Artist's Studio Loft Bed and Breakfast

From the moment you park your car and walk through one of the garden gates, you are transported to an enchanted world of garden paths, ponds, and trees that is peaceful, quiet, and serene. This is a place for personal reflection, rekindling romance, honeymooners, nature lovers, birdwatchers, or for those just needing to break away from the daily grind. Enjoy and be nurtured by relaxing in the outdoor therapeutic spa. Unwind in the hot soothing water and let the jets massage your cares away while you listen to the sounds of frogs and night birds.

We are nestled on 5 peaceful acres on beautiful Vashon Island, just minutes from downtown Seattle, Tacoma, and the Kitsap Peninsula. Enjoy a gorgeous ferry ride from 3 different points of departure, West Seattle, Point Defiance in Tacoma, Southworth on the peninsula.

There are six distinctly unique and private suites / cottages, each with a private entrance, private bath, television, ceiling fans and warm soft robes.

We are located on beautiful Vashon Island, just minutes from downtown Seattle, Tacoma, and the Kitsap Peninsula. Enjoy a beautiful ferry ride from 3 different points of departure, West Seattle, Point Defiance in Tacoma, Southworth on the peninsula.

Enter through just one of the many artistic gates and arbors and discover the magic and the peace of the garden. Sit or stroll while you unwind and enjoy the graceful shapes and forms of the arches, stones paths and trees. Bird watch from your favorite bench or simply close your eyes and soak in the sounds of nature. Stroll under the romantic vine covered arbors, that are a favorite spot for the song birds to perch. Relax on a bench in the flower gardens and beside the pond and watch the birds bathing and splashing and the dragonflies landing on the water lilies and ornamental grasses.

If you're lucky, enjoy the splendor of visits by the Blue Heron and King Fisher. Later in the year listen to the rustle of the giant ornamental grasses and take in the brilliant fall colors.

Consistently selected by the following Pacific Northwest guidebooks:

"Best Places to Kiss in the NW"
"Best Places to Stay in the NW"
"AAA Tour Book" (3 diamonds)

Amenities include:

• Outdoor Hot tub
• Lovely gardens
• Fireplaces (in cottages)
• Iron, ironing board
• Clock radio with alarm
• Individually controlled heat
• Private ensuite bath
• 2 person tubs (in 2 rooms)
• Hair dryers
• Robes
• Kitchenette (several rooms)
• Full Kitchen (River birch)
• Refrigerators
• Coffee makers (with coffee & teas)
• Corkscrew, wine & water glasses available
• TV/VCR Stereo CD players
• Off street parking
• FREE WiFi ~ Newly expanded WIFI ~ accessible in all rooms and cottages.

Breakfast:

Continental Breakfast

The Cottages (Loft, Meadowlark, Arbor & River birch) come with a continental breakfast located in the room. Enjoy delicious large and fluffy muffins, rich yogurt, fresh fruit, orange juice, milk, cereal, coffee and tea in the mornings at your leisure.

Full Breakfast

The Ivy and the Master Suite bed and breakfast rooms come with a full breakfast. Only the guests in these 2 rooms come into the main kitchen for a full, sit-down breakfast. We serve breakfast for these 2 rooms at 9 am. It is important to let us know whether or not you will be joining us.

Important Note:

Because our guests come here for a quiet, peaceful and tranquil setting, we do our best to provide that atmosphere. In an effort to preserve the serene environment our guests have come to expect, we cannot accommodate children, and due to allergies of some guests, we cannot accommodate smoking or animals.

We thank you in advance for your understanding and sincerely hope you can find a place to meet your needs.

About the Inn Keeper
 
I spent several years traveling; partly for personal retreat and partly to explore the world. My travels have taken me to India, Nepal, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and most of Europe. During this time, I studied 'Go' (an oriental strategy game) and taught English as a second language in Japan.  When I returned to the Seattle area, I settled on Vashon Island and later started the Artist's Studio Loft. As a result of my travels, I have an intimate understanding of the needs of travelers and love to meet and talk with my guests.
 
The gardens here feed my soul and I am happiest pursuing artistic projects, such as stained glass, painting and mosaics, when time permits.  It has been a wonderful adventure decorating and developing the cottages, rooms and gardens. The 5 acres that are now gardens were pasture when I moved here in 1983.

~Jacqueline

What a lovely place. Peaceful, inspiring, natural. In a word perfect. Can we live here? Love the garden, the iron work, the beams, the furniture and the stained glass. We are going to take your idea and hang our stained glass in our window too. We will see you again and bring family from here and England too. They will all love it. How could anyone not?

Jeremy & Lauren, Oregon

Jacqueline,
Thank you, so much, for your wonderful hospitality. The plum and apricot treats at breakfast were delicious. Your house, guest rooms and grounds were all so very charming and beautiful. We loved our 3 days in the Master Suite. Being from San Francisco, the peace and calm we felt while here will make a world of difference this coming week.

Kristina & Gary, CA

Shhhhh..... you can hear courting frogs singing to the heavens. What a wonderful magical place.

As many before us have written in this room book "This is a lovely hideaway". We feel lucky to have stayed here ~ just sorry our stay was so brief. You have a talent in decorating, gardening and making one feel at home. We especially enjoyed the flowers from the garden.
Best wishes to you,

Bonnie & Bill, TX

Sunny days in a calm and beautiful setting, in the Riverbirch Cottage. It really doesn't get any better any better than this. Thanks for presenting this gift to the world with such a warm and lovely smile.

K&R

I came for 2 but stayed 3 days. What a lovely retreat in the Riverbirch Cottage... loved, loved, loved it. My first B&B experience may very well be my best (until I return). Keep up the good work... more people need this place.

Richard, SF, CA

This place is magical! Thank you for giving us a place to find joy in.

Jennifer

We are sad to be leaving this beautiful place. This has been such a restful, peaceful, inspiring place to stay. After 10 days it feels like home!

Thank you, Jacqueline and Lance for sharing your wonderful cottage with us.... you are kind and gentle souls. We will see you again ~ hopefully soon.

Deb & Don, Nebraska

This has been such a wonderful time for us. So relaxing, peaceful and refreshing. I know in the coming weeks and months I will slip back in my thoughts to this lovely tranquil Loft, the gardens and ponds and breathe the fresh air, hear the beautiful birds and relive the peace I found here. Just what the doctor ordered, we have both enjoyed it so much, feeling replenished so we can return to our "real" world.

Thank you for your hospitality, your creativity and care you have put into this enchanting place. I look forward to our next visit and will tell my friends so they too can enjoy the Loft's and your peaceful generosity.

Connie & Dave, Texas

We have snuggled into the Loft, embraced by its warmth and spirit. What a wonderful respite on Vashon.

B & F, Arlington, Maine

What more can be said that has not been written in this book? We experienced it all. Eleven fun & sun filled days in perfect peace and harmony! Great place! Great island and great community. You were great hosts in every way. We'll be back! Thanks.

Tim and Georgia, Rhode Island

Gorgeous place, very warm and inviting. Beautiful gardens and cottages. Thanks so much for your hospitality.

Heather

We have snuggled into the Loft, embraced by its warmth and spirit. What a wonderful respite on Vashon.

B & F, Arlington, Maine

To Jacqueline, proprietress of a true 'Garden of Eden', your attention to detail has taken our breath away. The gardens have given much needed respite from the hectic Seattle lifestyle, while granting inspiration for my artistic projects. Our sincere thanks to Lance for providing a wonderfully caring lesson in deer herding while providing opportunity to closely view the beautiful athleticism of the local wildlife. We will surely be back.
In Joy -

L & L, Kent, WA

The Arbor Cottage was enchanting and beautiful, we especially loved the covered porch and the wonderful large soaking tub in the bathroom. The gardens were serene and healing... we enjoyed the sweet sounds of the birds and the frogs. What a wonderful, magical place. We wanted a quiet weekend just to ourselves and the peace and tranquility of the gorgeous gardens and cottage were just what we were looking for. Our hostess, Jacqueline, was warm and welcoming and gave us some great advice on restaurants and fun things to do for the weekend.

Sometimes all it takes is a day or two to refresh the mind and renew the body.

Vashon Island, often referred to as "the heart of the Puget Sound", is located centrally in the Puget Sound between (and minutes away) from Seattle and Tacoma. It's 20 minutes from Sea-Tac Airport to Fauntleroy Ferry dock in West Seattle, then a gorgeous 15 minutes ferry ride with views of the Cascades & Olympic Mountains and sometimes seals or Orca whales.

A flourishing arts community, the island boast several galleries, great restaurants, and shops perfect for browsing. Artist's Studio Loft B&B is just one mile from Vashon's shops. There are three lovely public beaches providing an excellent setting for a picnic, beachcombing and exploration. Ride bikes on miles of lightly traveled back roads, rent a sea kayak or take leisurely walks.

SPRING & SUMMER

Tour Artist's Studios in May
Island Garden Tour in June
Strawberry Festival in July
Cycle Vashon's country roads
Visit local Art Galleries (year round)
Rent Kayaks
Enjoy summer theater
Walk the Burton Trail
Visit Wolf Town's Alaskan wolves (year round)
Visit the Cafe Luna for music events
Fly over the area in a small plane
Stroll our beautiful flower gardens
Golf 18 holes at Vashon's Country Club
Horseback ride (year round)
Lounge in the Hot Tub (year round)
Attend Vashon's Saturday Market
Photograph wildflowers
Picnic on the beach
Attend the Red Bicycle Bistro music events

FALL

Photograph the brilliant colors
Lounge in the Hot Tub
Enjoy our Fall flower garden
Attend Vashon's Harvest Festival
Visit the Island Art Galleries (year round)
Hike or cycle to views
Read by the fire
Walk the beach

WINTER

Cuddle with your sweetie
Tour Artist's Studios in December
Shop Artist's Tour for Christmas Gifts
Unwind & de-stress in a Jacuzzi tub
Curl up on the Sofa by the fire
Christmas Lighting display
Schedule a therapeutic massage (year round)
Beach comb after storms

Links to activities on Vashon Island:

www.vashonislanddayspa.com

www.wolftown.org/

www.joffray.com/ride

www.island-air.com

www.vashoncalendar.org

www.redbicyclebistro.com

From Sea-Tac Airport to Fauntleroy Ferry Dock in West Seattle:

Exit airport onto Hwy 518 West continue to the community of Burien, at this point 518 ends and becomes 148th St. Follow 148th to Right on Ambaum Way. Follow Ambaum (becomes 16th Ave SW) to Left on Roxbury St. Go to 35th Ave. SW, turn right, go to Left on Barton. Barton becomes Wildwood and winds its way down to the water and the Fauntleroy Ferry dock. Look for the line (if there is one) and find the end of it.

Once on the island: (From North end ferry dock) Follow the main road south approximately 4.5 mi., (if you get into the town of Vashon you have gone too far.) turn Left on Gorsuch Rd., (Look for the stone building on the left where you turn onto Gorsuch - it sits about 5 feet lower than the road) go 3/4 mi. and road turns L. and becomes 91st Ave SW. The Inn is 1/2 block on Left.

From Seattle to Fauntleroy Ferry in W. Seattle:

Go south on I-5 take the West Seattle Bridge overpass exit (right there by the Big green "T" on top of the Tully's building that stands next to the freeway). Stay on this overpass - do not take any of the exits. Eventually this overpass will end and the street you are on *will become* Fauntleroy Way, continue on this road (do not exit - it will wind and turn for several miles) until you reach the ferry (stay on Fauntleroy Way)

***Please look for the end of the line before you get past Lincoln Park which will be on your right as you get close to the ferry. You can tell if it is the line if there is a person behind the wheel in each of the cars along the road. Please take care to not cut line.

From West Seattle: take Fauntleroy ferry to Vashon Island

Once on the island: Follow the main road approximately 4 mi. to Left on Gorsuch Rd., go 3/4 mi., road turns L. and becomes 91st Ave SW. Inn is 1/2 block on Left.

From Tacoma: Point Defiance Ferry to Vashon Island

Follow Vashon Hwy to 1/4 mi. N. of town of Vashon, turn R. on Gorsuch Rd. go 3/4 mi. to L. turn, Inn is 1/2 block on L.