Sharon Wootten
Much of Port Townsend is perched on a bluff or squeezed along the shoreline. The town is full of quaint inns and unique restaurants.

Port Townsend's character shows in unique hotels

SHARON WOOTTON AND MAGGIE SAVAGE FOR THE OLYMPIAN

Guests at the Quimper Inn identify with the 1888 house in many ways.

"They'll say, 'This reminds me of my grandmother's house,' " said Ron Ramage, co-owner with his wife, Sue.

One returning guest felt pretty strongly about staying in Harry's and Gertie's Suite. "He said, 'Change that blue and I'm not coming back,' " recalled Sue Ramage.

All rooms are upstairs except for the smaller Library Room, with floor-to-ceiling books and a challenger for the record of smallest-clawfoot-bathtub-in-a-B&B.

"I guess they didn't want those maids sitting in there too long," Ramage said.

Views from the front rooms include the clock tower of the county courthouse, Port Townsend Bay and Admiralty Inlet. The upstairs veranda is a wonderful place to watch the full moon over the water.

Rates are $88-$150. For information, call 800-557-1060.

Other Port Townsend options include:

- Manresa Castle: One of most intriguing buildings in Port Townsend, Manresa Castle has 40 rooms with winter rates of $70-$135, the latter for the tower suite. It was built with 12-inch-thich walls of bricks from local brickworks. Once owned by the Jesuits, it's the site of the October Conference on Evolutionary Astrology. 800-732-1281.

- Old Consulate Inn: It is the classic Victorian home, built in 1889 and elegantly restored. The parlor has a grand piano and antique organ, and the grand staircase leads to eight rooms or suites. Winter rates, $95.40 to the tower honeymoon suite for $175.50. 800-300-6753.

- Ravenscroft Inn: Choose a four-poster bed, private access to the veranda, or the Bay Room with views of Mount Baker and Admiralty Inlet. $85-$190. 800-782-2691.

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Dining options range from Lanza's Ristorante in the historic uptown district to several cafes downtown, from curried chicken at the Manresa Castle to Asian and Mexican options.

We went out for two downtown dinners on March weeknights.

A sure bet for success would be the Silverwater Cafe at 237 Taylor St. The Silverwater collects people's choice awards and has popped up in publications from Sunset to The New York Times.

The waitress moved things along so that we could catch the movie next door at the Rose Theater. The $12 beef bourguignon with potatoes, simmered in a savory burgundy stew, was perfect.

Monday night is all-you-can-eat spaghetti night for $5.95.

Service was not swift at the Public House at 1038 Water St. despite light traffic and two or three waitresses. The hamburgers and desserts were good, but even getting the check was painful. Too bad, because the waterfront atmosphere worked with two kayaks and a 60-foot rowing shell overhead.

For more local news go to the South Sound Living section.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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