The Orcas Hotel has been residing above the ferry landing since 1904. It was built between 1900 to 1904 . The Van Moorhem family operated the hotel for a number of years, and Octavia Van Moorhem became well known for her delicous home cooking. It is said that Octavia still keeps an eye on the establishment, even after 100 years. Her cooking was so famous on the island that the hotel has a cafe with her name, "Octavias cafe".

Guests staying on the upper floor have heard disembodied footsteps, and have seen the apparition of a woman in an old-fashioned dress. The receptionist told me over the phone that a bride was looking in the mirror as she was finnishing up her last touches, when she saw someone else in her reflection standing behind her. Later on she identified the woman being the same as the picture hung in the common room, the aparition she saw was Octavia. 

Staff have also heard the cries of a spectral infant coming from INSIDE the walls of the building, with no apparent source. "Alayda" ( whom I spoke with over the phone) also stated that in one occassion, she was baking between the hours of 10:00pm and 12:30am all alone in the hotel and heard foot steps going up and down the stairs. Apparently, each room of the hotel has a journal for guests to record their ghostly experiences. We are looking forward to experiencing our own eerie phenomena and catching it on evp or film for you all! Stay tuned for our story at Orcas Hotel on San Juan Islands Washington.

written by Liss