I've stayed at the Fairhaven Villiage Inn many times over the past five years and continue to enjoy the warmth and cozy atmosphere. Excellent service, clean and comfy rooms with great beds and linens, tasty waffles in a casual breakfast room and a sweet little library with a fireplace. Within just a few blocks there's a fine selection of restaurants, bookstores, cafes and bars. A great place to enjoy a down-time weekend, a stop between Seattle and Vancouver or as a base for skiing Mt. Baker. The train station is just a few blocks away. Highly recommended.

We've stayed at the Village Inn for 15 or so years now, as Fairhaven is our favorite home-away-from-home local vacation spot. The Shannons (owners) and all their staff are absolutely wonderful folks who always make us feel at home upon arrival. Needless to say, the proximity to the village green and "downtown" Fairhaven is second-to-none and their biggest appeal to us.

However in the past 2-3 years we feel the Village Inn is losing its competitive value, as their rooms, amenities and decor remain the same, and offer very limited incentives in the off-season periods. In 2011 we branched out and stayed at The Chrysalis just a few blocks away (paid lower off-season rates than Village Inn) and found them to be a delight. The *only* drawback of Chrysalis is their close proximity to the BNSF/Amtrak rail track and the 2 or 3 trains that go by at night can really wake you up (ear plugs on bedside table was an interesting if subtle hint). Like the previous reviewer said, The Chrysalis' $5 breakfast is also a better deal price and quality-wise than Village Inn.

We've also stayed at Hotel Bellwether on the waterfront of downtown Bellingham and they are great too and equally competitive price-wise believe it or not. And they are great if the waterfront and downtown are your preferred stomping grounds.

All in all we love Village Inn and their people and would continue to be loyal customers, but unless things change, we won't be their customers each and every time we go down to Fairhaven.

When my husband and I visited Bellingham, I wanted to try the Fairhaven Village Inn because of the high recommendations it has been given. As a result, we stayed first at a place that appeared to me to have the best view, best rooms, etc.--the Chrysalis. After a couple of days, we moved to the Fairhaven Village Inn to stay at the hotel rated "best" in the area. It is in a wonderful location and the hotel is clean and comfortable; the staff is kind and shares fresh cookies daily! However, if you truly want the best hotel in the area, this is not it. It may be the best hotel for the money, and obviously the price is a factor for most of us. But what a disappointment to start out at the Chrysalis and move to the Fairhaven. What I missed most when we moved: (1) the Fairhaven's view of the harbor is actually just a view of an industrial area with water in the distance as opposed to the beautiful harbor view we previously enjoyed; (2) Fairhaven is furnished in pleasant but ordinary manner; (3) Fairhaven's breakfast PALES in comparison to the gourmet feast at the Chrysalis which is $5 a day; and (4) Fairhaven's architecture is historic, but very ordinary. If price is a prime concern, the Fairhaven may be the best hotel in the area. But if you truly want the best hotel in the area, stay at the Chrysalis and walk the short distance to the location which, now that I re-read the reviews, I realize is a big part of the reason reviewers rave about the Fairhaven.

I just spent six days at the Fairhaven Village Inn, and had the BEST stay there. it is located right in the heart of the historic Fairhaven district of Bellingham. Across the street is the Village Green where they show movies outdoors in the summer. Alongside the Village Green is Village Books, one of the best bookstores I have ever been in. The Colophon Cafe is next door--great food all locally sourced, beautifully prepared and served by very friendly staff. From the hotel it's an easy walk to Bellingham Bay, the cruise terminal, Amtrak station, all sorts of excellent restaurants and boutique shops. I loved not having to get my car out of the parking lot the whole time I was there.

The breakfast room is so bright and cheerful, and the food was great. The staff will make fresh Belgian waffles for you. There was always a beautiful big bowl of fresh berries on the table, and of course juices and cereals and toast.

In the afternoons when I would walk back to the hotel, it was wonderful to get warmed up by the cheerful fireplace. There were always fresh chocolate chip cookies ready for us in the afternoon. The staff at the desk were so friendly. Adjacent to the cozy lobby--more like a living room than a lobby--is the library with coffee, tea and hot chocolate always available. The library has big comfy chairs beside the fireplace, and shelves thoughtfully stocked with interesting reading material. There were books about that area of Washington State, as well as novels and reference books. The library table had today's editions of the Wall Street Journal, as well as the Bellingham newspaper and several others.

The room was so comfortable and well appointed. In addition to a very comfortable bed, it was furnished with a big easy chair, a sofa, desk and chair--free wi-fi as well. I could hardly believe how super soft the sheets were. The housekeeping staff were excellent and so friendly and helpful.

This is simply a fabulous place to stay in Bellingham. i can't wait to go back!!!