Kalaloch Lodge

The food at the restaurant was really, really, really good, and the prices were surprisingly reasonable. My girl loved her steak but wouldn’t share, while my polenta was divine. Breakfast was just as good, especially the pancakes, and you can arrange for them to make a picnic sandwich for lunch. The beer was a little flat, but the cocktails made up for it. These are rustic cabins with amazing Pacific Ocean views, perfect for relaxing and unwinding. The important basics were all great: a comfortable mattress, a nice hot shower, and a wood-burning stove with plenty of firewood delivered by hand every day. There’s coffee and tea and a place to cook, but bring supplies for cooking and snacks since there’s nothing within a 40-minute drive. Luckily, you don’t need to go elsewhere for food. There’s also a nice beach to walk on, a forest trail loop, and a little general store for snacks, all without needing to drive. I came to write, see giant trees, and sit under a dark sky full of stars, and the place didn’t disappoint. Don’t listen to the one-star reviews. They’ve fixed almost everything those people were complaining about.

The restaurant was phenomenal, and the mercantile makes a pretty mean latte. Dinner reservations through OpenTable are needed, though the wait can run long when they're understaffed. The cabins feel straight out of a fairytale, with an open layout and all the amenities we could use, even a wood-burning stove. From the lodge above the cliffs, we could hear the nearby waves and little else, and watch the whole sky glow at sunset or fill with stars and moonlight. It's a beautiful spot, just minutes from the tree of life, Ruby Beach, and the Quinault Rainforest. As of 1 March, the stairs to the beach were washed out, but you could still get down the road at the 4 Kalaloch Beaches.

We stayed in the Seacrest rooms, which were nice and spacious, though the cabins block much of the view. For the best ocean view, I think a cabin is the way to go. The location is the main draw and really can't be beat. The restaurant is pretty good, but its hours are limiting. We had an 8pm dinner reservation, only to find the restaurant closes at 8, so that booking won't work.

The catering for our wedding reception in the Kalaloch Suite was incredible, way beyond what I expected. There was SO. MUCH. FOOD, and it was all delicious. We also loved the restaurant, and the employees were friendly and helpful. Macy cabin has a beautiful view, plus a small backyard that's handy if you bring dogs. The stairs down to the beach were accessible, although there was some driftwood to climb over at the bottom. Couldn't recommend the place enough.