ve rented the 3 acres it sits on (including the waterfall!). The warm, very rustic and very spacious cabin is big enough to sleep 10 (with a “guestroom” tepee on site); a home theater room includes leather movie-theater seats, a 105-inch screen and surround sound.
Open year around. $200–$600/night, depending on season and amenities. On Orcas Island via I-5 north and the Anacortes ferry, Eastsound, 445 Lindsay Way; 800.418.7990; timberlodgeorcas.com —K.R.
LAKEDALE LOG CABINS
San Juan Island
Tucked along the shores of two little spring-water lakes near Friday Harbor are six cozy yet spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom real log cabins, each with a full kitchen, a gas fireplace, DVD (but no Wi-Fi) and a cedar deck. The cabins are part of Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes, an 82-acre resort complex that sports a 10-room lodge, canvas “glamping” tents and campsites, too, so you can go up or down on the luxe scale as you please.
Open year around unless closed by snow in January or February. $249–$409 with a two-night minimum. On San Juan Island via I-5 north and the Anacortes ferry. Friday Harbor, 4313 Roche Harbor Road; 800.617.2267; lakedale.com/logcabins.php —K.R.
IRON SPRINGS RESORT CABINS
Copalis, on the Olympic Peninsula
With 25 sleek, wood-sided cabins to choose from, you might have trouble deciding. We’ll help: Tiny cabin Number 5 has just one bedroom and a wood stove—and one singular view, which makes it one of the most romantic cabins we’ve ever seen. Toss in a beach walk, the pounding of the surf and a bonfire in the sand, and you’ve got the makings of a memorable weekend, indeed.
Open year around. $149–$299. About three hours southwest of Seattle near Ocean Shores, via I-5 and State Route 109. Copalis Beach, 3707 Highway 109; 800.380.7950; ironspringsresort.com —K.R.
PATTERSON LAKE CABINS
Methow Valley
Revel in all the amenities of Sun Mountain Lodge (without the 100 or so lodge-mates!) by renting one of 16 cabins on nearby Patterson Lake. These luxury one- or two-story shingled cabins are staggered lakeside, ensuring everyone gets a view. Each cabin comes with air conditioning, a full kitchen, a gas-powered stone fireplace and a large front porch. In summer, cabin dwellers get first dibs on rowboat, kayak, paddleboat, canoe and Sunfish rentals right outside, while wintertime visitors can ski around Patterson Lake on the way to accessing the resort’s 40-plus miles of Nordic trails.
Open year around. $205–$885. More than four hours from Seattle in summer, more than five hours in winter (due to seasonal closure of State Route 20). Winthrop (outskirts), 604 Patterson Lake Rd.; 509.996.2211; sunmountainlodge.com —R.S.
SNOWLINE CABIN
Near Mount Baker
Do a face plant into mountain adventure with this well-situated Mount Baker log cabin, located just past the tiny hamlet of Glacier (population 211) in Snowline, a gated resort community. This rustic two-bedroom log house is an ideal base camp for pursuing mountain adventures year around. About 17 miles from the Mount Baker Ski area, there is also Nordic skiing, hiking, snowmobiling and excellent sledding hills nearby.
Open year around. $199–$299. About two and a half hours northeast of Seattle via I-5 and Highway 542. mtbakerlodging.com —K.R.
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