Willcox House Country Inn

At our wedding several years ago, our friends surprised us by saying they had a secret wedding gift for us. Little did we realize how wonderful and out of the ordinary it would be! That late summer evening we followed Ray and Sherrill's car amongst the tall trees reaching to the sky, feeling as if the forest around us was getting denser and darker. After a while the road led under a wooden gatehouse, then darkness again, and at last to the twinkling lights of a red house shaped a bit like a ship, built by Colonel Willcox and his wife Constance, in front of which the owners were already greeting their amazed guests. Over the cheese and wine, we looked around and were just stunned: all around us was the highest standard of luxury, European style, gorgeous and delicate, a simply breathtaking but not ostentatious interior -- everywhere from the library to the dining hall with its beautiful view, and the main hall and movie room in between. The Willcox is perfect for a romantic getaway that is not just fantastically refreshing but also joyful and relaxing! Julian, Constance, the Colonel, Clark Gable, and the Rose Garden are the names of the guest rooms, and they are all unique and very comfortable and stylish. They are always fun to explore, but they still retain a mystery and wonder each time. And then there are the fantastic meals, beautiful garden, idyllic surroundings, completely quiet except for the birds chirping and the waves lapping against the shore. The mysterious dark woods are part of the temperate rainforest of the Olympic Peninsula. The gigantic ferns and huge trees and riot of hues of green have to be seen to be believed; they belong in a movie and we retained a vivid impression of them even when we went back to our urban lifestyle. The beautiful Willcox House's owners, Cecilia and Phillip Hughes, with the assistance of Carla and Mark, have turned it into a fairy-tale but also home-like place!

Upon turning into Tekiu Rd which winds down to the shore of Hood Canal, one enters a different world of old growth cedar and fir and passing under the quaint gate house, the transformation is complete. The Willcox House (I think built in the 1930's) is similiar to a Frank Lloyd Wright in style, but with its own unique aesthetic features that one gradually and pleasantly becomes aware of. Although the weather was dismal during our visit the view was still stunning, sometimes almost mystical like as the low-lying clouds and subdued light constantly changed. Cecilia and Phillip Hughes are friendly but low key and most relaxing hosts. The afternoon wine and cheese servings were generous, perhaps impinging on our dinner appetite a bit, but that is hardly our hosts' fault. The hazelnut encrusted salmon had a good flavor but was a little dry for my taste. The morning fruit plate and apple french toast were really excellent. We stayed in the Clark Gable room, which has the best view. It would seem that Cecilia must have had the final say in decorating this room as it looks a bit too feminine for the likes of Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Ernest Hemingway, etc. But wives will love it. Mine sure did. We are not as seasoned travelers as some, but for whatever it is worth, the Willcox House is the most tranquil, beautiful and contemplative place we have ever stayed.