While the traditions of the game can claim no deep roots in the Pacific Northwest, the golf boom in the travel industry can be largely attributed to the emergence of great golf in landscapes best endowed with beautiful scenery. Mountain golf throughout the Olympics is a relatively new phenomenon compared to the life span of the game itself, and as destinations like Port Ludlow gain more and more notoriety, access to the game in the farthest reaches of the wilderness garners higher and higher repute. The setting here is outstanding, located northwest of Seattle on the Olympic Peninsula, and home to some of the most stunning vistas and vibrant play of wildlife anywhere in North America. Otters skitter about in the bay, blue herons stand proudly in the misty shallows, the rigorous work of pileated and other woodpeckers echo through the country’s only rainforest, as black-tailed deer dart between the towering conifers. Horns of ships and the splash and gurgle of Ludlow Falls fill out the sounds of Port Ludlow, and as it resides in the “banana belt,” the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, rainfall is a less common occurrence than one expects on the west coast of Washington State. The sum of these factors is a beautiful resort destination, with a golf course that rivals many of the country’s best, in one of its last vestiges of rough country.

The mix of luxury accommodations, stunning scenery, and impeccable service truly does set Port Ludlow apart. Rooms at The Resort At Port Ludlow are a mixture of guest suites and two- and four-bedroom condominium-style accommodations for larger groups. The Inn At Port Ludlow, inspired by New England coastal summer homes, features 37 rooms, all of which look out from private balconies on spectacular views of the bay from the wrap-around veranda that cinches around the structure. Along the public enclaves of the veranda, classic herb and rose gardens ignite the olfactory senses, seeping in through the open windows of rooms adorned with classic mission-style furnishings and a fireplace framed by a cozy sitting area. Oversized whirl Jacuzzi tubs are featured in all of the washrooms, with windows so guests can still enjoy the view from the privacy of a hot bath, and a library of classic and contemporary films gives one the chance to unwind after a long day outdoors, or when the weather stubbornly refuses to cooperate. Beyond the Inn proper, Port Ludlow offers one of the most unique accommodation options to be found anywhere. The Pintail House is a two-bedroom (plus studio guestroom suite) cottage situated on the shores of a secluded cove just down the way from The Inn. Knotty pine floors, gas fireplace, and one’s own private beach and entrance gives new meaning to the solitude offered up by the scenery of the Olympic Peninsula. With access to all of The Inn’s amenities, but the chance to step away from the bustle of the hotel, guests of the Pintail House can enjoy luxury and privacy all in one.

Now while that could mean home-cooked dinners, a pair of superb on-site restaurants might discourage Pintail House guests from heading to the local market. The Fireside Restaurant in The Inn blends the casual, the elegant, and the refined perfectly. Views are outstanding, looking down from the patio at the boats in the marina, as the sun sets behind the Olympic mountains. Expected dress is casual, and the use of regional ingredients offer the perfect accents to Pacific Northwest cuisine. Highlights from the dinner menu include Dungeness Crab Cakes in a Red Pepper Coulis, Chicken and Roast Corn Chowder, Northwest Salad with Washington apples and Oregon blue cheese, and the King salmon in the Pinot Noir Peppercorn Sauce. Also featuring food and wine pairings that highlight the region’s great wines, special dinner arrangements can be made. In conjunction with Harbormaster Seafood and Spirits, run by Food and Beverage Banager and Executive Chef Joseph Mollerus, the Resort has a pair of great dining options. Here, the menu is a little more robust, and partial to indigenous ingredients as well. The Harbormaster Salad, highlighted by candied pecans and blue cheese under a balsamic vinaigrette, is spectacular, as is the Parmesan-Crusted Halibut and the traditional Fish and Chips in Alaskan Amber Ale beer batter. Specialty coffees like Hot Toddies and Steamers are fit for a drunken sailor, and can act as a perfect nightcap as one stares out over the cool harbour.

In the day, Port Ludlow is an outdoorsman’s paradise. The Port Ludlow Marina, with 300 slips, can accommodate boats up to 200 feet in length, and arriving by private sailboat is a popular option for regulars to the area. For those guests less immersed (but intrigued) with the Olympic Peninsula boating culture, the rental of sailboats, powerboats, sea kayaks, canoes, and seacycles can be arranged during the marina’s regular hours. On-site, the list of activities is nearly endless. Hiking trails all over the property wind up from the beaches in the woods, where adventurers can spot salmon leaping upstream and deer darting gracefully between the trees. The same wilderness can be spotted rolling along one of the resort’s many bike trails, and at the end of a long day of exercise, small luxuries like spa treatments and massages in the privacy of your own room are what sets Port Ludlow apart. With a host of spectacular wilderness sites in the area, including Dungeness Spit, a marine wildlife refuge, and The Olympic Game Farm, a Pacific Northwest reserve for yaks, grizzlies, timberwolves, and elk, the Olympic Peninsula is a natural sanctuary waiting to be discovered.