Upper Crust Oregon Coast

For those who don’t mind sand in the sheets as long as they’re 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton, the Oregon coast offers an array of high-end lodging where sea air and spectacular views are standard amenities. Now beachcombers can have their coast and caviar too. (But perhaps you’d prefer salmon or Dungeness crab?)

Here are four beach properties that regularly show up on national “best” lists. All have spectacular locations, including the world’s smallest harbor (Depoe Bay), a beautiful south coast seascape (Bandon), a bank of the Wild and Scenic Rogue River (Gold Beach), and overlooking the monolithic Haystack Rock (Cannon Beach).

The Ocean Lodge
With its superb beachfront location, private balconies overlooking Haystack Rock and in-room Jacuzzi tubs and fireplaces, The Ocean Lodge has become synonymous with romantic weekends. Though it may be tough to break away from toasts on the balcony, take time to walk into the heart of Cannon Beach, which has a great little theatre playhouse, cedar-shingled boutiques and art galleries and an abundance of divine cafes, bakeries and restaurants.

The Channel House
All the components of an awesome experience are within reach in any of the oceanfront rooms or suites. First, turn on the CD player and let the mellow music waft out to the deck. Next, select an Oregon wine or craft beer and set your glasses next to the hot tub. The sight of a spouting whale may be an added bonus as you slip into the bubbling water.

The view from The Channel House, which is perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean and the narrow channel into Depoe Bay at the Central Oregon coast, could be improved only if it were on a rock in the middle of the ocean. Flipping through the bedside journal reveals just how many guests are treated to whale sightings (a lot!), not to mention a bird’s-eye view of the town’s fishing fleet at work. All that and comfort too. Curl up on a couch in front of the gas fire. Later, sink into the sybaritic luxury of a Tempur-Pedic mattress. In the morning, get a table by the window in the downstairs breakfast room. Over fresh fruit and homemade pastries, you may spot another whale or two.

Bandon Dunes
For the golfer, it doesn’t get much better than this. With the Pacific Ocean as a dramatic backdrop, the gently sloping fairways are designed in the traditional Scottish way, with verdant turf covering sandy ground.

Atop a hill, with a view of the crashing waves, the manse-like lodge houses guestrooms, a restaurant, bar, gift shop, gallery, business center, fitness center, sauna, Jacuzzi and massage rooms. Next door to the cedar-shingled building are the pro shop and a pub.

Most of the rooms are in complexes spread out over the 2,000-acre resort, including separate cottages with gas fireplaces, walk-in showers and jetted tubs. Shuttle buses transport golfers to the three courses (the newest, Bandon Trails, is now open for play), the practice area, the cottages or back to the lodge. For non-golfers there are several marked trails, including a one-mile walk to the beach over gorse-covered sand dunes.

The food served at the restaurant and pub is particularly good and fresh. Your salmon was likely caught in Bandon, just a few miles away.

The Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge
The Native American name is pronounced “too tootin’” and it means “people by the water.” It’s an apt name for the 35-year-old Craftsman-style inn, which is all about the water.

There’s water, water everywhere, at least from the poolside terrace and each of the 20 rooms’ private decks. The Rogue River ripples by on its journey to the Pacific Ocean, just seven miles away, and is such an important part of the Tu Tu’ Tun experience that the six soaking tubs don’t have jets – the noise would drown out the soothing river song.

The rooms are cozy but with ample space for in-room massages. The fireplaces have tinder, kindling and sweet-smelling wood ready to light. There are no TVs—all the more reason to relax with a glass of wine and a good book.

From May through October the lodge’s stellar chef serves remarkable dinners at the round dining tables next to the wine bar. Another option nearby is Spinners, which overlooks the ocean and serves an extensive menu of seafood and steak (try the cedar-planked salmon with Pinot noir sauce).

Back at Tu Tu’ Tun, socializing over glasses of Oregon’s best wines continues on the terrace around two fire pits. Stay up late and stargaze, or just close your eyes, listen to the river and dream of your next trip back. - Susan G. Hauser