Our Stay at Suncadia Resort
Last Updated on March 28, 2024 by Kelly
Suncadia Resort is only a two-hour drive from Seattle, and it was the perfect location for a weekend getaway in the mountains. The resort contains lots of amenities and services, so we never have to leave the resort once we arrived. We were impressed by the rustic main lodge, the panoramic views of the hills, the dining options, and the many resort activities. In this post, we are sharing the best things to do while at Suncadia Resort. We hope that this post inspires you to visit and enjoy the fresh mountain air!
About Suncadia Resort
Suncadia Resort is nestled in the mountains near the small town of Roslyn, which historically was a mining town. Immigrants from all around the world came to work in the mines, including my own great-grandparents who arrived from Italy. At the resort, you can still see the entrance to one of the mines by the Swiftwater Cellars’ main entrance.
The main building was constructed in 2003. Since then, there have been a number of expansions to the property. The main lodge has 254 rooms and is equipped with a spa, pool, bar, and restaurant.
There are lots of trails, pools, and dining locations on the property. The resort is so much more than just a hotel!
Our Favorite Things to Do at Suncadia
1. Go Swimming
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Suncadia Resort has one of the best swimming pools in all of Washington State. The view from the pool is so picturesque. The photo pictured above was taken from the pool at the main lodge, but the resort has two additional pools to choose from.
We took this photo during a sunny day in October. We were surprised just how warm it was outside for an October day! We didn’t think we would use the outdoor pool, but we were glad we packed our swimsuits!
During the winter, you can head to the indoor pool. It’s definitely a bonus that you can go swimming year-round. (Perfect for families with young kids!) The Swim & Fitness Center has a cedar wood wet sauna, an aromatherapy steam room, and a hot tub. There’s also two water slides!
During the summer, the Nelson Farm Pool opens, which has a lazy river.
2. Walk the 1000 Steps
Located directly behind the main lodge, the 1000 Steps will take you down to the Cle Elum River. (That’s 21 flights of stairs!) Thankfully, it’s not 1000 steps of stairs. There are 379 concrete steps, but it takes about 1000 total steps to make it from the lodge to the river. Pictured here is the view from the top of the steps. There are a few benches along the way to take a rest, which are especially helpful for the way back up!
3. Relax by the Cle Elum River
Once you’ve descended the steps to the river, you can relax by the Cle Elum river and listen to the water passing by you. Bring a blanket, picnic, and a book, and you have the perfect afternoon. If you’re looking for a little peace and solitude, it’s the perfect place to go. A lot of people staying at the lodge won’t make the journey down the steps, so we found that it was much more quiet. We only saw a few people at the river when we visited.
4. Explore the Trails
There are over 40 miles of paved and unpaved trails, so there are a lot of options for walks or bike rides. The staff at the front desk helped us to choose an easy walk that was stroller-friendly. (We’ve linked our favorite jogging stroller if you’re looking for a good one!)
We enjoyed walking around the resort property and exploring the many trails. We even had to stop mid-trail to allow a group of wild turkeys to shuffle by us!
5. Enjoy a Meal with a View
Portals Restaurant is located directly in the main lodge. With giant windows overlooking the valley, you can continue to enjoy the outdoors while you take a break for a meal.
We visited Portals Restaurant and really enjoyed the ambiance and the food. Although we visited with our toddler, we think it would be the perfect spot for a romantic meal!
Other dining options include: The Stovehouse, Fifty-6 Degrees Lounge, and Swiftwater Cellars Winery. My brother says that he had the best steak of his life at The Stovehouse!
6. Go Wine Tasting
Swiftwater Cellars is located on the resort property and offers wine tasting flights. As you can see from the photo above, the wines were absolutely gorgeous! (Plus delicious!) You can also enjoy your wine outside on the terrace or by a bonfire.
7. Watch the Sunset by the Fire
In the evening, there is a bonfire at the main lodge for guests. We headed there after a full day to enjoy golden hour and the sunset. (You may even be able to have s’mores for dessert there. Check at the front desk to see if they’re offering it during your visit.)
Seasonal Activities
In addition to the activities above, the resort hosts seasonal events and classes. Be sure to check with the front desk about their current offerings. For example, during our trip, they were offering opportunities to do axe throwing, archery, and sling shots. They also offer specific classes. When we went, they were offering a Canvas and Cocktails class.
You can also rent kayaks, canoes, standup paddle boards, or bikes to explore the property.
We visited with our baby, so we were not able to visit the spa or go golfing during our trip. However, the spa facilities looked so relaxing and we definitely want to return for a romantic getaway. The spa had saunas, outdoor mineral baths, and fireside relaxation areas.
Visit the Nearby Towns of Cle Elum and Roslyn
Although there are plenty of things to do on property at the resort, it’s truly worthwhile to visit the local towns. If you have time for an extended stay, we recommend that you visit Cle Elum and Roslyn. Both towns are only 10 minutes away.
Cle Elum
The town of Cle Elum is filled with historic buildings. A visit to the Telephone Museum will teach you all about how the city communicated using copper wires before rotary phones were implemented. If you want to spend time exploring the area around the city, you can also rent ATVs or snowmobiles (depending on the season). You can also go horseback riding.
For food, we recommend that you stop by the Cle Elum Bakery, which has been family-owned and operated since 1906! We recommend breakfast at the Cottage Cafe. For lunch, check out the Twin Pines Drive In for burgers and a milkshake. For dinner, check out Mama Vallone’s (a restaurant inspired by old Italy).
Roslyn
There is a memorial for coal miners in Roslyn which pays tribute to the legacy of the many coal miners that lived in the area. The memorial is made of bricks with the names of local miners. (Turns out that my great-grandfather has a brick there!)
There are also a lot of great restaurants in Roslyn. For breakfast, head to the Red Bird Cafe & Bakery. The Coal Chute Cafe & Pub is a good place to visit for lunch. For dinner, head to the Brick Saloon. We also recommend that you stop by the Heritage Distilling Company for a whiskey flight.
Roslyn is also home to a movie theater: The Roslyn Theatre. The theater is well-known for its popcorn with real butter, so be sure to order some!
Hikes Near Suncadia Resort
There are a variety of hiking trails to choose from near the resort depending on your fitness level and hiking experience. For each hike we’ve listed below, we’ve added a link to the Washington Trails Association description for full details on trail access. Be sure to always hike with the 10 Essentials, follow Leave No Trace guidelines, and check recent trip reports to be informed of current trail conditions. It’s always a good idea to let someone know what hike you plan on completing and the estimated time you will return from the trail.
Red Top Lookout | Easy
This hike is 1.5 miles roundtrip and has 350 feet of elevation gain. This short and steep hike will lead you to a functioning fire lookout with panoramic views on a clear day of Stuart Range, Teanaway Ridge, Chelan and Entiat Mountains, and Mount Rainier. You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass to access this hike.
Peoh Point | Moderate
This hike is 6 miles roundtrip and has 50 feet of elevation gain. There is no parking pass or entry fee to access this hike. This hike is mostly flat, yet has has steep drops (be mindful of children and pets). You’ll have views of the Cle Elum Valley and Stuart range.
Hex Mountain | Difficult
This hike is 7.5 miles roundtrip with 2,900 feet of elevation gain. There is no parking pass or entry fee to access this hike. When you reach the summit, you will be rewarded with 360-degree views of the mountains and the valley. Because it’s a more difficult hike, there will be fewer crowds. This trail is especially beautiful when the wildflowers are in bloom.
Room Options
There are a variety of lodging options at the resort. We stayed at the main lodge, which is a full-service luxury condominium hotel. We were very comfortable in one of the standard rooms. Our room had a gas fireplace which was a nice cozy touch. There was also enough room for our daughter’s travel crib.
If you’re looking for a little more space, you can also book a stay at the resort’s Trailhead Condominiums. These condos have a bit more space and are more modern.
If you want more of a boutique experience, there’s also the Inn at Suncadia, which is a smaller lodge of 14 guest rooms and 4 suites.
Finally, there’s also full-size vacation home rentals on the property that are available separate from the lodge. Many of these homes are new construction and would be perfect for a multi-family getaway or a special celebration.
Nearby Hotels
If you’d like to check out other hotels nearby, there’s a lot to choose from in Cle Elum. We recommend taking a look at the Best Western Snowcap Lodge. In Roslyn, we recommend that you consider Hotel Roslyn or the Huckleberry House Inn Bed & Breakfast.
If you’re looking for a vacation home in Cle Elum, check out the Big Hill Retreat. It has 4 bedrooms and is perfect for families!
Summary
Suncadia Resort was one of our favorite weekend getaways as a family. We visited in early October, and we thought it was the perfect time to visit. The weather was still warm, the trees were changing colors, and the resort wasn’t very busy.
I especially enjoyed lounging at the pool and walking down to the river. Because the cellar and restaurant were both on-site, we never had to leave the property. I would definitely choose to go back in the future. I’d love to see it in different seasons!
We hope you found this article about Suncadia Resort helpful in planning your trip!
Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.
