Across The Cascades And Back In Time
Entering Greengables, a bed and breakfast on Seattle’s Queen Anne Hill, is like stepping back in time to the Victorian era. Lila Chapman, the proprietress of the 1904 home, has even dressed for the occasion at times. She is a costumer, with her own shop the Emperor’s New Clothes housed in the basement of Greengables.
Each of the four guest rooms has a theme. “The Forget-Me-Not Room” is the smallest and has an original stained-glass window. Battenburg lace, turn-of-the century furnishings, antique quilts, La Mode fashion prints and beadwork accent this room, which has a shared bath. The “Queen Anne’s Lace Room” has a bird’s-eye view of downtown Seattle and the Space Needle. In this room there is a sitting area with a library, a kitchenette and a queen-sized bed. This room can accommodate a family of three.
The “Cherry Blossom Room” has a wrap-around corner window and bench that overlooks a cherry tree, almost giving the feeling of being in a treehouse. This room has two twin beds and a king-size bed, plus a private bath.
The “Rose Room” is the largest of the four rooms and has a private study, a king bed and a trundle daybed, private bath and kitchenette. It is located on the main floor and has its own entrance and parking. It sleeps four comfortably and young children are welcome.
Chapman serves an ample breakfast every morning. “No one yet has gone away complaining they’re hungry,” she says, “and if they did, we’d sit them down for more.” Typical breakfast fare includes blueberry pancakes made from berries picked from the home’s own bushes, fresh muffins, fruit in season, and main courses ranging from oven-baked French toast to country-style spare ribs or an egg and potato combo. Chapman also serves afternoon tea, Wednesday through Saturday, for groups of four or more at $12.95 a person. Tea includes fruit, scones, finger sandwiches and a dessert tray.
Classes also are offered by Chapman and guest speakers on topics like Victorian food, tabletop decorating, vintage fashions and forgotten household crafts. She also hosts themed costume parties for children.
Nearby attractions include walking tours of the houses of Queen Anne; the Seattle Center and Space Needle; and Lake Union and Gasworks Park.
Prices at Greengables range from $65 to $125 per night, depending on the room and number of guests. For more information, call (206) 282-6863.
MEMO: Do you have a favorite hideaway, a secluded retreat that you would recommend to others? We’d like to hear about it. Write to: Travel Editor, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Or fax (509) 459-5098.