Luxury and Comfort at The Inn at Langley on Whidbey Island

You don’t have to request a room facing the water at the Inn at Langley on Washington’s Whidbey Island. All 28 rooms, suites and cottages of this boutique inn face the water and overlook stunning views of Saratoga Passage and the Cascade Mountains. Each room offers a private deck and cozy seating to relax and enjoy the view. You’re just steps from a boardwalk that spans the length of the hotel and the beach just below. You’ll feel like you’re in a remote part of the Island, but you’re actually right in the center of the town of Langley. A stay at the Inn at Langley is a treat, indeed.

The sun rises over Saratoga Passage and the Inn at Langley.

The Grounds of the Inn Spell W-E-L-C-O-M-E

The Inn’s cedar-shingled exterior blends naturally into the environment. Cedar-shingle siding just spells Pacific Northwest and the Inn presents a lovely façade.

Whether you arrived on Whidbey Island by ferry or via the Deception Pass Bridge, you’ve already seen how scenic the land is. But be prepared to relax even more at the sight of the Inn’s front garden.

The French doors lead to the inn’s dining room, which features a double-sided stone fireplace.

The Inn was built in 1988 by Paul Schell, a former mayor of Seattle, who dearly loved the Island.

Rooms at the Inn at Langley

Guest rooms at the Inn at Langley are spacious, with warm tones accentuating natural wood beams and millwork. Enjoy expected features like a great bed and luxurious linens, but also little design details like the iron herons on the lamp tables and upholstered window seats.

Enjoy expansive water views from your room.

You’ll love the wood-burning fireplace with quick-burning logs.

Make tea or coffee or enjoy a glass of wine with ample space to prepare a snack. Speaking of snacks, the Inn cheerily includes a basket of decadent Dean and DeLuca snacks. Use the stylish water bottle during your stay and take it home as a little souvenir. Who doesn’t like a bit of swag?

But we’re here for the water, aren’t we? The Saratoga Passage views don’t disappoint and you might just want to stay an extra day just to hang out on the deck. My room offers a nearly 180 view of the water, which means I was able to enjoy the glorious changing colors emitted from both sunrises and sunsets. (It’s Whidbey Island’s specialty, in my opinion.)

The sun sets over the water, the colors changing by the minute.

Bathrooms are as lovely as they are spacious and well-designed.  My room has a separate walk-in, stone-tiled shower and a jetted tub with ocean view. Light a provided votive candle for a bit of romance. Aveda products (rosemary mint, my favorite), fluffy bathrobes, thick fluffy towels; it’s all here.

Special occasion? Book one of the 940 square foot cottages or 1,500 square foot suites. The cottages are two-stories, with two wood-burning fireplaces. The suites offer full kitchens. Each are fitted and furnished with even more luxurious touches for a special stay.

Time For Breakfast

The complimentary breakfast is as gorgeous as it is healthy and tasty. The buffet breakfast offers quality cheeses, charcuterie, fresh fruit, and homemade granola. Avocado slices make toast with fresh-baked bread a breeze. A delicious salad combined arugula, cucumber, fennel, and radishes.

Chef Camille.

Chef Camille kept replenishing the table with fresh scones, muffins and her special honey-olive oil cake. The house quiche is silky, custard-like, and crust-less; a very different and delicious take. (Get the recipe at the front desk.)

I went back to my room, put my feet up and read a bit a of a book and a provided copy of the Sunday New York Times on the deck. I may have missed some time walking the beach, but it was time well-spent. It’s not a trip to the beach without some downtime.

Dining at the Inn’s Restaurant

Guests who find their way to The Inn at Langley are drawn looking for a special place to stay for their Whidbey Island visit. Some, however, come especially for one of award-winning Northwest Chef Matt Costello’s dinners. Both guests and non-guests are required to made reservations well in advance. Attending one of these three-hour dinners will be a trip highlight. There’s one seating, a limit of 24 guests and the food, modern American, is always memorable. The Inn maintains an impressive wine cellar to complement each course. Chef Matt chats with diners as he prepares the meal from the open kitchen, keeping the communal meal festive for all.

A welcome glass of champagne greets guest s on their arrival for one of Chef Matt Costello’s dinners.

Visit the Spa, Take a Yoga Class, Take in a Movie

The Spa entrance is off the boardwalk. Enroute, explore the inn’s artwork, from small sculptures on deck posts to a beautifully carved totem in one of the breezeways. (The covered breezeways, by the way, are perfect spots for winter storm watching.)

The Spa has a full menu of massage and bodywork treatments, skin care and body therapy treatments. Couples massage and pregnancy massage is available. You’re at the beach—go ahead and indulge in a mud or seaweed body wrap. Hydrate, sip tea and savor a truffle after your treatment. The Spa can also organize a three day health and wellness retreat package, including treatments from their “ila” line, which looks to Ayurveda and yogic principles.

Inn guests are invited to take a complimentary yoga or Pilate’s class at Langley’s Whidbey Island Yoga and a movie at the Clyde Theater.

Want to travel like a rock star? Make arrangements to have a cheese and fruit platter, chocolate assortment, flower arrangement, champagne or a picnic basket ready on your arrival. There’s no doubt the staff will go out of the way to make your stay special.

Kim, at the front desk.

Explore Langley, Whidbey’s Village By the Sea

One of the best reasons to stay at the Inn at Langley is the location. Within the confines of the property, it would seem you are far off in a secluded cove. Yet the Inn at Langley is in the midst of downtown Langley. You’ll find vibrant restaurants, wine bars, and coffee shops, upscale galleries and shopping, city museums, waterfront parks, South Whidbey Harbor (and Whidbey Island Kayaking) and more to entice. All within just blocks of the Inn.

The town of Langley has much to offer

Whidbey Island is a very special place that truly represents the best of the Pacific Northwest. There’s so much here that makes it a fabulous travel destination. A stay at the Inn at Langley will make the trip all the more memorable.

Beachfront at the Inn of Langley

For More:

• The Inn at Langley, https://innatlangley.com/ (The inn welcomes children 12 and over. Some pet-friendly rooms are available. Call for more information.)
• Whidbey Island and Camano Island Tourism, https://whidbeycamanoislands.com/
• On our site: When Cookery Meets Crockery: A Chef and Potter Collaborate
• On our site: A South Whidbey Island Culinary tour

-All photos by Nancy Zaffaro.