Salish Lodge & Spa Opens Its New Restaurant And Patio Just In Time For Summer

If you recognize the Salish Lodge & Spa, chances are it’s from Twin Peaks. It’s nearly impossible to mention the historic hotel without referencing David Lynch’s cult-classic 1990s TV show, which heavily featured the hotel, and whose pop culture status has only grown in the decades since the show aired.

But long before it appeared as the fictitious Great Northern Hotel — the home base for one of television’s all-time favorite characters, F.B.I. agent Dale Cooper — the hotel had reached icon status thanks to its singular location, perched high atop Snoqualmie Falls.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the mesmerizing waterfall owned by the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe cascades 268 feet over granite cliffs (far higher than Niagara Falls), attracting more visitors than anywhere else in the state other than majestic Mount Rainier.

But naturally, the Lodge has evolved substantially over its 100-plus year history. Now with a luxe spa, fresh and contemporary interiors, and a just-reopened steakhouse with a sleek new glass terrace that maximizes its stellar river and mountain views, here’s why the iconic hotel is worthy of a spot on your travel bucket list.

History

The beloved property’s history dates back to 1916, when it first opened as the eight-room Snoqualmie Falls Lodge. In 1988, it was fully renovated and modernized, reopening as the 91-room Salish Lodge. Then, in 2018, it got a major $12 million glow-up. The refreshed Restaurant & Terrace Bar is the newest renovation.

Location

Salish Lodge & Spa is located in the town of Snoqualmie, Washington — just 30 miles from Seattle.

The Lodge abuts Snoqualmie Falls Park, which houses observation viewing areas for both the upper and lower falls, forested nature trails, a kayak and canoe launch, a coffee and gift shop, and a Hydroelectric Museum within its 12 leafy acres.

Highlights

• Perched right above the picturesque Snoqualmie Falls made famous by Twin Peaks
• Just-reopened and revamped Restaurant & Terrace Bar
• Luxurious spa with soaking pools
• All rooms feature cozy gas fireplaces, soaking tubs or oversized spa showers, plush robes, plus coffee and tea service
• Outdoor fireplaces with river and mountain views
• Popular wedding and engagement destination

Rooms & Suites

There are 86 light and bright guest rooms in many categories — some with views of the Snoqualmie River. All are spacious and contemporary, with cozy amenities like gas fireplaces, oversized soaking tubs or dual-head showers, premium gel memory foam mattresses with Parachute feather bedding, and a pillow menu with six options.

In the mornings, guests can venture to the lobby for coffee and daily newspapers, or enjoy their in-room copper tea kettle and pour-over coffee service from their patio or balcony.

The Lodge’s decor pays homage to its rugged Pacific Northwest roots while layering on luxurious touches, with a palette of tasteful whites and greys with custom-made furniture with wood and stone accents.

Dining

Salish Lodge’s signature Restaurant & Terrace Bar reopened this year after an extensive renovation — just in time for warmer days and late sunsets. The large new patio’s sleek, seamless glass doors that can open to the sun and summery breezes maximize sweeping views of the misty falls and encircling mountains.

The Pacific Northwest-inspired steakhouse menu is new too, with a focus on dry-aged beef sourced from Royal Ranch, pork chops, and elk. Don’t skip the steak add-ons like green peppercorn demi-glacé, Rogue Creamery smokey blue cheese, and Dungeness crab Oscar.

The dinner menu has lots of fish and seafood options too, including halibut, jumbo prawns, salmon, and Alaskan king crab legs. And while there are lots of upgraded vegetable steakhouse sides (buttermilk whipped potatoes, or a spring medley of morels, asparagus, fiddlehead fern, and fava beans) vegetarians and vegans won’t have to resort to ordering only sides for dinner, thanks to hearty mean-free mains like cauliflower steak with quinoa and chimichurri.

Since the property is nestled in wine country, diners can also choose from a wine list showcasing local and regional bottles, including merlots from Walla Walla, and the Lodge’s own chardonnay and red blend. There’s also a Columbia Valley rosé from Pursued by Bear, the wine label from Washington-born Kyle MacLachlan (AKA Dale Cooper himself).

There’s also an on-site bar/lounge serving wine, cocktails, and light bites, and a coffee shop and cafe located next door in the Salish Visitors Center.

Spa

The Spa incorporates local products and ingredients into the treatments — including herbs from the hotel’s garden and honey from the on-site apiary.

The spa menu boasts a long list of bodywork treatments options, including the fire & ice massage, which soothes sore muscles with a combination of hot stones and cooling recovery balm, facials and body scrubs using ingredients from the forest, and a fireside massage package for two.

Hotel guests and those getting treatments can also make reservations to enjoy the spa’s contemporary soaking pools, sauna, steam room, and cold plunge.

What Else to Know

• While there are many guest rooms with views of the Snoqualmie River and diners at the restaurant can hear the thundering water and see mist rising up hundreds of feet, the Lodge sits on a cliff directly above the upper falls. So the best views of the waterfall are actually from the park’s observation areas. The short ADA-accessible paths to two upper observation areas are wide and paved, and it takes five minutes or less to stroll to them from the Lodge.
• There are some tasty nods to Twin Peaks on the dining and drinks menus — like the Dale Cooper gin cocktail, and the Damn Fine Cherry Pie à la mode — but the Lodge doesn’t hit guests over the head with the theme.

Who It’s Best For

• Couples
• Families
• Friend groups
• Staycationers from Seattle
• Hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts
• Wedding and bachelor/ette parties (the Lodge is a very popular wedding and engagement venue)
• Travelers looking for a pet-friendly hotel
• Spa-goers
• Twin Peaks fans

For more information or to book a stay, visit Salish Lodge & Spa.