Getting Away

What’s the difference between a bed and breakfast and a getaway? For Ann Raab, owner of Morgan Hill Guest Cottage, they’re like apples and oranges. Her Port Townsend, Wash., lodging is a getaway, she clarified, because its specialized amenities and services give clients more independence during their vacation than they would find at your average B&B.

Our family of four decided to test that theory by spending a couple of nights in the cottage, perched a few blocks above Port Townsend but within walking distance of the town’s attractions. The girls squealed with delight when they saw their sleeping quarters, a loft accessible only by a ladder. I marveled at the natural light in the 500-square-foot lair, thanks to eight strategically placed skylights. The bathroom was roomy enough for a double-sided tub with shower. And the kitchen was generously stocked with breakfast and snack items and featured a microwave, refrigerator, coffee-maker and grinder.

Raab is an architect, which explains the impeccable furnishings and attention to detail in the cottage. What’s more, she’s a natural hostess who is always dreaming up ways to make each guest’s experience unique.

“My favorite part is creating getaway adventures, whether you’re on your honeymoon, a family vacation or a personal retreat,” she said.

Her clever, playful side is evident in such add-on packages as the two-hour Fabulous Kissing Tour around town, and she seems to always be looking for new inspiration.

Watching our girls prowl the property’s gardens, Raab mused, “How about a packaged family-oriented treasure hunt around town? I’m going to start working on that.”

Perched on the eastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula, Port Townsend begs to be explored. Stretching along a pretty waterfront, its 19th-century shops, restaurants and hotels appeal to 21st-century visitors. Unlike many tourist towns, Port Townsend calls to clients any time of year.

“There’s something special going on almost every weekend,” Raab said. “Our residents really get into working together and making things happen.”

We timed our visit with the annual Rhododendron Festival, enlivening the quaint streets with a bed race, parades, a carnival, live music and, appropriately, blooming rhodies in almost every yard.

So what, then, is the difference between a B&B and a getaway? By the end of our visit, the answer was clear. We had complete privacy, but Raab was readily available to answer questions. We ate gourmet breakfasts in our pajamas without having to make small talk with fellow guests. In the evening when we weren’t quite ready for bed, we picked out a movie from the entertainment center and ate popcorn Raab left for us in advance.

In short, it felt like our own private, well, getaway.