Rosario Resort guests have the joy of staying at one of the most delightful hotels in the entire San Juan Islands chain. This resort was formerly the estate of a wealthy shipbuilder, and it enjoys a wonderful location on Cascade Bay. The centerpiece is the lovely Moran Mansion, which was constructed in the early 1900s and serves as both a museum and a spa. Self-guided tours of the mansion can be enjoyed by guests and the public alike, with the daily tour hours being 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Moran Mansion on Orcas Island was built between the years of 1906 and 1909 by former Seattle shipbuilder and mayor Robert Moran. Its design has a nautical appeal and was partly inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement. This movement was very popular at the time. After you admire the exterior of the Moran Mansion, you might step inside for a look around. Found inside are period furnishings, old photographs from the 1900s, and other touches that hint at the home's historic nature.

When Rosario Resort guests aren't taking a tour or indulging in spa treatments at the main mansion, they can enjoy any other number of activities and facilities. They can also enjoy the amenities in their cozy rooms and suites. In other words, staying busy isn't hard, and when a break is in order, the guest units make fine places to relax.

San Juan Islands Map

The Moran Mansion does not feature any guest units. Instead, the sixteen rooms and four suites at the Rosario Resort are found in two separate buildings. The building that houses most of the rooms and suites sits on the water's edge. The other four suites, on the other hand, occupy a building high on the hillside, and due to this lofty location, these rooms offer commanding views of both the bay and the area islands. Regardless of whether you book a room or a suite, the standard amenities will include a TV, free Wi-Fi, a mini fridge, and a coffee maker. The more expensive suites, some of which are two-bedroom units, come with some tantalizing extras should you wish to upgrade. These extras can include things such as a full kitchen, a fireplace, and multiple HDTVs.

As for the facilities at the Rosario Resort, they include the full-service spa at the Moran Mansion, a well-equipped fitness center, a main restaurant, and a lovely lounge that serves up cocktails. That's not all, however. Ample meeting and event space is available for corporate parties, weddings, or other large events, and for those who are interested in doing some San Juan Islands boating, the 36-slip marina can come in handy. The marina itself offers some excellent facilities, and boating guests are welcome to enjoy the other great facilities at the Rosario Resort.

Whether you secure a room, a suite, or a boat slip at the Rosario Resort, a variety of activities can be enjoyed on the side after you get settled in. Orcas Island offers many fun things to do. Taking a narrated cruise through the island is among the most popular things to do for visitors, and a kayaking tour can also be a blast. Renting a bicycle is an option when looking to do some exploring on dry land, and should you prefer, Orcas Island hiking can also be very rewarding. The island's Moran State Park offers almost 40 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.