Sunday, March 29, 1992 — North Shore News - 47

TRAVEL
Discover Anacortes’ stunning Hotel Majestic

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‘Reservations are a must in La
Conner. Worse, you may have to
book quite a while in advance. We

IT’S RARE when everything you plan (or leave to chance)
turns out well. This past weekend was almost perfect — we
missed the tulips near La Conner, Washington by a few

46 The staff is outstanding (and

days.

First, we booked the elusive
one-room ‘‘guest accommoda-
tion’? at the Lighthouse Inn — a
restaurant on First Street in La
Conner. We've often tried to
book this spot but it’s usually sold
out. (206) 466-3147.

How nice it is! It’s right above
the restaurant with a lovely little
deck overlooking the channel.

If it turns chilly, you can sit in-
side — a modest corner has two
chairs, an end table and two cor-
ner windows. The room is taste-
fully decorated with antiques, has
a very tiny bathroom — shower
stall, etc. — and a queen bed.
Alas,: we don’t sleep well .in
queens so we'll leave it to those
who do.

- Other pluses — there’s a park-
ing slot for the one room, right at
the foot of the stairs leading up to
yous balcony. The room is elec-
trically heated, but you can turn it
off, open the many windows and
get a good sea breeze. After all,
you're hanging right over the
water. Reasonable at $64 a night.

The Lighthouse has good food.
Not great bet good, solid. Ameri-
can food. Not expensive. The

- “deli?? part serves _ enormous
_plates of perfectly cooked bacon

and eggs ($4.25) and a special — I

chose a ham and cheese omelette

-~ $2.99 — with pan fries and

'’ - Eaglish muffin.

.~«: Our first choice for - breakfast
was a block away — The Calico
Cupboard, a delicious-smelling
_, bakery, except that about 50
others had the same idea. I refuse
to stand in line when the odor of
cinnamon is that entrancing.
_-The lounge.at the Cighthouse

Barbara
NcCreadie

TRAVELWISE

he'll be around fora while. Jim
McKay plays blues and ballads
well and sings along, scratchy but
pleasant. When he emigrated from
Scotland 20 years ago, he lived in
North Van and worked at Burrard
before moving sateside.

Two other accommodations we
checked out:
Hotel Planter: (206) 466-4710.
This is a refurbished historic
hotel, tastefully done with an-
tiques. Rooms are smallish but
charming. Hot tub in secluded
patio in the rear. Located in town
centre, First Street. Published
rates, $75-$1!10 but may be nego-
tiable. Absolutely no smoking.
‘The Magic House: (206) 466-3826.
We saw the outside only but it
will be our next must-try. It’s a
private home, accommodates six.
$150 a night.

features live music four nights a guy

week. They had a new performer
last Saturday ight and I’m sure

* BASTER WEEKEND

_ APRIL. 17-19 .

Spend two restful nights at the -
beach this Easter and enjoy:
x2 nights accommodation .
* 2. dinnets

* 1 breakfast
* Easter Sutiday Brunch
* Welcome reception

TOTAL PACKAGE
PRICE

$15 Q)00 tax Ca

Spend your days relaxing in
our indoor pool, sauna and
whirlpool, enjoy a walk along
the beach or cocktails in our
pub.

TO RESERVE CALL:

1-800-663-7370

Island Hall Beach Resort

Box 340, Parksville, B.C.
VSP 2G5

Tel: (604) 248-3225
Fax: (604) 248-3125

CRUISE NIGHT
_ Featuring
Grand Hawaii
Swing
Nov. 27 on the
“Royal Odyssey’”
Combine’ Hawaii’s
tropical istands
with pure, swinging
“big band festive fun!
Swing along for 8 days
plus 2 frea nights in Waikiki
at 25% off!
or, return trip for 16 days
at 30% off!

Prices start at $2339 Cdn.
ind. air, gratuities, & other
amenities.

See how fo sail, swing &
save with Roseway

. at 7:30 pm
Wednesday April 15,1992
at Canyon House
3590 Capilano Rd.
Nerth Vancouve:

RSVP - 926-4344

were able to get oniy one night in
La Conner, so where to go? An
antique dealer suggested
Anacortes — we didn’t give it
much hope (just a ferry terminal).
What luck!

We have discovered one of the
most wonderful hoiels we've ever
visited. Brian is still shaking his
head.

Story: The main drag in
Anacortes is 34 blocks long. 1 in-
sisted we drive the full length of it
before we booked one of the
many motels along the way.

As we got to the end, on our
right was a huge black and white
building, and my radar started
bleeping. Explanation: I have a
sixth sense that uncovers unusual
places. Unfortunately, my ‘‘finds’’
have sometimes been unusually

We entered the lobby of the
Hotel Majestic and simply stared.
Aptly siamed, this is stunning. The

provided) little extras that we neither
requested nor expected!99

rooms are exquisite, especially the
big king-sized one we booked,

Prices range from $79 for
standard rooms to $150 for ‘‘ma-
jestic.’’ Unfortunately, the really
majestic rooms with the marble
soaking tubs are on the non-
smoking floor, but we were con-
tent.

The hotel is new-old. The
building dates back to the late
1800s and has only been re-open-
ed a short while. The grand oper.-
ing for the restaurant, Janot’s
Bistro, is April 12, but it’s
operating now — glorious food
but not inexpensive. ~

The staff is outstanding. In one
day's stay I could give you six ex-
amples of little extvas that we nei-
ther requested nor expected!

There is a pleasant complimen-
tary continental breakfast served
on the mezzanine every rnorning
plus coffee machines in the
rooms. Right outside our door ,
was a charming library with a
selection of books, a seating cor-
ner, desk and a game table for
two. ;

Don’t miss this one, book well
in advance: (206) 293-3355. Ad-
dress: 419 Commercial Ave.,
Anacortes.

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Since the Majestic dining room
isn’t open as yet for lunch,~we
asked around and were directed to
one of the best lunches I’ve had in

See Visitors page 48

Spring skiing. —
Winter snow.

_ Picture this. Spring at Whistler Resort. Bathing suits,
sunglasses, simmering outdoor patios and sizzling nightlife.

Now picture this. Skiing at Whistler and Blackcomb
Mountains. A mile-high vertical, 6,900 acres of terrain, more
than 30 feet of snow already this year, and the best high- -alpine
bowl and glacier skiing in North America.

The best of both seasons. .

It’s the perfect spring getaway. While the sun is
dee and temperatures are soaring, Whistler
Resort still has great winter skiing conditions.

And now, until May 18th, Whistler Resort’

7

a>

Alta Viste Chalet
Blackcomb Hotels
and Resorts
Blackcofib Lodge
Carney’s Cottage
Chalet Luise

Chateau Whistler
Resort

$96
$108

=

is more affordable than ever.
@ =Enjoya one-night stay and a
= two-day dual mountain lift
pass from only $99 per

person, or one of many

M7 / 4

“Ge

oy special spring skiing
packages. All that’s
missing from this
picture is you.
Call to book
your vacation
today..

Whistler Village Inns $97

Packass include 1 night accommodation «id a 2-day dual mountain lift pass. Rates based on
double occupancy. Limited number of rooms available. Offer begins March 23, 1992.

"5 WHISTLER RESORT