Heat things up with trips to these sweet spots
written by Charyn Pfeuffer
For some travelers, staying in a hotel room with amped-up amorous amenities can be equally important as its view and location. As temperatures dip, heat things up with romantic getaways. From scenic coastal resorts to snowy mountain lodges, Washington offers plenty of romantic lodging options. Here are five next-level romantic stays that will make your sweetie swoon. Stay warm and soak it up!
This winter, The Nest at Thompson Seattle will transform its stunning outdoor rooftop into an indoor-outdoor oasis. To enjoy a romantic evening and get cozy next to your beau, reserve an exclusive firepit seat where you can sip batched- and barrel-aged cocktails served over hand-carved ice. Try the Cara Cara, a tequila-mezcal concoction made with beet, lime and agave. Then warm your toes with killer cityscape views of Seattle you can’t get anywhere else. The brand new property, conceived by Seattle design sweetheart Olson Kundig Architects, epitomizes urban chic and puts our spectacular Cascadian landscape front and center. It’s hip and swank and everything you’d never expect from Seattle.
Perfect Itinerary
Eat
For a culinary experience full of aphrodisiacs like oysters and a fourteen-course experiential tasting menu, reserve two seats at the intimate Chef’s Counter at restaurant Scout in the hotel.
Drink
Slip past the tourists at Pike Place Market and head up two flights of the Corner Building to Matt’s in the Market (94 Pike St.). Grab one of the eight highly prized barstools and sip a Compromise (a key element in any relationship), made with Old Overholt Rye, Dolin blanc, Strega and orange bitters.
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When the clock strikes 12, the Can Can Kitchen & Cabaret (94 Pike St. B) comes alive. Expect Moulin Rouge-inspired sequined servers, seductive singers, burlesque stars and an intimate atmosphere in the underbelly of the market.
For an unforgettable winter getaway, hole up at The Chrysalis Inn & Spa. Located on Bellingham Bay, romantic amenities abound. Think double soaking tubs in every room, window-seat views of the bay and couples’ massages. For an extra special treat (and more space), book a king suite.
Head downtown to take advantage of Bellingham’s lively arts scene. More than thirty venues participate in the First Friday Art Walk, held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Expect cozy studios and artist meet-and-greets beyond your standard-issue gallery experience. The Whatcom Museum’s Lightcatcher Gallery (250 Flora St.) is also worth a stop. Nearby, the nonprofit Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St.) offers a daily, year-round schedule of independent, art house and noncommercial films. For the latest local calendar listings, be sure to check out bellingham.org and fairhaven.com.
Perfect Itinerary
Eat
For a casual yet elegant dining experience, cozy up at Magdalena’s Creperie (1200 10th St. #103) for sweet and savory crépes, as well as farmer cheese-stuffed pan-fried Polish pierogis.
Drink
Beneath sexy chandeliers and vintage mirrors at The Temple Bar (306 W. Champion St.), sip the Winter’s Tail, made from gin, Campari, Dolin rouge and Zirbenz Stone Pine liqueur.
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Make out among the stacks at community-based indie bookseller Village Books (1200 11th St.), in the historic Fairhaven district.
For a stress-free romantic getaway, book the Marcus Whitman Romance Package. It includes accommodations in the historic tower or the west wing looking out over Walla Walla’s historic downtown, plus a dining voucher to The Marc Restaurant—named “Restaurant of the Year” by the Washington State Wine Commission. Feeling fancy? Add a bottle of sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries. Whether you’re an aspiring wine aficionado or an oenophile know-it-all, the hotel offers six on-site tasting rooms and a rotating winery-of-the-month tasting menu.
Perfect Itinerary
Eat
Indulge in the six-course tasting menu with wine pairings at Whitehouse-Crawford Restaurant (55 West Cherry St.), which features farm-to-table ingredients and an ever-changing menu.
Drink
Nearby wineries include Tero Downtown Tasting Room (6 W. Rose St. #103), an artisanal boutique winery specializing in small-batch wines; Lagana Cellars (6 E. Rose St.), which focuses on white wines; Kerloo Cellars (private tasting appointments are available; 3911 First Ave. S.); and the Browne Family Vineyards (31 E. Main St.), where you can enjoy al fresco sipping via their private patio.
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Book hot stone massages at Misbehavin Spa & Salon (126 W. Poplar St.).
To experience winter storm-watching at its best, trek about three hours outside Seattle and hightail it to the coast. The storms of La Push are what weather-watcher dreams are made of. At Oceanside Resort, you’re smack dab on the beach, where accommodations range from cabins to campers. There’s no better way to spend a winter night than cuddled next to a fire watching the surf. First Beach is easy to access, but with a little extra effort, Second Beach is well worth the 1-mile hike and reward. It’s remote, wild and downright gorgeous.
Perfect Itinerary
Eat
For a romantic night on the town, snag a seat by the window for a view of the water at River’s Edge Restaurant (41 La Push Rd.). Afterward, take a stroll on La Push beach.
Drink
Get to know the locals over pints at BBG Blakeslee Bar & Grill (1222 S. Forks Ave.), a watering hole with pool tables.
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Head to the beach for sunset, then build a beach fire. Fires on the beach are legal. You can buy firewood at the local Quileute store.
Fun fact: The Methow Valley touts the largest groomed Nordic ski trail system in North America with 120 miles of groomed, interconnected trails surrounded by more than a million acres of wilderness and forest lands. If you’re looking to hit the snow with your sweetie, the area offers an abundance of cross-country and snowshoeing opportunities. When you’ve had enough of the snowy winter wonderland, the lodge is the perfect place to hole up with a wool blanket, a good book and a boozy mug of spiked hot cocoa. Whipped cream optional.
Perfect Itinerary
Eat
For the ultimate foodgasm, try the silky heirloom pumpkin soup followed by the peppered venison loin at super-romantic Arrowleaf Bistro (207 White Ave.). Be sure to make reservations at this local fave.
Drink
The Copper Glance (134 Riverside Ave.), a self-described “petit lounge bar,” boasts more than twenty bourbon selections, but it’s the cocktails that shine. Try the Hanky Panky, made with Beefeater gin, Carpano Antica vermouth, Fernet Branca and orange bitters.
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In nearby Leavenworth, Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards (837 Front St.) opened a suitably saucy Bavarian brothel motif tasting room with such wines as Burning Desire Cabernet Franc and Shameless Hussy Merlot.
