The Marina Inn

We picked this place while looking for somewhere in the area and ended up pleasantly surprised. The room was clean, the beds comfortable, and all the staff were friendly and helpful. There wasn't a hot breakfast, which was a small disappointment, but the rest of the stay more than made up for it. We'll definitely return when we're nearby.

They had games and books available to borrow, and answered all our travel questions as if they really wanted us to enjoy ourselves. We were welcomed with freshly baked cookies, and they gave me postcards to send to friends. There's no elevator, but they told us in advance and offered ground-floor rooms. One of the most charming hotels I've stayed in. I'd recommend it to anyone!

The room was clean and nice, and the young man who helped my husband park was very pleasant. But the way the front desk woman and manager handled our arrival was so rude that I won't return. We came on a Thursday evening in a large truck. The desk clerk asked if we'd just arrived in it and whether it would stay parked overnight, then said people with larger vehicles usually call ahead. The manager repeated several times that everyone calls first and all rooms and parking spaces were taken. My husband offered to move the truck, but she talked over him and kept repeating herself. I was ready to leave for another hotel. I know I should have called ahead. I don't drive an oversized vehicle every day, so I hadn't thought of the issue. I understand they need space for guests, but there are better ways to speak to people. I work in scheduling and sales and talk to people constantly, and rudeness is never the way to handle it. We left at 6:15 Friday morning, with the truck taking up about one and a quarter spaces. There were still at least seven or eight empty spots across their two small lots.

The MARINA INN was a huge relief after a frustrating morning. I arrived in Anacordes at @0600 intending to stay at the Salish Inn. A note on the sliding glass door said the lobby wouldn't open until 1100, so I waited. At 1100 the door was still locked and nobody was at the desk. I had a reservation, but the ring doorbell, posted phone number, and call box all went unanswered. I kept trying for about an hour, then gave up and crossed the main street. At the MARINA INN, a warm, smiling clerk listened and got me into a room right away. The team was excellent, and the accommodations made me very happy. They had a 24-hour front desk with helpful, friendly staff, a quiet, well-kept and welcoming place, continental breakfast, and complimentary lobby cookies. They also managed an easy early check-in for an unexpected traveler. The rooms were amazing. The Mariner Inn will be my usual choice in town, and I'm grateful for the stay and the effort from the staff. Two small things caught my attention. The Canadian flag was raised just a little higher on its pole than the stars and stripes. As a patriotic person, I noticed, and I believe that's technically illegal. There was also a book of mormon beside the Bible in the room. As a Christian, I noticed that too, since I believe it suggests Our Savior's perfect life was incomplete and required further effort to fulfill God's Will, which is obviously wrong. Based on the value and staff, I'd stay here again. This is the kind of service it used to be, and should always be.