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Starrett House

From $245/night • Score: 4.8★ (680 reviews)

Exterior 1Exterior 2Interior 1Interior 2Surroundings

First Impressions & Architecture

Approaching the intersection of Clay and Quincy streets in Port Townsend’s historic upper district feels less like arriving at a typical Pacific Northwest boutique hotel and more like stepping through the looking glass into the gilded heart of the late nineteenth century. Perched gracefully on the bluffs overlooking the Puget Sound and Admiralty Inlet, the Starrett House commands its Victorian-era neighborhood with an unapologetic, exuberant majesty. Known universally among architectural historians and romantic travelers alike as the "Grand Dame of Port Townsend," this magnificent Queen Anne residence immediately captivates the eye with its asymmetrical facade, intricate spindlework, gables, and a symphony of richly painted Eastlake-style trim that highlights the maritime fog rolling in from the strait.

The provenance of the estate is as romantic as its physical manifestation. Built in 1889 by master contractor and builder George Starrett as an enduring architectural tribute to his beloved wife, the house was conceived without budgetary constraint to showcase the absolute pinnacle of Victorian craftsmanship. Every square foot of the exterior speaks to an era when architecture was treated as high art, but it is upon crossing the threshold that the true genius of the property reveals itself. The entryway opens into a warm, wood-paneled foyer redolent of aged cedar, beeswax, and history, instantly divorcing the guest from the modern cadence of the twenty-first century.

The undisputed architectural masterpiece of the Starrett House—and indeed, one of the most astonishing feats of residential carpentry in the Pacific Northwest—is its legendary cantilevered spiral staircase. Anchored with ingenious structural precision, this awe-inspiring wooden helix ascends seventy vertical feet through the core of the house entirely without a central supporting column. As guests wind their way upward, their eyes are inevitably drawn toward the heavens: an eight-sided dome tower that crowns the structure. Inside this soaring cupola lies a breathtaking hand-painted solar calendar and intricate frescoes depicting the four seasons, capturing the golden light of the Pacific Northwest and casting a celestial glow over the interior halls. It is a space that demands absolute silence, inspiring reverence from even the most seasoned luxury travel journalists who have traversed the globe.

The Room Experience

Stepping into the private chambers of the Starrett House is akin to curating a stay within a private wing of a Victorian museum, albeit one equipped with modern comforts discreetly woven into the historic fabric. Because each of the guest rooms is individually appointed, no two stays are alike, ensuring that repeat visitors continually discover new facets of the property's rich interior design narrative. During our stay, we experienced one of the premier parlor-level chambers, where the commitment to authentic period aesthetics is absolute.

The room is anchored by magnificent, heavy Eastlake and Victorian walnut furnishings, polished to a deep, lustrous sheen that reflects the soft amber glow of period-appropriate bedside lamps. The bed itself—a towering, carved-wood masterpiece topped with crisp, high-thread-count linens and weighty, historically inspired coverlets—offers an unexpectedly divine sleeping experience. It strikes that rare hospitality chord where historical authenticity does not come at the expense of ergonomic luxury; the mattress is wonderfully supportive, ensuring deep, restorative slumber accompanied only by the distant, melancholic foghorns of the strait.

Attention to detail defines the washing and lounging areas. Original marble-topped washstands have been thoughtfully preserved, paired with gleaming, modernized brass plumbing fixtures that deliver robust, piping-hot water pressure—a welcome luxury after a brisk, windswept walk along the bluffs. Gilded Rococo-style mirrors hang upon deep, rich-hued damask wallpaper, while heavy velvet draperies frame tall, double-hung windows that pull in the crisp, salt-tinged maritime air. Small touches elevate the experience from a mere hotel stay to an immersive theatrical tableau: hand-milled artisanal soaps, plush Turkish bathrobes waiting invitingly on the closet hooks, and a selection of classic literature resting invitingly on a marble-topped side table. There are no televisions to shatter the illusion of nineteenth-century tranquility, a bold and deeply appreciated curation that encourages guests to actually read, converse, and unwind.

Signature Amenities & Atmosphere

The true magic of the Starrett House lies not merely in its physical preservation, but in the living, breathing atmosphere cultivated by its hosts and its public spaces. The heart of this social ecosystem is the formal parlor, a voluminous, light-filled chamber where guests naturally congregate to read, converse, and soak in the palpable sense of history. Here, heavy Persian rugs muffle footsteps, and artfully arranged groupings of velvet armchairs invite long, unhurried conversations by the hearth.

Among the property's most cherished traditions are the afternoon tea tours. These daily gatherings are executed with a refined, unpretentious grace that honors the rituals of the Victorian era without feeling stuffy or overly formal. Guests are invited to gather in the formal parlor, where delicate bone china teacups are filled with steaming, expertly steeped artisanal loose-leaf teas. Accompanying the tea is an exquisite curation of house-made pastries, savory finger sandwiches, and warm scones served with clotted cream and local preserves. During these sessions, the resident historian or innkeeper often shares captivating anecdotes about George Starrett, the construction of the cantilevered staircase, and the broader Victorian boom of Port Townsend, transforming a simple afternoon refreshment into an engaging cultural salon.

Beyond the parlor, the inn’s common areas encourage quiet moments of contemplation. Nooks tucked beneath stained-glass windows offer secluded spots for journaling or watching the shifting moods of the sky over the bay. The atmosphere throughout the house is profoundly serene; despite its historic pedigree, there are no creaky floorboards that disrupt the peace, only the gentle, rhythmic hum of a well-tended historic estate operating at the absolute zenith of hospitality.

Food, Drink & Local Nightlife

Morning at the Starrett House begins with an olfactory prelude that effortlessly rouses even the deepest sleepers: the rich, dark aroma of locally roasted Pacific Northwest coffee mingling with the scent of baking butter, herbs, and sizzling artisanal meats. Breakfast is served in the formal parlor, where a communal dining setup fosters a delightful, cosmopolitan camaraderie among travelers from around the globe.

The culinary program is gourmet in the truest sense, eschewing generic continental fare in favor of hearty, multi-course masterpieces that celebrate the bounty of the Olympic Peninsula. A typical morning might commence with a vibrant, antioxidant-rich fruit parfat featuring local organic berries and rich Greek yogurt, followed by a savory main course such as a Dungeness crab and locally foraged mushroom quiche, or perhaps thick-cut brioche French toast drizzled with pure Washington maple syrup and accompanied by heritage-breed pork sausage. Dietary restrictions are not merely accommodated; they are met with creative, enthusiastic culinary solutions that ensure every guest feels utterly pampered.

When evening falls, the charming walkable core of Port Townsend beckons just down the sloping Victorian-lined streets. While the Starrett House itself does not house a bar or dinner restaurant, its prime location places guests within a five-to-ten-minute stroll of the town’s finest culinary outposts. Highlights of the local scene include:

Who This Stay Is For

The Starrett House occupies a very specific, highly coveted niche in the luxury hospitality landscape, appealing to a discerning subset of travelers who prioritize character, narrative, and historical authenticity over cookie-cutter corporate polish.

Conversely, those who require flat-screen televisions in every room, ultra-minimalist Scandinavian decor, elevator access to upper floors, or a bustling resort-style nightlife scene on-site will likely be better suited to a contemporary downtown glass-and-steel hotel.

Practical Travel Notes

To ensure an utterly seamless stay at the Starrett House, a few logistical considerations are worth keeping in mind: