BookDirect: A Better Way to Plan Your Play

With #BookDirect Education Day approaching on February 5, we’re gearing up to spread the word on how booking direct can save you time, money, and hassle on your next vacation. These days, the number of online travel sites (third-party agencies like Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, etc) can be overwhelming! We’re here to shed some light on why you should always book directly – and why third-party travel sites are not the best option for a stellar vacation.

Here’s what you get when you #BookDirect:

Lower Fees

When you book through a third-party travel site, that low nightly rate doesn’t show the hefty booking fees that most charge owners and renters. Companies like Airbnb, VRBO, Expedia, Booking.com and others tack on substantial fees for using their site – sometimes hundreds of dollars! But when you book direct, you bypass those hidden booking fees. At Northwest Stays, we guarantee no additional Online Travel Agency booking fees for any of our destinations! That means less cost for your stay – and more in your pocket for spending. It’s our Best Rate Guarantee! You won’t find a cheaper price anywhere than booking direct!

Exclusive Specials

Speaking of saving money – when you book direct, you could get special pricing that third-party websites don’t offer. Most vacation rental management companies offer seasonal rates and discount pricing when you book direct, cutting your costs even more. They may even offer specials and discounts for local businesses and attractions, giving you more fun for less!

More Choices

Many rental owners choose not to place their units on third-party sites because they’re often charged high commission rates for bookings. In fact, the best rentals in an area book easily, so they aren’t usually listed on travel sites at all. When you book directly with Northwest Stays and their local property managers, you’ll gain access to more (and better) homes and rentals to choose from.

Local Knowledge

When you book direct, you’re working with a local owner or vacation manager – not a staff member of a large travel site who may not even live in the same state. Booking direct means you’re working with people who live, work, and play in the area, giving them intimate knowledge of your destination. They can give suggestions on local attractions, places to eat and drink, the best routes to avoid traffic, and more. At Northwest Stays, our vacation rental managers are always Pacific Northwest locals who are happy to share their expertise to give you the best local experiences.

Easy Communication

When you book direct, you get immediate contact with your rental management company. That means questions or concerns about your stay can be asked – and answered – quicker than with large, intermediary travel sites. Sites like VRBO and Airbnb only rent you the accommodations. They aren’t there to help you should an issue arise with your rental. Having a local property manager means that if something does go wrong (don’t worry, it’s rare), they’ll be close at hand to make it right. When you book direct, your rental management company can also help with special needs or requests to make your trip easier.

A Better Experience

Booking direct means a better overall experience.

Local vacation rental management companies are more invested in your vacation and satisfaction, so they’ll go the extra mile to make sure both are five-star. They can easily match your vacation style to properties and areas to give you the best possible experience for the best possible price.

Planning a Pacific Northwest vacation? Don’t take the long way around – book your trip directly with Destination Leavenworth! We offer a variety of rentals and provide easy book-direct options for every one of them. It’s the easiest way to ensure a stress-free, affordable vacation to one of the most beautiful areas in the country.

It’s no secret that Leavenworth is a uniquely ideal place for really special getaways. The breathtaking mountain vistas, icy glacial rivers, and forests of stunning recreational beauty, all wrapped up within four very distinct seasons, makes this little European-themed town a destination like no other. And now, we’re extremely happy to announce that Destination Leavenworth is bringing the stunning collection of Riverside Properties into the magnificent choices of the places where you can stay to enjoy it.

Riverside Properties has been successfully drawing hundreds of guests into the magical experience of Leavenworth for years. Five elegant and tastefully styled vacation rentals can be booked individually or together, making it possible to accommodate your whole large group, whether it’s for a never-to-be-forgotten family reunion, a gathering of long time friends, a corporate retreat, a church retreat, or a small wedding.

Riverside Vacation Home is the centerpiece of the collection. Located right on the river with access to a private sandy beach, this gorgeous lodge sleeps up to 18. In a breathtaking setting, this spacious place features a large conference room table that can also seat your whole big family during reunions, and has an outdoor hot-tub, a volleyball court, ping pong, and a fire pit.

The very roomy Riverside Cabin– located on the same property– accommodates 14 comfortably and also has a large outdoor hot tub, lots of deck space, and has access to the beach. Located between these two buildings is Riverside Loft, which sleeps 4 and features a large family room downstairs.

On a separate property, River Heights is a stunning lodge that accommodates up to 12 people, and features a remarkable view of the river as it makes a bend. Surrounded by forest and orchards, River Heights is a peaceful, secluded getaway location. The Loft can be booked together with the lodge, or separately, and can sleep up to 4.

All close to the Bavarian village for shopping and restaurants, all with stunning river views, the outstanding Riverside Properties are conveniently located for great recreation experiences– river rafting, fishing, golf, skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, mountain biking.Riverside Properties is renowned for drawing visitors into the Leavenworth, and large groups can have the most perfect way to experience together.

Riverside Properties is renowned for drawing visitors into the Leavenworth, and large groups can have the most perfect way to experience together.

“Sometimes a good getaway is as simple as relaxing in a couple of comfy chairs down by a picturesque river. Feeling one with Nature brings it all back to the basics. Life is good,” says Tony Miner, writer for Northwest Travel Advisory, who featured the Lodge this month.

“Of course getting up from those riverfront chairs and walking over to your own luxury lodge-style retreat makes it all even sweeter.”

“Welcome to Arrowhead Lodge, an incredibly relaxing getaway on the Wenatchee River near Plain. It’s just footsteps from the lodge to the river and everything you need for a memorable getaway is right on the property,” says Miner.

Miner’s getaway was a double date with his wife and another couple. Arrowhead is where they enjoyed the chance to catch up and leave behind all the every day hassles. Even so, he realized that “Arrowhead Lodge is so big we could have brought both families, including kids. Why settle for a motel room when you can enjoy a full-size lodge and live like the rich and famous for a weekend?”

“But even with a three-bedroom lodge, we still sat in those chairs for an extended period of time watching the river flow past us. It’s just mesmerizing — and also a great place to immerse oneself in conversation with long-time friends.”

“The lodge itself is a spectacular two-story structure built from logs, well appointed, with all the conveniences you’ll need for a great stay. The huge kitchen is well set up for cooking meals for a large family, and there is plenty of seating, including a dining table for eight.”

“There’s also a large covered porch facing the river, where you’ll also find a hot tub. We found that very relaxing after a long day exploring nearby Leavenworth. We did some dining out in Leavenworth, which is always fun, but we also bought some supplies in Leavenworth and brought them back to the Lodge to cook our own meals, so we could stay right there and enjoy the beautiful scenery and fantastic lodge.”

“A large wood burning river-rock fireplace is the central feature of the living room and gives you that warm feeling, whether it’s the dead of winter or the bright sunny days of summer in North Central Washington. We’re already making plans to return with a larger crew next time, to a wonderful place, no matter the season.”

Check out the entire Northwest Travel Advisor article by Tony Miner at: http://northwesttraveladvisor.com/northwest-travel-news/arrowhead-lodge.php

Arrowhead Lodge is just one of multiple properties managed by Destination Leavenworth, that include a superior selection of cabins, homes, condos and lodges in Leavenworth, Plain, and Lake Wenatchee areas.

If you are looking for your peaceful retreat, or for a “base of operations” for any season of activity and adventure, Arrowhead Lodge on the Wenatchee River is the perfect location for either.

Destination Leavenworth is proud to announce a new partnership with Northwest Stays, a regional listing platform featuring the best professionally managed vacation rentals in the Pacific Northwest.

From lovely urban area vacation rentals to charming and cozy cabins, you’ll find everything you want in a vacation at Northwest Stays. Destination Leavenworth is happy to be listed in the Mountain Adventures, Wine Country, and Romantic Getaway sections of the Northwest Stays website, where you can search all of our inventory and visit our website to book the ideal rental property for you.

Northwest Stays also features professional managers from nearby areas: you can trust the rentals you’ll find on the website are vetted, trusted properties that are ideal for your next getaway. Instead of clicking around and not being sure that you’re finding a trusted vacation rental company, you can choose from the best at Northwest Stays.

In addition to the benefits of searching from trusted professional vacation rental managers, you’ll also pay no booking fees or any guest traveler fees on Northwest Stays. Each listing page brings you directly to the rental managers website where you can book direct to save money the same exact rental property.

We’re excited to share the new marketplace with you, our guests, and look forward to seeing you explore the platform to find new places to travel in the beautiful PNW.

Quiet solitude

By CARY ORDWAY

Next time you have a family gathering, 1or just want to get away with friends, consider retreating to the woods of the Plain Valley — an incredibly beautiful mountain landscape just a half-hour’s drive from the busy tourist town of Leavenworth.

It’s a cabin-in-the-woods experience, far enough from civilization to bring you some quiet and solitude, yet close enough that it’s easy to drive into town and enjoy the restaurants, shops and attractions of the Bavarian Village.

A big part of why people love the cabin-in-the-woods experience is that feeling of remoteness. Maybe it’s something primal that conjures that feeling of Man vs. Nature, or maybe it’s all those stories of our ancestors braving the new world in primitive one-bedroom frontier cabins.

Except in this case, there’s nothing primitive about the experience. It’s closer to Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous than Grizzly Adams.

We rented one of the many beautiful summer homes available through DestinationLeavenworth.com, a Leavenworth property rental company that specializes in upscale vacation retreats. Called the Big Jim Mountain Lodge, our rental is located only four miles from the town of Plain, 12 minutes from Lake Wenatchee State Park and 30 minutes from Stevens Pass or Leavenworth.

The Big Jim Mountain Lodge is a big, fancy log home, just like those places you see in magazines and on TV encouraging you to build a log home and adopt a different lifestyle. No need in this case to make the major investment in construction — you and another couple or family could rent the place for the price of a couple of nice hotel rooms. It’s perfect for someone who’s always had a log home in the back of their mind, or for someone who just wants to pretend they can afford to own a premium vacation home that’s nicer than most primary residences.

In case you’re wondering how it got its name, Big Jim Mountain Lodge features a stunning view of Big Jim Mountain, named after the famous mountaineer, Jim Whittaker. The mountains of the Chiwaukum range are incredibly beautiful, and exploring the area around Plain will give you ample opportunity to soak up the best views that Nature has to offer.

The Big Jim Mountain Lodge is logs from top to bottom, top-quality construction that will be incredibly appealing to anyone who loves log homes. Nobody skimped when they built this place and, unlike many log homes that show logs on the outside, but then cover them up with sheetrock on the inside, Big Jim is a log home through and through. It all helps create that woodsy feel that we especially enjoy when we’re staying in the mountains.

The lodge sleeps up to eight people and there are all the comforts of home, including a full kitchen, as well as a living and dining area. The master bedroom has a king-size bed and an en suite master bath. A second bath also is located on the first floor, and upstairs are two bedrooms and a recreation room.

The house lends itself to a lot of fun family time, playing games, cooking together, enjoying movies together, soaking in the hot tub or playing lawn games. Drive the short distance into Plain and it’s fun to explore this quiet little village and browse the country store. If you don’t want to cook, you can find good food at the local restaurant.

As we mentioned, Leavenworth is just a short distance to the south and an easy drive if you want to spend part of the day in town. If you head northwest, you’ll come to Lake Wenatchee, one of North Central Washington’s most popular lakes for recreation. Fishing, hiking and boating are popular on the lake and the views from Lake Wenatchee State Park are spectacular.

But, for many, the still of the forest is enticing enough to stay at Big Jim Mountain Lodge for a good part of their getaway, an ideal place to catch up with friends or family, relax or just read a good book.