For my 50th Birthday my husband and best friend took we to the Trumpeter Inn on San Juan Island. We needed rest and relaxation and that is exactly what we got. Our hostess Shaun was wonderful. She runs an elegant, beautiful, restful bed and breakfast. The grounds were beautiful and we enjoyed a full moon over the hot tub in the garden. The balance of feeling like home while being pampered it was wonderful. Not only were the breakfasts great, but we had homemade cookies and other goodies provided for us. Anything we wanted or needed seemed to be provided. Even the dogs Joey and Jenny were gracious hosts. Honestly I can't say enought good things about our stay there and we will go back!

Cheryl & Chris & Marianne

My husband and I just got back from a weekend trip to Friday Harbor. We stayed at the Trumpeter Inn from 4/14-4/15.

I normally don't write reviews, but I was so impressed with the hostess Shaun and how she manages the place, I just had to come up here to support her work.

Prior to writing, I gave the two low review a quick glance, and honestly, I don't know what happened. All I can say is, from my interaction with Shaun, I could not see a tint of stinginess or hostility from her. In fact, I was super impressed with her hospitality.

When my husband and I pulled up to the house, she came out and greeted us, even though she was on crutches due to a broken foot! We knew we were way early (11 AM) for the normal check-in time (3 PM), so we were just hoping we could park our car in the lot while we go off cycling, but she checked us in right away. She had just baked a fresh batch of cookies and told us to get them while they were hot. She walked us through the amenities, and before she left us to our activities, told us how to reach her via her cell number if we run into any problems. So, just based on personality, I would say Shaun and her team were extremely easy to talk to, more than eager to help and provide suggestions, and warmly personable. From my interactions with Shaun and her staff, I simply cannot understand why people would find her stingy and cold.

As for the place, I am so happy with it, the Trumpeter Inn is definitely my first choice of stay for my future trips to Friday Harbor.

I'm a neat freak, and over the years, I've learned to lower my standards so that I won't get overly upset. However, Shaun is into details, and that comes through in every aspect of the place. Instead of using cheap generic products, she uses Neutrogena body care (shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash). Instead of using chemically smelly products to wash linens and towels, she uses higher end products that softens and leaves a fresh scent. Understanding people may forget to bring equipment for picnics around the island, she has a closet full of picnic baskets and backpacks for use. Furthermore, knowing people forget to bring swimsuits to enjoy the hot tub, she provides swimsuits (for both men and women) that have been cleaned and sanitized. If you are a neat freak, I doubt you will find much to nitpick with Shaun's level of cleanliness.

In regards to Anonymous 124's comment about the room not being serviced, I just like to add one comment. In every guest room, there is a binder of information. When we arrived, Shaun told us to give it a quick glance before we set off to our activities because there are some very useful information within. And indeed, we found useful maps fo the island, but also, there were forms that we can fill out if we want more towels or want our sheet cleaned or whatever else we want serviced in the room.

And of course, what is a B&B if I don't discuss the breakfast? I'm a huge breakfast fan, so I'm picky. For example, Seattlites rave about Portage Bay, and I think it is mediocre. Personally, I think Shaun did a great job with the french toast, and I would rate it above Portage Bay's. For B&B, the breakfast is up there with the rest of the bunch. Breakfast included french toast with candied apples, black peppered bacon, and fresh fruit parfait (coffee, tea, orange juice available). I'm sure the menu changes, but the above gives you an idea of what to expect. My husband loves to cook, and he walked away with a dozen recommendations for cookbooks from Shaun.

At the end of the day, my view of the Trumpeter Inn is that it is a high quality B&B. I'm detail-oriented, and I appreciated the little things that Shaun does to make this place more homey. We are all human, and we all have bad days. Sometimes, the guests may be overly demanding, while other times, the problem may truly be the host. However, given my experience at the Inn, I'm willing to side with Shaun and wonder those who left bad reviews if they just weren't paying attention or are expecting to be treated like royalty. Shaun and her staff make a great team, and they made our weekend there a pure joy. My husband and I were well-taken care of, and it was just a super comfortable place to relax after a long bike ride or hike.

We're heading back to San Juan Island for some scuba diving, and we sure will be staying at the Trumpeter Inn again!

We can't say enough good things about Shaun and The Trumpeter Inn! It was a beautiful setting and convenient to everywhere we wanted to go on the island.
Shaun was incredible! We eloped while there and she was so helpful - we couldn't have pulled it off without her! And, even though our friends and family weren't there she made it a special day for us.
Of course, as already stated, the breakfasts were creative and excellent and Shaun had everything we needed in the way of robes for the hot tub, baskets etc. for picnics as well as homemade cookies waiting for us after a long day of sightseeing.
It's a very special place to us and we look forward to returning to celebrate future anniversaries. Thank you, Shaun, for everything! Jay and Joanne

Everyone raves about this place, but we wouldn't stay here again. Which is unfortunate, because the setting and the grounds were spectacular, the B&B was immaculate, and the breakfasts both delicious and filling.

What was unacceptable:
(1) The room was not serviced once during our entire 4-day stay -- NOT acceptable, and certainly not for the price we were paying. Our towels never dried, and it is not pleasant to get out of a nice warm shower in the morning and have to use a cold, clammy, damp towel. Shawn did not mention anything about having to request service for fresh towels, and it was not in any printed policy we saw anywhere.
(2) Shawn never asked us a single question about our needs, nor did she do anything for us. We didn't see any of those nice extra touches or perfect hostess behavior other guests have written about.
(3) We had indicated in writing when we booked that we had some dietary allergies. Shawn appeared to have ignored these, and served the exact foods we were allergic to, several days for breakfast!
(4) It was VERY noisy in the B&B. There appears to be no soundproofing, and every footstep and voice (as well as the radio Shawn inexplicably leaves on in the 2nd floor living room) were clearly audible in our room. Unfortunately, we also happened to be sharing the B&B with a bunch of VERY loud people, who came roaring and yelling up the driveway at the front of the house late at night (from where, I don't know) and got up at 6 a.m. to stomp and thunder around the B&B, talking very loudly, banging things in the kitchen, making no effort whatsoever to be quiet or considerate towards others, and seeming to not notice or care that other guests were staying. As well, the organization of the B&B isn't conducive to quiet -- guest rooms on the ground floor are right off a living room with a TV/DVD, and on the 2nd floor right off the kitchen and second living room with a stereo. The ground-floor guest rooms are right beneath the kitchen, dining room and living room, so every footstep, voice, and noise up there is heard by the people on the ground floor.