Lonesome Cove Resort

I now know why people keep returning to this place every year for 20 years. It is so peaceful, and has lovely views. You need a car to stay here, but if you like to be on the water, with sunset views and hardly any people, this is the place. There are no TVs or phones, and Internet/​cell reception can be intermittent, but that was not a problem for us.
We stayed in the boat house and thought it was the most private cabin, as is slightly away from the other cabins. The bed was comfortable and the linens were good. The kitchen was serviceable, with everything we needed for simple meals.
We traveled without children, and appreciated the peace and quiet. I was pleasantly suprised by the well-​stocked library; I expected murder mysteries, spy novels, and bodice rippers (of which there are a number) but also found many very good books that fit on the «literature» shelf.

We have just returned from our annual trip to Lonesome Cove Resort, and – as usual – it was wonderful (even in the rain!). We’ve been coming up here for a week in May for nearly 20 years; and are pleased to say that Kim and Karl Bruder are preserving the things we’ve always loved about the place while adding their own personal touch.
Granted, you won’t get a phone, or TV, or other real world hassles, but you will get a warm welcome, a clean comfortable cabin, a huge deck with a grill, a view to die for, and if you’re lucky (as we have been the past couple of years) whales passing by at breakfast! There’s plenty to do on San Juan Island, but the Cove specializes in peace and quiet. Enjoy the sun on your deck, cozy up by the fire, read, knit, listen to music, play gin rummy, or do whatever you’d choose to do on your own personal desert island. I think the Cove would be a great place for young families, but if you need to keep active teenagers busy all day, Lake Chelan would probably be a better choice. Come to Lonesome Cove to relax, and you’ll come back again!

The setting is beautiful and peaceful… the cabins are quaint and clean. However for our family of teens, I don’t think it’s the right place for us or anyone who’s considering a large family reunion or celebration (like a milestone birthday).
We stayed in the boat house and felt like we were constantly being watched by the owners/​management. Our family travels together on vacation often and we’ve never felt so «watched».
If you want to quietly read a book and enjoy the scenes — then you’ll probably love it here. I’m pretty certain I won’t come back as there are so many other places in the San Juans to check out that are probably equally beautiful and more family friendly.
By the way, cellphone reception is almost non-​existant (at least with Verizon)…if you stand on the dock, you may get a call through.
This place could be a good choice for a couple who want isolation and solitude.