A Taste of the Old World in the Pacific Northwest
A Taste of the Old World in the Pacific Northwest – The Lodge at Saint Edward State Park. If you are looking for a unique place to stay, with all the amenities you would find at the best Seattle hotels and the feel of an English castle, I highly recommend The Lodge at St. Edward State Park. The Lodge, located in the heart of St. Edward State Park in Kenmore, Washington, is just 16 miles from Seattle on the eastern shore of Lake Washington. The state park comprises 326 acres, with 3,000 feet of freshwater shoreline and 71 walking trails, much like an English estate. The Lodge at St. Edward State Park is a restored seminary building with a strong connection to the surrounding landscape and its vibrant history.
The History
In the late 1920s, the land for St. Edward Seminary was purchased by Bishop Edward John O’Dea, who donated the 366 acres to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle to build a seminary to educate young men for the priesthood.
For forty-five years, St. Edward Seminary fulfilled its educational mission, until 1976, when it was closed due to declining enrollment and a former student had the vision to preserve the grounds as a park. He worked with the state to secure national and state funding, and in 1977, the building and most of the land were sold to the state of Washington. In 2017, Daniels Real Estate entered a public-private partnership to preserve and transform the main building into The Lodge and a meticulous restoration transformed the landmark building into a unique historic hotel and resort.
Arriving at The Lodge
When I drove into the park I immediately felt as though time stopped. If I didn’t know otherwise, I would have guessed I was hours from any large city. The sun speckled the sweeping drive, shadowed by old-growth trees and lush forest on all sides. As I approached the hotel, I saw signs to trails with names like Plateau and Grotto. Where was I? For a moment I thought I’d taken a wrong turn, but then the grounds of the park emerged, children playing and dogs loping, and ahead was what appeared to be a stately, Edwardian-style building. I had arrived.
To create a resort feeling, the entrance to The Lodge has a large brick patio, with a vintage 1938 Pontiac stretch limousine front and center. You are greeted by a valet, who welcomes you and takes your car. It’s OK, you won’t need it. As you enter the hotel there is an immediate feeling of history and grace. You won’t find the glitzy mirrors and ultra-modern décor of Seattle here, instead, you will feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. It’s more of a Great Gatsby feel that is elegant and refined but lends itself to jazz and frivolity.
I would be amiss if I didn’t point out the exceptional, kind-hearted service at The Lodge. Everyone is easy-going and seems genuinely delighted to be there. The valet chatted about the garden, someone vacuuming a hallway stopped to hold a door, and as they brought my bags to my room, they offered tips on the best items on the menu. (I highly recommend the halibut lettuce cups by the way, the perfect choice for a light dinner.) I found a hand-written note in my room welcoming me, waters and snacks in the Library (including treats for your dog), and no matter where I went, everyone was joyful.
The Lodge has 84 guestrooms, each designed with the building’s original character, but with all the modern touches. The beds are incredibly comfortable, with fine linens, and something I rarely find—firm pillows! The rooms have various layouts and include historic touches, such as wallpaper that depicts architectural drawings of the building and retro rotary-style phones. My room on the top floor had vaulted ceilings and a spacious seating area, and the Daniels Suite offers views of Lake Washington, a soaking tub, and an entertaining area with premium amenities.
The Rooms
The bathrobe and slippers in the bathroom are an extra touch that makes you feel pampered, and the lovely, naturally scented bath products from Grown Alchemist compliment the natural stone elements and Romanesque touches.
The attention to detail is impeccable here. With echoes of the past at every corner. Look for all the original (exquisitely restored) details, such as windowsills that look as though they were made for curling up with a book, old dorm room doors used as paneling, and Art Deco details that harken back to the decorative arts that originated in the 20s and 30s.
The Art
It's important to note that you can visit The Lodge and enjoy the restaurants and bars without having to stay. In fact, it’s a favorite dining and drinking spot for locals, which speaks to the quality of offerings and service. After I checked in, I decided to venture downstairs for a glass of wine and a bite to eat. There’s no dress code here, but be sure to bring some comfortable shoes. You’ll want to explore!
In addition to the luxurious rooms, the surrounding park, great food, and charming service, guests and visitors can enjoy a rotating display of artwork by local Northwest artists, managed by Catalyst Fine Art, showcasing artwork available for purchase. The hallway of art, located just beyond check-in, rivals anything found in a high-end art gallery, with light from the floor-to-ceiling windows that create patterns across the floor up the walls, and over the arched ceiling. Stone benches are tucked into niches and corners to create quiet (dare I say confessional) moments for rest and reflection, and details, like Art Deco frescos and lattice-style framing, are analogous to the cross icon used for their logo and the ancient crisscrossing roots found in the surrounding woods.
Throughout the property are murals and other pieces of art, including a gallery of old photographs and live edge wood furniture. One of my favorites was an egg-shaped bench just the right size for your five-year-old to curl up and take a nap. Or your pup. The Lodge is dog friendly, and the bars are approved for all ages, confirmation that this is not just a resort catering to travelers from afar, but inclusive to all.
Dining
The Lodge at St. Edward State Park has three on-site dining and drinking options, the Cedar + Elm, The Tonsorium Bar, and Father Mulligan’s Heritage Bar. I started out at The Tonsorium Bar, which is located on the first (or ground) floor, a level down from the lobby. I must admit it was my favorite spot, situated where the old barber shop used to be (a “tonsorium” is a location where a skilled barber, or tonsorial artist, offers services). You can find a variety of offerings here throughout the day (including a large, dog-friendly outdoor patio), but in the evening they feature imaginative cocktails and local live music. There is a corner with chairs in mossy green with herringbone cushions, flanked by bookcases filled with books you always wish you’d read, like River’s End, The Inquisitor’s Tale, Nomad, and Artemis Fowl. All are jacketed in shades of green and brown with gilded edges. Scampering across the bookcase is a river otter sculpture, while a mural of an ‘enchanted’ wood takes center stage, painted across a curved wall. I highly recommend the aforementioned Halibut Lettuce Cups as well as the Deviled Eggs.
Father Mulligan’s Heritage Bar is on the second floor near the main entrance and is an extension to Cedar + Elm. It features a charming bar and café-style tables where you can get snacks or order from the menu. I had breakfast here one morning (steel-cut oats and a blackberry hazelnut latte), but the menu includes items such as Woodstone-fired flatbreads, charcuterie, and fresh oysters.
The cornerstone of the three dining options is Cedar + Elm, a posh restaurant with an outdoor patio overlooking the park. The culinary team, led by Executive Chef Kevin Benner, is all about authenticity and embracing the culinary nuances of the Pacific Northwest. The menu is sourced from locally grown and foraged ingredients, including produce from the Chef's onsite garden and apiary, but there is nothing rustic or simple about the presentation and the flavors. The menu is concise and sensibly curated. Everything is rooted in responsibility as much as flavor, with a focus on sustainable sourcing and local heritage. I recommend the Charred Broccolini Salad with fresh basil, marinated grapes, and avocado, and the Kenai Peninsula Alaskan Halibut with fava beans and fresh asparagus. It was perfect with my glass of wine while sitting in my cozy, green velvet banquette.
The atmosphere of Cedar + Elm is reminiscent of classic dining in the Roaring Twenties, including the potted palms, quaint but luxurious seating, rattan-backed velveteen banquettes, and champagne buckets at the ready. As you enter the former seminary dining hall, there is stonework above the doorway with the words, “Panem Nostrum Quotidianum da nobis Hodie,” (give us this day our daily bread) which whispers a blessing before entering, and the light is reverent as it shines in through the original floor-to-ceiling arched doors leading out to the patio. It is truly a special place. This is why they have included Afternoon High Tea on Thursday afternoons. I didn’t participate but peeked at the three tiers of decadent sweets and treats while casual diners tipped their hats and fluffed their napkins. Charmed to be sure.
While ogling the crumpets, new arrivals wearing shorts and t-shirts were booking their dinner reservations with their three Frenchies, who sat politely ogling the crumpets as well. No one seemed to mind as they sniffed the air of Cedar + Elm while their owners viewed culinary options for the evening. No, the sweet pups are not allowed in the dining room, but are welcome on the patio and throughout the resort. This is truly a welcoming place.
Events at The Lodge at St. Edward State Park
I am always interested in what hotels and resorts such as The Lodge at St. Edward State Park, have to offer for meetings and special occasions. There are 9,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space available at The Lodge, and like every other space, nothing has been overlooked. Regardless of how small or large your group may be, they can most likely accommodate—in style. There are several smaller rooms that can be used in a variety of configurations and one large conference-style room. The ballroom includes the original walk-in fireplace filled with candle lanterns. There is a twisted wood motif on all the carpets, bamboo chairs for special events, and that signature dark wood at every turn.
This is already a popular spot for weddings. For one, you cannot replicate the Grotto, originally used by the seminary for outdoor services and now part of the park. It is unique and sacred, tucked amongst the trees and just a short walk from The Lodge. It is made from hand-laid stone and shaded by old-growth trees. I could see the ground carpeted with ornamental rugs, flowers trimming out the stone steps and rustic alter. There is more than enough room at The Lodge and in the surrounding park for large groups to have the privacy they need without constraint.
The Spa and Library
On rainy days guests can linger inside and enjoy the Vita Nova Spa, offering a pampering menu centered around organic herbal infusions and seasonal spa treatments, or the state-of-the-art fitness center. And both children and grandparents alike will not want to leave the Library, a special room on the third floor only for guests, full of games, lore, and treats for everyone. This room has that same childhood allure of an attic full of unexplored trunks. It’s paneled in a dark wood, with comfortable couches and armchairs in soft leather, a large-screen TV, and several gaming tables. Each table has a classic board game at its center. With Clue taking the prize, a gold stamped board and glass play surface, provide a 3D view of every mansion room.
Things To Do
There are over 70 walking trails weaving through the park’s grounds, several of them open to mountain biking (be sure to ask about the complimentary bikes available for guests). I hiked both the ‘more difficult,’ trails, as well as the ‘family-friendly beach trail,’ skirting Lake Washington. A tree out across the water, with boulders like stepping stones, provided an ample view of kayakers and cloud formations. If I had a canoe I could have pushed off into serenity and forgotten the time, the date, and the era.
There is a timelessness here that you will not find in any other hotel or resort in the greater Seattle area. It offers a perfect combination of ageless charm and gracious hospitality, Pacific Northwest-style. It offers stately lodging providing lush beauty and privacy, much like an English estate, but is true to its Washington heritage.
As I packed my bags and headed back down the winding wooded lane, back to civilization and a backed-up freeway, I thought about my visit to this magical place and the spell it had cast. The Lodge at St. Edward State Park is a joy for all ages with something for everyone, in fact, I bet the Hogwarts faculty are frequent visitors.
Book Your Stay At The Lodge at Saint Edward Park
Learn more about Travel.
For more travel ideas and other helpful antidotes, be sure to Follow Day To Grow!