I'm glad others have enjoyed their stay at Roche Harbor, but the previous reviews misled us to expect a much, much nicer place. The minute we stepped into our condo, the sight and smell made our spirits sag. The condos are vintage 1970's ticky tacky, with furnishings at a Motel 6 standard. Our kids immediately noticed a smell of sweat and chlorine. Yuck. The refrigerator had rust spots, the walls were made of cardboard (we heard every step from our neighbors above). View of harbor was okay, but the walk from condo to dining area was fairly long, not comfortable to do with luggage (we had flown in rather than driven).

But as much as the condos were a disappointment, the worst was yet to come. We walked over to have dinner at the Madrona Bar and Grill. The outside deck was full so we were offered a table in the inside room. However, after waiting for 15 minutes in what turned out to be a very uncomfortable spot (glaring bright, hot sun, no shades on the windows, our fellow diners also writhing in discomfort except for two tables who were fortunate to have shoji screens protecting them), we finally managed to catch the eye of a waitress who was taking the order of people who had been seated after us. She looked up and grumpily said "I see you!" When she approached and said "what do you want to drink?" (No friendly welcome, just a peremptory question), I told her the kids were hungry and we were ready to order. She humphed, took out her order card, and continued to be grumpy as we cheerily placed our order. (She didn't like the fact that when she offered my 9 year old some soda to drink I requested milk instead). I was prepared to say "thank you" in Czech, as the young lady's name pin identified her as being from that country, but she turned on her heel and exited too quickly. A half an hour later we had no food, and there was no sign of our waitress, while the three tables that came in after us had all been served. I was about to go look for her when she appeared, carrying a tray which she set down far from us while she set about doing something about an item which had fallen over. It was the shrimp cocktail, which is served in a margarita glass. It had fallen on my daughter's pizza and on my salad. She came over, dumped my eldest daughter's salmon/lettuce wraps unceremoniously in front of her, slapped down my salad plate, and then said "I will have chef make a new pizza and shrimp cocktail. And if you don't want her salad with the shrimp cocktail that fell on it, you can have a new one." No apology whatsoever, no acknowledgement of our long wait and the fact that we were about to have a longer one. I asked her if there was anything she could do to hurry the pizza for my 9 year old, who was now sitting head in hands, contemplating the empty spot in front of her.

After a few minutes our waitress returned with the SAME pizza which she had clearly wiped off her with her hands (finger marks through the cheese) and said to my daughter "you can eat two of the pieces, they are not so bad and then we will get you another one" as if this was a great favor. My shrimp cocktail had been remade (although I now wonder how much of it was just dumped back into the glass) and was so highly spiced as to be inedible. However, my maytag blue cheese salad and my daughter's salmon in lettuce wraps were fine. At any rate, we did not see our waitress again (despite my desperately wanting to order some mineral water - the tap water they use in their water glasses tastes awful!) until 15 minutes later when she brought another (partially burnt) pizza. At this point it had been an hour since our initial order! My youngest daughter had no desire to eat anything any more and we all just wanted to leave. There had been no offer to comp the bad pizza or in any way acknowledge what a wretched time we were having. We asked for the check and left as soon as we could, vowing never to return. The mediocre food is to be expected at places like this, but the rude, ghastly service is inexcusable!

The only saving grace was a delightful after-dinner walk through the adjacent Wescott Sculpture Park - it is not affiliated with Roche Harbor, but sits just outside the gates. Don't miss it - a great place to stroll for adults or kids and a surprisingly good selection of sculptures. (And blackberries to be picked and savored which helped with the sour after taste of our meal!)

Roche Harbor has beautiful natural scenery with real cute historic buildings.
We stayed at the resort's condos with real nice views towards the marina. The condo was not fancy but very clean and comfortable. The location is what is so excellent about the condos. You can walk to the wonderful McMillan Restaurant, the De Haro Hotel Victorian Gardens, the Roche Harbor Marina and various hiking trails. We had visited last October and decided to come back in May for our Anniversary.

I've been to Friday Harbor many times, but this was my first visit to Roche Harbor. I can say that it won't be my last. It is definitely a place for boaters, but my sister and I just loved the quietness of it all. We stayed in one of the rooms without a bathroom, but the price was right and the view was spectacular. The staff is extremely friendly and the room was very nice. We had dinner at one of the restaurants, and during sundown, there was a little celebration where the Canadian national anthem, the US national anthem and Taps was played. As a travel agent, I highly recommend this property for anyone, singles, couples or families who are in need of a relaxing get-away.

Well this was a Very nice experience..Got a great deal on the Presdential suit..No I'm not running for office{John Kerry}..subliminal..

Ok
I recommend this to couples..that will remember that this Hotel is over 100 years old..so don't expept to have all the modern..conveniences
BUT that's the very special reason to enjoy this place..Yes they have hot water..And yes it's extremly clean..And yes IT's a Friendly place..one of the nicest I've stayed at..And the room is furnished in period furniture..I didn't take anything{LoL}

All 3 front desk persons..are wonderful..sorry I only got Barrets name..and I believe I meet a Manager type..Very Tall Gentleman..Top notch..

And the gounds even in Oct.fantastic..

Stay here to relax..and get a view of life in a slow and relaxed pace..

Tea time anyone..Jolly Good time..
Aloha