Guide to Bellingham, Part 7: Hotels

For part 7 of my Guide to Bellingham, I would like to take a break from talking about the myriad ways with which to fill your days, and instead tell you about where to spend your nights, at least until you’ve purchased a home of your own. Like most American cities, especially those with major Interstate highways bisecting them, Bellingham has all sorts of overnight lodging options.  We’ve got everything from four and five-star luxury hotels with water views and swanky wine bars, to flea-ridden, boarded-up shanties with hourly rates.  It is upon the former that I will dwell here, though there are certainly some entertaining stories to tell about the latter. Not from personal experience, necessarily…but I know people…friends of my brother’s college roommate, as it were. Just kidding. I don’t even have a brother….

The Best Western Lakeway Inn: Situated right in the middle of town, just off of I-5, the Lakeway Inn is not your average Best Western. They’ve got a high quality restaurant, conference space, a nice indoor pool, and a great bar (Poppe’s ) with live jazz and one of the best Happy Hours in town.  It is about a 10-15 minute walk to downtown and has easy access to everything.  They also happen to offer special rates to clients of mine who are in town to look for homes… 714 Lakeway Dr Bellingham, WA 98229 (360)671-1011

The Lakeway Inn

The Fairhaven Village Inn: Nestled in the heart of the Old Fairhaven historic district, the Fairhaven Village Inn is a cozy (22 rooms) and inviting slice of Bellingham history.  The Inn is across the street from the Fairhaven Village Green Park, which features a farmer’s market, outdoor movies, and several shops and restaurants nearby.  You won’t have to bother with a car here, as everything you’ll need is within easy walking distance. Dozens of unique and boutique little restaurants, shops and walking paths are right outside the door. If you do feel like a drive, downtown Bellingham is just 5-minutes to the north, as is Western Washington University, with the fabled Chuckanut Drive beginning it’s long and winding road just a few short miles to the south. 1200 10th St, Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 733-1311

The Fairhaven Village Inn

The Chrysalis Inn and Spa: If you want luxury and unparalleled pampering, try the Chrysalis Inn, also in Fairhaven.  Overlooking Bellingham Bay, the Chrysalis features the very finest of everything. The restaurant and wine bar, Fino, is fantastic, and the views are breathtaking, looking west over the Fairhaven boardwalk, Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands.  And then there’s the spa….Spending a day here will add years to your life, leaving you feeling younger and more vibrant than ever, like a real-life Benjamin Button… a character whose movie, ironically, took away what felt like years of my life…(Awwww…I kid David Fincher. It was pretty good…but 2 1/2 hours? Really? I finished college in less time than that!) 804 10th Street Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 756-1005

The Chrysalis Inn & Spa

The Hotel Bellwether: Well, you can tell right off the bat that this place is pretty swanky…the name just sounds fancy.  Anytime you say the word “hotel” before the actual name, you know it’s gonna be nice…and expensive. the Hotel Bellwether is both. Situated on Bellingham Bay (almost literally) the Bellwether is a classic luxury hotel in every way.  With grand rooms, an outstanding restaurant,  the popular Harborside Bistro (whose talented young chef happens to be a close friend) and a location that defines the word “exceptional”, the Hotel Bellwether is the kind of place you’ll want to include in your boring family slide-shows for years to come. Stay there for the weekend…remember it for a lifetime.  One Bellwether Way, Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 392-3100

The Hotel Bellwether

Follow these links to read Part 1: Breakfast, Part 2: Lunch, Part 3: Dinner, Part 4: Dive Bars, Part 5: Live Bars, Part 6: Pubs

Thanks for reading! Please leave comments or suggestions below, e-mail me at rob.leroy@exprealty.com, or call me at 206.883.6668 …and yes, you CAN hire me as your real estate agent!

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This post originally published by Rob LeRoy at realestate.bellingham.net

Rob LeRoy is a Seattle real estate agent and social media marketing coach with eXp Realty.