Turn any corner at Willows Lodge, and you’ll discover yet another gorgeous view, peaceful courtyard, or garden abundant with color and fragrance. Our lush grounds feature native plants, flowers, and trees that offer a strong sense of place along the Sammamish River not far from Seattle. So close to the city, yet worlds away.
When Houdini tossed the deck of cards to the ceiling, no one expected that one of the cards would stick to a beam. But the Ace of Spades did. It was the same card that Houdini's host had pulled from the deck and inserted before Houdini cast them airborne. The host, C.D Stimson, an important member of the early business and social community of Seattle, left the card in place for the next twenty years. This was his hunting haunt, Willows Lodge.
The Stimsons and other prominent Seattle families had country homes in the valley near present-day Willows Lodge, where they relaxed, hunted ducks, and often made significant business plans. This legacy continues with the new Willows Lodge, opened in September 2000. The lodge’s photo collection showcases the valley’s early years. Today, guests seek great wine, fine dining, and relaxation. The Lodge maintains its heritage, combining Northwest informality with refined food, comfort, aesthetics, and service.
Gracing the entry drive is a 1,500 year-old "Cedar Snag," now a burned out shell of its former self.
The valley was originally a forest of huge trees that were logged over 100 years ago. Twenty foot or taller stumps were left because the flared bases of the trees were too big to haul to the mill. Snags like this one were a common sight. The "Willows Snag", brought here from the Olympic Peninsula, is a tangible and dramatic reminder of that past.
At Willows Lodge, our commitment to upcycled materials is evident from the front doors made of old wine casks. The main structure uses 100-year-old Douglas fir timbers from the Port of Portland, preserving their rustic charm with notches and bolt holes. These timbers are also featured in guest room ledges and handcrafted lobby tables. The large stone fireplace and stained concrete floors highlight the rugged Northwest aesthetic, while recycled slate pool table tops from British Columbia bars serve as guest room tables.
At Willows Lodge, gardens are integral to the Northwest experience, reflecting our region's outdoor lifestyle and favorable climate. Most guest rooms overlook meticulously landscaped gardens, featuring large conifers, flowering deciduous trees, Japanese maples, diverse shrubs, and serene water features. Complementing our commitment to fresh cuisine at Barking Frog and The Herbfarm, the gardens include a rich variety of herbs, edible plants, and fruit trees. Native riparian plantings extend from the lodge to the Sammamish River's edge, making our gardens a destination worthy of exploration in themselves.
Art holds a prominent place at the Lodge, particularly the Northwest Coast Native American artworks, selected for their cultural richness and technical mastery. Featured prominently are works by Bill Reid, renowned for restoring and advancing Native art, including his monumental "The Spirit of Haida Gwaii," showcased with bronze heads in the gardens and detailed photographs in guest rooms. Robert Davidson's bronze frog symbolizes Barking Frog restaurant, while Susan Point's glass sculptures and prints highlight the feminine perspective in Northwest Coast art.
