Rosario Resort on Orcas Island reopens, promises new amenities

After a quick closure and an possession change, Orcas Island’s Rosario Resort has partially reopened to visitors because the busy summer season season approaches. 

The resort’s new proprietor, Empower Investing, mentioned Wednesday it can instantly start working and taking reservations for lodging, weddings, occasions and the marina. The Moran Mansion, which homes the resort’s restaurant and spa, stays closed for renovations.

Rosario’s new house owners are hinting at massive adjustments for the property however thus far maintaining specifics mum, saying they’re “centered on plans so as to add many different facilities to the property and can announce them as they’re prepared.”

Empower Investing founder Chris Robison mentioned in an interview he plans some further housing and lodging on the website, however he was cautious to not provide particulars as a result of plans are “not set in stone but.”

“The high-level imaginative and prescient is we perceive Orcas Island and the distinctive group it’s, so [we are] leaning into that and preserving this piece of historical past,” mentioned Robison, who moved to the island in 2016. “We’re not making it a Cancun-style resort.”

The corporate plans to maintain adjustments “in alignment with the vibe and the tradition of the island,” Robison mentioned.

The historic waterfront resort closed quickly in February and laid off 45 workers because it transitioned to a brand new proprietor. It’s unclear what number of of these workers the resort will rehire. 

The sale will happen over a number of transactions, with the primary portion closing this week for $6.65 million, in line with county property data. The entire value will likely be greater than $20 million, Robison mentioned.

An possession transition for one of many San Juan Islands’ well-known resorts is a uncommon occasion. “It’s not simply uncommon, it’s completely distinctive [when] properties like this come up,” Compass agent Kevin Ranker, who represented the consumers, mentioned in an interview. 

However adjustments to the 84-acre property will take time. Robison didn’t have an estimate for when the mansion would reopen, and different renovations might take years. “None of those adjustments will likely be speedy.”