Review: The Marie Bed & Breakfast in Olympia

Originally published on The JOLT News on January 29, 2026

In 2025, I introduced you to Marie (aka the Marie Bed & Breakfast) and all the onesie and enchantment that exists in this local treasure. Immediately after I held the interview for that article, I booked a stay for my mom’s birthday week. At last, her birthday week came and we were able to enjoy our stay last weekend. Somehow, it exceeded my already high expectations. 

 The Walnut Suite 

Stepping into our suite, we were immediately taken with all of the beauty and coziness of it all, almost feeling as if we were in “Little Women.”  

Prior to our stay, I told innkeeper Emily Dunn that it was my mom‘s birthday, that we are both celiac, and that neither of us drink alcohol. Going above and beyond, Dunn left us little gifts to mark the occasion, including birthday flowers with a handwritten card, a gluten-free cake with vintage dessert plates, and a glass bottle of San Pellegrino with glasses. We felt so loved by these gestures! 

I specifically chose the Walnut Suite because of the historical interest: the private boudoir bathroom was once the room that held the old printing press in the house’s earlier years. In the midst of soaking in the tub and discussing my writing with my mom, I felt that incredible sense of history of being alive while the future was being written. All of time existed together in one space, it was very peaceful and joyful. 

 Experiencing the main house 

After we settled into our room, we began to explore everything held downstairs in the main house. You need a few minutes to soak in each room and enjoy all the little details in the antiques and decorations. Who needs Pinterest when you can just look around in a new space and find inspiration? I think that is what makes this space so satisfying; the tangibility of beauty and history that you can experience with all five of your senses.  

There is an area to the left of the main entrance where guests can enjoy coffee, tea and a little snack, even a mini fridge where guests are welcome to store things. Being a tea drinker myself, I loved looking at all the different options of Dee’s Teas they had available, including their own house blend.  

As silly as it might sound, I was really grateful for the little ice machine because it had miniature ice cubes similar to hospital grade that you can use for whatever. My family calls me a Nightly Ice Chomper and they’re not wrong, and so this is a pleasant surprise to come across. 

In the earlier part of our stay, we enjoyed perusing the bookshelves and playing games in the parlor. What caught my eye was the vintage late 19th century Regina Music Box (also called a Reginaphone), which made such lovely music. 

Much of a house is like a canvas entirely dedicated to painting our Olympia history. Last time I was at the Marie, the historical walkway was in development, and it was lovely to see the finished product during my stay. 

Breakfast 

Did you know that for a small fee you can arrange to have another personal guest join you for breakfast? We were so grateful to have my sister join us for this opportunity. All three of us are celiac and a few days prior to our stay, the Marie B&B staff deep cleaned the kitchen and withheld making bread in the kitchen until after we left.  

This was really touching because eating out can be anxiety inducing when you have a condition like celiac, but they accommodated us and did it so kindly and gracefully. It truly made a difference! 

Our breakfast appetizer consisted of their housemade granola, yogurt and berries. If the experience was not sweet enough, Dunn took a moment to dip some strawberries and chocolate and write “Happy B-Day” in chocolate on the plate. This made my mom feel like the birthday queen she is.  

The main course was polenta with mixed vegetables accompanied by poached eggs, bacon and gluten-free toast. The way the plate came together was so refreshing and beyond delicious.

Dunn’s cooking reminded me that creating meals that are delicious, pretty to look at and healthy all at the same time is a fine art. Dunn is a naturally talented chef, but the ingredient that stood out the most in her cooking was love, and that is what made the difference.  

 Maybe that’s the point of all of this — love is what makes the difference. We walked away from our stay feeling loved, and you will too! 

 Book your stay here.

https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/review-the-marie-bed-breakfast-in-olympia,27991