With today’s economy being the way it is travelling can often be one of the first items cut out of the budget. This is why many people are turning to “staycations”, which boost the local economy while you still get the benefit of a vacation. One of the great qualities about local bed and breakfasts is that they offer an oasis without having to travel far from home, thus spending less money. Everyone occasionally needs to have a relaxing quite pause from life’s daily chaos and a bed and breakfast can provide just such a break.

A bed and breakfast offers an intimacy that is unsurpassed by hotels. Bed and breakfasts provide an intentional peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.  A guest can be guaranteed that each room was lovingly put together and not even the simplest detail was overlooked. The mood for each individual room was done with purpose — everything from the color scheme, to the arrangement of furniture, to the type and quality of the sheets on the bed. Two local bed and breakfasts that come highly recommended are the “Rambling Rose Bed & Beach” on Vashon Island and the “Inn At Saltar’s Point” in Steilacoom. 

The Rambling Rose is a waterfront bed and breakfast that offers amazing views. It is perfect for a romantic getaway for two or for a family looking to spend a couple days together before school starts in the fall. It features two bedrooms including the master bedroom which has a remarkable view of the rose gardens and the harbor. There is plenty to do while enjoying your stay at the Rambling Rose such as walking a few feet to the beach, kayaking on the water, relaxing in the hot tub suite or taking in a beautiful sunset side by side on their famous antique porch swing. “It’s like renting a condo; two bedrooms, bath, kitchen and living room” owner Marla Herb said, “and I would definitely offer a military discount to the men and women of our Armed Forces. Absolutely.”

If an upcoming deployment has taken you by surprise and you want to spend one last romantic weekend with your soldier you don’t have to go far to do it. Nestled just ten minutes from Fort Lewis in Steilacoom is the Inn At Saltar’s Point.  The owners Jack and Joann Brake are very familiar with the military. Jack is a retired Army Colonel and his wife Joann is a former Army Brat and military wife.”We are very in touch with the military and their needs.”  The Inn offers year round military rates but is geared more towards couples. The Inn At Saltar’s Point overlooks Puget Sound’s Cormorant Passage, Ketron Island, and the snow-capped Olympic Mountains.  The Inn At Saltar’s Point is a contemporary bed and breakfast that has two identical French Country Style queen bed suites. The location is ideal, with the inn being just moments away from two golf courses and fifteen minutes away from the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge providing plenty to see and do around the area.

Including a local Bed and Breakfast into your staycation plans is an economical way to really enjoy all the local area has to offer. It can be all too easy to take for granted some of the local treasures an area has to offer when one resides there. Sometimes, becoming a tourist in your own back yard can provide the most wonderful “vacation” memories to treasure for years to come.

Rambling Rose Bed & Beach: 23109 Kingsbury Road SW, Vashon Island, (206) 463-5323

Inn At Saltar’s Point: 68 Jackson St., Steilacoom, (253) 588-4522, innatsaltarspoint.com