The Captain Whidbey Inn
A Perfect Weekend Getaway, Dining Experience and More!
 One of the great things about the Puget Sound is that one doesn't
need to travel far in any direction to enjoy the feeling of getting away from it
all. Whidbey Island is such a sanctuary and The Captain Whidbey Inn has a
lot to offer visitors who are just out for the day, or looking for an overnight
or weekend destination.
 Captain John Colby Stone purchased The Captain Whidbey Inn from his
parents in
1980, and has managed to continue many of the traditions the facility
has provided for decades. True to the meaning of the word 'Inn', the
Captain Whidbey provides overnight accommodations, highly revered full meals and libations to
guests. "It's one of those words our culture has watered down,"
asserts Stone as he discusses how many inns only provide sleeping quarters and
continental breakfasts nowadays. The Captain Whidbey reaches far beyond
that.
The Dining Experience
 The Captain Whidbey Inn features a full service dining facility where the menu changes
weekly. Breakfast is served daily year around, dinners are provided on
weekends during the winter months, and from July through September all meals
including lunch are served throughout the day in both the indoor dining facility
and on the excellent outdoor patio that looks out over the north corner of Penn
Cove. There's also a full service bar where guests can enjoy cocktails prior to their seating, or just drop in for a nightcap or afternoon refreshment.
Dinners at the Captain Whidbey are exceptional. The menu selections are
agreed to by a consortium which includes Stone, the Inn Keeper, Frank Pustka,
and the chef staff. Menu selections include appetizers,
entrees covering fish, fowl and game as well as a vegetarian dish on
occasion. There's also a trio of desserts, which range from lite to
rich. During a recent two night stay I was able to enjoy a succulent Beef Tenderloin
bathed in a Blue Cheese ajus (don't tell my cardiologist) and Breast of Duck
encrusted with a five spice coating and served with a ginger sesame
couscous.
The wine list leans heavily on the finer wines of the Northwest, although
some classy Californian and French varieties are included as well. On occasion, the Inn provides live music to those
dining, such as the classical cellist who was playing one evening during my
stay.
Breakfasts reach well beyond the continental fare. For those who like a
full meal there are flap jacks, egg dishes and more featured daily. For
those looking for a lighter plate, there is a buffet which includes fruit, baked
goods and juices.
Much of the food served at the Captain Whidbey Inn is locally grown - very
locally grown. Depending on the season, the island itself has enough
agriculture to provide many of the vegetables, fruits, fish, fowl and game,
without having to venture beyond it's own boundaries. "But if there's
a good lamb being offered by a New Zealand provider we won't pass it up,"
say Stone. In the summer months, many of the vegetables, herbs and some
fruits come right out of the plentiful gardens located just off the south side
of the kitchen at the inn.
Also on the grounds is an outdoor salmon barbeque pit. It's not
uncommon during summer to see one of the kitchen staff cutting fresh herbs or walking around
with a large smoked filet of salmon as you arrive to check in.
Dinning at the Captain Whidbey Inn is open to both guests and non guests of
the inn, but be advised - guests of the inn get priority when it comes to
reservations, so if you're not staying overnight at the facility, call in your
reservation sooner than later. Summer months offer little in the way of
walk up availability.
The Inn
 The history of the inn goes back to 1907 before there were bridges and
cars. Guest were brought in by paddle wheel steamer and the Whid-Isle Inn,
as it was originally called ,was quite the resort.
The original rooms remain today above the dining facility. Much of the
construction was done with native madrona wood which was plentiful in the
area. Northward rooms have an excellent view of Penn Cove with plenty of
windows making them bright, yet romantic. 12 rooms are provided in the
main house, all of which utilize a shared bath facility.
If you need a little more privacy you can stay in one of the many cottages
located on the grounds. From small one bedrooms to the roomy two bedroom
Captain's Cottage, there are numerous choices, some with garden views, others
with water views. Either way you dice it, you can't go wrong for a
peaceful, seductive weekend getaway.
Weddings and Retreats
 Another common use for the Captain Whidbey Inn is for Weddings and
retreats. The layout and grounds lend themselves well to larger gatherings
and two gazebos on site are perfect settings for tying the knot, rain or
shine. Because of the layout, part or all of the facility can be
rented out for such events. The grounds are well maintained and spring and
summer months have a lot to offer in the way of blooms.
There's also an on site meeting room which is used to feature art exhibitions
at various times of the year. "Microsoft used the facility years ago
just prior to going public" notes Stone. "I bought 100 shares at
$26 that week." Do the math.
Set Sail
 Stone is also a sailor and maintains a 52 foot classic ketch, Cutty Sark.
During weekends in the summer you will commonly see the boat on the water in
Penn Cove taking passengers two times daily for tours at noon and 3 p.m.
Weekdays, the ketch sets sail for charter excursions where island and inn hopping
through the Puget Sound and San Juan Islands provides passengers with spectacular
days of sailing that includes gourmet meals all along the way. A recent
article detailing these charters ran in Coastal Living magazine and the ketch
was sold out for the 2000 season before the first day of spring!
Getting There
Fly, drive or take a boat! You can ferry from Port Townsend or Mukilteo
onto Whidbey Island. Known as the long way, one can also drive out by using the bridge that crosses Deception Pass on the north end of the
island. Those wishing to fly in can do so by taking Harbor Air from Seatac
or other ports into Oak Harbor four miles north. Car rental can be had at
the airport. Front door delivery is available when you charter a smaller
line such as Kenmore Air who can drop you directly to the dock just off the
north side of the inn.
Private boats may anchor off the water from the inn, but may not do so at the
floating dock closest to the grounds as this is reserved for the ketch.
Because the Captain Whidbey Inn has so much to offer, it's possible to come
spend the weekend and never have a moment to get out and about the island, but
if you can... do. Whidbey Island offers hiking, kayaking, shopping and plenty
of parks just ripe for a picnic lunch on a summer day. But if you're not
inclined to leave the Inn you won't be disappointed with the grounds, views and
relaxing atmosphere the facility provides.
Tom Mehren/Spring 00
The Captain Whidbey Inn
2072 W. Captain Whidbey Inn Road (just off Madrona Road, North of Coupeville)
Coupeville, WA 98239
1-800-366-4097
http://www.captainwhidbey.com
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