Relax at The Resort at Port Ludlow on the Olympic Peninsula
Get away from it all at the serene inn, waterfront restaurant, marina and golf course at the The Resort at Port Ludlow.
The Olympic Peninsula in Washington is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Take in the natural beauty of The Resort at Port Ludlow on your next Pacific Northwest vacation. Located a little more than an hour from the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles, this resort is a great starting point to your trip to the park or as a basecamp to explore the entire peninsula.
“I have guests tell me all the time how they just feel this sense of relaxation as soon as they cross over the Hood Canal Bridge and reach the Olympic Peninsula,” says Diana Smeland, president of The Resort at Port Ludlow.
The resort includes a 37-room inn, a waterfront farm-to-fork restaurant, 300-slip marina and nearby 18-hole championship golf course, which makes for the perfect place to start your trip to one of Washington’s most beautiful destinations.
The inn’s guest rooms were refreshed in 2021, including new beds, flooring and décor, and many offer either water or mountain views. Over-sized, jetted tubs and gas fireplaces make unwinding in your room easy.
One of the best features of the resort is the farm-to-fork Fireside Restaurant. Overlooking the marina, you’ll have both waterfront and mountain views while you dine. A heated, covered veranda makes outdoor dining possible year-round. While “farm-to-table” and “farm-to-fork” are catch phrases you’ve likely seen before, the Fireside Restaurant takes it to a whole new level. The restaurant emphasizes sourcing its ingredients from local purveyors, many of which are less than 20 minutes from the resort. The dinner menu changes daily to incorporate peak season produce and the freshest ingredients from local farmers and artisans. The names of the producers are showcased right on the menu, along with on a large map as you approach the host stand.
You’ll find dishes like local Neah Bay King Salmon cooked on cedar planks, salads made with local greens and charcuterie boards filled with local cheeses. Pair your meal with a wine selection from the Wine Spectator award-winning list, and you’ll have an experience you won’t soon forget. You’ll see an extra 1% donation to the local Land Trust added to your bill, that reflects the restaurant’s commitment to giving back to the land it occupies.
For those who want an even more immersive dining experience, book the Farm Package, available May through September. You’ll be provided with a basket and “farm bucks” at check-in. Take a self-guided tour of local farms and producers on your stay and bring back produce, cheeses, wines, hard ciders and whatever else your heart desires. Then, return your bounty to the chef at Fireside Restaurant who will create a truly custom multi-course meal for you with the ingredients you picked. It’s literally a dirt-to-fork experience.
The on-site marina makes it easy to explore the beautiful waters surrounding Port Ludlow, just steps from your room. Rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard to explore under your own power. Paddle out on the tranquil waters of Ludlow Bay, including the Twin Islands, and see wildlife like blue herons, eagles and river otters. Don’t miss the islands’ backside where the water is a shade of blue green you’d expect from Hawaii, not northern Washington. The protected bay limits boat traffic to under 5 m.p.h., so your paddling experience will be peaceful and not too choppy. Engine-powered watercraft rentals are also available for cruising waters farther out.
For golfers, the peaceful Port Ludlow Golf Club, located a few miles from the resort, is a great way to spend the day. The Robert Muir Graves-designed course is situated on a sprawling 160-acres where you’ll rarely see other groups as you play. The front nine features water views of the Hood Canal, Ludlow Bay and the Cascade Mountains, while the back nine’s setting has rolling fairways, abundant wildlife and historic logging stumps.
“It’s a way to experience nature in a quiet setting while enjoying an award-winning course,” says Smeland. “It’s just you and the course. You can hear birds and frogs, see the deer and occasional bobcat and see bald eagles overhead.”
Looking for more dining options and shopping? Head to Scandinavian-inspired Poulsboro or the Victorian seaport of Port Townsend for the afternoon. Both are a 30-minute drive.
For more information:
The Resort at Port Ludlow
(360) 437-7000
One Heron Road, Port Ludlow, WA 98365
portludlowresort.com