FEATURED JOB OPENING: Boutique Innkeeping Couple – 20-Room Island Property - Friday Harbor, WA

About the Opportunity

Discovery Inn is seeking an articulate, highly organized, heart-centered couple with a passion for customer service to lead daily operations at our boutique 20-room property in beautiful Friday Harbor. Working directly alongside the hands-on owners, you will oversee reservations, prepare and stage rooms for arriving guests, extend a warm welcome upon check-in, manage property logistics and inventory, direct small support teams, and serve as the inviting, polished face of our inn.

Our property operates with a focused lodging model: 20 very comfortable guest rooms without the complications of any food service component.  

Our most successful team members have come from non-traditional hospitality backgrounds—such as social work, real estate, client relations, counseling, project management, or professional service fields. If you possess a genuine passion for serving people, take deep pride in maintaining beautiful environments, and find personal fulfillment in delighting guests and exceeding expectations, this role offers an exceptional lifestyle pivot.

We are intentionally seeking a long-term partnership (3-5+ year potential) with a couple looking for a stable, multi-year home in the Pacific Northwest.

What Makes This Role Exceptional

Boutique Scale with Purpose: Oversee an intimate property designed for high-touch service, allowing you to build genuine connections with guests and take hands-on pride in our physical space. We delight in exceeding our guests expectations.

An Inspiring Lifestyle & Community: Live and work in the heart of San Juan Island, surrounded by a vibrant arts, theater, and live music community, world-class marine wildlife, and pristine coastal landscapes.

Balanced & Sustainable Workload (~3,120 Combined Hours Annually):

Summer Peak (~6 Months): Intense and demanding (~80 combined hours/week; 40 hrs/wk per person) as you manage peak guest volume and active daily turnarounds.

Winter Off-Peak (~6 Months): Generous downtime (~40 combined hours/week; 20 hrs/wk per person) with flexible winter vacation allowances to recharge, travel, or pursue personal projects.

Long-Term Partnership & Security: Work directly with supportive owners who value your contributions and are committed to a multi-year relationship with tenure incentives and performance bonuses.

Comprehensive Financial Package:

$75,000 annual cash base ($6,250/month combined).

Performance & Tenure Bonuses: End-of-season performance incentives plus a structured annual tenure bonus scaling with each year of service.

Private On-Site Housing: Provided living quarters with all utilities, high-speed internet, and amenities 100% covered (qualifies under IRC §119 tax-free lodging).

Total package value exceeds $100,000+/year.

Profile of the Ideal Candidate Team

Heart for Service & Delighting Guests: A sincere love for helping people. You find genuine joy in small gestures, anticipate guest needs before they arise, and thrive on creating memorable, magical stays.

Polished Yet Grounded: Equally comfortable engaging in sophisticated conversation with guests as you are rolling up your sleeves for the humbler physical work of running an inn—from stripping rooms, hauling linens, and folding laundry to light maintenance.

Attention to Detail & Standards: A commitment to executing the owners' aesthetic vision and keeping all rooms, grounds, and common areas in pristine, welcoming condition.

Sophisticated Communication & Empathy: Honest, authentic, and high in emotional intelligence. You listen actively, connect effortlessly with guests from all walks of life, and handle challenges with grace and calm authority.

Active & Energetic: High energy for the fast-paced high season, comfortable with a hands-on operational role that requires being active throughout the day, including navigating multiple flights of stairs across the property.

Organized & Detail-Oriented Operations: Strong administrative, inventory management, and project coordination skills. Experienced in supervising small teams (housekeeping, grounds, vendors) with clarity, encouragement, and high standards.

Background & Credentials: A college degree is preferred. Backgrounds in client-facing or advocate roles (real estate, social work, corporate account management, education, or luxury service) translate exceptionally well.

Key Responsibilities

Guest Hospitality & Care: Provide attentive, high-touch service—handling check-ins, reservations, thoughtful concierge recommendations, and surprising guests with small touches that turn a good stay into an unforgettable one.

Inventory, Team & Project Management: Keep supplies fully stocked, manage vendor relationships, schedule and lead small housecleaning/maintenance staff, and oversee minor property improvement projects.

Hands-On Property Operations: Take direct pride in physical upkeep—stripping linens, managing laundry, assisting with room turnarounds, maintaining park-like grounds (gardens, spa area, facilities), and running daily front-office logistics under owner guidance.

Owner Partnership: Collaborate closely with owners to execute daily logistics, maintain the property's design standards, and uphold our top-rated reputation.

Location & Island Living

San Juan Island offers an incredible quality of life: a close-knit community, world-class marine wildlife, serene hiking, and a rich arts scene. The manageable winter schedule balances the busy summer months and allows you to truly experience the peace, culture, and beauty of island living.