THE BEST PLACE TO STAY NEAR OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK: DOMAINE MADELEINE BED & BREAKFAST
With its waterfalls, crystal clear lakes, towering mountains, moss-covered forests and dramatic shorelines, Washington’s Olympic National Park and the Olympic Peninsula are bursting at the seams with natural beauty and photo-worthy moments.
Where you choose to stay while visiting the area should be no different.
There are a handful of hotels near Olympic National Park and the various attractions of the Olympic Peninsula to choose from. During my stay, I visited the most notable of them and came away knowing that I was staying at the best one. One that, just like the waterfall, forests and mountains, would be a highlight of my trip. It is…Domaine Madeleine, a five-room bed and breakfast where I spent seven restful nights.
Ultra-secluded yet located within easy driving distance to Olympic National Park and the best of the Olympic Peninsula, Domaine Madeleine feels like a home away from home — a hideaway just as ideal for the adventure-set as it is for those seeking rest and relaxation as it is for those seeking both (myself included).
Read on to learn more about Domaine Madeleine
The Property
Domaine Madeleine is tucked away down a quiet, county road.
From the road, you’ll travel down Wildflower Lane (it’s more of a gravel driveway) to reach the front gates of Domaine Madeleine.
Looking back down the driveway (towards the road you entered from) you can see the mountains of Olympic National Park.
Domaine Madeleine sits on a high bluff overlooking the Strait of San Juan de Fuca.
Good To Know: There is no access to the water from the property, however the views of it are incredible. In the distance across the strait you can see Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, as well as the San Juan Islands (United States).
The 10-acre property is home to several gardens, as well as a small, man-made pond with waterfall.
There are plenty of places to relax and enjoy the serenity.
An evening view looking North East towards the Dungeness Spit.
A sunset view from the breakfast room off the kitchen and from the backyard (if you look closely you can see the lights of Victoria, British Columbia).
The beautiful backyard is a great place to relax anytime of day, but especially around sunset.
In the mornings, a resident bald eagle can often be seen sitting in one of the pine trees in the background of this photo. I even saw it from my chair in the dinning room while eating breakfast – not a bad view!
The Rooms
There are just five rooms at Domaine Madeleine — the Hoh Rainforest Suite with its vaulted ceiling, wall of windows and wood-burning fireplace, the Hurricane Ridge Suite, the large second-floor unit with a spacious private deck, the Lake Crescent Suite, a bright and cozy room with its own garden-adjacent deck, the Sol Duc Falls Cottage, a freestanding unit set in the garden (it’s the only room without a water view; it’s also the most affordable), and finally, the Rialto Beach Cottage (picture above / more info below).
Good To Know: only two rooms, the Hoh Rainforest Suite and the Hurricane Ridge Suite, are located within the main house. The Lake Crescent Suite is attached to the main house but has its own entrance. The Sol Duc Falls Cottage, as mentioned, is a freestanding unit. The Rialto Beach Cottage is set away from the main house in a separate structure.
More detail on the room locations. Not pictured: The Rialto Beach Cottage, which is located to the left and separated from the main house by trees and a thick garden. The Sol Duc Falls Cottage is located at the front of the property near the front gate.
Surrounded by towering trees, the Rialto Beach Cottage, where I stayed for seven nights, is located near the main house but separated by trees and a thick garden.
The cottage features a front patio with two comfortable chairs and views down a long, green lawn (which feels like it belong all to you) and out to the water. Inside, you’ll find a super-comfortable king-sized bed, sitting area, gas fireplace, two-person tub and bathroom that will all make you feel right at home. In fact, I felt so at home that for a few days of my visit I never even left the Domaine Madeleine property, opting to simply stay in and enjoy this slice of heaven.
Truly, the Rialto Beach Cottage is a hidden gem and staying here felt like I’d found the perfect spot to hide away from the world.
Me walking down the long lawn toward the Rialto Beach Cottage. On the horizon you can see the San Juan Islands. What you see in the photo is also the view from the Rialto Beach Cottage’s large front windows.
A few steps from the Rialto Beach Cottage, along the large lawn, is a huge fenced-in area home to Domaine Madeleine’s chickens. Their eggs are used for breakfast (depending on that day’s menu).
The Lake Crescent Suite’s private, garden-adjacent patio comes with table and chairs to enjoy a meal or simply take in the views.
Breakfast
Breakfast is not included in the nightly rate – which is a good thing since your breakfast needs may change from day to day. Domaine Madeleine offers three breakfast options to suite your appetite and schedule:
No breakfast, Full Breakfast (a beautiful, multi-course, home-cooked breakfast served in the dinning room at 9:00am to all participating guests –$25 per person/per morning), and the Adventure Breakfast (a thoughtful and filling selection of bites including yogurt with granola, delicious pastries, hardboiled eggs and more, all delivered to your room’s fridge the night before, packed up and ready to be eaten on-the-go the next morning — $15 per person/per morning). You can let the inn keepers know you breakfast plans while booking your room, or if you’d rather decide later, by phone, text or in-person one day in advance.
Pro Tip: If you’d like to meet other guests and have a leisurely morning, the group Full Breakfast is the way to go. If you’d like to eat in the privacy of your own room, or more likely, if your day of adventures calls for an early departure, choose the Adventure Breakfast.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have a big appetite, the greater region is known for their shed-sized, drive-though coffee shacks that serve breakfast sandwiches, pastries and all the caffeine you need. Rise n’ Grind is the closest to Domaine Madeleine.
More Info: For afternoon or evening snacking, Domaine Madeleine also offers items like a fruit and cheese plate or a charcuterie plate with a bottle of wine.
Prices
In high season (May 15-Sept 15) rates range from $257 to $514 per night// In low season (Sept 16-May 14), rates range from $220 to $315 per night
Now that you know where to stay, here’s what to do:
5 Things To Do In And Around Olympic National Park
I was a guest of Domaine Madeleine. All opinions expressed here are my own. Seriously, I would have stayed for a month if I could — and I can’t wait to go back one day soon!
Trevor Morrow
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