In a world filled with hustle and bustle, the places that slow us down have become a welcome respite. An hour away from Seattle, WA, and Vancouver, BC is the woodland retreat River Rock Inn in Arlington, WA. As a guest of the inn, I soak up the ambiance of this luxurious escape with a field to farm breakfast, tea next to the crackling fire, and a woodland hike.
King 5 and Evening Magazine honored the inn as “One of the Top 10 B&B’s in the Northwest.”
Local river rocks make up the double-sided fireplace.
Unwind and Recharge
I decide to escape the madness of the highway and take the backroads to the River Rock Inn. So far my GPS is working, but the innkeepers said I’d lose reception at one point and to print off directions. They were right. As I turn down a gravel road the connection with modern age slips away and is replaced with the smell of pine, chirping birds and a lodge style bed and breakfast on five secluded acres of woodlands.
The innkeepers, Bob and Lisa, greet me at the door with a warm welcome and a pair of cozy slippers to wear for my stay. A very good sign.
Inside, the River Rock Inn is decorated with cabin style décor and the Grand Room with its river rock double-sided fireplace and open views to the woods create the ambiance of a mountain lodge. But, this is not a bustling lodge. It is a five-room boutique bed and breakfast with Northwest-themed suites; each with a private entrance, two person tubs, river rock showers, flat screen TVs, and decks that take in the natural setting. If you have a hard time disconnecting completely, don’t worry, the inn has complimentary WiFi to help keep you in touch.
But, I doubt you’ll feel the urge to pull yourself away. After all, King 5 and Evening Magazine honored the inn as “One of the Top 10 B&B’s in the Northwest.”
Each room is decorated to a Northwest theme.
The Fern Suite is steps away from the backyard and hiking trails.
A Room for Relaxation and Romance
My room for the night‒the Fern Suite. This is the only ground level suite and steps away is the lush yard, outdoor fire pit, and the woods. The room featured a queen bed, two chairs, a small table, a flat screen TV, DVD player, and a two-person soaking tub, and a river rock shower. All of it together said relax and romance.
Other rooms include the king-bed Cedar Suite, which is nestled next to the bows of the cedar trees and primed for bird watching. The queen-sized Homestead Suite pays tribute to the area’s homesteaders and has a peek-a-boo tub. The king-sized Stilly Suite, which is named after the Stillaguamish River and has river decor. And, the queen-sized Woodland Suite, featured a hand-crafted log bed and highlights Pacific Northwest wildlife.
It is easy to add a spa treatment onto your booking.
Guests can also unwind in the double person soaking tubs.
Work Out the Kinks
After seeing the gorgeous spa rooms decorated with soothing earthy colors and bright orchids laid at each head rest I wished I’d arranged to pamper myself with a spa treatment. Spa services include a Swedish massage and hot stone massage for individuals and couples, and aromatherapy and a hot stone facial. There is also an outdoor hot tub‒picture starry skies and owls hooting‒ and, of course, your own private tub to sooth the cares away.
Enjoy a favorite beverage in front of the river rock fireplace.
My first course breakfast was poached local pears with almond slices, cinnamon, vanilla bean yogurt and an edible flower.
My second course was French toast with raisin cinnamon bread and a side of sausage.
An Indulgent Morning
Before breakfast, I cozy up next to the floor to ceiling river rock fireplace in the Grand Room with a cup of tea. Outside, sun filters through the trees and dew glistens on the grass. With its ceiling high windows, this room takes full advantage of the woodland view and I sit and ponder nature’s beauty. This room is also the common area that all guests share. On one side is a small buffet with a martini shaker, wine opener, tea, coffee, a microwave, a refrigerator and some snacks.
The Grand Room is also where breakfast is served. On warm summer mornings, guests enjoy breakfast on the outside deck, which overlooks a small trout pond and stream. Today, since it’s on the chilly side, breakfast is served inside next to the floor to ceiling windows. Breakfast starts with a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice and poached local pears with almond slices, cinnamon, vanilla bean yogurt and an edible flower. The second coarse‒French toast made with raisin cinnamon bread dipped in farm fresh eggs and a side of sausage.
A nearby trail takes hikers to a stump house.
The property abuts an 1890s homestead.
A Walk in the Woods
Once at the inn, I didn’t want to leave even though there are plenty of day trip worthy activities like exploring North Cascades National Park, visiting the local distillery and breweries, and touring Boeing’s Future of Flight museum. All I wanted was to luxuriate in the peacefulness of the inn and the surrounding property. After breakfast, Bob was kind enough to take me on a morning hike and show me the stump house, an 1899 homestead property, and the Mustang graveyard.
A stay at River Rock Inn can be whatever you want, relaxing, romantic, or a woodland adventure. It is a 15-minute drive from the small town of town of Arlington, WA. For fine dining, the innkeepers recommend the world-inspired cuisine at Bistro San Martin, and for more casual dining, Skookum Brewery, and Nutty’s Junkyard Grill.
For more information on the inn or what to see and do visit River Rock Inn and the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau.
Note: As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodations and meal for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, the writer believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.
This place is beautiful, perfect to unwind and relax. The food looks yummy too!
What a beautiful hotel! It looks so totally relaxing that I don’t think I would ever want to leave – I can just imagine sipping some nice wine in front of the fireplace – bliss!
There is something about a rock fireplace, isn’t there? I probably wouldn’t move from it all weekend long, although that breakfast does look amazing.
It looks extremely cosy, I love staying in places like this when I travel. You had me at spa treatment and double baths, where do I sign up? 😀
oh wow, what a lovely place to unwind and relax in, I love these cabins out in the woods, totally my American dream! ha ha
Oh my goodness, that fireplace won me over instantly. Minus the dead animal on top, it looks so warm and inviting!
I lived in Kent, Washington for 2 years and didn’t know such a B&B existed quite near. I could have spent so many relaxing and romantic weekends there!
That looks comfy and extravagant, and I love the view of the woods through the beautiful and grand window!
Thanks for the introduction and that was a great experience. Glad that you enjoyed it.
@ knycx.journeying
Lovely inn in the woods. I think it is a great place to get away from all the urban madness and din. I am sure you had a rejuvenating time out there.
Wow the River Rock Inn looks and sounds like the perfect getaway to relax and recharge! I love the idea of the Fern Suite and its two person tub and outdoor fire pit! Thanks for sharing!
Looks like a magical place, I would love to stay here. Thank you for sharing –
wow this place looks so beautiful! and i love a 2 course breakfast – the only thing better is 3 courses!
Lara, you always manage to find little cute places and write nice stories about them Love the writing and pictures about this inn, a pity WA is too far from Europe!
River Rock Inn has that undeniable PNW look to it. Love the rock fireplace its so cozy. Also love that they have a spa right there on the premises, I’ve never seen one at a B&B before.
Gracie, It is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Thankfully, I don’t live to far away.
Vickie, That is so true. Once there, you just want to chill, then walk in the woods, and then chill again.
Corinne, I think they might be able to accommodate you with breakfast next to the fireplace. I agree, there is something about all those stones and the warmth of the fire.
Vlad, I so wished I had signed up for a spa treatment. It’s such a nice feature to have at this cozy B&B.
Nic, Me too! Nothing is quite as good as a cabin in the woods. 🙂
Brianna, That is a dream fireplace, isn’t it? I enjoyed my morning tea next to it.
Carol, It is amazing how much we miss that is so close by. I find that happens quite a bit and I’m always on the look out. I hope you get to make it back this way and check it out.
Knycx, I agree, that view is amazing. The inn is in such a great location in the woods. It was so nice to have breakfast and look out and see all the green and woodlands.
Sandy, Yes, it’s a perfect place to escape the madness and business of life. There is WiFi, but I didn’t feel the pull to check on anything. Just relax.
Rachel, The two-person tubs are such a nice feature, even if you are there alone, it’s nice to have all that space.
Stacey, I hope you get to go sometime soon. Thanks so much for commenting.
Amanda, That breakfast was so good and two of my favorite things to eat for breakfast too. I like 3 course breakfasts too, as long as a couple of the courses are light.
Elisa, That is so nice of you to say. Thank you. Yes, it is quite far, isn’t’ it. I often look at destinations in Europe with lots of longing, so I know exactly how you feel. 🙂
This is definitely my kind of woodland escape!! I would just never want to leave. What a beautiful hidden gem, thanks for sharing 🙂
Carmen, Thanks so much for commenting. It was hard to pack up the next day.