The Best Places to Kiss in the Northwest

Almost Paradise Mt. Rainier Lodging is featured in the book The Best Places to Kiss in the Northwest:

A long, wooded drive leads to a Northwest cedar mountain lodge-style home and guest cottages, where the private and luxurious accommodations provide an ideal setting for romance.

Opened in 1998, Almost Paradise caters specifically to couples, and is a welcome addition to romantic lodging options in the area. Choose from among the three guest cottages on the main property and a more remote cabin. The three comfortable cottages boast lots of romantic touches, such as wonderful outdoor hot tubs, gas fireplaces, plush terry robes, and inviting queen-size beds.

Other features include continental breakfast baskets in the well-equipped kitchens, private baths, TV/VCRs, and stereos (some romantic music is supplied, or bring your own).

The decor and amenities in each accommodation differ slightly. Our favorite is the spacious Paradise Guest House, completed in 2000, with an open layout that includes sitting room and bedroom, light switches on dimmers, and an inviting hunter green sofa placed in front of the river-rock gas fireplace.

Outside, relax in your private hot tub nestled among giant boulders enveloped in moss and ferns, and gaze out at towering evergreens.

The Sunrise Guest House is cozier, with low ceilings and adjoining, smaller rooms that include a bedroom with floral linens, a sitting room with fireplace, and a small kitchen; an added bonus is the huge, beautiful dry sauna outside your sliding doors, which is entirely private.

The newest accommodation on the property is the Rainier Cabin, with a kitchenette and private outdoor hot tub, completed in the spring of 2003.

But if you truly want to get away from it all, check into the Woodland Cabin, a five-minute drive from the main house. The appealing interior, with white and cedar-plank wainscoting, is absolutely charming, and old-fashioned wooden skis mounted on the wall add whimsy to the decor. A queen-size bed is fitted with an attractive wooden headboard. There's a standard bath, but for long soaks we recommend the outdoor hot tub. The breakfast basket is not included here, but there is a full kitchen, so come with supplies.

$$ MC, V; checks OK;

(Reprinted from The Best Places to Kiss in the Northwest, 8th Edition, with permission from Sasquatch Books.)