Hello!

Are you considering a trip to Friday Harbor?

Earthbox Inn and Spa is a stylish motor inn located in Friday Harbor, Washington. It's a friendly place, and fun for families. Here's a list of what to expect at Earthbox Inn, plus extra tips for planning your trip.

Conveniently located

Earthbox Inn is located a few short blocks from the ferry dock, restaurants, shops and attractions in downtown Friday Harbor. It is near enough to walk everywhere, but far enough away that you'll miss the worst of the congestion each time the ferry unloads.

We stopped into the grocery store about a block away for breakfast and picnic supplies and walked down to the dock for dinner. It would be reasonable to walk with a small amount of luggage from the ferry to Earthbox Inn, but keep in mind that it is an uphill walk.

Family-sized rooms

We were given one of the Sea Place studio rooms, which had two queen beds, a pull-out couch and full kitchen. Wi-Fi is included and it worked fairly well. We loved having this kind of space at a motel and wished our stay was longer from the moment we walked in.

The only downside of our room was the skylight at night. I loved it in the day for the natural light, but it doesn't get dark until after 10 pm in June. Then the sun rises early, so our room was only completely dark for a few hours. Not all rooms have skylights, so double check if it is a concern to you. I still slept well, and my family often likes to get going early on vacation.

Other rooms at Earthbox Inn in are more of the standard motel type with two queens or one king, updated decor and a mini-fridge, microwave and coffee maker. Earthbox Inn also has a two-bedroom house available next door.

Indoor pool

Swimming at the hotel pool is high on my kids' list wherever we travel, and Earthbox Inn is home to the only indoor pool on San Juan Island. You'll also find an indoor hot tub and sauna and a secluded outdoor sun deck in the center of the property.

Bike loans

It's impossible to miss the row of brightly colored bicycles near the pool. If you'd like to use them, just ask at the front desk and they'll loan you as many bikes and helmets as you need. Bike use is complimentary for guests.

All of the bicycles are adult size. My tall 11-year-old might have been able to use one, but they would have been too big for my 8-year old. You can rent bicycles for children across the street or bring your own.

Not all rooms have air conditioning

This is rarely a problem because a summer “heat wave” in the San Juan Islands is 80 degrees F. We have previously visited Washington in July and never taken our jackets off, so come prepared for any type of weather in the summer.

On our June trip, the weather was sunny and unusually warm. We found an electric fan in our room, which not only provided a cool breeze, but white noise as well. Open windows let in cooler temperatures and sea breezes at night.

About a third of the rooms at Earthbox Inn have air conditioning, so be sure to book one of those if it's a priority for your family.

Pet-friendly

We noticed that dogs are welcome almost everywhere on San Juan Island, including Earthbox Inn. Your dog can stay in your room for a small additional fee and there is a dog park on the property.

Conclusion

Earthbox Inn and Spa in Friday Harbor, Washington is a lovely little hotel for families. It has amenities you may not find elsewhere, like an indoor pool, bike loans and walkable location. Rooms vary, so look for unique features like extra large rooms for families and air conditioning.

Want to learn more? Visit Earthbox Inn's official website at https://www.earthboxinn.com/. Click the button below to read more reviews and check rates and availability for Earthbox Inn on TripAdvisor.com.

Disclosure: Our stay at Earthbox Inn and Spa was complimentary for the purposes of review.

Allison

Hi there! I am the founder of Tips for Family Trips. I am a married mom of two children, ages 14 and 17, living near Salt Lake City, Utah. We took our first child on a two-week road trip when she was four weeks old and we have been traveling as a family ever since. We love to get out of the house to see and do fun things, both far away and in our own neighborhood.