Gastrolust

What’s amazing about Whidbey is that it’s oh-so-close to Seattle, and yet seemingly far, far away. Time it right, and you can get to the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal in just 30 minutes. Then a relaxing 20 minutes on the boat and you’re bound for the breathe-easy life of this bucolic island—one of the largest in the country.

We recommend that your relaxation include at least an overnight stay. There are many B&Bs from which to choose; one recent weekend, our choice was Ashingdon Manor. It’s right down the road from downtown Langley (you can take a pleasant little hike through the woods to get there!), where plans for dinner were our only commitment.

Proprietors Daniel and Bay Ginder won’t strike you as the Ashingdon-adoring sort; the B&B’s name dates back to the previous owners who apparently vacationed in that English village and decided to make a manor to memorialize their many times there. So we felt like royalty when we placed our belongings in the “Luxurious Hampton Court” suite with its canopy king bed, two-person Jacuzzi, fireplace, and French doors that open to a private deck and view of one of the gardens.

But back to the proprietors. They’re recently from South Carolina and bring a sense of Southern hospitality to the B&B. For those who see public interaction of such a stay as a distraction from the notion of a romantic getaway, Daniel and Bay note that you have a private entrance to the first part of “B&B” (Bed) and that they are willing to bring the second part (Breakfast) to your room. But, if you’d like to socialize, you can meet other travelers during breakfast (or anytime) at the 13-foot pine harvest table in the dining room.

Did someone say breakfast? Daniel and Bay have extensive experience in food service, so they’ll take good care of you. If you have a multi-day stay, expect breakfast to alternate between sweet and savory dishes. You might have French toast with Nutella and cream cheese one day, then maybe a Mexican egg scramble the next. We enjoyed eggs Benedict our morning there, though with Bay being from Laos, we’d like to see her bring a little of her cuisine to the table (perhaps some sticky rice, with either a classic hot sauce or jeow ba dek!).

Whether giving you space or sharing theirs, Daniel and Bay want you to feel at home in their home. We enjoyed cozying up to the kitchen counter, sitting by the stream-fed pond, and strolling the grounds. With six guest rooms and lots of communal space, Ashingdon Manor is an ideal place for special events like weddings, company retreats, and the like. In fact, this weekend they’re hosting “Jazz at the Manor,” with John Stowell and Randy Porter performing. ($10 admission, with limited seating and reservations requested by contacting Ashingdon Manor.) Daniel and Bay are thrilled to be part of the Langley community and excited to help guests explore and enjoy it.

And about Langley: It’s a lovely place to hang out, whether shopping in the stores, walking along the beach during low tide, or enjoying a fine dinner at the Inn at Langley. We did all three before calling it a night, returning to our manor with happy memories and the chance to relax and sleep like a king and a queen.