10 Incredible Washington Airbnbs to Inspire Your Next Getaway and Tips for Booking

Published March 30, 2021

Back in November 2020, we were feeling a major case of cabin fever with winter quickly approaching and COVID keeping us from booking any real vacations. What better way to address cabin fever than to, uh, book yourself a cute cabin?! Finding ourselves with some free time, we quickly went down a rabbit hole of all the really unique Airbnbs that you can book in Washington, and opted for this beautiful river-side cabin in Baring (only about an hour from Seattle).

The only catch was that the place wasn’t available until March, but we went ahead and snagged the next available date. It felt like it would never come, but this past weekend we finally had our trip, and we were so thankful that we held out in order to stay at this truly unique place.

Below we’re sharing not only the details of where we stayed, but also tacking on nine additional Airbnbs to inspire your next getaway and some tips for scoring that picture-perfect accomodation!

Where We Stayed: "A River Runs Through It" Cabin (Baring, WA)

For our long-weekend getaway, we booked this charming little cabin called A River Runs Through It in Baring, WA.

We actually booked our stay via VRBO, but it looks like they’ve since moved over to Airbnb instead (which we much prefer in terms of the searching / booking interface and overall process and communications).

The pictures online really don’t do the place justice, and there have been some small upgrades since those were taken. One thing that blew us away was just how close you really are to the river, and how intense the flow was this time of year! We also loved that you have such incredible views of the forest and river from several spots in the house, and there were a lot of unique touches throughout. And talk about great views from the hot tub! That was definitely a highlight.

Our only (minor) complaint with the cabin for you to be aware of is that due to a newly installed “bio filter septic system,” you can occasionally pick up a slight sulfur scent. We only noticed it once or twice per day and it didn’t hinder our experience … all the positives far outweighed this funny little “quirk.” And one other quirky thing to mention — there’s no stand-up shower, it’s just a claw foot tub with a handheld shower head. Again, not a deal-breaker for us, but worth noting!

Hiking Nearby
While in the area, we opted to hike the Heybrook Ridge trail, which was just 13 minutes down the road from the cabin. We actually connected via an old service road over to Heybrook Lookout, and then doubled back down the Ridge trail to our car. Combined, we ended up clocking just over six miles roundtrip. We’ve hiked the entire Heybrook Lookout trail in the past, and actually enjoyed the Ridge trail better because it was quieter, less crowded, and had ample parking.

In the heart of summer, you’ll find a number of other great hikes in the area, but we enjoyed this one for an early-season option that was entirely snow-free with some nice views and moderate difficulty.

Tips for Booking One of Washington's Coolest Airbnbs

Sometimes you’re pigeon-holed by a combination of your dates + location, or perhaps you just want to find the cheapest acceptable option (that’s us most times, to be honest!). But for those times when you want to snag a place to stay that’s as much part of the experience as your destination itself . . . check out these quick tips:

Think ahead. Some of these Airbnbs can get fully reserved 6 months to a year in advance. Set yourself a calendar reminder to check back in on availability if needed to time it up. Each host controls their own calendar settings, but most seem to allow bookings up to one year in advance. Book early, and your future self will thank you!
Don't always search by date. Sure, sometimes you have to travel over specific dates, but if you're just going for a weekend or have some flexibility in your schedule, consider searching a location you want to visit and leave the dates blank. You'll see ALL the options, and can use filters to refine your search (like making sure you'll have a hot tub or staying with a Super Host). Or you can even click "Explore Nearby Destinations" to stay flexible on the location as well. Find a place you're dying to stay within your budget, and then book the next available date that works for you!
Plan for the season. That cozy cabin and wood-burning stove would be perfect for the winter, but in the summer you'll wish you opted for an awesome water-front location and balcony for sipping your morning coffee or evening wine.
Create a saved list in Airbnb. If you come across a place you'd like to stay but it doesn't work for you at that time, create a list and save it for future inspiration right within Airbnb (look for the little heart icon to click).
Bookmark this blog post! Save yourself some work and refer back here when you're ready to treat yourself to a little getaway.

9 Additional Airbnbs to Inspire Your Next Getaway

If we’re being honest, this list could be WAY longer than nine places (our Saved list in Airbnb for Washington has 50+ stays on it!). There are SO many cool places to stay here, so let’s consider this part one of what will hopefully be a multi-part series, and you’re always welcome to contact us for additional recommendations for a specific area, too!

For this roundup, and considering the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, we’re focusing on smaller stays (2-4 people), but will put together another list with great options for groups in the future. Photos below are pulled from the associated Airbnb listing unless otherwise noted.

Upgraded Grandview Condo with Stunning Lake Views

Location: Chelan
Size: 6 guests1 bedroom3 beds1 bath
Dog friendly? No

Special features: While the interiors of this space leave much to be desired, you really can’t beat the balcony views out over the stunning, turquoise, clear waters of Lake Chelan. We’ve rented a number of different units within this complex and love the lakefront access, walkable proximity to downtown, and central location for exploring wineries on both sides of the lake. We love visiting Chelan any time of year, but late-spring into early-fall is optimal for enjoying winery patios and the lake.

A-Frame Beach Shack

Location: Port Angeles
Size: 2 guests
Dog friendly? Yes, but see special note on Airbnb profile

Special features: Not your typical Airbnb . . . but how cool is this place? For those times when you want a killer campsite and views without 100% roughing it. Enjoy unobstructed views of the Straight of Juan De Fuca and the Canadian Cascades. Bring your own camping gear and they’ll supply 2 cots to sleep on. There is also a picnic table, fire-pit BBQ, and nearby outhouse and shower house.

Garden Cottage B, Heart of Lopez Village

Location: Lopez Island
Size: 2 guests · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 bath
Dog friendly? Yes, see notes in Airbnb listing

Special features: A peaceful retreat on Lopez Island within walking distance of town. Enjoy the gardens in summer, or the indoor fireplace in winter. The beaches are always nice to visit year-round!

Kayakers’ Tiny House

Location: Mason County
Size: 2 guests
Dog friendly? No

Special features: If you’ve ever wanted to stay in a tiny house, this is for you! The waterfront location and outdoor soaking tub immediately caught our eye. With beach access, kayaks, and a good chance of seeing wildlife — what more could you want for a low-key getaway?

Hansel Creek Gust Tree House

Location: Peshastin (15 min from Leavenworth)
Size: 3 guests · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 bath
Dog friendly? No

Special features: Rustic treehouse on 150 acres, overlooking a babbling creek below. Located just 15 minutes from Leavenworth, which is a great place to visit year round. Note that this treehouse shares a heated indoor shower with hot water and bathroom in a separate building about 100 ft away and has a seasonal outdoor shower (closed from October through April).

Three Peak Cabin

Location: Gold Bar
Size: 4 guests · 1 bedroom · 2 beds · 1 bath
Dog friendly? Yes, for a fee

Special features: Beautifully styled home overlooking the Skykomish River with incredible views of Mount Index. Close to hiking and Steven’s Pass ski resort, we’d be happy to stay here in any season.

West Beach Boat House

Location: Guemes Island (short ferry from Anacortes)
Size: 2 guests · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 bath
Dog friendly? No

Special features: Small island getaway with an amazing beachfront location. Taking the ferry adds to your experience. More than 100 5-star reviews that say it’s even better than the photos, which is hard to believe because the photos look pretty great!

Beach Front “Glamping”

Location: Camano
Size: 2 guests · 1 bedroom · 2 beds · Half-bath
Dog friendly? No

Special features: Beachfront camping with added amenities! From the listing: “think of it as a camper without wheels, or a fancy tent with solid walls and indoor plumbing.”

Fort Ebey Treehouse

Location: Coupeville
Size: 4 guests · 1 bedroom · 2 beds · 1 bath
Dog friendly? No

Special features: This 500-square-foot treehouse was designed by Pete Nelson, renowned treehouse builder and star of the Treehouse Masters TV show. Check out the photos and you’ll quickly see why this made the list. Pure relaxation among the trees!

Feeling inspired to plan ahead and book yourself an awesome future-getaway? We’d love to hear where you’re heading . . . let us know in the comments!

10 Incredible Washington Airbnbs to Inspire Your Next Getaway and Tips for Booking

10 Incredible Washington Airbnbs to Inspire Your Next Getaway and Tips for Booking

CONTENTS

Where We Stayed: "A River Runs Through It" Cabin (Baring, WA)

Tips for Booking One of Washington's Coolest Airbnbs

9 Additional Airbnbs to Inspire Your Next Getaway

A-Frame Beach Shack

Kayakers’ Tiny House

Three Peak Cabin

Beach Front “Glamping”

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