Question:  What time is breakfast and how formal is it?

There is no breakfast, at least not as most B&B guests imagine it to be.  There is no required time to show up for breakfast with other guests, because that's not how we do things at la place.  You don't have to place an order the night before for breakfast to be delivered at a certain time either-that's not what we're about.  La place is about relaxing, not having a schedule and doing things on your own time, not ours.  We are about privacy and intimacy, sipping a latte' on your balcony or an OJ in the treehouse gazebo on the main deck.  If your main focus is an elaborate breakfast with strangers, we would be happy to recommend several wonderful bed and breakfasts who do it that way.  But if you want to be alone, on your own, this is where you belong. Many of our guests are first timers to a B&B experience, and after staying here insist they would never try it any other way. 

Question:  What time is check-out?

We try to be flexible about that. I know a lot of B&B's want people out of their rooms by eleven, so they can clean up for the next guests. If we don't have someone checking into your unit later that day we make every effort to allow guests to stay late-we know how hard it is to leave. In a worst case scenario we have had guests put their luggage in the car, let them hang out by the pool, shower in our bathroom and then head out.

Question: Are we allowed to be in the living room and on the deck or should we stay in our rooms?

The entire property and grounds are at your disposal.  Feel free to relax in the Great Room, lounge on the deck, read in the hammock under the trees or swim in the spa. If you like to garden Lyndee would be happy to do a walkthrough with you, identifying plants, how well they do in our very acidic soil and even send home cuttings, when asked. 

Question: Is there a time at night we need to be in by, so we don't keep you up?

Of course not.  We lock up the main entrance of the house whenever we turn in.  However, each suite has a private entrance so you can come and go as you like.  When coming in late at night we ask that you respect the quiet of la place and continue your celebration upon arriving in your suite.  Automatic lights all over the property go off at midnight in the summer, so take a flashlight if you plan to be out later.

Question:  How much privacy and quiet can I expect at la place?

As much as you want.  Each suite has its own private entrance.  None of the rooms have walls in common.  None of the units involve shared bath, except when the guests of the Scarlet Suite need an additional bed for an accompanying guest, and this impacts only them. Conversation does not carry through the walls, as each suite is in a different wing or even separate building. Many of the guests "meet up" in the evening around the outdoor fire pit and share their day's experiences and maybe a little wine.

Question: Can we walk on the beach or is that trespassing?

Beach rules in Washington vary by area so thanks for asking first.  I have heard, for example, that on Bainbridge Island waterfront properties include beach rights to the low tide mark.  So, if you wanted to walk around the island, theoretically you'd have to slog in about twelve inches of water to keep from getting arrested.  On Place Road the property holders own beach rights up to the high tide mark.  As long as you walk below that line you are not trespassing and are respecting the privacy of the owners here at the beach.  Plan your walks accordingly (tide tables are listed in the local phone book)--the beach is steep and treacherous at high tide, plus, if you can see the people in their homes, be aware they can see you too and are wondering if you're about to steal their lawn furniture. Also, should you meet any wildlife, even if they seem to be in trouble, do not touch them or move them.  We have neighbors who are official beach watchers, trained by the county in what should and shouldn't be done and we always consult them if we have questions.

Question:  What surprises you most about dealing with people?

What a small world it really is. I mean SMALL. For example, the guest who's from Switzerland but it turns out you attended high school with her baby brother.  Or our very first guest, who said he was a retired music teacher from the Issaquah school district.  And Lyndee says, "My dad was a retired music teacher from the Bremerton school district."  And although Lyndee's dad has been dead since 1989 the guest warmed her heart when he immediately responded to who her dad was (well-known Washington jazz educator Dr. Ralph Mutchler), with "I knew Ralph.  Everyone knew Ralph."  Or the guest from Chicago who knew EXACTLY where the street Allen grew up in Chicago was.  Or, "You lived in the Bay Area? When? Where?" and another point in common is found.  Lyndee teases her mom, Marilyn Mutchler, who taught kindergarten in the Bremerton area for nearly thirty years, that no one has every knocked on the door saying, "I had Mrs. Mutchler for kindergarten, do you know her?"  Then there was the guest who knew Lyndee grew up in Bremerton and still had siblings there, without knowing her maiden name said, "Are you related to Chris Mutchler?"  It's just too fun.

Question: Is having a bed & breakfast type set-up something you always dreamed of?

Never in a million years.  For one thing, Lyndee hates mornings. Allen takes the "first shift", if anyone should need anything first thing in the morning. There is another B&B owner in town and she and Lyndee think it should be called "bed and brunch".  We personally prefer "bed and beach"!  Before retirement, "in our other life" we entertained a lot.  Moving back to Washington after being away since graduation from college didn't lend itself to much entertaining-we didn't know anyone any more.  But we love to have people over, we love to entertain and this was a way to do both and make new friends. And if you want to talk/hang out at 2 a.m. Lyndee's got that shift covered.

Question:  How did you come up with the name of your property? 

During Prohibition this neighborhood was quite a distance from town.  Depending on who tells the story there was either a speakeasy or house of ill repute or perhaps both down on the beach.  Locals would speak in a sort of code, referring to a trip out to the speakeasy as "Going to The Place."  When the road had enough residents to be named, it was called The Place, for example your address might 1086 The Place, Port Angeles, etc.  We're sorry they changed it to Place Road-because this little bay truly is The Place.  We wanted to respect the history of the area so deliberately chose not to call ourselves The Place.  However, we do have a French last name and Place is spelled the same in French, altho pronounced differently.  Therefore, we are la place (pronounced plass) sur la mer (mare), the place by the sea.

Question: What do you mean when you say you are the only B&B that is truly on the beach?

In Clallam and Jefferson counties there is a lot more high bank waterfront than low, thanks to the last ice age which carved Puget Sound and Hood Canal.  There are several wonderful B&B properties who are high bank waterfront, and on a clear day have phenomenal views, but they have no actual beach access. Depending on which suite you choose, at la place you could be as close as 50 steps from the beach! 

Question: How come the Love Nest doesn't have satellite TV?

Judicious pruning and removal of dead and dying trees has changed the view of the southern sky, a clear view being required for satellite reception.  In deep winter when no deciduous trees have leaves on the hillside we get a faint signal.  We have hundreds of DVD's but if you are planning to be here on a Sunday during football season and want to see Sunday Ticket, reserve one of the suites on the main grounds.

Question:  What's the deal with all the rabbit decorating around the grounds and in the Love Nest?

Our last name is French for bunny.  Lyndee started collecting and you know how those little critters can multiply!