The Best Hotels to Book in Bellingham, Washington

With front-row views of Bellingham Bay and proximity to the Taylor Dock and Bellingham boardwalk trails, the Chrysalis Inn and Spa offers the seascape you’ve come for, and further sweetens the deal with an on-site spa offering massages, beauty treatments and steam baths. Don’t miss fresh, local Pacific Northwest seafood at hotel restaurant Keenan’s at the Pier – the crab cakes are a must – paired with a craft cocktail named after an iconic female pirate (we suggest the Lioness of Brittany).

Lovers of modern design will adore the simple, chic style of the Hotel Leo, with touches such as swoop armchairs, bedside Edison bulbs and minimalist artwork. Keen cooks, meanwhile, will appreciate the cool kitchenettes that come equipped with microwaves, mini fridges, Le Creuset dishware and French presses with coffee from local roaster Tony’s Coffee. On your to-do list: check out the historic lobby’s restored art deco glory, and order a gin cocktail and poutine at prohibition-era bar and eatery Amendment 21.

If fly-and-flop convenience is what you’re after, the full-service Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Bellingham, right next to Bellingham International Airport, may well suit. The property has 13 different room types that’ll please even the fussiest traveler, from standard rooms to extended-stay studios — even a honeymoon suite. Feast on Pacific Northwest fare at Northwater restaurant and bar, then grab your towel and work it off in the indoor pool and spa, and hit the sauna or steam room while you’re at it.

Think big at Springhill Suites Bellingham, where rooms deliver 25 percent more space than standard, and a large indoor pool adds to the grandeur. In the north of the city, the property is near Tennant Lake Park and Hovander Homestead Park, in case you’re craving more wide-open spaces. Begin your Bellingham exploration with a complimentary breakfast buffet of bacon, eggs and oatmeal, then close out the day with a sundowner at on-site Chuckanut Lobby Bar.

Make this extended-stay property your base for a Washington adventure, or even a Canadian expedition, with the border just a half-hour north of Bellingham. After a long day playing explorer, you can crash out on the pillow-top mattress in your studio, one- or two-bedroom suite, and dream of your past life as a discoverer of local archipelagos.

Just off the I-5, Oxford Suites Bellingham gets sky-high marks for its location, service, cleanliness and value. With calming sea blues and forest browns running throughout the hotel, the property marries woodsy and coastal vibes, and punctuates them with bursts of yellow and maritime decor, such as wooden oars hung on guest room and lobby walls. Pro tip: check any seasonal special rates, and save up to 10 percent when you stay for three nights or more.

An express stay doesn’t mean sacrificing the little things at this Holiday Inn, tucked quietly away from the main road. After a complimentary hot breakfast, get whisked to Bellingham International Airport and other local transportation hubs with the free shuttle service, but not before bathing in the natural light of the heated indoor pool and whirlpool area. Breathe in some crisp mountain air on the outdoor patio from a comfy lounger.