In an urban setting, tucked among little shops and a couple of ice cream stores, you’ll find the tiny jewel that is the Fairhaven Village Inn. The Village Green is right across the street and Bellingham Bay empties out into the Pacific Ocean just outside the back windows of the hotel. It is a short walk (or drive) to the Bellingham Cruise Terminal and Fairhaven Station. Western Washington University is just up the street, and downtown Bellingham is a short drive away. The Fairhaven Village Inn provides an incredibly convenient place for a staycation with your family, or you could book your visiting relatives for a comfortable stay with plenty to do.
Originally built in 1999 by Ken Imus. Not much of a hotelier, Imus sold the inn to Connie and Gene Shannon just five years after it opened.
Originally from the Midwest, the Shannons moved to Whatcom County so that they could be closer to their daughter while she attended graduate school at Western. They came without a plan, found the Fairhaven Village Inn, and decided to take a leap of faith. They’re glad they did.
When Connie and Gene came to Bellingham and bought the inn, Fairhaven was a quiet little neighborhood in Bellingham. In the years that followed, buildings sprouted at a rapid pace. Condos have been the hottest commodity lately; stepping out onto a balcony on the water side of the hotel, you can watch the construction workers piece together even more additions to Fairhaven.
The Shannons are part of the vital expansions in Fairhaven, erecting South Bay Suites, the structure next to the inn, which is home to a handful of apartments, executive offices, the popular One Paper Boat apparel and gifts and Ovn Wood Fired Pizza.
At a rate mimicking the growth around them, the inn’s staff grew from a single full-time employee and seasonal help in 1999 to nine full-time employees with rotating seasonal staff today.
With all of this growth, it is still a family affair at the Fairhaven Village Inn. The Shannons’ son-in-law is the longest-term employee. He first came to Bellingham to be with Connie and Gene’s daughter. Connie said she needed someone to help with media and facilities. He never left, and he and the Shannons’ daughter live nearby with their children.
Being family-run and with the autonomy not offered through a corporate-managed hotel, the Fairhaven Village Inn is a smaller hotel. They boast 22 fabulous rooms and one large suite in their hotel. Being smaller and non-corporate means they can be more versatile and pay closer attention to their guests. They take customer feedback very seriously and take special care to implement changes necessary to keep their guests happy.
The inn is currently in what Connie refers to as a “fixtures, furnishings and equipment” phase, meaning that they are updating carpeting, upholstering and bedding. The result is obvious when you step into one of their beautifully appointed rooms, sink into one of the armchairs near the fire or fall into the soft bed after your long day exploring the Historical Fairhaven District.
On a walk past the Fairhaven Village Inn during the summer, one could notice the group in spandex, toting their bikes through the lobby and out the front door on their way to Fairhaven Bicycle for a few repairs before continuing on a long ride, or the family with the small kids, laughing over a game of Candyland in the lobby, or the group of ladies on a “girls’ trip” as they cross the street to the Wednesday Farmers Market, or the couple sitting on the second floor porch, watching the outdoor movie from across the street, while enjoying a picnic from the nearby market.
Recently recognized by ABC as the top place for families to stay in the Pacific Northwest, the Fairhaven Village Inn is the perfect place to stay for anyone. For families with kids, larger groups or couples, the inn’s 22 rooms and stunning suite are available for your visit.
For information regarding rates and more, visit the Fairhaven Village Inn online or call 360-733-1311.
Fairhaven Village Inn
1200 10th St
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-733-1311
www.fairhavenvillageinn.com
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