In love with this place. I'm from Europe and this captures the charm of Europe quite well, with…read moregood American hospitality. Jane and Skip are good people with great style. They made vegan breakfast for us, and pointed us to some other points of interest in the area. We will definitely come back.

*This review is for exceptional customer service not the actual hotel*…read more I was scheduled to stay here tomorrow for a concert. The owner just called to let me know the concert was canceled and to cancel my reservation without penalty. Ticketmaster hadn't even notified me yet!!! I am blown away by the amazing customer service. Also I am vegetarian and gluten free and the owner was able to accommodate me without issue. I hope I get the opportunity to stay here in the future. It looks amazing!

Toni and Martin are the world's greatest B&B hosts!! Their Villa Bed and Breakfast is super…read moreconvenient for parents or students visiting the University of Puget Sound and within walking distance to several great restaurants and a posh grocery store. We enjoyed our UPS drop-off weekend here, staying in the Cimbrano room which had a lovely spacious main room with a queen-sized bed for us and a separate room with a pull-out bed for our teen. Bathroom in between, including toiletries, hair dryer, and robes. Breakfast was out of this world, all hand-made by Toni and graciously served by Martin. So much food!! And a fresh blackberry crumble treat to finish the meal.. with blackberries picked from Toni's garden. Attentive to food allergies. We will definitely stay here again next time we are in Tacoma.

The Villa was a lovely, quiet place to stay! It boasts a nice garden and beautiful early 20th…read morecentury architecture. Our room on the top floor was huge, nicely decorated and had a claw foot tub in a nice-sized bathroom, fireplace and big balcony with a view of Commencement Bay. Highly recommend this room! Huge and comfy king bed as well. The hosts were pleasant and informative about the history of the home, and provided a delicious breakfast in the sun room. We will come back!

The last time I visited this place I had an excellent time with Cecil. He gave us a tour and…read moreeducated us on all the history of the mansion. I just visited the other day with my girlfriend and I must say I I am very, very disappointed! I had already reserved the "carriage suite" a week prior. When I arrived on the day of our reservation, there was nobody in sight to help us or give us any information about our room or any other services. Luckly, I had already been there in the past (2 years ago) and knew where my suite was. The door to the suite was open and I found the key lying on a table as I walked in. As if they didn't even care to great us or check us in. Like Cecil did, years ago. It took 45 minutes to fill the jacuzzi tub due to of lack of water pressure. As it was filling, I noticed long blonde strands of hair all over the tub! I had to drain and clean the tub and then fill it again. It had obviously not been cleaned prior to my arrival. As far as bed and breakfast, it didn't get any better! Our bed was absolutely terrible, the mattress was warped and it least 20 years old! The breakfast? Non existent! Apparently their kitchen was closed due to renovation. I saw the kitchen when I went to check out and it looked fine. No construction, whatsoever, and fully functional. Overall, I would not recommend this place to anybody. I will never go back to this once beautiful getaway ever again!

Chinaberry Hill is a beautiful Victorian inn, lovingly restored by its owners. The interior is…read morewonderfully done, the rooms are spacious, charming and comfortable, the location is ideal, and the breakfast scones are mouth watering. What a great place. Couldn't recommend it more strongly.

We stayed a night in The Presidential Suite here. Due to the day of the week we had the place to…read moreourselves and that was a blast. The garden is calling me back. The place was immaculate and it was a beautiful view straight at the lake. Staying in the room where both Pres Teddy Roosevelt and Pres William Howard Taft slept was so awesome. As for comfort, I recommend that suite due to the double couches... Like nice stuffed modern couches. The 15th century paneling in the ballroom and great hall, the reclaimed stained glass pieces that were merged together and placed in every window, some shards going back to the 13th century, the love that went into the restoration of a place where once ancient oak was painted over (!!!) and according to comments that the sunken garden designed by Olmsted Bros was covered in blackberry bushes... It took my breath away. I felt very fortunate as I'd been dreaming of staying there. Hopefully a child of mine will get their wish and marry there. For those who are concerned, the wood paneling etc was purchased from a delapidated estate home that was noted as unsavable. In the grand tradition of Biltmore and Hearst Castle the import of entire chambers was done, but in a way this purchased material saved something precious. The stained glass was reclaimed by a member of the nobility in Britain or Europe whose passion was searching for these pieces. Having seen 3 different rose designs from the houses of Tudor, York and Lancaster, we're possibly looking at Tudor or even Pre-Tudor Britain for the all white and all red roses (look up The War of the Roses). Stunning. I wished I could have seen every single window in the place as it appears even servant's quarters windows on the 3rd floor have these beautiful stained glass designs. As for the brick that the exterior is constructed from, it was new brick made in good old Wales. Overall the brick and reclaimed building pieces were shipped around Cape Horn in 3 ships to Tacoma. Talk about a dangerous voyage. If you love horror the castle was practically saved by the huge payout from a network who made Stephen King's Rose Red. Each room has a copy on dvd. Also: 3rd floor common areas include a media room with comfy chairs open to all, a game room with a pool table etc, a small parlor with a prie-dieu in case you need to pray before a wedding ceremony or sit on its little parlor set. The second floor common area is a small library. For weddings, that and the suite across the hall are changing rooms. Lobby and ballroom on the first floor are common areas unless a wedding is going, in which case the weddings must wrap up by 9 pm. What a place. My only complaint is the final step onto the first floor from the staircase needs a railing. I fell hard and know I can't be the only one. It would be awful to fall as a bride who can barely see her feet while wearing heels. I'd also love to be able to order, online at least, a really wonderful book with old photos of the rooms etc and the facts and history of the house that the website doesn't cover. Bring cash to tip the maid as there is not really a modern checkout setup. The maids deserve a huge tip. FYI: this is no longer a B & B. They supplied our room with a lovely basket of snacks and there were complimentary sodas and water etc in the mini fridge. Yoi can order food if you want to but I didn't know how we'd let someone in the gates. As far as bringing food: do. There's a small microwave and a keurig as well as a small set of glassware, plates, actual utensils and linen napkins. It's a bit of a drive out to somewhere and check in is at 4 pm. Oh! Check out is 11 am which was nice. Again: please put a railing on the last step.

Are you looking for a place for that special place for a special reception or memorable place for a…read morewedding? Consider Thornewood Castle Thornewood Castle is located near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, south of Tacoma, Washington. Hidden in the local neighborhood, the facility is strategically placed to take advantage of stunning shoreline views. The building has its historic origins from 400 years ago and moved brick by brick from the United Kingdom to Tacoma 1907. There have been many modern upgrades since its origins, but the staff has kept its ancient charm and made it a welcoming place for a modern 21st-century audience and beyond. Several parts of the facility can be decorated to meet the needs of your event. Chairs in the garden for announcements or wedding vows. The covered loggia, located on the eastern wing of the facility, can house plated or buffet dinners with room for a hosted bar. Mind you, a little elbow grease will be needed to make the facility as stunning as you need it to be. This includes having lawn reception for dinner in the back portion of the facility, facing the sun and beach. Be advised to make sure your caterers and vendors are aware of the facility's restrictions and limitations. Parking can also be a challenge given the size of the facility, but again, check with staff when making your booking. Now there are rooms for rent, and they are stunning. Rates and photos are available on their website. The photos can not adequately express how the rooms have been curated for short-term stays for guests. They are amazing in person to see. The staff is helpful to vendors and guests alike, as long as everyone understands the importance of preserving and enjoying the historic nature of Thornewood Castle. Would totally return if given an opportunity! Take the opportunity to visit!!

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Silver Cloud Hotel in Ruston, and by "pleasure," I…read moremean a full-contact endurance experience. Let's start with the parking lot, which appears to have been designed exclusively for clown cars or perhaps very optimistic compact vehicles. If you're driving anything larger than a shoebox, prepare for a thrilling game of "will this fit," followed by a graceful 17-point turn. The rooms are described as comfortable, which I assume is hospitality code for "cozy if you don't inhale too deeply." Spacious is not a word I would use unless we are comparing it to a broom closet. Now, if you enjoy saunas but wish they came without consent, you're in luck. My heater was stuck at a steady 78 degrees day and night, turning my room into a tropical retreat I never asked for. To their credit, they did move me... to a room where I could enjoy the next feature. Trains. Loud, proud, earth-shaking trains. All day. All night. Not "in the distance" trains, but "is there a locomotive in my hallway" trains. If you've ever wanted to feel like you're sleeping directly on a railroad track, this is your moment. There is technically a water view, which sounds lovely until you realize the parking lot sits right below your window. So when you open the blinds, you're not just enjoying the scenery, you're starring in it. Breakfast was... ambitious. I would have gladly paid extra for something edible, or at least something that didn't feel like it lost a fight with a microwave. After working a very long night, I thought maybe, just maybe, there'd be a small gesture of goodwill like a late checkout. Instead, I was told they had 68 checkouts that day, which apparently made flexibility impossible. No apology, no acknowledgment of the sauna experience, no effort to make it right. Just a firm "time to go." All things considered, I'd rate this stay somewhere between a 1 and a 2 out of 5. I won't be returning, and consider this your friendly warning: if you stay here, bring a small car, earplugs, and a strong sense of humor.

Tough start to the stay was saved by the wonderful food and very professional staff. Menus online…read morewere not updated. No Room service. 30% extra fee charged at checkin for incidentals. We ordered food from the bar and brought it back to our room. Wow! The food was amazing!!!! Saved our night!!! Front desk offered to help with bringing up the food.

Branch Colonial House met and exceeded every expectation. The place is filled with warmth and…read morecharm. My room had a bay view and a long list of great amenities, including a spa tub. The host, Robin, was great! Attentive and informative. I would stay here again if anywhere near Tacoma. Definitely a 5 star experience!

Just stayed here last night! Nice & clean Bed & Breakfast. Many rooms have a view of bay. The…read morebreakfast was so good. The owner Robin was prompt in getting to me and was very friendly. Will be back next time I'm in Tacoma.

Great place. Patty really puts her heart and soul into making this your own secret garden. The…read moreroom is clean and nice, the decorations are cute and friendly, the location is fine, the breakfasts are great (what wonderful biscuits!) and the price is better than any nearby hotel. Really, you should always consider a B&B if you don't have to be downtown, and this one doesn't disappoint.

Booked this on Expedia and it did NOT explain this is a shared space and you are renting out two…read moresmall rooms and sharing a bathroom with who ever else is renting the other room. Patty was very off putting in saying that even though we reserved two rooms with three beds (which we thought was the full space) she only was allowing 2 people and not myself and my 2 children and added she does allow kids under 12 (my kids are 11 &12. It was very awkward and uncomfortable and not at all what Expedia described. We ended up getting a refund with the approved and fiat got a hotel room. Oh I should add you SHARE a bathroom with others renting rooms one toilet one shower in the whole space.

Love it! Clean,…read moreready, wonderful service and people. Great views from all the rooms we were in. A perfect getaway right in our back yard!! Beach is not sandy but there is plenty of combing to be done.

Lalaine was such a wonderful hostess! I recommend this place for everyone that wants a mini getaway…read morefrom a busy week or to celebrate a special occasion. Lalaine makes you feel like home and the food was delicious! It has such an amazing view! It was our first time at a bed and breakfast, it was wonderful! We will be back soon.

The Temple Brewery & Tasting Room inside McMenamins Elks Temple was honestly one of the most…read morememorable parts of our visit to the entire McMenamins complex. There is so much personality packed into this space that we ended up filming multiple reels just from this section alone. The atmosphere is creative, eclectic, and visually fascinating -- especially around the brewing area with the massive tanks and the beautifully decorated surrounding spaces. The tasting room and shop had a really fun selection of drinks, snacks, and unique souvenirs, and the staff member helping us was genuinely friendly, patient, and welcoming throughout the experience. One thing I really appreciated was how immersive everything felt. It's not just a brewery stop -- it feels like wandering through a creative world where every corner has its own mood and character. Even simply walking through the lobby and nearby spaces became part of the experience. If you enjoy places with atmosphere, artistic detail, and a sense of discovery, this is absolutely worth exploring while visiting Tacoma.

I reserved a room at McMenamins Elks Temple since we were attending an event nearby. We also…read moreparticipate in the McMenamins passport program. I did receive an email detailing where to park. I didn't really read it very closely, and let me tell you it was stressful finding parking near the hotel! All the spots near the hotel were taken and we drove up and down the streets looking for parking. At first, we were going to park down a ways, in a neighborhood. But it seemed too far to lug our luggage. So one more try..and someone just vacated a spot close to the hotel in one of those spots that is back in parking only. Okay, for me that is stressful trying to back into a spot with traffic coming towards me! Finally, I was parked and told that my vehicle should be fine during our stay. We arrived 2 hours early. I got in line behind a couple, they were given a room. When it was my turn, my room wasn't yet available. No problem. They stowed our luggage, they had my phone number to text when my room became available. We went to the restaurant to eat lunch and start getting our passports stamped. It was typical McMenamins food. We went to other bars to get stamps, and we got to one of the bars right before 2 and was told that if we went down to the Spanish ballroom, there was a tour starting at 2 that we could get the stamp without buying a ticket. How very fortunate! The ballroom is beautiful! Shortly after that, we had all our stamps. We went to sit in the lobby to wait for our room to become available. One of the front desk clerks came to ask our name to check our room. She did not come back. Next thing I know, the check in rush arrived! Everyone got their rooms! Finally, I just got up and got in line and was given a room. The room was nice. Wished there was a fridge and microwave. Never turned the TV on. We were on the 7th floor and had a cool view of the atrium on the 6th floor. There's coffee on the 6th floor in the morning. Also, in the lobby. It's a fun place to visit. But we paid over $300 for one night. $275 plus taxes and fees. I would never stay here again based on my parking experience alone.