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Country Cottage of Langley

Country Cottage of Langley

Country Cottage of Langley dates back to the 1980s, however, the current owners, Tom and Jacki, have been the innkeepers since 2001. While the cottages exhibit a more quaint appearance, Country Cottage of Langley combines a mix of historic elements and modern amenities, featuring Jacuzzi tubs, smart TVs, free WiFi, refrigerators, and other similar facilities. Tom and Jacki cook a full breakfast for their patrons every morning in their Gourmet Kitchen, and this meal is frequently mentioned in guest reviews by former visitors. In addition to creating a variety of baked goods for those staying at the inn, Jacki is known for offering recommendations for nearby attractions and restaurants. The owners promote outdoor activities both on- and off-site in the vicinity by arranging common spaces with seating areas, hammocks, and games, plus several other amenities. 

About

Washington state's northwestern corner serves as the setting for Country Cottage of Langley, which occupies acreage in the heart of Langley on Whidbey Island. With six private cottages available for reservation, the establishment provides its guests access to a wide range of amenities over the course of their stay. Despite having a unique layout in terms of size, design, and theme, each cottage is a stand-alone accommodation equipped with a fireplace, a full bath with a shower, smart TVs, stereo systems, and a deck or private patio. In the bathrooms, one will find complimentary shampoo, soap, body cream, and linens. Three of these units—Cabernet Cottage, Captain's Cove, and Whidbey Rose—are furnished with Jacuzzi tubs, and Tom, one of the owners of the business, attributes some extra popularity to these three cottages because of this amenity. Regardless of which accommodation visitors choose to stay in, a view of either the water or the on-site gardens can be seen from the cottages, and Tom further notes that the water-view units tend to receive the most reservations.


The cottages are characterized by a unique theme that corresponds with its name. For example, the Sunrise Cottage is adorned with yellow coloring and floral embellishments "reminiscent of an English Garden Cottage at sunrise," as described on the inn's website. Tom explains that the Catalina Cottage's design reflects a more historically significant theme that pertains to what the website outlines as his wife, Jacki's, "Family Legacy with Catalina Swimwear and The Miss America Pageant."

Every morning around 9:00 a.m., the owners deliver a full breakfast in a basket to each cottage. Tom mentions that they alternate between a savory and a sweet dish; however, the meal typically consists of fruit, juice, an egg dish, a type of breakfast meat, coffee, tea, and baked goods cooked by Jacki. These baked goods, according to Tom, are one of the most notable and distinctive elements of the inn, as he highlights their popularity. It should also be noted that Tom and Jacki can accommodate dietary restrictions and food allergies, provided that they are given advance notice.

Beyond the cottages, guests are invited to utilize the on-site common areas, which are intended to foster a relaxed environment. Dining tables, chairs, heat lamps, and fire tables are arranged on all of the decks attached to the buildings to provide an additional space for patrons to enjoy their meals or simply lounge. Apart from the private decks, Country Cottage of Langley also features a relatively large community deck for people to gather and socialize with other guests of the property. Moreover, roughly 20 Adirondack chairs are supplied in a spacious location on the premises.

Tom and Jacki take pride in the establishment's proximity to the village, beaches, marinas, and restaurants, all within walking distance. Whidbey Island is accessible via ferry, and Tom remarks that ferries drop off and pick up every half hour or so. For those who are hoping for a more active experience on Whidbey Island, Tom and Jacki offer a trail map for bikers to utilize to explore the area. They also encourage tourism among their patrons by recommending several of their favorite attractions and restaurants, a few of which include Saltwater Fish House & Oyster Bar, Gordon's Fusion Cuisine, and Spyhop. The owners also suggest a nearby kayaking company on the harbor that offers tours and supplies for kayakers.

Culture

The innkeepers, Tom and Jacki, emphasize the secluded nature of Country Cottage of Langley. Tom explains that their visitors take a ferry as part of their travels to the inn, which often helps them feel "separated from the rest of the world." He continues, saying, "It allows them to completely relax and enjoy their stay when they feel isolated." To further enhance this atmosphere, the innkeepers strive to "provide the tools that guests need to find enjoyment wherever they might be on the property," such as hammocks, bench swings, and croquet, to name a few. The owners also feel it important to offer their guests stress-free areas on-site, namely the fenced-off private gardens and decks. "We want [visitors] to feel like it's their own home," Tom expresses. One review that a previous guest left reflects Tom's remark, as they stated, "The cottage I stayed in was extremely comfortable, featuring so many thoughtful details to help one feel at home. Breakfasts lived up to the excellent reviews, and it was very pleasant to have an outdoor seating area to enjoy breakfast in fine weather as well as the comfortable living area in the cottage if outdoors was not an option."


Reservations are available at Country Cottage of Langley year-round. Tom observes that the busiest season of operation most commonly occurs during summer and fall, though the latter end of spring also tends to draw a fair amount of visitors. From April to the end of October, the owners see a number of guests who travel to Whidbey Island for the changing colors of the leaves in the fall, the blooming greenery in the spring, and the moderate weather in the summer. Tom highlights that Jacki is "an award-winning dahlia grower," and the on-site gardens display an array of such flora, in addition to roses, perennials, and cherry trees, among others. Nearly 15 peony trees can be seen on the grounds, as noted by Tom. "The gardens and the breakfast are what people come back for," he says, adding that the property receives a considerable number of repeat guests. From young couples to retired folks, Tom mentions that the inn accommodates a variety of people and that he and Jacki enjoy engaging with their visitors. As the owners live on-site, they hope that their patrons will feel like they have direct access to the innkeepers should they need to contact them for any questions or concerns during their stay.

History

Country Cottage of Langley began as a 1929 farmhouse, which is presently occupied by the current owners of the establishment, Tom and Jacki. At one point in the property's early history, the site encompassed a 400-acre farm, though it wasn't until 1980 that it was converted from a farm to a country inn. Initially known as Sally's Bed and Breakfast, the lodging business began with one accommodation that gradually expanded to multiple other buildings over time. Eventually, the name was changed to its present title, Country Cottage, and the establishment was then "the last bed and breakfast in Langley," as reported by Tom. He explains that most local businesses that were in the hospitality industry retired after around six years of operation; however, Country Cottage of Langley has continued accommodating guests since 2001, and Jacki and Tom have enjoyed their occupation ever since. Tom remarks that the inn receives "about 2,000 guests per year."


Jacki's former employment as a hotel concierge for a boutique hotel company of the Kimpton Group in San Fransisco prompted her to own a bed and breakfast of her own. She and her husband, Tom, an architect who has designed hotels himself, agreed to undertake this pursuit, and they have made a number of improvements to the property upon becoming the owners. In particular, all of the cottages had their interiors redone, with new bedding and linen added. An extensive amount of landscaping and decking was also conducted on-site, equipping each cottage with an outdoor dining deck or patio. One of the more notable and significant updates that was made to Country Cottage of Langley was the addition of the Gourmet Kitchen, where Tom and Jacki cook breakfast. With regard to future plans, the owners are currently in the process of acquiring permits to offer more cottages to accommodate a greater number of guests.

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Location

215 6th St
Langley, Washington 98260
United States

Type

Bed and Breakfast

Owners

Tom and Jacki

Owned Since
2001
Phone
800-713-3860
Reviews
0 (0 Reviews)
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