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 light to rich.  During a recent two night stay I was able to enjoy a succulent Beef Tenderloin bathed in a Blue Cheese au jus (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

* Captain John sold the Inn in 2002