The first thing I noticed when I arrived at The Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach, OR (besides the obvious beach-side proximity) was the inviting fragrant scent of wood burning in a large stone fireplace located in the lobby—nothing like the affection of a real-wood fireplace.  The next thing I noticed were the wonderfully distressed spruce hardwood floors and the finished structural wood beams…really makes you feel like you’re in a true, ol’ style “Beach Lodge.”

The check-in process at The Ocean Lodge is a bit informal, but more personal than a typical hotel…the folks taking care of the guests seem to play a dual role as both hotel clerk, and that of a concierge. They are there to assist you with anything to make your stay more enjoyable, from restaurant reservations to additional hotel services and amenities.

As my visit to The Lodge was during the holiday season, I found festive decorations throughout, including a lovely tree in the lobby adorned with wrapped gifts.  Comfortable leather chairs surround the fireplace for casual conversation and warmth.

It’s not really until you get to your room and look out the balcony windows that you are taken aback by the unbelievable view (as was in my case, not all rooms have ocean views).  What makes this ocean view different than others you may have born witness too, is the nonstop flood of waves—not just one after another, but almost one on top of another.  And then, there are the large “haystack” monument rock formations that pepper the shallow waters just off the beach that make for an unusual and breathtaking view.   Cannon Beach has some of the most pristine and expansive sandy beaches you’ll come across.  I also noticed the welcomingly odd void of any sort of sea debris…it’s just mocha smooth sand.

The rooms at The Ocean Lodge are comfortable with amenities that include a gas fireplace, whirlpool tub, lots of DVDs, small kitchenette (fridge, microwave, utensils and a coffee pot) and bathrobes, or housecoats as my Canadian friend likes to call them.  While the rooms are nice, I was a bit surprised by the use of modest/common building materials (in the rooms themselves), as the common areas are more luxurious—perhaps that was by design to add to the casual atmosphere.

The Lodge offers a continental breakfast for its guest with many fresh baked items; however it could be a bit more imaginative with its offerings…a few less sugary/carb options would be nice. Speaking of “fresh baked,” there is also a bottomless cookie jar located in the lobby for those late-night treats.  Coffee, cocoa and cider are also available.

If you like to travel with your pets, my understanding is that The Ocean Lodge is dog/pet friendly.  If you need additional room for larger families, they also have bungalow accommodations to choose from.  The proximity of The Lodge is really nice, it’s near a dead-end and a couple miles from town, so I would imagine during busy times of the year that it would be a bit less congested…it sure felt private and somewhat secluded during the off-season I was there.

The bottom line…The Ocean Lodge is a wonderful place for a romantic get-a-way, holiday or family vacation.  The beach and the views are second-to-none, service is outstanding and the accommodations are quite comfortable.

To view more pictures of The Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach, click here.  If you’ve stayed at The Ocean Lodge before, please let my readers and I know what you think by commenting below.

For information and reservations at The Ocean Lodge, click here. For bed and breakfasts in Oregon.