The Willows Lodge is lovely and is probably the ni...

The Willows Lodge is lovely and is probably the nicest place to stay in Woodinville. However, our room cost well over $400 once taxes and fees were included. For over $400 I expect superb accommodations.

Our room was on the second floor next to the spa. I don t know if this is an older, more inconvenient section, but we schlepped our luggage up dreary stairs one floor to our room. The hallways were dark and not at all pleasant. It had a rustic, camp like feel, without any panache.

Our room was large, a bit dated, and laid out weirdly. A sliding door separated the bathroom from the sleeping room, but privacy was achieved by additional louvered windows over the tub overlooking the bedroom, with sinks opposite the tub. Another sliding door hid the toilet and shower. Yes, the toilet and shower are in the same room, separate from the sinks and tub. The shower is open, except for some frosted glass on the doors, providing the only privacy. I have seen arrangements like this in Paris, where the architect is trying to fit a full bathroom into a 200 square foot studio apartment, but never in the United States in a hotel with lots of space available. Everything worked, but it looked old. Luxury was evident in the linens and towels. Our view of woods was nice enough. Service was polite, formal, but with no warmth. Obviously, everyone was professionally trained, but the staff was generally impersonal. There was a country club, preppy ambiance about everything at the Willows.

I like my upscale to have soul. Thus, I doubt we will stay at the Willows on our return visit to Woodinville if we can find something else close by the wineries. Again, maybe we were just assigned a lousy room. Your experience may be better.