let’s get the conversation started…
we want to know what everyone thinks of bird rock hotel. that’s how we improve. we are, of course, shameless praise-seekers and we love exultation. we also love hearing what you might do differently if you were in our shoes. please, tell us what works for you, and what doesn’t, and we’ll make every attempt to exceed your expectations on every visit.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
We stayed at the Bird Rock for our honeymoon this past August and fell in love with it. We didn’t want to go home! The staff was friendly and helpful, the amenities so luxurious, and the deco so funky and cool! We were quite impressed especially since there were no comments prior to making reservations and booked on a whim.
We miss the warm scones and fresh fruit every morning and the homemade chocolate chip cookies and strawberry lemonade every evening! We have told everyone to stay at Bird Rock when they are visiting the SJs and we can’t wait to come back.
September 10th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Well, thank you, Little Miss Sunshine for the lovely things you had to say. We are looking forward to having you visit again soon.
HOT TUB
Spa Pro will come tomorrow right at 11 and drain the tub and refill. It will then take about 8 hours to fully heat. Please tell the guests checking in that day, that all will be hot around 7 PM.
Spa Pro comes every Thursday. Give them a ring if we have a major problem, so they can plan to spend more time here or “do” us first thing in the morning.
FOOD
Ordered produce for Friday. How many eggs are we going through per week right now? 10 doz? The hens at Synergy are laying again and I’m wondering if I should grab some in between Lacrover eggs on Saturdays?
September 8th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
I stayed at the Bird Rock Hotel this past weekend and I have to say it was one of the better hotels that I have stayed at in a long time. The staff was fabulous, the room was modern and relaxing. I loved it! I would recommend staying there anytime. I stayed in the Whidbey suite which was the basement suite and it was completely enjoyable. We didn’t hear a single thing…we were wondering what the ear plugs were for?
I would highly recommend this place!
August 14th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Hey there Tami! If you arriving via a private plane your best bet is a taxi. Feel free to call the front desk before you take off and we can arrange it for you. We look forward to having you at Bird Rock. Have a nice trip
August 11th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
We will be arriving on the island via private plane. What would be the best transportation option to get to you after we arrive?
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:21 pm
We celebrated our 17 year anniversary at your lovely hotel this last weekend. We stayed in the Orcas room and except for the rowdies at the bar (thanks for the ear plugs) we had a wonderful stay. Toby was so accomodating, polite, cheerful, and just plain awesome. He took great care of us. The cookies and lemonaid were so yummy and just what we needed walking in the door. Breakfast was scrumptious as well and fueled us for our kayaking trip. Only suggestion would be to have little salt and pepper shakers on the tray and water bottles in the room. We can’t wait to come back and stay with you again. Hopefully next time we’ll have a chance to take the bikes out for a spin.
July 12th, 2008 at 3:50 am
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July 2nd, 2008 at 7:36 am
I haven’t actually stayed yet, but just booked a reservation for Labor Day weekend. I make an annual San Juan Islands trip with girlfriends…have done for years. We have been in private rentals, lodges, on a houseboat…always something different and fun. But seriously, the Bird Rock Hotel looks SO SO terrific, I can imagine making this our annual destination. I’m excited about my upcoming trip! And I’ll definitely report back.
June 11th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I would suggest the Bird Rock to everyone!
Last month (May) my fiance and I stayed in the Marrowstone Suite. It was great! the bathroom is very large, the bed is unbelieveably comfortable and the breakfast was yummy!
This hotel is in a great location too! The drug store, theater and several restaurants are all within walking distance.
Lastly, the hotel staff was wonderful!(Good customer service is hard to find these days but Bird Rock has it).
I think this was probably the greatest hotel experience I have had.
We look forward to coming back!
June 10th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
My husband and I had to find a last minute place to stay in Friday Harbor. To our everlasting gratitude, Laura Saccio (co-owner of Bird Rock Hotel) did her best to come through… and what a place it is!
Bird Rock has just opened after an extensive make-over, from charming and funky to sleek and chic. From the beds (most comfy I’ve slept on in years) to the look (all cool fawny colors that feel great to a tired traveler) to the great breakfast delivered to our door (check out the fruit plate and the warm scones) … it was simply great.
This hotel is very small, and appears to be much loved by the owners. Whoever did the interior for the new renovation has quite an eye. I kept thinking it would be a perfect place for a family reunion or a retreat. It’s located in the middle of the small town of Friday Harbor, where the focus is on the experience of the San Juans. The staff helps to set up Orca viewing trips or cycling.
A single not-so-great feature is the bar across the street, which offers a fun place to hang, as well as some noise from the revelers. Just depends on your point of view.
I strongly recommend Bird Rock, but you might want to make your reservations well in advance, something we didn’t do! I have a feeling this place is going to be a very popular spot for some time to come.
May 25th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Come…You need a vacation!
The economics of bringing a car really depend on how long you are planning on staying on the island. If you’re only going to be here a few days, I would recommend leaving your car in Anacortes. It will not only be cheaper, but you can avoid having to wait in line for the ferry both coming and going. Also, we have a wonderful transit system on the island (www.sanjuantransit.com) which goes around the island every hour and stops at most of the island’s hot spots. They will even pick you up at ELEMENTS if you (or we) call them ahead of time.
We have refurbished all of our rooms! So, come, enjoy, relax!
May 25th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Hi-
We’ve never been to the San Juans, but looking to come in July as a stop over between Seattle to Vancouver for a few days. We’ll want to see as much as possible across multiple islands. Is it more affordable to leave our rental car at the ferry in Anacortes or bring our car along to explore, any thoughts? Also, are all of your rooms completed in the refurb or are you still going through some construction and updating is some? Thanks and we’ll hopefully see you in July!!
May 20th, 2008 at 11:07 am
I love what you have done with the place, it looks very European, can not wait to visit someday.
Liz
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Kate,
July is a great time to visit. The weather is beautiful, the whales are usually around (in fact, they’re already here), there is lots to see and do, but parking in town can be tricky. We don’t have any dedicated parking right at Bird Rock, but you do have the option to park at Elements hotel & spa, our sister property, three (short) blocks away. In fact, not only do you get to use their parking lot, but you also get to use their pool, sauna, hot tub, spa, etc, all at no charge.
One other option may be to leave your car behind and take the ferry or fly to the island. There is a great shuttle bus (www.sanjuantransit.com) which runs that time of year that goes around the whole island every hour.
Please let us know if you have any other questions!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Jo Ann,
Thank you for checking us out. I apologize for the delay in responding to you. My husband, Adam, is our web guru and he’s been off kayaking for the last week. I had to wait until he was within phone range to respond. Now that’s a kink we have to work out…
In response to your question, while we love old, sleepy dogs we don’t allow them to stay at Bird Rock Hotel. There is, however, an excellent lodging facility for your fuzzy friend called Downtown Dog (www.downtowndogwash.com). That’s where we take Roxie, our 4-year old lab (read my 3rd child, or maybe my 4th when you include my husband…) when we go out of town. Roxie loves it there so much she’s excited to see us, but thinks that maybe she could just stay another day, please Mom, please. They take dogs out to the beach three times a week on their Bow Wow Bus. It’s quite a site to see this bus go by with a bunch of dogs’ heads sticking out. You can see it on their website. Another option is our sister property Elements hotel & spa where we do have pet friendly rooms. Please let us know if you have any other questions.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:37 am
We will be visiting in July. Is there any problem parking at the hotel as we will be bring a car to see the island.
April 17th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
What is your pet policy? We have an old, sleepy dog we can’t bear to leave behind. Is she welcome too?
Your property looks wonderful and we’d love to visit soon.
Thanks!
April 13th, 2008 at 10:03 am
hi patty,
we haven’t put together the packages yet, but they’re likely to include a dining voucher, an activity like whale watching or sea kayaking and a night or two at bird rock. it won’t be a discounted item so much as package that makes it real easy for you to experience the best san juan island has to offer. even before we have the packages listed, though, we can do all this for you. if you have an idea what you want, just email us at stay@birdrockhotel.com and we’ll build you a personal package…. thanks for your interest!
April 6th, 2008 at 11:01 am
My husband and I are thinking of coming that way this summer (early July) and I was wondering about the convenience packs you mentioned. Any details?
April 2nd, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Yes! I am just about to post a new intro special for second nights free in superior rooms. the deal is only valid for sun-wed arrivals through may 21, though. does that fit in your schedule? in the summer we will offer some packages that bundle activities together with rooms, but they won’t be discounts so much as convenience packs. thanks for thinking of us….
March 29th, 2008 at 10:29 am
HI, was browsing and tripped over your site. My wife and I will be celebrating our 5th anniversary and are considering San Juan area. Do or will you have any type of packages? I am also looking forward to some kayaking and hiking. Going to the Elements website now to see more.
Thank you!
March 15th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Hi Adam,
Thanks for your reply and the recommendations for Backdoor Kitchen and Steps Wine Bar. I’m actually searching for a restaurant to have our Rehearsal Dinner so thanks!
We will definintely drop by in April as we have to do a site visit with our photographer.
Cheers,
Summerbride2008
March 6th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Summerbride2008, Thanks for those suggestions. Surprisingly to many, there is a hip side of San Juan Island beginning to unfurl. Bird Rock Hotel is the pinnacle of course (toot, toot), and ELEMENTS hotel & spa is kind of the flagship. Sounds like you know about ELEMENTS. Let me recommend also eating at Backdoor Kitchen and Steps Wine Bar and Cafe, both in Friday Harbor. Then there’s a new kayak operator on the other side of the island who is setting up to appeal to the same market we tend to attract. San Juan Outfitters is his company, but his site’s not up yet.
When you’re in town this summer, definitely drop by Bird Rock Hotel to see what all the fuss is about. I know we’re not hosting your wedding, but we’d love to host many, many, many anniversaries and we wish you as much happiness as your cup can hold….
March 5th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
You guys rock! I love the clean lines of the rooms and the website. Edgy - in a good way.
March 2nd, 2008 at 1:29 am
Hi There,
Congrats on your soon-to-be open facility! I have been anxiously following the Bird Rock updates via Hotel Elements and am excited for this unique addition to San Juan Island.
I love that the Bird Rock is a small boutique-hotel.
A suggestion would be to possibly implement special promotions or themeed packages for those looking for something tailored and hip to do on San Juan Island as there are very few. Perhaps a ‘Girlfriend’s Getaway’ or a ‘Spa Weekend’ or a ‘Seattle to San Juan Swich where city meets island luxe’.
I do hope to visit sometime soon!
Cheers,
Summerbride2008