The Book Lover’s Hideaway

Front entrance

I’m handed a key that I see as a magical skeleton key to the Herman Melville room and make my way up three flights with luggage in tow. Each step creaks as expected of an old coastal home. Once inside, I admire the intimate decor and peak out the window to a foggy ocean view before grabbing my latest read. The library living room invites guests to cozy up, complete with lap blankets and a house cat named Shelley. In the late evening, guests are provided a Pacific Northwest treat: warm mulled wine, carefully concocted with wine from local vineyards. The warm liquid complements my perfect first day and I quickly float off to dreamland.

The next morning, breakfast is served buffet style in the restaurant downstairs appropriately named The Table of Contents. Local artisans bake sweet treats, organic fruits and vegetables are pulled from nearby gardens bringing to the table the freshest of ingredients. If you stay for dinner, select menu options are relayed to the chef a few hours prior. The meal is served family style with guests being encouraged to get to know one another with games like Two Truths and a Lie. Desserts like the seasonal mulberry rose ice cream atop a hazelnut pear crumble reminds me of the simple days of my youth, carefree and fun.  

With a full belly, the adventure of a new day begins. The first treasure I seek is a kite. I haven’t thought of kite flying since childhood but suddenly I feel nostalgic to seek out a sky flying toy on this wondrous cool, crisp morning. 

Hotel on the beach, just steps from the ocean

Other nearby sites include the Yaquina Head Lighthouse with optional tour. The 114-step climb to the top is worth the view of the coastline and a peek at the inter-workings of the operational light at the top still in use today. The Oregon Coast Aquarium and Sea Lion Caves are fun day trips too. But if you are anything like me, I’m intrigued by local artisans with talents such as glass blowing and driftwood carving or prefer a horse back ride on the sand. To me, those are the experiences that are authentic to the Pacific Northwest.

Plan your book’scape:

Reservations by phone only: 1-888-795-8422. There is no elevator on site and a limited number of rooms available on the first floor.

Disclosure: For those with cat allergies- very friendly house cat roams leisurely and has been known to cuddle.

All photos credited to my friend Janet Patterson – immense gratitude for making the drive to Newport to capture a “moody” photo for sole purpose of this blog post.