Two North Olympic Peninsula resorts and a Port Townsend restaurant have made the “Official Best Of” television show’s list of the 12 top Washington state attractions for 2011.
Selected were:
— Best Relaxing Getaway — Quileute Oceanside Resort, LaPush.
— Best Golf Resort — The Resort at Port Ludlow.
— Best Café — The Fountain Café, Port Townsend.
The Fountain Cafe, 920 Washington Street, is a small, specialty restaurant with only 11 tables that serves lunch and dinner.
“This funky little place has long been a favorite of Port Townsend locals and counterculture types on a tight budget,” according to Frommer’s travel guide.
“Eclectic furnishings decorate the room, which has a few stools at the counter.
“The menu changes seasonally, but you can rest assured that the simple fare will be utterly fresh and that the offerings will include plenty of shellfish and pasta.
“The Greek pasta is a mainstay that’s hard to beat, and the clam chowder is excellent.”
The Inn at Port Ludlow is a frequent “best of” national award winner.
“Located a few miles south of Port Townsend, this small, luxury inn offers all the best aspects of the San Juan Islands without the hassles of the ferries,” according to Frommer’s.
The resort also features breakfast, lunch and dinner at its Fireside restaurant (see related story, below) and advertises itself as having “a variety of activities available that will appeal to any guest.
“Adventure seekers can kayak, bike or hike.
“Golfers can play a round on our 18-hole championship golf course that Esquire magazine called ‘the most scenic in the world.’
“Those looking for relaxation can charter a yacht, go whale watching, fish or simply relax in beach chairs along the pristine shores of Ludlow Bay.”
The Quileute Oceanside Resort has 33 deluxe ocean front cabins, two 14-unit motels, camp grounds and a full service RV park.
“All motel units feature mini kitchens and are tastefully appointed in an authentic Native American motif with spectacular ocean views,” according to the resort’s website.
“Note: we do not have televisions or telephones in our rooms in order to better facilitate your escape from the chaos of the outside world.”
Other honorees
The nine other “Best Of” recipients were:
— Best Whale Watching Company — Orcas Island Eclipse Charters, Orcas.
— Best Family Day Trip — Point Defiance Park, Tacoma.
— Best Scenic Restaurant — Crystal Mountain Summit House, Crystal Mountain.
— Best Romantic Retreat — The Wild Iris Inn, La Conner.
— Best Family Getaway — Grays Harbor area, Grays Harbor County.
— Best Lodge — The Heathman Lodge, Vancouver.
— Best Luxury Hotel — The Davenport Hotel and Tower, Spokane.
— Best Salon — Salon Rouge, La Conner.
— Best Bakery — The Bread Peddler, Olympia.
The 30-minute, commerecial-free Official Best Of Washington 2011 is scheduled to air in Seattle market on KING-TV (channel 5) on Saturday, Sept. 10, at noon and in early October on The Discovery Channel nationally as well as on the popular OfficialBestOf.com travel website.
The Official Best Of originated in 2006 and has spread to over half of the states across the country.
The Official Best Of, based in Hollywood, has researchers that spend at least two months per state.
According to the website, the researchers compile “a collection of the very best attractions and destinations in each given state.
“Once the research is complete and destinations are chosen in a state, a show is produced and aired.
“Each state’s show is promoted within that state as well as on a national level.
“One distinction that sets Official Best Of apart from many other travel sites is that it doesn’t accept advertising on either its television programs or its website.
“The selection of attractions is entirely by merit, and lesser known but worthy attractions are given the same attention as famous ones.”
