If you live in the Seattle area and crave a quick getaway, there are numerous options. But if your caveats include a scenic waterfront, top rated dining options and an upscale property with all the creature comforts, you’ll find the Woodmark Hotel & Still Spa in Kirkland checks all the boxes.
This boutique hotel is located on the picturesque shores of Lake Washington and boasts the Olympic Mountains as its backdrop. It’s the ideal spot to relax and rejuvenate, whether you want to be pampered at the property’s newly renovated spa or connect with nature on a lakeside stroll or bike ride. Or maybe paddle a kayak in one of the clearest, freshwater lakes in WA State.
Though just a twenty minute drive from the hustle and bustle of downtown Seattle, the Woodmark feels worlds away. It’s tucked in to Carillon Point, a thoughtfully designed complex of contemporary office space, retail, restaurants and marina facilities. The four-star property seamlessly fits in to this milieu.
Photo courtesy of The Woodmark Hotel
The name The Woodmark is tied to a long history of shipbuilding on the site. In 1901, Anderson Shipyard, producers of ferries and tugboats, purchased the land for its business. It was later bought by Lake Washington Shipyard, who made the transition from wooden to steel shipbuilding. The company was active during WWII, building dozens of ships for the U.S. Navy, as well as repairing hundreds of vessels. After the war, the shipyard changed hands again, this time to Alaska Terminal and Stevedoring.
Flash forward to 1972 when a number of local businessmen began planning to bring the NFL to Seattle by developing the area into the future headquarters and practice field of the now beloved Seattle Seahawks. Eventually, the team, under new ownership, moved a few miles away, prompting the start of the Carillon Point Complex Project.
The complex got its name from the specially designed carillon bells located in the main plaza at the edge of the marina. During the day, these bells chime every half hour, a nod to the area’s history.
As for Kirkland, locals and visitors alike find this Eastside community charming, with its art galleries, food and wine offerings, eclectic shops, beaches and parks. From the town center, many of these attractions are easily accessible and walkable. If you’re staying at the Woodmark, it’s a few minutes by car, though it you’d like to walk, plan on about forty minutes. Much of the route is along the lake so you can get your steps in while taking in the views and array of outdoor sculptures.
Photo courtesy of The Woodmark Hotel
At the Woodmark, you’ll be greeted by a welcoming and helpful staff, who will promptly tend to any and all details of your stay with a smile. There are various room styles from which to choose. At the top of the list is the Lakefront King Balcony, offering stunning views of Lake Washington. Amenities include plush robes, top-of-the-line bedding, overhead rain showers and Molton Brown bath products. Décor is sophisticated, yet everything is designed for comfort.
As a guest of the hotel, you’ll have complimentary access to the nearby Carillon Point fitness center, beach cruisers and standup paddleboards (in season) and my favorite – the “raid the pantry” from 10pm – midnight. Great for when you get the late night munchies!
When it comes to pampering yourself, the hotel’s Still Spa has you covered. Book one of the many treatments available like a massage that will help relieve tension and work out those knots or a hydrating facial that will boost your skin’s appearance and youthful radiance. And don’t forget those fingers and toes with a mani or pedi.
For another wellness treat, check out Von Sauna, Washington’s first public floating sauna. Steps from the hotel, on the dock, are two saunas, each complete with a changing room, individual lockers, a hot room with comfy seating for up to twelve and a deck with ample space for your cool down. Experience the deep heat, then take a natural cold plunge in the lake. This invigorating method is believed to enhance circulation, boost immunity and promote well-being. Don’t be deterred from trying it after hearing the shrieks from the plungers!
Although there are no restaurants or a bar in the hotel, Carillon Point has several options. For breakfast or lunch, walk over to Carillon Kitchen, a cute place offering fresh, yummy options using locally sourced ingredients.
When dinner comes around, Como is the spot for Italian food, with recipes from the Lake Como area of the Lombardy region in Italy. If you’re craving elevated Mexican food, head to El Encanto. But if you’re in the mood for French cuisine, try Le Grand Bistro. Afterwards, make your way to the hotel’s firepits and enjoy the twinkling lights from the boats on the water and the stars above.
The Woodmark is also a well-known event and meetings locale, with venue spaces can accommodate up to 250 people. And, as you can imagine, the hotel does its share of weddings. The stunning waterfront backdrop is the perfect place to say, “I do!”
If you happen to stay at the hotel during the holiday season, the festivities abound. Santa Claus makes his appearance at Carillon Point along with the Dickens Carolers. Plus, on certain evenings, the Christmas Ship arrives in all its glory, complete with a live chorus that performs for those on land. This ship-to-shore holiday celebration has been a Northwest tradition since 1949.
