Reviews for Friday Harbor Vacation Rental - VRBO 103879 - 2 BR San Juan Island House in WA, Spectacular! West Side View of Ocean, Olympics & Vancouver Island

beautiful peaceful getaway (with whales)

Guest Bob R
Date of stay 10/02/12
Review Submitted 10/15/12

My wife and I just travelled to the San Juan Island, first time in exactly 20 years, and were so pleased to find it essentially unchanged - just as peaceful and quiet and serene as when were there for a previous memorable birthday. The luxurious home we stayed in, 'Haro Haiku,' was as beautiful and refreshing as the landscape. It's perched above Haro Strait, within a mile or so of Lime Kiln State Park, with views directly across to Victoria B.C, about as close to Canada as you can get in the Islands. Bluffs on the Strait are less than five minutes away, and we saw Orcas the first morning from the bluffs, blowing and spyhopping closer to us than from the whalewatching boat later that day. The home is gorgeous, with two large bedrooms and a sunken living room, a spacious ultramodern kitchen, and a wealth of beautiful artwork and artifacts. The row of view windows and deck gave us a great wide view of beautiful sunsets over Vancouver Island (being so much further North, a much longer sunset than here in San Francisco) and the distant twinkling lights of Victoria, and the Olympic Peninsula to the South, couldn't compete with the crystal clear view of the Milky Way directly above. We went on to Orcas Island and Turtleback Mountain Farm, and while I really liked it there, I confess I did miss the blissful absence of human noises we enjoyed at Haro Haiku - it's so rare to hear just the birds and the wind, and occasional distant surf. Beautiful weather, and for once no fly in the ointment, other than forgetting a few items when packing, which were quickly forwarded to us by the attentive owners. We will be back, hopefully before too long.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Haro Haiku - a perfectly satisfying retreat

Guest Bob R
Date of stay 10/02/12
Review Submitted 10/15/12

My wife and I just travelled to the San Juan Island, first time in exactly 20 years, and were so pleased to find it essentially unchanged - just as peaceful and quiet and serene as when were there for a previous memorable birthday. The luxurious home we stayed in, 'Haro Haiku,' was as beautiful and refreshing as the landscape. It's perched above Haro Strait, within a mile or so of Lime Kiln State Park, with views directly across to Victoria B.C, about as close to Canada as you can get in the Islands. Bluffs on the Strait are less than five minutes away, and we saw Orcas the first morning from the bluffs, blowing and spyhopping closer to us than from the whalewatching boat later that day. The home is gorgeous, with two large bedrooms and a sunken living room, a spacious ultramodern kitchen, and a wealth of beautiful artwork and artifacts. The row of view windows and deck gave us a great wide view of beautiful sunsets over Vancouver Island (being so much further North, a much longer sunset than here in San Francisco) and the distant twinkling lights of Victoria, and the Olympic Peninsula to the South, couldn't compete with the crystal clear view of the Milky Way directly above. We went on to Orcas Island and Turtleback Mountain Farm, and while I really liked it there, I confess I did miss the blissful absence of human noises we enjoyed at Haro Haiku - it's so rare to hear just the birds and the wind, and occasional distant surf. Beautiful weather, and for once no fly in the ointment, other than forgetting a few items when packing, which were quickly forwarded to us by the attentive owners. We will be back, hopefully before too long.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Labor Day

Guest Debbie
Date of stay 09/01/12
Review Submitted 09/28/12

We met our adult children who live on the West Coast for 4 days over Labor Day. We spent our daytime hours catching up on the deck in beautiful sunshine and the evenings in our warm jackets looking at the lights in BC! We loved watching the freighters and the dolphins, the views from the deck are breathtaking! We went to the docks daily and bought fresh fish and crabs - I so enjoyed cooking all of my family's favorites in the state of the industry kitchen! We picked blackberries every morning for breakfast! Lime Kiln Park was an added bonus - we hiked everyday! We meet our children 2-3 times a year at a different location - we all agreed to return to Friday Harbor, it was really a wonderful location!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Beyond Expectations!

Guest Julianne
Date of stay 08/13/12
Review Submitted 09/10/12

We had such a wonderful time at Haro Haiku! We were blessed with fabulous weather, and the views simply can't be beat. There's nothing quite like the back deck at the house for orca watching (we saw so many!), having a BBQ, watching the stars, and just kicking back and reading a book. Stephanie and Jack were perfect hosts. We went with another couple, which worked out perfectly. Both rooms were large, and on separate sides of the house, so there was plenty of privacy. The house is beautiful inside and out. We can't wait to go back!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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family getaway

Guest Mike & Jeannette
Date of stay 08/10/12
Review Submitted 08/25/12

Our stay at your beautiful was fantastic!! The home and the view was better then any words or pictures could describe. We had the most wonderful time with our son and daughter-inlaw who kept us busy and enjoy everything around the island and the house. Also, we saw a pod of whales from the house made it extra special! Thank you for your hospitality! mike and Jeannette

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Spectacular in every way

Guest Dianne L.
Date of stay 07/29/12
Review Submitted 08/13/12

Photos and description simply can't convey the beauty of this place. The views are amazing, the house and grounds are inviting and immaculate. The hosts, Stephanie and Jack, have anticipated their guests every possible need and want for comfort. They could write a book on hospitality - - there for you when you need them but never intrude on your privacy. From those oh-so-comfy deck chairs, we saw whales, bald eagles, black tail deer and all set against a sweeping backdrop of blue ocean waters and snow-capped mountains. This trip was a 70th birthday gift and it was all we had hoped for and so much more. The island is gorgeous and the people as friendly as we've ever known. Rent this property with total confidence. You will not be disappointed.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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The perfect place to get away from it all!

Guest dinamcardle
Date of stay 07/10/12
Review Submitted 07/29/12

My husband, our son, myself, and my sister stayed at Haro Haiku in July 2012 and had the most relaxing and easy vacation in years. The home is open, spacious, well-appointed and in gorgeous condition. We had sunny, warm days for most of our stay, but even on the cloudy mornings we relished the view of the Sound and tranquil landscape of the west side of the island. We delighted in seeing (with the naked eye) orcas jumping in the ocean RIGHT IN FRONT of the house, while whale watching tour boats cruised by with tourists and we sipped our wine on the porch! With a little one, we needed a good homebase for our vacation on the island, and loved the privacy, quiet, and convenience of Haro Haiku's location (10-15 minute drive to Friday Harbor and the local playground). All in all, the best vacation we've had in years!

Recommended for: Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Peaceful stay in gorgeous home

Guest Alicia
Date of stay 06/15/12
Review Submitted 07/01/12

We loved our stay here in June. We saw orca whales and bald eagles during out visit and the vistas from the house are wonderful. The newly remodeled kitchen was a pleasure to cook in and the bedrooms and living space were very comfortable. We can't thank you enough Jack & Stephanie!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Relaxing home with beautiful view and easy access

Guest Yung
Date of stay 05/18/12
Review Submitted 06/06/12

We stayed in this beautiful home for a week and had a great experience. The deck, the living room and the master bedroom provide great view of the mountain and water, and the house is very nice and comfortable. The owners were very helpful and made the process easy and simple. Definitely consider this house again if we ever visit San Juan island again.

Recommended for: Families with teenagers, families with young children.

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LOVE IT!!!

Guest Sun
Date of stay 05/06/12
Review Submitted 06/05/12

The whole experience of staying at Haro Haiku was superb!! Stephanie was a great host - friendly, efficient, and helpful. The house is as pictured in the photos, actually even better. The view from the living room and master bedroom was magnificent. The house is clean and spacious with tasteful decor throughout the entire house. We loved the newly remodeled kitchen, which is well-equipped with all the amenities & essentials. Free wi-fi (and fast), a wide screen TV with a good number of cable channels but that wasn't important for us as we spent most of our time on the patio enjoying the view hoping to spot whales (and we did see them one afternoon)! Thank you, Stephanie and Jack, for sharing your beautiful home with us!! We will definitely contact you again if we're back in San Juan.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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2 year wedding anniversary escape

Guest KCJ1983
Date of stay 09/18/11
Review Submitted 10/09/11

My husband and I enjoyed a wonderfully relaxing 3 nights at Haro Haiku in mid-September. We lucked out with perfect weather during our visit, allowing us to open the windows and sleep with the cool, fresh air. The property was very clean and well taken care of. The owners were extremely responsive to inquiries on availability as well as activities, restaurants and other tips. We would recommend this location for couples, families, or friends looking for a quiet retreat with fantastic views. As mentioned in a previous review, it is not right on the water, but the views are unbeatable. The porch is perfect for reading in the sunshine with very comfortable chairs. The dining and living rooms are full of windows and have beautiful views. We recommend taking the time for a whale watching excursion, as well as hiking (walking along the water and climbing along rocks to watch the seals & whales) in Lime Kiln Park. "The Place" in Friday Harbor is absolutely delicious for a fine dining experience.

Recommended for: Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Perfect escape

Guest landmeandm
Date of stay 09/12/11
Review Submitted 09/29/11

We were lucky enough to spend a perfect September week here. The blackberries (lining the lane to the house) were practically jumping off the bushes, the whales were playing in the strait, weather permitted awesome kayaking and (low-key) hiking, and the oyster farm down the road provided fodder for several amazing meals. There was lots to do on the island(s), but it was hard to leave the HOUSE - we cooked almost all of our dinners at home, enjoyed sunsets from our porch, ate by the fire, sat on the porch and enjoyed the night noises and - most of all - the quiet. The house is incredibly comfortable, thoughtfully designed, full of light, clean, well-maintained, and very pleasant. It is a wonderful space surrounded by amazing views. It is not RIGHT by the water so you cannot see birds fishing or see seals close up - the views are, however, panoramic and breathtaking as the house is perched up on the hillside. We would definitely come back here. We were just 2 but it would be very private for 4 and a little more cozy for anything > 4. Definitely a place where you can entertain yourself - but the hosts were also super-helpful (and speedy) responding to our random requests for advice on clamming, restaurants, etc.

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Sister Vacation

Guest Cookie
Date of stay 08/15/11
Review Submitted 08/29/11

My sister and I totally enjoyed this beautifully decorated home. Seeing whales from the back deck within the first hour we were there was an awesome beginning. The house exceeded our expectations and is near our cousin who lives on the island. The island and this home were perfect for our first sister vacation. We hope to have many more just as wonderful. August 2011

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Wonderful Home

Guest Andy
Date of stay 08/03/11
Review Submitted 08/14/11

Everyone was extremly happy with the house, the best part definetly being the view. Saw whales everyday. Owners where very helpful on places to go on the island. Thanks so much.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

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Loved watching orcas from the deck

Guest Elizabeth
Date of stay 07/27/11
Review Submitted 08/03/11

This place was spectacular in every way. The house itself is stunningly designed and decorated; the kitchen is well provisioned (crab crackers and all); the hosts were available when we needed them but left us to ourselves otherwise; and the views were utterly breathtaking. Within an hour of our arrival, we were sitting on the deck sipping wine and watching (and listening to) orcas frolic in the strait below. Meanwhile, bald eagles and deer made occasional appearances in the backyard. There's a lot of natural beauty to explore on the island, but staying 'home' at Haro Haiku was one of the biggest highlights of our time there.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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A Wonderful and Relaxing Place to Stay

Guest Dave
Date of stay 07/15/11
Review Submitted 08/13/11

We stayed at the house for four days in July, 2011 and thoroughly enjoyed our time there. As others have said, the views are beautiful, including the night lights of Victoria. The house is very tastefully designed and decorated, which makes for a relaxing and pleasant stay. The house is well-stocked to cover all the basic needs and everything and worked well, including a kitchen that had everything we needed and an outdoor gas grill (for grilling the fresh salmon we got at the Friday Harbor docks). And the beds were comfortable. All in all, I highly recommend staying here. Also of importance, the owner was helpful in answering our questions and very professional in all aspects of the rental experience. If you do stay here I would suggesting visiting Lime Kiln State Park, which has some nice trails and is just a mile or two from the house. It's hit or miss in terms of seeing the orcas but we did see them a few times and it is amazing how close to the land they come.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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The Best!

Guest Barbara
Date of stay 06/09/11
Review Submitted 06/24/11

We spent five wonderful days in this lovely home in early June, 2011. The location of this home is the best! We saw whales every day of our stay - either from the deck or nearby overlooks or Lime Kiln Park. We also watched deer, hummingbirds and eagles from the house. The home was very clean, well-equipped and beautifully decorated. Having the opportunity to do a load of laundry and/or to utilize the perfect kitchen was a big plus. Stephanie was very helpful and took the time to answer all our questions and shared recommendations for restaurants, etc. We loved San Juan Island and if we are ever able to return, will surely stay at Haro Haiku. We would highly recommended this property - and have already done so. We had a great experience on the Western Prince Whale Watch and enjoyed tea treats from Cafe Demeter, deli sandwiches from Market Chef and dinner at The Place.

Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Terrific home!

Guest Daniel Markoff
Date of stay 09/04/10
Review Submitted 10/03/10

This is the strangest home on VRBO I've ever stayed at as the photos just DO NOT do it justice! It's a wonderful home with a sense of peace and incredible views. There is also an excellent library, which we enjoyed. My wife and I stayed here over Labor Day weekend and it was our first visit to the San Juan Islands. We'll definitely go back and would never stay anywhere else. And aside from the home, the owners were very helpful and a pleasure to deal with.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 03/04/10
Review Submitted 03/04/10

We had a wonderful time at this home! The house is located on the west side of San Juan, away from the crowds but only a short drive to anywhere on the island. The home was very clean and spacious. It has privacy from the neighbors and a gorgeous deck overlooking the ocean. We hope to return to this peaceful oasis again in the future!

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Guest Sandy P
Date of stay 02/18/10
Review Submitted 02/18/10

We had such a lovely visit and wish we could have stayed longer. The view and the comfort of your home were more than we had hoped for. The privacy it offered allowed us to truly relax and enjoy the area. We will be back!

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Guest Denice1
Date of stay 02/16/10
Review Submitted 02/16/10

What a beautiful relaxing week! The home was so serene and comfortable and nothing beats the views! Such an amazing escape! Thank you.

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Guest James Smith1
Date of stay 02/16/10
Review Submitted 02/16/10

This house is the perfect getaway for those who seek tranquility, seclusion, and comfort. The view is indeed beautiful and wildlife abundant. Eagles overhead and Orcas below all easily viewed from the deck. My family and I had a great vacation to SJI and this house had a lot to do with it.

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Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 02/16/10
Review Submitted 02/16/10

My husband, sister & I stayed a week at Haro Haiku last June (our first trip to the San Juans) and it was an absolutely spectacular trip! The house is beautiful and the views are stunning. We saw orcas and hummingbirds every day and really enjoyed sitting on the porch and using the binoculars to watch the water. We were very comfortable and found everything we needed in the house and found it easy to get to the tourist sites around the island from the house. I wish I lived closer so we could visit again soon.

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Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Holly S.
Date of stay 08/17/07
Review Submitted 08/16/07

"Hello, I haven't had a chance to write you until now, but i just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed your lovely home. It was beyond all our expectations and we couldn't stop talking about how wonderful it was. (both the house and the location) our stay was glorious and much (or most) of that can be attributed to the haro haiku house. Thank you for your contribution to a wonderful weekend! -Holly S. p.s. i saw orcas from your deck!! p.p.s. tom (my husband) requests that you contact us should you ever want to sell your home!"

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Spectacular! West Side View of Ocean, Olympics & Vancouver Island [#103879] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (24)

beautiful peaceful getaway (with whales)

beautiful peaceful getaway (with whales)

Haro Haiku - a perfectly satisfying retreat

Haro Haiku - a perfectly satisfying retreat

Labor Day

Labor Day

Beyond Expectations!

Beyond Expectations!

family getaway

family getaway

Spectacular in every way

Spectacular in every way

The perfect place to get away from it all!

The perfect place to get away from it all!

Peaceful stay in gorgeous home

Peaceful stay in gorgeous home

Relaxing home with beautiful view and easy access

Relaxing home with beautiful view and easy access

LOVE IT!!!

LOVE IT!!!

2 year wedding anniversary escape

2 year wedding anniversary escape

Perfect escape

Perfect escape

Sister Vacation

Sister Vacation

Wonderful Home

Wonderful Home

Loved watching orcas from the deck

Loved watching orcas from the deck

A Wonderful and Relaxing Place to Stay

A Wonderful and Relaxing Place to Stay

The Best!

The Best!

Terrific home!

Terrific home!