Entire cottage hosted by Joe
4 guests1 bedroom1 bed1 bath
Entire home
You’ll have the cottage to yourself.
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Clean and tidy
10 recent guests said this place was sparkling clean.
Joe is a Superhost
Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.
The Garden House is a lovely living space located above an artist studio on 6 waterfront acres. Light-filled, with cathedral ceilings and dormers, the Garden House has a combined kitchen and sitting room with hide-a-bed, a private bedroom, and a bathroom with shower. See COVID comments below.
The space
COVID notice:
Please check on the local COVID status at San Juan County Washington's web site before making a reservation during the summer months of 2020..
The Garden House is maintained with an intention to minimize toxicity in operations: it is kept dander free, laundry soaps are organic and odor-free, sheets are 100% cotton (mostly flannel). Seasonal flowers in the garden are available for guest-picked bouquets. The pottery studio is available for tours, conversation and hands-on clay exploration. There is an extensive and eclectic library. The intentional absence of a flat screen encourages guests to explore non-digital experiences. Please read the house manual and "the neighborhood" (see below) for helpful information.
Guest access
A short scenic stroll brings guests to a private secluded rocky beach. The Garden House is located near the Hot Ice Studio, which produces unique crystal glazed pottery (noise or interference won't be a problem, we promise!) We are a short walk from a little-used, yet very lovely, part of Moran State Park and its east Boundary Trail.
The Garden House on Orcas has been operational since 1992; you can easily find more information online if you are curious. See photos for a small sample of guest comments. The Garden House has earned continuous super host status since it began working with airbnb in 2015.
The Garden House on Orcas is participating in the airbnb "Open Homes" support project by contributing 5% of guest reservation income to assist those in need of temporary housing. For more information on this, search for "airbnb open homes".
Other things to note
The Garden House has one private bedroom; for parties that need an additional sleeping space, there is a hide-a-bed in the combined kitchen/living room. A small futon is also available. If your party composition requires more than one bed, please ensure that the bedding options are acceptable for all your guests.
Reservation requests that are received by text or email after 8pm Pacific Time will likely be responded the next day.
Freshness and high quality are values honored at the Garden House. We encourage you to bring, along with your food, your favorite coffee, tea or other beverages in order to ensure that you savor your personally curated preferences. If you arrive without coffee or tea, and want/need these, please ask!
A 220v EV charging station is located in the Garden House parking area. Handmade crystal pottery is made on site; check HotIceOrcas for more info on the crystal pottery. Potholes in Paradise, a book about Orcas written by your host, is available in ebook/pdf form; a hard copy is available in the Garden House library for guest reading.
Nightly rates are set according to season: winter, shoulder, and summer. Rates shown are for the current calendar year. Please contact me for rates for future years.
Pets are welcome provided they meet the pet policy, the most significant element of which is that pets are not allowed in the guest space in order to keep it dander free for guests with dander sensitivity. Many guests with pets are comfortable with this option; this is a great spot for dogs (esp. larger ones). Please contact me for pet policy questions. There is a very friendly cat (Louis) on the property (who is also not allowed in the guest space).
Legal info:
San Juan County Transient Rental Permit OOPROV063
Septic System designed for 3 bedrooms
The space
COVID notice:
Please check on the local COVID status at San Juan County Washington's web site before making a reservation during the summer months of 2020..
The Garden House is maintained with an intention to minimize toxicity in operations: it is kept dander free, laundry soaps are organic and odor-free, sheets are 100% cotton (mostly flannel). Seasonal flowers in the garden are available for guest-picked bouquets. The pottery studio is available for tours, conversation and hands-on clay exploration. There is an extensive and eclectic library. The intentional absence of a flat screen encourages guests to explore non-digital experiences. Please read the house manual and "the neighborhood" (see below) for helpful information.
Guest access
A short scenic stroll brings guests to a private secluded rocky beach. The Garden House is located near the Hot Ice Studio, which produces unique crystal glazed pottery (noise or interference won't be a problem, we promise!) We are a short walk from a little-used, yet very lovely, part of Moran State Park and its east Boundary Trail.
The Garden House on Orcas has been operational since 1992; you can easily find more information online if you are curious. See photos for a small sample of guest comments. The Garden House has earned continuous super host status since it began working with airbnb in 2015.
The Garden House on Orcas is participating in the airbnb "Open Homes" support project by contributing 5% of guest reservation income to assist those in need of temporary housing. For more information on this, search for "airbnb open homes".
Other things to note
The Garden House has one private bedroom; for parties that need an additional sleeping space, there is a hide-a-bed in the combined kitchen/living room. A small futon is also available. If your party composition requires more than one bed, please ensure that the bedding options are acceptable for all your guests.
Reservation requests that are received by text or email after 8pm Pacific Time will likely be responded the next day.
Freshness and high quality are values honored at the Garden House. We encourage you to bring, along with your food, your favorite coffee, tea or other beverages in order to ensure that you savor your personally curated preferences. If you arrive without coffee or tea, and want/need these, please ask!
A 220v EV charging station is located in the Garden House parking area. Handmade crystal pottery is made on site; check HotIceOrcas for more info on the crystal pottery. Potholes in Paradise, a book about Orcas written by your host, is available in ebook/pdf form; a hard copy is available in the Garden House library for guest reading.
Nightly rates are set according to season: winter, shoulder, and summer. Rates shown are for the current calendar year. Please contact me for rates for future years.
Pets are welcome provided they meet the pet policy, the most significant element of which is that pets are not allowed in the guest space in order to keep it dander free for guests with dander sensitivity. Many guests with pets are comfortable with this option; this is a great spot for dogs (esp. larger ones). Please contact me for pet policy questions. There is a very friendly cat (Louis) on the property (who is also not allowed in the guest space).
Legal info:
San Juan County Transient Rental Permit OOPROV063
Septic System designed for 3 bedrooms
The Garden House is a lovely living space located above an artist studio on 6 waterfront acres. Light-filled, with cathedral ceilings and dormers, the Garden House has a combined kitchen and sitting room with hide-a-bed, a private bedroom, and a bathroom with shower. See COVID comments below.
The space
COVID notice:
Please check on the local COVID status at San Juan County Washington's web…
The space
COVID notice:
Please check on the local COVID status at San Juan County Washington's web…
Sleeping arrangements
Bedroom 1
1 queen bed
Amenities
Kitchen
Wifi
Free parking on premises
Indoor fireplace
Iron
Hair dryer
Hangers
Heating
Laptop-friendly workspace
Essentials
Accessibility
Well-lit path to entrance
Wide entrance for guests
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4.91 out of 5 stars from 252 reviews4.91 (252 reviews)
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Location
Olga, Washington, United States
Doe Bay Resort is less than a minute's drive; they have an excellent cafe, a small store and serve as a launch area for Shearwater Kayak trips. The Catkin Cafe and Artworks are in Olga, about 5 minutes west from the Garden House.
I recommend you download a comprehensive list of available restaurants so you can plan meals out (and make reservations), particularly during peak periods like summer and weekends. A one-page summary of all dining choices on the island is available in the Garden House, provided by the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce (go to the chamber's web site and look for the "Dining Guide" link.
Email, text or call me if you wish a local's view on places to choose and places to avoid.
You would most likely not be reading this if you did not intend to explore the beauty, tranquility, small scale and rural quality of the San Juan Island archipelago and perhaps Orcas Island in particular. Nothing stays constant: growth pressures are huge. I sincerely invite you to weigh in on preserving the islands from becoming what you don't want, as San Juan County is undertaking an update to its entire growth concept. This future roadmap is called a Comprehensive Plan and as I write it is being crafted. Visitor input to what you want to preserve and cherish will absolutely help shape this growth. Absent your input, read the lyrics to Joni Mitchell's Big Yellow Taxi. You can learn about the challenge at KeepSanJuansWild. I sincerely welcome and encourage your engagement in communicating your desire that what you have come, or will come, to experience will be preserved for future visitors and residents. An ounce of prevention is worth far more than a pound of cure.
I recommend you download a comprehensive list of available restaurants so you can plan meals out (and make reservations), particularly during peak periods like summer and weekends. A one-page summary of all dining choices on the island is available in the Garden House, provided by the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce (go to the chamber's web site and look for the "Dining Guide" link.
Email, text or call me if you wish a local's view on places to choose and places to avoid.
You would most likely not be reading this if you did not intend to explore the beauty, tranquility, small scale and rural quality of the San Juan Island archipelago and perhaps Orcas Island in particular. Nothing stays constant: growth pressures are huge. I sincerely invite you to weigh in on preserving the islands from becoming what you don't want, as San Juan County is undertaking an update to its entire growth concept. This future roadmap is called a Comprehensive Plan and as I write it is being crafted. Visitor input to what you want to preserve and cherish will absolutely help shape this growth. Absent your input, read the lyrics to Joni Mitchell's Big Yellow Taxi. You can learn about the challenge at KeepSanJuansWild. I sincerely welcome and encourage your engagement in communicating your desire that what you have come, or will come, to experience will be preserved for future visitors and residents. An ounce of prevention is worth far more than a pound of cure.
Doe Bay Resort is less than a minute's drive; they have an excellent cafe, a small store and serve as a launch area for Shearwater Kayak trips. The Catkin Cafe and Artworks are in Olga, about 5 minutes west fro…
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Orcas Island has been my home since 1970. I am a crystal-glaze potter (Hot Ice Orcas), author ("Potholes in Paradise" about Orcas), community activist on energy, land use, and farm/food supply issues (currently president of the board of Island Stewards, former Farmer's Market Board treasurer, former board president of Coffelt Farm Stewards), wannabe musician (piano), father, grandfather, designer/builder of the Garden House on Orcas, micro-philanthropist; more too but self-promotion is embarrassing. If you are attracted to Orcas and would like to ensure that it remains rural, beautiful, invitational and welcoming, please visit KeepSanJuansWild, where you can learn about the significant challenges facing the islands and how you can support wise long term preservation of what brings you here. Every heart-felt comment helps move the needle.
Orcas Island has been my home since 1970. I am a crystal-glaze potter (Hot Ice Orcas), author ("Potholes in Paradise" about Orcas), community activist on energy, land use, and farm…
During your stay
Guests are greeted upon arrival (whenever possible). I am always available to answer questions or make suggestions, yet my prime concern is for guest privacy.
Joe is a Superhost
Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.
- Response rate: 100%
- Response time: within a few hours
To protect your payment, never transfer money or communicate outside of the Airbnb website or app.
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