Experience Old West Luxury At One Of Washington's Oldest Hotels
By Andrea Verschuyl|Published October 31, 2023
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Andrea Verschuyl
Author
Having grown up in Washington, Andrea is a self-admitted Pacific Northwest snob. In their opinion, there's simply nowhere else in the country with the Evergreen State's beauty. After attending university, Andrea devoted themselves to writing full-time. They're thrilled to represent Washington for Only In Your State while pursuing other professional and personal projects. They currently reside in Olympia, where they enjoy leaf-blowing their yard, perfecting homemade ramen, cuddling with their three tiny dogs, and feeding their pufferfish, Sea Biscuit.
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
Somewhere between the advent of Airbnb and Instagram, vacationers began craving accommodations that provided them with more than beige, standardized interiors. Today’s sightseers patronize businesses that deliver comfort while maintaining the local character guests couldn’t find anywhere else. If a one-of-a-kind stay is on your wish list, you might want to stay in Port Townsend’sBishop Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in Washington.
Perched on the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula with sweeping views of Puget Sound, Port Townsend is a famously picturesque town with a reputation for well-preserved Victorian architecture. The community's careful conservation of these structures is partly thanks to luck. While other Washington cities fell victim to fires that forced redevelopment, Port Townsend avoided these disasters.
With its stylish looks and oh-so-symmetrical architecture, there's something charmingly Wes Anderson about The Bishop Hotel. Walking up, it delivers visitors Old West luxury with a Victorian flair.
A local man named William Bishop Sr. built the site in 1890. It became known as The Bishop Block, serving as the headquarters for the Owl Cigar Company well into the 1900s before being converted into temporary housing for WWII civilian workers in the 1940s. 1980 was the first year the building operated as a hotel, and it's been a tourist favorite since.
Current owners Jessica Jennings and Eric Wennberg purchased the building in 2020 and have done a remarkable job updating it while remaining sensitive to its storied past. You'll find their touch in modern details that imbue the hotel with timeless panache.
Though the downstairs Bottle Shop is open seven days a week for espresso, pastries, and adult beverages, and the beautiful courtyard is a must-visit year-round, some rooms are fitted with quaint kitchenettes, meaning you can luxuriate in bed as long as you'd like on a lazy vacation morning.
Here, guests enjoy all the atmosphere of a Victorian building while also benefiting from modern comforts. The combination makes for a delightful experience you'll want to repeat again and again.
You’ll love your stay at one of the oldest hotels in Washington! The Bishop Hotel delivers Old West glamour in a decidedly Victorian package. Best of all, this boutique hotel is located within walking distance from Port Townsend’s charming downtown. Book your vacation and make lasting memories in this stunning waterfront town!
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