Hard work, posh accommodations and one of the best views in town have earned two Coupeville innkeepers national recognition.

Dave and Dianne Binder’s bed and breakfast on North Main Street, the Anchorage Inn, has been named one of the 10 best in the country. It beat out more than 11,000 other establishments in an annual contest put on by one of the industry’s leading online referral sites.

The Binders have won several honors over the past few years, from “breakfast of the year” to “best bed and breakfast in the Western United States,” but news of their most recent accomplishment was still unexpected.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Dave Binder said.

The contest, conducted by BedandBreakfast.com, used more than 50,000 customer reviews to tabulate this year’s winners, according to a news release. Sandy Soule, a highly recognized author and a spokeswoman for the bed and breakfast industry, said customer reviews are one of the most important considerations people make when deciding where to stay.

“We’re delighted that inngoers concur that the Anchorage Inn B&B is deserving of its accolades from travelers,” said Soule, in the news release. “Clearly, Dave and Dianne Binder earned stellar reviews from inngoers for its quality accommodations, breakfasts, amenities, and wonderful hospitality and service.”

The Binders do have a recipe for success and it starts with location. The Anchorage Inn sits on prime real estate on the corner of Ninth Street and North Main. Not only is it within walking distance to Coupeville’s waterfront shopping district, but as one of the tallest buildings in town its seven rooms have a commanding view of both Mount Baker and Penn Cove.

Other trade secrets are as obvious as they are simple: Excellent food and comfortable beds are a sure way to score points and a good review from customers. The power of keeping a clean house should also never be underestimated, Dianne Binder said.

“Cleanliness is next to godliness,” she said. “Customers are looking for clean, clean, clean.”

Sound business decisions, from developing a strong online presence to staying competitive (they haven’t raised their rates in five years) have also been a factor in their success. But, if you ask the Binders, there is one ingredient that far outweighs the rest and it is what keeps drawing the crowds.

“People come back again and again for Coupeville,” Dave Binder said.