Our Anniversary trip to Suncadia Resort

Inspired by my blogger friend Melissa over at The Loveliest Day who every week features great honeymoon/anniversary destinations, I wanted to share my own great wedding/honeymoon/mini-moon/anniversary/romantic trip destination - Suncadia Resort in Rosyln, Washington. This where my husband and I recently spent our second wedding anniversary, and though we've been to the property before for dinner and drinks, this was our first time actually staying at the resort. And we were so impressed.

After two days and nights of backpacking and camping in Olympic National Park, we were more than ready for a two nights of a luxe resort experience. We checked into the Lodge at Suncadia on our anniversary, and the staff was so nice welcoming us and congratulating us on our anniversary.

The main great room at The Lodge at Suncadia.

Our room looked out over the river below (where we saw a huge herd of elk crossing) and had mountain views as well. It had a nice kitchen, living room with fireplace and balcony, a huge bathroom with soaking tub and a lovely and spacious bedroom.

Living room in the King Suite room

One of the views from our balcony.

For our anniversary dinner, we ate at the restaurant Portals and waiting at our table when we sat down were chocolate strawberries and handmade truffles (yum) and two glasses of complimentary champagne (double yum). Our appetizer of rosemary grilled flatbread and iceberg wedge salads were both some of the best we've had, and for our entree we both got the grilled swordfish special with fruit risotto. Dessert was a sinful molten chocolate bundt cake. If you are a foodie, you will love it here.

The dining room at Portals restaurant.

Our second night there we were planning to go back to Portals for dinner, but we went to take a look at the new winery on the property, Swiftwater Cellars, which was not open to the public yet. The building itself and its views are great so we just wanted to take a few pictures, but we really lucked out because it turns out they were having a preview dinner at The Hoist House Restaurant. We got to have an amazing meal there of wedge salad, filet mignon, lamb chops, flatbread pizza and huckleberry cheesecake with a great Washington red wine, the No. 9 red. The whole operation is a family business; we got to meet the owner/winemaker who was so nice, and his son is managing the restaurant. The winery and restaurant are now open to the public, and are a must see.

Swiftwater Cellars

View from the restaurant patio - that mound is actually from the remnants of an old coal mine, the winery itself sits atop the old Coal Mine No. 9.

One thing we didn't get to do that I really, really wanted to do (and can't wait to go back and experience) was go to the Glade Spring Spa. The spa features four outdoor hot mineral soaking pools, and you can even drink wine and dine on a charcuterie plate while you soak. Um, heaven! Next time we visit, we are so getting the couples massage and going in the soaking pools.

One of the soaking pools at Glade Spring Spa.

There was so much to do at Suncadia that we didn't get to squeeze in since we were only there two nights, like bike rentals, hiking, golfing (two courses), fitness classes (there is a giant fitness center with indoor pool with waterslides and classes like pilates and yoga). We did manage to check out the next door tiny mining town of Roslyn, where the 90's show Northern Exposure was filmed. It is also home to the most amazing Garlic Burger at the Cruise In Diner.

The iconic sign for the Roslyn Cafe.

The Cruise In Diner in Rosyln, famous for the Garlic Burger (seriously the best garlic burger ever).

Suncadia is only 90 minutes from Seattle and winetasting in Woodinville, but we opted to take an hour drive to the Bavarian-style town of Leavenworth for wine tasting and lunch at München Haus - famous for their sausages, over 30 kinds of mustard, and beers!

Brandon and I in Leavenworth, WA

München Haus restaurant

Having lunch at München Haus

And that was our anniversary trip to Suncadia Resort in Washington. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to explore the Northwest, be out in the wilderness with all the amenities, and be close enough to Seattle and other great day trips.