PORT TOWNSEND, Wash. — The building housing The Bishop Hotel was built in 1890 in Port Townsend and it's been everything from a boarding house to headquarters for the Owl Cigar Company. Traces of the past - a ghost ad for the cigar company - still exist on the building's exterior.
Jessica Jennings and Eric Wennberg sold their house in Seattle and bought this hotel in 2020, and they're adding a different type of vintage to this historic place.
"So, we have an organic and biodynamic wine bar and a bottle shop," said Wennberg. "We do fresh baked pastries and coffee in the morning, and we have live music three days a week."
The couple remodeled the lobby themselves, keeping the places character and adding some cool. There's a big fireplace with a comfy couch, and a handful of bistro tables and chairs. The focus is also to make the lobby a gathering spot, not just a place to check in. You can pick up anything from an espresso to a bottle of locally made cider here, and there's a big selection of wine and beer as well.
"We're kind of trying to embrace the historic value of the property, but definitely adding some modern vibes to it," explained Jennings said.
The 16 rooms here are a far cry from standard. Ceilings are high, fixtures have character and some rooms even come with a salt water view. The couple plans on remodeling the rooms and hanging work from local artists on the walls and offering it for sale. But they'll keep the exposed brick and the character.
"The rooms are really comfortable. They all have little fireplaces in them and they're super cozy in the winter," Wennberg said.
A stay at The Bishop Hotel is a perfect blend of past and present. That's why it's your pick for Best Boutique Hotel.
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