Experience The Best Pacific Northwest Lifestyle At This Secluded Washington Resort

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The property is named after the Semiahmoo people — a band of Native Americans who lived in the Blaine and Birch Bay area prior to Europe’s conquests. In the Salish language, Semiahmoo translates to “half moon,” which describes the crescent shape of land the resort lives on. From its protected perch surrounded by the Salish Sea, the Semiahmoo Resort boasts stunning shoreline views and spectacular sunsets. Average temps range in the low 70s in the summer and mid-40s in the winter — making it a cozy destination to spend some time outdoors year-round.

The property is surrounded by more than 300 acres of tideland with biking and walking trails, beachcombing opportunities, and water activities like paddleboarding and kayaking. It can also be a fantastic home base for exploring the greater wilderness of the region, including Mount Baker and the Cascades.

I was awestruck with how the location of the resort felt sleepy, but also spirited — it was like traveling a million miles away from civilization but in reality being just a quick drive from a populated town.

We hope you love Semiahmoo Resort, Golf, and Spa! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

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Semiahmoo Resort stuns upon arrival

Arriving to the property as guests are driving in along the spit, they’ll see the original weathered water tower soaring into the sky, a historical remnant of what the property used to be — cannery land. The resort was also much larger than I’d expected upon first stepping into the lobby, with its crackling fireplace flanked by cozy chairs and big, bright windows. Walking around exploring, the property just seemed to continue on in all directions — winding around while showcasing panoramic views of the water and Canadian coastline.

History lovers should be sure to explore the common spaces like the hallway leading into the restaurant, which is lined with photos and factoids of the area’s past. These photos tell stories dating back to the 1890s when the Alaska Packers Association operated a huge cannery on the land for nearly a century. The resort also partners with nearby artists to showcase their talent, and strolling through the common spaces, guests can admire the local works on the walls.

The Semiahmoo Resort epitomizes wellness in the Pacific Northwest

Those who want to relax can revel in the serene Wellness Center, which hosts The Spa at Semiahmoo and its full lineup of relaxing treatments including massages, facials, body treatments, couples’ escapes, and salon services.

After a day of exploring the outdoors, it feels incredibly relaxing to sink into the hot tub that’s part of the wellness center’s heated pool complex, with an indoor/outdoor swimming setup (perfect for the cold winter months).

The fitness center is incredible. In addition to a well-equipped cardio and weights machine area, there’s an indoor running track and multiple indoor and outdoor pickleball and tennis courts. There are also regular group complimentary fitness classes for resort guests and members.

The fitness center is open to guests as part of the overnight resort fee — but locals or long term visitors to the area who want to take advantage of this stunning facility can purchase a health club membership which includes access to the pool, courts, gym, and steam room and sauna facilities year-round.

On-site beverages and bites at Semiahmoo Resort

Guests can check out the multiple spots to dine on-site, all of which are proud to utilize sustainable farm-to-table practices and serve produce and products direct from local fields, trees, waters, and pastures. For a quick bite or grab-and-go option, visit Seaview Café, which is inside the resort near the lobby toward the back of the building. Here, visitors can grab a small bite, coffee, espresso drink, baked treat or a craft beer to enjoy by the firepits outside.

All of the employees I met on-site were kind, but the barista who made my latte at the cafe was exceptionally kind, telling me about her favorite hidden local beach and offering to show me one of the most interesting (but not necessarily well-known) parts of the property — the boardroom. This upstairs room of the lobby building overlooking the water is said to be the spot that the Microsoft team drummed up the idea for the Xbox back in 1999.

For a sit down meal with a view, visit Packers Kitchen + Bar, which is set right on the waterfront, and is open daily for brunch, dinner, and drinks hosting a menu of fresh seafood, hand-crafted pizzas, and other tasty specialties. There are two parts to this restaurant — a casual, dark wooded setting with an outdoor patio boasting maritime sports bar vibes that make it a laid back and lively place to grab a drink or a bite. Adjacent to this space, there’s the more refined section of the restaurant which features white walls and light washed woods with floor to ceiling glass windows, letting in lots of light and overlooking the channel out to Canada. Both spots are a wonderful place to watch the sun setting over the water and a fantastic place to spot local wildlife including otters, porpoises, and even whales.

Down the road about three miles, at Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club, there’s the Great Blue Heron Grill which serves drinks, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch with a view overlooking the golf course. And wine lovers can’t miss The Cellar retail shop which sells a carefully curated selection of wines, drinkware and souvenirs.

Guest rooms at Semiahmoo Resort

There are 196 contemporary guest rooms and suites featuring impressive views overlooking Semiahmoo Bay to the north and Mount Baker to the south.

I stayed in a Water View Junior Suite which felt spacious and bright. My room faced the back of the property overlooking the water and the scenes of happy people enjoying the outdoor space below. There was a huge window letting in plenty of natural sunlight above a tidy sitting area that included multiple couches. There was also a mini fridge and a sturdy desk for when I needed to get some work done. I appreciated how my room even had a sort of “mud room” area upon stepping in the door for dirty hiking boots, a wet coat, or anything used after a day outdoors.

Group gatherings

Considering its relatively remote location, this property felt practically unparalleled in its opportunity to host large scale and small-scale events, meetings, and conferences. There was actually a conference taking place while I was visiting, but it never felt as though the group was taking over the whole resort since the property is so large.

There’s more than 35,000 square feet of event space, including the scenic boardroom with a view of the water, a 7,200 square foot exhibition hall, 6,500 square foot grand ballroom, 3,600 square foot clubhouse pavilion at the Golf Club, more than a dozen other small scale meeting rooms — and extensive audio/visual equipment already on-site with a dedicated support team to assist with technology needs. The culinary team even offers in-house catering services ranging from breakfast buffets to five-course feasts.

Additional offerings and amenities at Semiahmoo Resort

The property also hosts a range of regular and special events for guests such as a wine tasting every Saturday afternoon, winemaker’s dinners and distiller’s dinners, and seasonal offerings like “Trunk or Treat” Halloween festivities or interactive, spooky “murder mystery” weekend experiences. Golf fans will love the year-round, award winning Arnold-Palmer-designed course — and there’s also a golf simulator featuring dozens of the world’s top courses.

Outside on the back lawn, guests can get competitive with seasonal lawn games in the warmer months like horseshoes, ladder golf, corn hole, volleyball, and more. Or, cozy around one of the fire pits and roast marshmallows. Bird watchers can embark on a self-guided bird tour around Semiahmoo on any day, or join the guided tour which takes place on Saturdays at 2 pm.

To get active on-site, the seasonal Semiahmoo Beach Activities Center rents out bikes, kayaks, and paddleboards for outdoor exploration. One of my favorite experiences while I was visiting was exploring on a complimentary beachcruiser on the path running along the spit, surrounded by sunshine and flanked by the gentle waters lapping up against the beach and rocks on each side.

Another unique and fun amenity at the property is the Discovery Theater which screens a couple of films each day for multiple age ranges, outfitted with its 156 inch HD projector and 50 comfortable leather chairs. Family-friendly movie showings are typically at 6 p.m., and PG-13 movies are shown a bit later, at 8:30 p.m. This is a great entertainment option for visitors of all ages when the weather isn’t quite as enjoyable outdoors.

A place perfectly blending a sense of peace with adventure

If I were to describe the atmosphere on-site at Semiahmoo Resort, I’d say it was a perfect blend of luxuriously rugged and refined — feeling like a place where everyone from couples to families to groups ranging from corporate retreats to wellness getaways can enjoy some fresh air and the chance to disconnect from urban life.

The property is a destination within itself. Guests can either use it as a home base for outdoor adventures in the nearby parks, forests, and waters — or they can spend their entire time on-site recharging, while breathing in the fresh sea air and relaxing atmosphere, and never having to step foot off the property.

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