If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway in nature without the work of setting up a camp, Postcard Cabins by Marriott may be for you.
Postcard Cabins are small glamping cabins with dedicated outdoor space, including a picnic table, chairs, and a fire pit.
There are locations all over the United States within 1-2 hours of major cities.
They are solo-traveler, dog, and family-friendly, making them a great choice for a retreat, whether for a long weekend or more.
My Glamping With a Dog Experience
I had the pleasure of visiting the Postcard Cabins in Skagit Valley, Washington, for a long-weekend birthday getaway. I went solo with my pup, Puka. We drove from the south side of Seattle, and it took around 2 hours in rush-hour traffic to get across the city and to the cabin.
What drew me to stay here was the chance to travel with my dog and have outdoor space we could enjoy. I love being outside and in nature, but I’m not really a camping enthusiast. I don’t even own a tent. Glamping in a tiny cabin is the perfect mixture of nature and comfort for me.
Puka is almost 8 now and can’t adventure as he used to when he was younger. I have traveled extensively with my dog. In previous travels, we would hike and adventure outside from sunrise to sunset. It didn’t matter too much to me where we stayed because we barely spent any time at our lodging.
Now, the hikes are much shorter, the days go more slowly, and it’s nice to have lodging where we can be outdoors and relax.
I enjoyed my time at Postcard Cabins in Skagit Valley and would love to go back to visit again. It was nice to get away from the city and have a camp for my pup and me.
Why Choose Postcard Cabins?
Postcard Cabins are a great choice to be in nature without setting up a camp or having your own RV or camping van. You don’t need to travel with a ton of gear and the cabins come fully equipped with kitchens and cooking utensils.
They are close to major cities and allow for easy weekend getaways if you’re in a major metropolitan area.
They are dog-friendly (see pet policy here for fees and rules) so you can bring your best buddy along. Unlike hotels, your dog can relax easily outside at your campsite. The site I was at provided a lead to attach and allow my pup room to walk around the camp. I highly recommend bringing your own because that doesn’t appear consistent with all guests with dogs.
There’s also plenty of space to walk your dog around the camp. One of the things I don’t like about staying at hotels with my dog is that they are often located in weird places off the highway that don’t have walking trails, so you end up walking your dog around the parking lot.
Postcard Cabins are also family-friendly. You can get cabins that fit up to 4 people and/or rent multiple sites to allow for a larger family. The outdoor space allows for gathering as a family, and, depending on the property, there is a larger gathering area your family can use.
During my stay, there was a large family reunion where a large family booked multiple units across the camp and then had group gatherings in the common meadow with a grill.
What To Pack for Postcard Cabins
When packing for my getaway, I was unsure of what would be available at the cabin and overpacked.
From communication with the property, I gathered that there wouldn’t be any grocery stores or restaurants within 15 minutes of the property, so I came prepared to cook my own food. I prepared to cook over the fire pit; however, this was not allowed during wildfire season. A tabletop propane grill was provided in lieu of the fire pit, and I also cooked on the stove in the unit.
Here are things that were provided in the cabin:
- Tea pot
- Aluminum foil
- Toilet paper and paper towels
- Cooking utensils
- Frying pan
- Salt and pepper
- Cups/plates/bowls
- Drip coffee bag (almost like tea bags; there wasn’t a drip filter)
- Mini-fridge and stovetop
- 2 s’mores kits, which were small marshmallows and a chocolate-dipped cookie
- Tea bags
- Water bottles
- 1 bag of popcorn
- Soap/Shampoo/Conditioner
- A very small mirror (maybe 2 by 4 inches)
- Dish soap and a sponge
- Books
Things to consider packing:
- Clothes/underwear
- Sturdy shoes to walk around camp and explore
- Personal items/toiletries
- Hair dryer
- Bug spray/bug protection
- Sunscreen and sun protection (hat, glasses, etc)
- Food as needed/wanted for meals and snacks
- Oil/butter/seasonings for cooking
- Rain gear as needed per weather
- Extra towels and rags. Things got messy with cooking outside and exploring nature, and they only had 2 white towels; I was glad I brought some old towels with me to clean up.
- If you want to eat s’mores, bring your own supplies; the ones they provided were a joke
- Coffee if you are at all particular about coffee. I would also recommend bringing your own pour over or French Press.
- Dog bowls/treats/bed, etc. Also bring a long leash or tie you can attach outside so your pup can roam.
- If you need a mirror bigger than a couple of inches, bring that
- Books and other activities that you can do offline
Is There Staff to Help You?
Oddly, I didn’t see a single staff member the whole time I was on the property. All staff communication was done via text message. You get a message the day you check in that gives you your cabin name and a door code to access it.
During your stay, every morning I got a text asking if I needed any of my daily amenities updated. I asked for more towels and water daily, and they were dropped off in a box next to my cabin.
You can message the number and get a response, although I’m not sure if it’s actually from a staff member or AI.
That being said, you’re really on your own. You’re given a map of the property, told where you stay, and go from there. I was happy to have access to staff via texting even though I never saw anybody.
Final Thoughts
Postcard Cabins are a perfect choice for a getaway close to the city, yet out in nature. They are a great option for traveling with your dog and family.
Because the cabins are in nature, come prepared with food and the necessities for your stay. Take suggestions from the list above.
Finally, enjoy your time and use the retreat to relax and slow down