There's A Brand New Hotel Inside This Historic Washington Seminary, And It's Magical
By Jessica Wick|Published June 28, 2021
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Jessica Wick
Author
Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
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.
Unless you live in King County, you may never have heard of Kenmore, much less St. Edward State Park. Located along the northernmost shore of Lake Washington, Kenmore is a small city by any standard… but it also happens to be home to a beautiful 326-acre day-use park with 3,000 feet of freshwater shoreline.
Recently, the old St. Edward Seminary opened as The Lodge at St. Edward State Park, after a lengthy five-year renovation. The landmark building was restored beautifully, and the hotel is now open to the public. And if you like your staycation spots to have a history, this is definitely the place for you.
The St. Edward Seminary was an institution for developing Catholic priests that operated for 46 years, until 1976.
For quite some time, the 90,000-square-foot building was empty, occasionally being used as a set for a horror movie or thriller. But it continued to decay until the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission entered into an agreement with Daniels Realty Development to completely restore the building.
The hotel opened its doors to the public in May, after spending five years and $57 million on the project.
The menu rotates seasonally. This is the Line-Caught Alaskan Halibut with fresh spring peas, mint, creamy potato purée,
and preserved Meyer lemon. And it is divine.
The 84 guest rooms range from small, cozy Queen rooms to more spacious suites.
As the building was being renovated, it was clear the old seminary's tiny dorm rooms wouldn't be big enough to convert into hotel rooms. Each guest room consists of at least two old dorm rooms, so you'll see a lot of doors in the hallways that lead to nowhere. The original doors and pews were saved during the renovation.
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After you've walked some of the nature trails at St. Edward State Park, treat yourself to a spa visit.
There's nothing wrong with loving nature and loving luxury at the same time -- and it's clear they can comfortably co-exist.
Don’t pass up the chance to experience this stunning property. If you’re a history buff, grab your smartphone and embark on a self-guided history tour, where various QR codes will tell you all about the area you’re exploring. Treat yourself to a stay here.
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