Rosario Resort & Spa, Orcas Island

Cruising northwest in Orcas Island’s East Sound, the white Moran Mansion of Rosario Resort & Spa comes into view well before you arrive. The century-old mansion was built as the private residence of Seattle shipbuilder and two-time Seattle mayor Robert Moran and is now listed on the U.S. National Register of Historical Places. Located approximately 60-natical miles south of Vancouver on 30 acres of Orcas Island waterfront, today it houses the popular resort and spa with its 104 guest rooms with scenic island and water views.

Moran built Rosario with Arts and Crafts ideals in mind – time spent with family, a respect for nature, and a return to quality hand craftsmanship lost in the industrial revolution.

If you haven’t visited in the past couple years, the first thing you will notice is the extension to the rock breakwater. A concrete floating wave attenuator extending eastward has been added to better protect the moorage. The extension also provides additional moorage and a seaplane landing float.

The marina was originally built for Moran’s 132-foot Yacht Sanwan, and today there are 30 slips, with the expanded side ties now available. You will also notice wide moorage slips and a good distance between the ends of the finger (88-feet), providing plenty of room for maneuvering when docking.

Marina personnel monitor VHF channel 78A and request that arriving boaters call prior to entering the marina for slip assignment, reservation recommended. Dock personnel will be on hand to assist with your lines. Moorage rates include the use of the marina family pool, showers, and bathrooms. Spa passes to use The Mansion spa facilities are available to Marina guests for $15 per day per guest (valid until noon the following day).

Located adjacent to the marina is the seasonal Cascade Bay Grill and Store, Open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. The outdoor dining is popular with boaters. Visitors can enjoy oysters, grilled salmon, crab, fish & chips, brats, pizza, salads, and burgers. The adjacent Store offers expresso drinks, to-go breakfast items, groceries, ice, apparel, gifts, and basic supplies.

A visit is not complete without taking some time to stroll around the resort’s elegant gardens and pathways, it’s a pleasant way to spend the afternoon. In the morning and evening, it’s common to see deer roaming the grounds. Guests can also take a self-guided tour of the mansion.

The Spa at Rosario is located on the garden level of the Moran Mansion, and moorage guests may use the facilities – Including the historic indoor therapeutic pool and outdoor adult pool. There is also a dry sauna, fitness center, exercise classes and therapeutic service – including massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures.

You cannot mention the mansion without talking about its centerpiece, the grand Music Room/Museum. It features a two-story 1913 Aeolian Pipe Organ, a 1900 Steinway piano, a Belgian stain-glass window, and two mezzanine libraries overlooking a Tiffany chandelier.

A preeminent part of the Rosario experience is Christopher Peacock, a musician whose summer job in 1980 turned into a 40-year love affair with the resort. His critically acclaimed performances on the pipe organ and the Steinway in this unique setting are extraordinary. As a portion of his performance, he shares Rosario’s history. He has worked for all the previous resort owners and for the many management companies over the years. During his long tenure with the resort, Peacock became more involved in the business side of the resort and is now its general manager.

Happy Hour (aka: Oyster Hour) is fireside cocktails and small bites in the rich mahogany turn-of-the-century setting of the original living room of the magnificent mansion. Enjoy live music in the Morgan Lounge on Saturday nights.

Enjoy a magnificent meal in The Mansion Restaurant prepared under the guiding hands of the Executive Chief and staff, reservation recommended. The restaurant is located on the mansion’s veranda overlooking East Sound and features local produce, meats, and seafood.

Many offseason visitors time their visit to take part in the delicious Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinners. Moorage and dinner reservations are a must for these two popular events.