Updated 11/22/23
I’m standing along the edge of a fenced paddock at Wildwood Farm B&B on Whidbey Island. From my vantage point, the fields seamlessly connect to one other and stretch all the way to the woods. Behind me, the large windows of the main house and bed and breakfast, take in the pastoral scene dotted with grazing horses. A few paddocks over, a horse watches me for a moment, before it bends its head down to munch on lush green grass.
“People love that Wildwood Farm B& B is in the country and quiet,” said owner Gregg Lanza. “Some come to just relax and enjoy walking the trails in the evening. Others sign up to ride the horses, and families like the hay ride with an evening campfire and s’mores.”
-Greg Lanza, owner
Tucked onto 80 acres on a private equestrian estate, Wildwood Farms B&B is one of several accommodations whose rural setting is part of the overnight stay experience. The bed and breakfast features four rooms; three of which are en suite. The Master Suite is the largest with a queen bed, a private patio with a hot tub, and an additional queen-sized futon. The Double Suite sleeps four guests, the Single Suite two. The Bunkhouse is a great option for those who want a more rustic experience; it sleeps three and has bathrooms nearby. In the morning, everyone receives a hearty full farm breakfast, and they will cater to dietary needs.
During their stay, guests can get very hands-on with added experiences such as feeding the horses, taking a one-hour trail ride and a professional riding lesson. This spring and fall Wildwood is offering lessons on how to hunt edible mushrooms.
People can also enjoy the pastoral setting their own way by strolling the property’s trails or observing farmhands and horse trainers at work. If you are interested in other things to do on Whidbey Island, like kayaking, whale watching or an in-room massage, Wildwood Farms B&B has a wide range of packages to add to your vacation.
Comforts of Whidbey
Comforts of Whidbey is both a winery and a bed and breakfast. Their rustic industrial tasting room overlooks an expansive grassy yard with rows of vineyards and fields with cows, alpacas and llamas. The tasting room is open daily, and wine lovers can sample their wines with a view of the water. They also serve cheese trays, have occasional live music, and in the summer, heat up the oven for savory wood-fired pizzas.
The luxury bed and breakfast is above the winery tasting room, and features six rooms with either a pastoral or water view. Each tastefully decorated room has a king bed and wine themed accents. Guests share a living area with couches and chairs and views of the farm and vineyards, and a kitchenette stocked with select dishes and wine glasses. In the morning, a full breakfast is served downstairs in the tasting room. When it comes time for wine tasting, be sure to try their Whidbey Island grown pinot noir.
Maxwelton Aerie Retreat
Perched on a bluff overlooking the water, Maxwelton Aerie Retreat is a 1930s Cape Code style farmhouse. Surrounded by 25 acres of grassy slopes with grazing alpacas and panoramic views of Useless Bay and the Olympic Mountains the house is very secluded and offers an idyllic escape with sunrises, sunsets and wildlife watching opportunities. The farmhouse features four rooms and sleeps up to 12 guests. It comes with everything one would want in a holiday rental such as a full kitchen, a living area with a gas fireplace, a dining area with a view, outdoor patios, a large yard, board games and beach toys, private access to the beach, and more. To spend some time with the alpacas and feed them, arrange for a time with the caretaker. They always keep a bag of carrots on hand for such an experience!
Arlene Farmhouse
The Arlene Farmhouse is a beautifully restored and upgraded 1914 farmhouse on Camano Island. While the farm is gone, there is still more than an acre of land in this rural portion of the island. A little more than a mile away is the Camano Marketplace, a great area for dining and shopping. But you’ll want to be back in your temporary home to watch the sunset and then curl up with a good book or movie.
Jenne Farm
Stay in the historic Jenne Farm Gathering House for an unforgettable vacation. Built in 1908 in historic Ebey’s Reserve, the house features sweeping views of the working farm and Ebey’s Reserve. The beautifully upgraded historic barn and farmland is often used for weddings. The farm is just a mile from Coupeville and centrally located on Whidbey Island. It’s only 2.5 miles to the Coupeville – Port Townsend Ferry, with access to the Olympic Peninsula.
But, it’s the house, with its wrap-around porch, four large bedrooms that can sleep up to eight people comfortably along with a day bed and trundle for two more along with a well-equipped kitchen, that will steal the show.