The writer was hosted.
The stunning Salish Lodge and Spawill have guests feeling relaxed from the moment they enter the lobby and are greeted by the friendly and welcoming staff. I felt my stress slip away while sipping a craft beverage during the check-in process.
This Pacific Northwest icon is the perfect destination for a wellness retreat. I spent two nights enjoying fresh locally inspired cuisine, craft co*cktails, Washington wine, spa treatments, the rushing sounds of Snoqualmie Falls, and hikes through a lush forest.
When you see a photo of the Salish Lodge and Spa perched on a cliff overlooking the stunning Snoqualmie Falls you may recognize it as the Great Northern Hotel from the hit television show, “Twin Peaks.”
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The Sacred Setting of the Salish Lodge
It is important to note since time began Snoqualmie Falls and the surrounding lands are a sacred site and the traditional ancestral lands of the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe. In the Snoqualmie language, šə̌qaʔɫdaɫ is theupper lip of Snoqualmie Falls and sqʷədʔ is the under part of Snoqualmie Falls.
The area is also a Traditional Cultural Property in the National Register of Historic Places. Snoqualmie Falls is the birthplace of the Snoqualmie People.
In 2019, the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe purchased the Salish Lodge and Spa as part of the Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Lands Movement.
It is the first property in Washington to charge an Ancestral Land Tax. Tourist dollars from guests to the hotel help fund this program. Visit theSnoqualmie Ancestral Lands Movementto learn more.
Read More: 15 Places to Visit in Washington State for Fun, Adventure and Beautiful Vistas
Why The Salish Lodge And Spa Is The Perfect Wellness Retreat
Alt text: View of Snoqualmie Falls between two trees.
- Award winning Spa
- Gas fireplaces and spa-like showers or oversized soaking tubs
- Sacred Snoqualmie Falls, a spiritual site
- Soothing décor in rooms and luxury mattresses with plush feather bedding and crisp sheets
- Farm to Table meals with locally sourced ingredients, plant forward with both vegan and vegetarian options
- Forest Bathing and hiking
Guest Rooms at The Salish Lodge And Spa
The Salish Lodge and Spa has a total of 86 luxurious guest roomsthat feature a nature and Pacific Northwest inspired décor. Natural wood and stone and fabrics in soft neutral colors create a tranquil oasis perfect for a wellness retreat.
I stayed in a Balcony Riverside roomwhich added a water element with the rushing sounds of the Snoqualmie River.
I have to say this is one of the most luxurious beds I have ever slept in. Snuggling into the crisp premium sheets and Parachute feather bedding with a good book was the ultimate in relaxation.
I love a fancy bathroom when staying at a hotel and the Salish Lodge and Spa certainly delivered. Big fluffy towels, premium toiletries, and one of the largest showers I’ve ever seen added to the whole experience.
One of the products supplied in the room was a eucalyptus shower spray. A few spritz turned my shower into a steamy, fragrant, spa experience. Some rooms have soaking tubs and some have a larger shower so make sure to note your preference when you book.
Restaurants at The Salish Lodge And Spa
The Salish Lodge and Spa offers a variety of venues from casual to fine dining. Ingredients are locally sourced as much as possible. I enjoyed fresh, seasonal menus of delectable Pacific Northwest cuisine.
Make sure to look for the Salish Bee on the menu. This notes dishes that feature honey from the lodge’s bee hives. Honey has been a featured ingredient dating back to the early days of the lodge.
At breakfast, I ordered the signature “Honey from Heaven” experience.Warmed honey is poured from high above the plate and drizzled onto fluffy homemade biscuits slathered with butter. Truly yummy.
SheBuysTravel Tip:There is no dress code for dining. I saw everything from Pacific Northwest casual to business attire.
The Restaurant
I enjoyed two meals at The Restaurant during my visit and both were outstanding.
Breakfastwas a fun, leisurely meal. I ordered the avocado toast. It was served on Macrina bread from a local bakery and the avocado was mixed with peas, and asparagus then topped with pickled spring onion, and candied pistachios. It was light and fresh.
That was a good thing as our group also ordered the famous Country Breakfast. It is a huge feast consisting of a basket of fresh pastries, steel cut oatmeal, buttermilk pancakes, three free range eggs, smoked bacon, ham steak, apple pork sausage and mashed Yukon potatoes. That isn’t a choice, it includes everything listed so come hungry if you are going to order it. Each meal also comes with the signature “Honey from Heaven” experience.
For dinner,I dined on Northwest roasted free-range chicken paired with ricotta gnocchi, pea vines, house pickled rhubarb and garnished with garlic chips and aigobouido, a Provençal garlic soup used as a sauce.
I also ordered aside of the Northwest Grits & Cheese Curds. This is a Salish Bee dish that had honey from the lodge’s beehives along with roasted corn and garnished with chives. I highly recommend this unique side dish.
I loved that the wine list includes so many Washington wines. I opted for chicken this visit but the restaurant is also known for its 24-day, dry aged Washington Angus Beef. The Simply Grilled section offered meats with a choice of house made sauces, classic béarnaise, rye whiskey and sage demi-glace, and charred spring onion and black garlic.
The Lounge
The Lounge serves as a community gathering spot and is open to the lobby.
In the morning, enjoy a licupof locally roasted coffee and a light breakfast.
In the evening, the space converts from coffee bar to a lounge with hand-crafted co*cktails and a seasonal menu of elevated dishes and Instagram-worthy vibrant seasonal ingredients.
Our group enjoyed a dinner meal and chose to order a variety of dishes to share. The local oysters on the half shellaccompanied with a cucumber mignonette were so fresh. Another highlight was the cedar plank steelheadserved with spring vegetables, green garlic pesto and the lodge’s Salish honey.
The spring vegetables included foraged fiddleheads– edible young fern fronds also known as crosiers. I had never eaten these before and they were delicious. This ingredient is just one example of the chef’s commitment to locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
The Café & Coffee Bar
Take theshort walk from the lodge to the Salish Visitors Centerto learn more about the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe. The Café & Coffee Bar is located inside and serves freshly brewed coffee. Select from a variety of beverages and nibble on fresh sweet or savory treats.
I highly recommend the ham and cheese croissant or a delectable scone.
There are also plenty of grab and go selections to take on a hike down to the lower falls. The café has a nice, shaded deck for al fresco dining.
The Spa at The Salish Lodge
The Spa at the Salish Lodge is the epitome of a luxurious pampering experience. Among its numerous awards is being named by Conde Nast Travel as one of the “Top 50 Hotel Spas in the United States.”
I started feeling relaxed the minute I walked in the door. Soothing music and the aromas of cedar and eucalyptus enhance the atmosphere. Natural woods and neutral colors create a calm environment in the relaxation area and in the treatment rooms.
I opted for the Clinical Luxury Facialand it was 50 minutes of total bliss. The facial was customized to my skin’s specific needs. My skin was glowing after being treated withcollagen boosting peptides and potent hydrators. Before or after your treatment, enjoy the relaxation room with healthy snacks and beverages.
To use the upper-level spa soaking pool, sauna, and steam room you must book a spa-level riverside room and pay for Club 268. It is worth the cost of the upgrade because it also includes access to the Club 268 Lounge.
That’s where you can enjoy a full breakfast including a small buffet with a variety of offerings as well as hot breakfasts to order. In the evening, the lounge serves co*cktails and charcuterie. There is also a nice selection of snacks available throughout the day.
For a fun girls’ trip experience book the Lower Waterfall Pool. The 50-minute experience gives your group access to the waterfall pool and a lounge area as well as an attendant who can take co*cktail orders.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Club 268 guests utilizing the upper pool can see into the lower Waterfall Pool area, so it is not conducive to romance.
Snoqualmie Falls
A highlight of staying at the Salish Lodge and Spa is access to Snoqualmie Falls.The lodge is perched close to the top of the falls and many venues provide views.
I took time to experience the falls in a variety of ways. I recommend starting at the Salish Visitors Center and watching the movieto learn about the falls and its significance to the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe. It truly is a spiritual place.
Enjoy the views near the lodge and then take the time to hike to the lower falls viewing areas. The trail is well-maintained and traverses a beautiful forest with lots of large trees. Forest bathing is a popular wellness activity.
Salish Lodge and Spa Details
The lodge is located at:
6501 Railroad Ave SE,
Snoqualmie, WA 98065.
(425) 888-2556 for reservations and information.
Valet Parking is included in the$35 daily lodge fee(current as of spring 2024) which also includes:
- a welcome beverage at check-in
- a wine tasting
- WI-FI
- bottled water in room
- day passes to the Mt. Si Sports & Fitness
- morning coffee
- Energy Stations on each floor with house-made Salish signature snacks.
People ask what happened to the Snoqualmie Falls gift shop. The lodge’s large country style store space is now The Lounge. The new space for The Shop is smaller but the offerings are more curated to reflect the theme of the lodge. There is also another large gift shop at the Salish Visitors Center.
The lodge can book transportation at your cost to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
SheBuysTravel Tip:I recommend having a car while staying at the lodge. The charming small town of Snoqualmieis worth exploring for its walkable downtown with shopping, dining, and several museums.
