Smart Meetings

Leaving the mainland for a trip to the San Juan Islands is a little like stepping back in time. There is no Starbucks, and you won’t find a traffic light on any of these 172 islands dotting the northernmost part of Puget Sound. What you can expect to find is a series of pleasing seaside communities about 80 miles north of Seattle, in a backdrop that pulls you into its relaxed pace. Your group can only move as fast as the ferry or privately owned transit can take them, leaving no choice but to inhale the salty air, spy on wildlife and saunter along island roads. Groups can unwind here, get a clear head and separate themselves from the mainstream, literally.

“We’re all set up to do business with meeting planners,” says Robin Jacobson, public relations manager for the San Juan Island Visitors Bureau. “And we do a very big meeting business here.”

For our purposes, three islands stand out in size and accommodations—Orcas, San Juan and Lopez islands. The rest have little to no commercial activity; some are privately owned and some, uninhabited.
    
SAN JUAN ISLAND
San Juan Island hosts a handful of meeting spots, mostly around Friday Harbor, the only incorporated town on the islands. Groups will enjoy the quaintness of this small town at Friday Harbor House, which sits atop a bluff overlooking the water. Its San Juan Room can host up to 100 within 1,070 sq. ft. of space and is fully equipped with the latest audiovisual tools.

Just as serene is Elements, formerly known as Friday Harbor Inn & Spa, which has recently undergone major renovations to provide a more modern, high-tech setting for guests. It’s an old motor inn—but don’t let that image fool you. In addition to the new exterior, each room has been upgraded, incorporating hardwood floors downstairs, carpeting upstairs, new beds and hot tubs. The largest hotel on the island, Elements has a banquet room with a capacity of 150; it can also be split into two rooms. Make use of the adjoining kitchen—the staff will assist you in finding a local caterer to serve your group. High-speed wireless Internet is accessible throughout the property. You can relax knowing there is complimentary shuttle service between the hotel, the ferry landing and the Friday Harbor Airport, which links to Sea-Tac. Two months’ advance notice is requested for the busy summer months, especially for buyouts at this 73-room resort. Ask for group rates.

On the other side of San Juan Island, 11 miles northwest, you’ll come to Roche Harbor, which has its own landing strip for small planes. Roche Harbor first developed around the booming lime industry in the 1880s. The Roche Harbor Resort was created after the industrial “town” cropped up around the original Hotel de Haro, which was later sold to a Seattle businessman, Reuben J. Tarte, in 1956. Tarte turned the hotel and surrounding industrial buildings into a resort.

“We’re basically our own village going toward town status,” says Billy Cuddihy, events manager at Roche Harbor Resort.
Today, Roche Harbor provides a great retreat spot for groups. The Pavilion holds up to 150 people; it’s currently undergoing a renovation to come up to high-tech speed and is due to be finished this winter. For smaller events, the Fireside Room, a semi-private space off the dining room, can host up to 40 people, while the Executive Room is great for 18 or fewer. This resort does its best to maintain the historic flavor of the old lime days, while providing up-to-date amenities for meeting groups. And don’t worry about food and drink—full catering services are available.

Located between Roche Harbor and Friday Harbor, you’ll find the Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes, situated on 82 acres of forest. Open beams and use of slate and tile in the lodge and cabins are rustic touches to this high-end property. Groups of 80 can enjoy the wide outdoor deck over- looking the freshwater lake and cozy up to the fireplaces in the evening. The Great Room has 1,215 sq. ft. for an inside meeting. You can have the whole property to yourself with a mere 10-room booking!

If you’ve got some beer-lovers in your group, take them to the San Juan Brewing Company at the Front Street Ale House. It offers everything from burgers and pizza to ribs and oysters. Small groups can sit for supper and a cold one. Be sure to call ahead, so the owners can make necessary arrangements.

Just a short drive northeast from Friday Harbor is the Duck Soup Inn, available for buyouts or large groups. The owner/chef Gretchen Allison grows her own organic food and fresh herbs, and it’s not uncommon to see edible flowers in her presentations. The dining room accommodates up to 50, and outdoor seating is available.

Recreational activities are easy to find throughout the islands. Good for water-lovers, Puget Sound generally has calmer water, making kayaking a real treat—the serene water sport is not as intimidating as it might be in the open ocean. San Juan Safaris offers kayak tours and wildlife cruises, guiding groups of up to 36. Also experienced with groups is Outdoor Odysseys, which has worked with companies such as Microsoft, Nike and Washington Mutual. They are based on San Juan Island in the summer months, Seattle in winter.

Perhaps you’d like to take your group out on the water, but you don’t want to make them work too hard (saving their oomph for the next day’s meeting). If so, consider the Western Prince Whale & Wildlife Tours, which can host up to 30. Let local marine naturalists take the helm while you enjoy the wide eyes of your clients as they spot bald eagles, porpoises and killer whales, depending on the season, of course.

ORCAS ISLAND
If you have a large group, head for Orcas Island, the biggest island of the bunch and home to various artisans and small businesses. Rosario Resort & Spa, which can handle the island’s largest meetings, has 116 rooms and 6,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space at its Discovery Conference Center. A group of 300 would fit just fine in a reception setting. The great thing about meeting on an island is there is no lack of waterfront views. The resort’s historic Moran Mansion, built around 1909 by Seattle shipbuilder Robert Moran, will woo guests with its fireside bar and reception area. Inside the mansion are the spa, lounge, boutique and dining room. (Check out the original 1913 Aeolian Pipe Organ and 1900 Steinway Grand Piano in the music room, which are still played in live performances.)

For a dinner excursion, take a seat at the Inn at Ship Bay, where the island residents like to eat. It features local wines, sustainably harvested seafoods and seasonal sorbets (plus, your group will love the magnificent views). Also, the inn has meeting space for up to 60 people.

When it’s time to get your group motivated outside of the meeting, consider a hike among the alder, cedar and spruce trees in Moran State Park on Orcas Island. As you work your way up to the highest point on all the islands—Mt. Constitution’s 2,409-foot summit—inhale the fresh air and watch for rabbits, deer and a variety of birds such as geese and ospreys. At the top, get new perspective in the observation tower, where you can reflect on panoramic views and, on a clear day, see Vancouver to the north. And within the park’s 30 miles of trails, be sure to find those leading to various waterfalls.
    
LOPEZ ISLAND
Considered “the jewel of the San Juan Islands,” Lopez, about 30 square miles, is the first stop from Anacortes, Wash. (near Seattle) on the ferry. Give your group the option to explore gently rolling farmland on rented bicycles. Lopez Bicycle Works can gear up any group for a peddling tour of the flattest of the San Juans.

For a flavorful excursion, go wine-tasting at Lopez Island Vineyards, a small family-owned winery that offers a collection of fine organic wines. Groups of 20 can tour the six acres that produce wines such as the Madeline Angevine and Siegerrebe, particular to the cooler maritime climate. Weekdays are best for group tours, but advance notice allows for more flexibility at the vineyard.

If you’re looking for entertainment, the local theater scene is a pleasant surprise; national theater touring acts travel through the San Juan Islands, lured by young showbiz retirees who have settled here.

“Visitors are completely blown away at the quality of entertainment on the islands,” says the Chamber’s Jacobson. “It’s not your typical community theater.”

San Juan, Orcas and Lopez islands each have their own theater house and include everything from musicals and comedies to jazz performances and world and classical music.  

THEY GET AROUND
Whether it’s by a chartered plane from San Juan Airlines or the Washington State Ferry, knowing how to manage inter-island travel is key—and will maximize your time management. Be sure to arrange for transport upon arrival: Just ask Jacobson at the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce. 

“We know all the tricks about transportation,” Jacobson says. Because there’s no charge for heading east back to the mainland; she recommends buying a round-trip ticket and starting on the farthest west island served by the ferry—San Juan—a perfect place to start the journey.   Back to Top

Getting There

Daily commuter flights serve Friday Harbor Airport (on San Juan Island) from Sea-Tac International Airport. Or ride to the islands on the Washington State Ferry, originating from Anacortes, Wash., which is 110 miles from Sea-Tac. Back to Top