The Alderbrook Resort & Spa in Union Washington is a dreamy Pacific Northwest getaway boasting rooms with a view, rare Hood Canal waterfront access and a collection of homestyle Covid-19 precautions that recently earned them national attention.

We felt pampered, taken care of, and in tune with nature. And we can’t wait to go back.

DISCOUNT CODES/PROMO CODE: **Update | Feb. 17, 2023 ** I heard from the resort today that they’re unable to renew any outstanding discount codes. I Googled around though and found that the resort reportedly honors a 15% discount for University of Washington students (and alum?) per the details listed here and there might even be a AAA discount optional on their main site as well. 

Ok, back to the review:

From getting Crème Brûlée delivered to our door via room service, to snagging aaaall the swimming/jacuzzi timeslots for the kids, Alderbrook’s amenities were a good mix of family-friendly for the kiddos and posh for the grownups.

But this review isn’t like my other hotel reviews – it’s my first pandemic travel review for 2020. ⁣All this from our family who believes in Covid-19, social distancing, and masking up. The resort does, too. ⁣In fact, the resort’s blog announced Alderbrook is among the hotels named #1 in the  US list of Safest Hotel and Resort for Social Distancing” by Fodor’s Travel Guide.
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My in-person takeaway: I felt safer with the hotel’s thoughtful pandemic protocols such as hand sanitizer stations everywhere, clear rules posted, and a well-organized crowd-control reservation system at the pool area. Plus, they implemented all these in cozy/home-like ways that weren’t sterile or scary which I appreciate for my little fam.⁣
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We stayed two nights on a Tuesday and Wednesday, and I can’t say enough good things about traveling during off-peak days. ⁣There are always fewer people that way so you get more of the place to yourself, which is especially helpful for social distancing. Plus,⁣ the hotel is a dreamy PNW getaway with fun surprises for the kids, rare Hood Canal waterfront access and yummy room service!⁣

The Alderbrook Resort & Spa has been a Hood Canal visitor staple since 1913 when guests first arrived by canoe! Today, the property includes an expansive hotel with wooded lodge vibes as well as a series of separate, private cabins next door. And don’t worry, it’s accessible by car these days 🙂

Our Top Fave Things There

Covid Precautions

Ok, so this one isn’t as fancy — but as a mama navigating life during Covid-19,  it’s still a fave.

Christmastime Fun (Late November – December)

Here’s Wyatt writing his letter to Santa during our time there. Letter writing and hunting down the “official” Santa mailboxes is one of my favorite holiday adventures so we were delighted to find one here! 

*UPDATE: 2022: Bri herself has contacted me!! I’ve actually been following her art for a while and even bought once a Hood Canal hoodie from her lol, but didn’t put two and two together.

 

Here’s her info:

NAME: BriAnne Waite of Union, WA

BIZ: PNW Art by BriAnne: Facebook Page (@pnwbrianne)

WHAT SHE MAKES: Mailboxes, murals, paintings, cards, signage, apparel all influenced by the great Pacific Northwest

BONUS: Newspaper article about her art!

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The Fancy Room + Room Service

We stayed in a Courtyard Double Queen room. You can see a virtual tour of it here. I usually associate “courtyard” with “garden view” or something like that at hotels, but fear not, at Alderbrook even some of the Courtyard rooms boast partial waterfront views! Ours did and that was super exciting for us.

We stayed on the second floor, Room 203. From the windows, we could see the courtyard lawn, a giant lit Christmas tree, and a good bit of sparkling water behind it.

Our room looked exactly like this hotel shot, except, you know, this photo is way cleaner. Because kids. Lol. But check out a few of my photos below, including Wyatt’s ‘too cool’ pose with a scrumptious bite of Alderbrook’s famous french toast*. I don’t ask him to pose like this!! It’s hysterical.

*Bonus – they can make this french toast with gluten-free bread! I have a gluten allergy, which usually makes eating out a pain, so little gf options like this are so appreciated.

The Pool

The pool area is all indoors and includes bathrooms, showers, the expansive swimming pool, and a double jacuzzi!! They also have towels for everyone and goggles to borrow for the kids. Just walk down to the pool (located on the first floor across the lawn from the restaurant) and the pool attendant will take your covid-era swim reservation by hand by marking off a time slot or two on the whiteboard. I think each slot is limited to 30 people total, but I could be wrong and that total could change depending on whichever covid safety rules are in place at different times. Overall though, it was always like, us and one other family.

The Little Playground

My kids really miss playgrounds (#pandemiclife). So it’s a treat when we find a small and empty one like this. It was wet from the rain but Danny in guest services wiped down the swings and slides for us without me even asking! How cute is that!! It’s the little things, you guys. Human kindness ftw. This park is located across from the hotel entrance on the otherside of the crosswalk. It’s along the path to the Alderbrook Nature Trails … which is a whole other amenity that we didn’t use during our stay but have enjoyed in the past since we currently live nearby.

And that’s our stay! See you there!

Did you like this review? Here’s another resort we loved in Paso Robles, California; plus this summer getaway-worthy beach resort in Avila Beach, California. I also felt all the city vibes during this sunny Downtown Long Beach getaway.