Uniquely private WILLIAM THADDAEUS For a stay with ambience and saturated with local flavour, try any of the 43 establishments in the Unique Inns group, writes WILLIAM THADDAEUS

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One of the cabins at the River Dance Lodge Entrance to Steamboat Inn Durlacher Hof in the summer

IF you are travelling to the West Coast of North America, consider staying at some of the finest inns run by Unique Inns.

Established 26 years ago, Unique Inns is a group of 43 privately-owned inns in the States of Washington, Idaho, Oregon and California as well as the province of British Columbia in Canada.

Each inn has its own special ambience and offers special cuisine of the specific locale. Most have won awards and received recognition in the travel, dining and wine collections categories.

Here’s a sampling of what you can expect from Unique Inns:

Washington

Turtleback Farm Inn: Billed as “one of the 1,000 places you have to see before you die”, this inn is located on Orcas, the loveliest of the San Juan Islands. Set on 80 tranquil acres of countryside land with stately forests, shimmering ponds, grazing sheep and crowing roosters are the restored “folk national” Farmhouse and newer Orchard House. It’s a haven for those wishing to experience whale watching, kayaking, fishing, bird-watching and hiking.

There are 11 rooms with fireplaces, custom-made woolen comforters, wooden decks and breakfast room service or full-farm breakfast with hot beverages, fruit and baked treats.

Rates: US$115-US$260. Reservations: 800.376.4914. E-mail: turtleback@interisland.net

Idaho

River Dance Lodge: In the midst of Idaho’s mountain ranges and wild rivers, Betsy and Peter Grubb have built log cabins and a restaurant for that wilderness experience. Accommodations are comfortable with hot tubs and quiet solitude by Clearwater River. Get the full experience with offerings like rafting, kayaking, horseback riding and more.

Eight cabins with two to three bedrooms, fireplaces and outdoor hot tubs. Guided rafting, fly-fishing and wireless Internet are available. The Grubbs offer healthy servings of north-west cuisine and picnic baskets on request.

Rates: US$149-US$379. Reservations: 866.769.8747. E-mail: info@riverdancelodge.com

Oregon

Steamboat Inn: Along the North Umpqua River in the Umpqua National Forest, this inn offers stream-side cabins, hideaway cottages, luxurious suites and fully furnished homes. Its traditional evening dinner features fresh local ingredients artfully accompanied with the finest north-west wines. The inn features fly fishing for steelhead, winemaker’s dinner and perennial gardens. Many of the hiking trails lead to waterfalls and swimming holes.

Eight stream-side cabins, five hideaway cottages, two river view suites and five furnished homes. Soaking tubs, wood-burning fireplaces and wireless Internet are available. Activities include fishing, hiking and mountain biking. Daytime café open for breakfast and lunch. Dinner by reservation.

Rates: US$170-US$295. Reservations: 800.840.8825. E-mail: the steamboatinn.com

California

Wine Country Inn: For over 30 years, the Smith family has been welcoming guests to its little slice of heaven nestled amongst Napa Valley’s vineyards. With antique-filled rooms, a relaxing spa and sun-drenched pool, some guests never make it to the surrounding wineries. In the afternoons, guests gather in the courtyard with the innkeepers for wine tasting and sampling from tables laden with home-made appetisers.

Twenty guest rooms, four suites and five luxury cottages. Spa tubs, outdoor whirlpool and pool and wireless Internet are available. Free buffet breakfast, wine social nightly as well as free shuttle to nearby restaurants.

Rates: US$195-US$690. Reservations: 888.465.4608. E-mail: romance@winecountryinn.com

British Columbia, Canada

Durlacher Hof: Located in Whistler, Durlacher Hof is one of the most sought after pension here. Erika and Peter Durlacher has gone to great lengths to capture the warmth and hospitality of the Austrian Alps. Designed and built by European craftsmen, the inn is authentic in every detail. The Austrian experience begins at the front door where guests exchange shoes for woolen hut slippers. Mountain exploring and biking, world class skiing, golf, hiking, kayaking and fishing are some of their seasonal offerings.

Eight guest rooms and one suite. Spa tubs, aromatherapy toiletries, sauna, outdoor whirlpool tub and wireless Internet are available. Old world breakfast buffet including freshly baked bread, fruit and homemade granola.

Rates: CDN$129-399. e-mail: info@durlacherhof.com. For a more complete listing, write to Unique Inns, PO Box 3286, Portland, OR 97208 or go to www.uniqueinns.com