Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [301]
IN MAZAMA
Freestone Inn
31 Early Winters Drive, Mazama, WA 98833. ☎ 800/639-3809 or 509/996-3906. Fax 509/996-3907. www.freestoneinn.com. 38 units. TEL. Summer $140–$215 double, $165–$245 cabin, $275–$485 lodge; winter $120–$190 double, $125–$230 cabin, $250–$435 lodge. Lower rates in spring and fall. AE, MC, V.
Located at the upper end of the Methow Valley outside the community of Mazama, the Freestone Inn is an up-and-comer. The inn's main building is a huge new log structure with a massive stone fireplace in a cathedral-ceilinged great room that serves as lobby and dining room. The lodge sits on the shore of small Freestone Lake and has a superb view of the mountains rising beyond the far shore. Guest rooms are thoughtfully designed, with gas fireplaces and sunken tubs that open to the bedroom. All in all, these are some of the most memorable rooms in the state. For more privacy, you can opt to stay in a cabin. Families may want to go all the way and rent one of the large lakeside lodges. Meals here are every bit as nice as the rooms. Northwest cuisine is the focus, with prices in the $18-to-$27 range.
The inn also offers tour arrangements, a heli-ski operation, cross-country ski lessons, ski and mountain-bike rentals, an extensive equestrian program, and sleigh rides. Nearby, there are ski trails and a lake for swimming or ice-skating.
The Mazama Country Inn
15 Country Rd., Mazama, WA 98833. ☎ 800/ 843-7951 or 509/996-2681. Fax 509/996-2646. www.mazamacountryinn.com. 18 units. Summer $80–$135 double; winter $170–$240 double. Off-season discounts available. Winter rates include all meals. MC, V.
Set on the flat valley floor but surrounded by rugged towering peaks and tall pine trees, this modern mountain lodge is secluded and peaceful, offering an escape from the crowds in Winthrop. If you're out here to hike, mountain bike, cross-country ski, or horseback ride, the Mazama Country Inn makes an excellent base of operations. It also has a private outdoor tennis court, a swimming pool, and an athletic facility with a squash court and workout room. After a hard day of outdoor fun, you can soak in the hot tub and eat in the rustic dining room, with its massive freestanding fireplace and high ceiling. The medium-size guest rooms are simply furnished and modern. Four deluxe rooms have king beds, gas fireplaces, and jetted tubs. The 13 cabins range in size from one to five bedrooms. This is a nonsmoking facility. No pets are allowed in the Inn, but some cabins permit pets.
IN WINTHROP
Hotel Rio Vista
285 Riverside Ave. (P.O. Box 815), Winthrop, WA 98862. ☎ 800/398-0911 or 509/996-3535. www.hotelriovista.com. 29 units. A/C TV TEL. $55–$145 double; $100–$160 Aspen Loft Cabin. MC, V.
The Hotel Rio Vista, ravaged by a 2002 fire that began next door, arose from the ashes with all brand-new units that include more king suites, minisuites, and rooms with single and doubles. The suites offer kitchenettes, DVDs, and VCRs. Step out onto your private balcony for a view of the confluence of the Chewuch and Methow rivers; guests often see deer, bald eagles, and many other species of birds. A hot tub overlooks the river, and there's a riverside picnic area. The hotel is in downtown Winthrop, so it's an easy walk to shops and restaurants. The Aspen Loft Cabin is 10 miles from Winthrop and sleeps six.
Sun Mountain Lodge
P.O. Box 1000, Winthrop, WA 98862. ☎ 800/ 572-0493 or 509/996-2211. Fax 509/996-3133. www.sunmountainlodge.com. 98 units, 17 cabins. Summer $175–$355 double, $255–$395 cabin; fall–spring $145–$285 double, $195–$325 cabin. AE, DC, MC, V.
If you're looking for resort luxuries and proximity to hiking, cross-country skiing, and mountain-biking trails, the Sun Mountain Lodge should be your first choice in the region. Perched on a mountaintop with grand views of the Methow Valley and the North Cascades,