The cabins are dated, but the location and beautiful scenery are unbelievable! We visited in 2007 and just planned another trip for 2009. We saw orcas daily, seals (including a baby seal on the beach), a resident raccoon, and eagles. The sunsets are spectacular. With the gentle sea breeze and spectacular views, this tranquil spot is truly a slice of heaven.

Go to Mar Vista for the natural setting not for the architecture. This is an older property, well cared for, but not the Marriott.
We spent a week and enjoyed every minute. Cabin and beds were adequate and comfortable, the deer, and racoons and whales appeared almost on schedule. "Our" Eagle appeared every morning. The view of Haro Strait and the Olympic range is spectacular. We strongly recommend "tidepooling" in False Bay - so called because it empties out at low tide. The bottom is firm and easy to walk on.
With realistic expectation this would be a great place for anyone interested in the natual setting.

The earlier review is somewhat unfair to Mar Vista Resort. What the visitor did not understand is that the San Juan Islands were once a more primitive and simple place to live. Folks who inhabited the islands may have had less in terms of all the modern conveniences, but instead they had the grace and beauty of a unique place. I know this because my family lived on the island for about 16 years. I was lucky to get to go back and visit this beautiful place. Mar Vista reminded me of the old farmhouse on our property. Yes, it's a little funky, but the sheets and towels were clean, and best of all, there were no phones, no t.v., no loud car stereos, just the beautiful views and the sound of the ocean. You can stop at the market in town and stock up on some goodies to enjoy while at your cabin, or drive back into town for a meal at any of the many restaurants there. We enjoyed a quiet meal on the porch of our cabin on our first night there - some bread, cheese, wine, summer sausage and apples. It wasn't long before three deer came by the cabin. During a whale watching cruise on our first day, 3 pods of whales were viewed in the same area where anyone from Mar Vista's whale watching point would have had an amazing show. Seals are visible on the rocks off shore, and Mar Vista has a great beach for agate hunting and seal and whale viewing. I would definitely go there again. Please just don't expect the Ritz Carlton, if that's what you want, book at stay at the Spa in town.

I you are looking for great location, this is the place! Smack dab on the ocean, a lovely private beach, an orca whale look out, privacy between cabins, and a nice but extremely short 'hiking trail' (a 2 minute lawn mowed path through a field). If you are looking for nice accommodations with this beautiful surrounding however, don't rent a cabin at Mar Vista. Cabin #8 is the only one with an ocean view, but the orca look out is in their lawn, so whoever rents this cabin has to deal with the other guests walking past their cabin and sitting near it to view the ocean. Ok lets get to the cabins. I stayed in #7 and was horrified that they charged so much for such a filthy, aged, poorly equipped cabin. In my college days I was partial to exploring abandoned houses. The first thing I thought when walking in, was that it reminded me of an abandoned house/cabin. Parts of the wall were peeling, a ploof of dirt rose up as I sat on the couch (and threw the stained throw pillow as far from me as I could get it). There were scads of ancient, dirty 'notes' thumb tacked to everything reminding me to "do my dishes" etc, 10 year old sun faded maps and posters haphazardly tacked to the living room wall, old wall paper with tears in it, rust all over the endlessly dripping sink, a bed spread that you would be embarrassed to donate to Goodwill, with a paper thin mattress that hurt so bad to sleep on I seriously considered sleeping n the car, one tiny bath towel each, a shower nozzle that only came up to my shoulder (I am only 5'5) and last but certainly not least, I wrapped myself in a blanket to enjoy a glass of wine despite my surroundings and looked down to find multiple pubic hairs entwined in the blanket. Given the surroundings and solitude, I would have happily paid $70-90 per night, but $130 with taxes is ridiculous. For $60-$89 you can get a private room at the Wayfarer's Inn, or the Juniper (I have stayed at both and they were wonderful). To their credit, the manager was very nice, and the location was to die for...very beautiful. Stay at your own risk people.