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Our History: Bird Rock Hotel, a Friday Harbor Landmark Since 1891
Built in 1891 as the Tourist Hotel, Bird Rock Hotel is one of the oldest hotels on San Juan Island and holds official historic status. If you look up from First Street, you can still spot the building’s original name inlaid in brick near the roofline — a quiet reminder of its earliest days welcoming travelers to Friday Harbor.
Ahead of its time, the Tourist Hotel was the first hotel on the island with indoor plumbing, a rare luxury in the late 1800s. It also featured a restaurant, bar, pool hall, and even a separate reception room for ladies, who were not permitted in the bar. Local legend says a dentist occasionally set up shop in the lobby — likely with a little help from the bar’s anesthetic selection.
Over the decades, the building has worn many hats: hostel, private residence, house of ill repute, beloved pizzeria, and even a hot tub rental spot in the basement. Through every reinvention, it has remained a constant presence in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, adapting with the island while never losing its character.
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In 2001, Laura Saccio and her family purchased the building, fulfilling a dream that began one quiet evening in Portland, Oregon. With a new baby, a Master’s degree in International Management, and a growing desire for a life that balanced family, adventure, and meaningful work, Laura began searching for a small hotel in the Pacific Northwest.
After eight months of scouting, number-crunching, and big dreaming, they found their way to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, and this historic building on First Street. What began as a leap of faith became a long-term commitment to preserving both the structure and the spirit of the place.
Since then, the hotel has been thoughtfully restored and reimagined as Bird Rock Hotel, a locally owned boutique hotel where historic character, warm hospitality, and a sense of fun all come together.
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