One guest booked a room nicknamed the Nanny’s Room and later reported window tapping, flashing lights, and a window that seemed to close itself overnight. The owners replied by asking to see the video.
That tells you a lot about this place. It’s a Victorian mansion on a hill in Washington, with a famous spiral staircase and rooms full of old wallpaper and velvet.
I like that the spooky stories sit right beside a warm breakfast and a good cause. Your stay helps fund a local nonprofit that supports people experiencing homelessness.
So you get history, charm, a little mystery, and a reason to feel good about booking. I can’t imagine a better excuse for a weekend away.
Would you sleep soundly, or keep one eye on the window all night?
A Victorian Mansion Perched Above The Water
High on the bluff in uptown Port Townsend, The Starrett House stands on a corner lot like it’s still keeping watch over the town. It’s a historic Victorian home that now runs as a bed and breakfast.
Guests can book a room, sleep under high ceilings, and wake up to breakfast downstairs. It’s the kind of overnight stay that feels more like a field trip into another century than a regular hotel night.
The house holds a 4.7-star rating on Google from more than 100 reviews. Victorian architecture and historic character come up again and again when people describe it.
Washington has plenty of pretty lodging, but few places let you sleep inside a true piece of local history. Fewer still come with a reputation for things going bump in the night.
Port Townsend itself is famous for its Victorian buildings, so the mansion fits right in. It just happens to be one of the most eye-catching examples on the hill.
Don’t expect a shiny, modern makeover. The appeal here is old woodwork, period furniture, and a house that wears its age proudly.
That honesty is part of the fun, and it sets the mood before you even unpack your bag.
The Story Behind Every Night You Book
Here’s a twist most hotels can’t match. The Starrett House is owned and operated by Bayside Housing and Services, a local nonprofit in Jefferson County.
That group supports and houses people experiencing homelessness in the area. According to the owners, every stay directly helps fund that mission.
Guests have picked up on it too. Some mention that part of the room cost goes to the nonprofit, while part goes toward savings for renovations on the house.
I love that detail. Your cozy weekend helps a neighbor in need and helps keep a historic building standing at the same time.
It also explains some quirks. The outside of the house needs fresh paint, and the owners seem well aware of it.
Several guests note that the tired exterior shouldn’t scare you off. Inside, the rooms are described as lovely, clean, and nicely kept, which is where you’ll spend your time anyway.
So the peeling paint becomes part of the story rather than a flaw. It’s a work in progress, funded partly by people like you.
That’s a pretty satisfying thing to think about while sipping morning coffee in a room that’s seen well over a century of breakfasts.
That Famous Spiral Staircase Steals The Show
Look up. The grand floating staircase is one of the house’s biggest bragging points, curling upward through the home like something out of a storybook.
Guests mention the spiral staircase by name, and it’s easy to see why. Craftsmanship and intricate woodwork rank among the details people praise most about this Washington landmark.
The owners have even called the woodwork one of their favorite features. When the people running the place are still impressed, you know it’s special.
There’s one practical note, though. At least one guest found the staircase a bit precarious to climb.
Anyone with mobility concerns should keep that in mind when booking. Ask about room locations ahead of time if stairs are a worry for you or a traveling grandparent.
For everyone else, the climb is part of the charm. Walking those steps at bedtime with the old house creaking around you feels like the start of a ghost story.
Kids who love unusual buildings will probably find it fascinating, though careful supervision makes sense. Hold the railing, take your time, and enjoy the view looking up.
It’s the kind of feature you’ll remember long after you’ve forgotten your room number.
Who Knocked On The Nanny’s Room Window
Room #3 has a nickname, and it’s not a cheerful one. Guests know it as the Nanny’s Room, and it carries a reputation for being haunted.
One recent visitor stayed two nights there without knowing its reputation. They described tapping on the second-floor window, during both day and night.
Things got stranger from there. Around 1 a.m., they reported a bright light flashing erratically around the edges of the hallway door.
They also described a white rectangle of light on the ceiling that vanished when they reached for a phone. On the last morning, an outer window they never touched was found closed.
Does that prove anything? Not really, but it sure makes for great storytelling.
The owners responded with good humor and asked to see the video the guest captured. I appreciate a house that leans into its legend instead of hiding it.
If you’re brave, request the Nanny’s Room by name. If you’re not, pick another room and enjoy the stories from a safe distance.
Either way, you’ll have something fun to talk about over breakfast. Bring a flashlight, just in case.
Velvet, Clawfoot Tubs, And Four-Poster Beds
Purple velvet everywhere. That’s how one guest summed up the Drawing Room, and it sounds delightfully dramatic.
The Drawing Room is a large space with a four-poster king bed. A big slipper tub sits right in the bedroom itself, not tucked away in a bathroom.
There’s a catch worth knowing. The toilet lives in a tiny closet, and a small pedestal sink sits in the room.
Some guests find that quirky and romantic. Others might want more privacy, so choose based on who’s sharing the space.
The Master suite is described as the largest room with the largest bathroom. One couple said it felt grand and comfortable.
Across the house, guests mention comfortable beds, quality sheets, and clean rooms. Older furniture adds to the period mood instead of fighting it.
Expect walls that are on the thin side, since it’s an old home. Floors won’t be perfectly finished either.
Still, the rooms earn words like cozy, elegant, and full of character. Each one feels a little different, with its own colors and wallpaper.
It’s fun to pick a favorite before booking, then see if it lives up to the photos.
Breakfast Is The Morning’s Main Event
Blackberry jalapeno jam. One guest singled it out, and honestly, it’s hard to stop thinking about that combination.
Breakfast comes with your stay, and it’s one of the most praised parts of a night here. Guests use words like hearty, delicious, and even out of this world.
A friendly host typically prepares it in the morning. Several guests have mentioned staff by name and called them warm and welcoming.
Breakfast and coffee are served downstairs. That gives you a chance to see the common rooms in daylight after a possibly spooky night.
Be aware that there’s usually no staff on site when you arrive. Staff are around in the morning for breakfast instead.
Once, during a cold snap and boiler trouble, a guest noted the food cooled quickly. They also found less variety than expected that morning.
That seems to be the exception, not the pattern. Most mornings get glowing remarks.
For families, a filling included breakfast is a real money saver. You can skip a pricey café stop and head out for the day with full bellies.
That’s the kind of bonus parents and grandparents notice right away.
Quiet Rooms For A Slower Kind Of Getaway
Silence might be the most underrated amenity here. Peaceful atmosphere ranks among the most mentioned topics for the house.
Guests describe it as quiet, relaxing, and romantic. One couple simply said they were already planning their next trip.
The neighborhood helps. The Starrett House sits in a calm residential area, yet it’s still a short walk to town.
Inside, the common areas get loads of love. Guests call them gorgeous and cozy, with stunning details in nearly every corner.
So who will enjoy it most? Couples looking for romance will feel right at home among the velvet and antiques.
History buffs and architecture fans will be in heaven. One guest said the stay sparked a new appreciation for the people who once lived in homes like this.
Older kids who love ghost stories may think it’s the coolest hotel ever. Very young kids might find the thin walls and fragile furnishings tricky.
Grandparents should weigh the stairs carefully. For curious, calm travelers, though, it’s a treat.
The pace here is slow on purpose, and that’s exactly the point. Leave the busy schedule at home.
Halloween Getaways Feel Extra Fitting Here
October practically writes its own invitation for a place like this. One guest called a Halloween getaway here an extra special treat.
It makes sense. A creaky old mansion with a haunted room is about as seasonal as Washington lodging gets.
Fall in Port Townsend also brings cooler air and moody skies. That’s perfect weather for wrapping up in a cozy bed and swapping spooky stories.
Summer has its own perks, though. One guest described summer evenings as delightfully cool, with breezes picking up at night.
Pack layers no matter when you visit. Even warm days on the water can turn crisp after sunset.
Winter stays can work too, but an old house means old systems. One guest reported a chilly morning during a freeze when the boiler acted up.
That’s not a reason to skip a cold-season trip. It’s just a reason to bring warm socks and a sense of humor.
Whatever season you pick, booking ahead seems wise. Rooms are limited in a home this size, and the spookier dates around Halloween may go fast.
Plan early and claim your favorite room.
Walk Downhill To Shops, Cafés, And The Waterfront
Location might be the easiest win of all. You’ll find the house at 744 Clay St, Port Townsend, WA 98368, in the uptown part of town.
Guests say the waterfront and downtown sit just a few blocks downhill. Restaurants, shops, galleries, and museums are all within walking distance.
The walk back is another story. It’s a steep hill with a big set of stairs, so plan your energy.
Good news for anyone who’d rather skip the climb. There’s plenty of parking down by the water, and the house offers free parking too.
One couple also loved hopping on free public transportation around town. That’s a nice budget-friendly perk for families.
Uptown has its own treats close by. Guests mention groceries, cafés, galleries, and a Saturday farmers market in summer.
That’s a great low-cost outing for kids. Wander the stalls, grab a snack, and let everyone pick a favorite booth.
Port Townsend is often described as friendly and artsy. Between the Victorian streets and water views, you can fill a whole day without spending much.
Then it’s back up the hill to your haunted mansion.
Worth A Night, Ghosts Or No Ghosts
So, is The Starrett House worth booking? For the right traveler, it’s an easy yes.
You get a striking historic Victorian mansion in Washington, a famous staircase, and rooms bursting with character. Add in a hearty breakfast and a legend about the Nanny’s Room, and that’s quite a package.
Better still, your stay helps a local nonprofit. Few hotel bills feel this good to pay.
Go in with honest expectations. The exterior needs paint, the walls are thin, and modern extras may be limited.
One guest noted no hairdryer, iron, or fridge space during their stay. Pack anything you can’t live without.
Staff aren’t usually on site at arrival, so read check-in details closely. Families with mobility concerns should ask about stairs first.
If those quirks sound charming rather than annoying, you’ll fit right in. Most guests leave smiling, and many say they’d return.
Exact rates aren’t something I can confirm, so check current pricing before you plan. Then pick a room, pack a flashlight, and see if anything taps on your window.
Even if nothing does, the breakfast alone makes for a memorable morning.
