If you’ve ever spent an hour circling the downtown core of a city like Bellingham looking for a parking spot that doesn't cost a fortune, you know the immediate relief of pulling into a wide, open lot. That is the first thing you notice about the Four Points by Sheraton Bellingham. It isn't trying to be a boutique art-deco experiment in a cramped alleyway. It’s big. It’s accessible. It sits right off I-5, which sounds like it might be noisy, but honestly, once you’re inside, the transition from the roar of the freeway to the quiet of the lobby is pretty striking.
Most people heading to the "City of Subdued Excitement" are torn between two worlds. You either want the rugged, salty air of Fairhaven or the functional, "I need to get to my meeting/flight/ferry" vibe of the commercial district. This hotel occupies a weirdly perfect middle ground. It’s literally minutes from Western Washington University (WWU) and the airport, but it doesn't feel like a sterile transit hub.
What Actually Sets the Four Points by Sheraton Bellingham Apart?
Let’s be real. A lot of mid-tier hotels feel like carbon copies of each other. You’ve seen one beige carpet, you’ve seen them all. But the Bellingham Four Points has a bit of a local soul that usually gets sucked out of franchise properties. A big part of that is the food and beverage situation. B-Town Kitchen & Raw Bar isn't just a "hotel restaurant" where you go because you're too tired to leave. Local Bellinghamsters actually show up here for the oysters.
Think about that for a second.
In a town with as many incredible eateries as Bellingham—we’re talking about a place with serious culinary street cred—a hotel restaurant holding its own is a feat. They do this Asian-fusion-meets-Pacific-Northwest thing that actually works. The fish is fresh, often sourced from the cold waters nearby, and the atmosphere isn't that depressing, fluorescent-lit breakfast nook you find in budget motels. It’s got a bit of swagger.
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Then there’s the Chinuk. It’s their other on-site spot, focusing more on that classic Northwest comfort food. If you’ve been hiking Oyster Dome or wandering around Larrabee State Park all day, you don’t want a deconstructed foam appetizer. You want a burger or a solid piece of salmon. They get that.
The Logistics: Why Location is the Secret Weapon
People underestimate how spread out Bellingham can feel if you're stayin' on the wrong side of Lakeway Drive. If you’re at the Four Points by Sheraton Bellingham, you’re basically at the geographic heart of the city's utility.
- WWU Parents: You are less than two miles from campus. When graduation hits or move-in weekend turns the city into a chaotic mess of U-Hauls, being this close—but just far enough away to escape the student housing noise—is a massive win.
- The Canadian Factor: Let’s talk about our neighbors to the north. For folks coming down from British Columbia for a shopping weekend or a flight out of BLI, this is the default HQ. It’s right there. You hop off the freeway, crash, and you’re five minutes from the Bellis Fair Mall or the airport.
- Business Travelers: The hotel has about 14,000 square feet of meeting space. That’s huge for this region. It’s why you’ll often see regional tech conferences or government summits happening in the ballrooms. It’s the "big" hotel in a town that likes to think small.
The pool is another thing. It’s indoors, which is a non-negotiable in the Pacific Northwest unless you enjoy swimming in 50-degree rain. It’s heated, it’s large enough for actual laps, and it doesn't smell overwhelmingly like a chemical plant. Kids love it; lap swimmers tolerate it. It works.
Room Realities and What to Expect
Let's skip the marketing fluff. The rooms are what you’d expect from a Sheraton property—clean, predictable, and featuring those Four Points "Four Comfort" beds. They’re plush. If you like a firm mattress that feels like a board, you might struggle here, but for the 90% of us who want to sink into a cloud after a long drive, it’s great.
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One thing to keep in mind: because the hotel is so close to the freeway, you want to ask for a room on the side facing away from I-5 if you’re a light sleeper. The soundproofing is decent—honestly, it's better than most—but those heavy timber trucks heading to the port don't care about your REM cycle. The staff is usually pretty cool about accommodating these requests if the hotel isn't at 100% capacity.
The suites are surprisingly sprawling. If you’re traveling for work and need to actually spread out blueprints or just don't want to eat pizza on your bed, the extra square footage is worth the upgrade. They have a bit of a classic, almost traditional PNW aesthetic—lots of dark woods and warm tones.
Why the "Best Brews" Program Matters
Sheraton has this thing called "Best Brews." Usually, these corporate programs feel forced. But in Bellingham? It’s a match made in heaven. Bellingham is a world-class beer town. We’re talking about structures of hops and barley that rival Portland or Seattle.
The hotel leans into this. They rotate local taps, so you aren't just stuck with a generic light lager from a national brand. You can actually get a taste of the local brewery scene—stuff from Kulshan, Wander, or Boundary Bay—without having to find a designated driver to take you downtown. It’s a small detail, but it shows they actually pay attention to the culture of the city they’re in.
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A Quick Reality Check on Pricing
Bellingham isn't as cheap as it used to be. As the city has grown into a tech and outdoor recreation hub, hotel prices have spiked. The Four Points by Sheraton Bellingham usually sits in that "mid-to-high" range. You aren't paying the premium of a waterfront boutique, but you aren't getting a bargain-basement rate either.
You’re paying for the reliability. You’re paying for the fact that the fitness center actually has functional equipment and the WiFi doesn't cut out every time you open a Zoom call. For a lot of people, especially those traveling for business or with family, that peace of mind is worth the extra twenty bucks over a budget lodge down the road.
Exploring From Your Basecamp
If you’re staying here, don't just stay in the room. You’re in a prime spot to explore.
- Whatcom Falls Park: It’s a five-minute drive away. You can see some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state without even having to break a sweat. The stone bridge there is a local icon.
- Mount Baker: If you’re here in the winter, you’re about an hour and twenty minutes from some of the deepest snow in North America. The Four Points serves as a great "jumping off" point where you can sleep in comfort before heading up the mountain.
- The Waterfront: The city is currently undergoing a massive redevelopment of the old Georgia-Pacific mill site. It’s turning into a park with a seasonal track for bikes and outdoor beer gardens. It’s about a 6-minute Uber ride from the lobby.
The Verdict on Four Points by Sheraton Bellingham
It’s the reliable workhorse of the Bellingham hotel scene. It’s not the place you go for a "hidden gem" or a "quirky" experience. You go because you want a massive bed, a great shower, a top-tier oyster bar in the lobby, and the ability to get anywhere in town in under ten minutes.
It handles the basics with a level of professionalism that smaller spots sometimes miss. Whether it's the 24-hour fitness center or the fact that they actually have a shuttle service that works, it takes the friction out of travel.
Actionable Insights for Your Stay:
- Join Marriott Bonvoy: Even if you aren't a frequent traveler, the points at this property add up fast, and members often get better access to those "quiet side" rooms away from the freeway.
- Check the Event Calendar: Before booking, see if there's a major WWU event (like Viking Days) or a large convention at the hotel. If there is, book your dinner table at B-Town in advance; it fills up with locals and guests alike.
- Airport Prep: If you’re flying out of BLI, ask about their "Park and Fly" packages. It’s often cheaper to stay one night and leave your car there than it is to pay for long-term airport parking.
- Ask for the Local Tap: Don't just order a "beer." Ask the bartender what the current seasonal rotation is for the Best Brews program. You’ll likely end up with a high-end local IPA you can't find anywhere else.
- Timing Your Arrival: Traffic on I-5 through Bellingham can get surprisingly snarled around 4:30 PM. Try to time your check-in for either earlier in the afternoon or after 6:00 PM to avoid the local commuter rush.