sgirlie

I'm going to need a quiet break over the 4 day Thanksgiving holiday (just me!). Does anyone have any ideas for a place within a 3 hour drive of Seattle that would be relaxing? My druthers are a self-sufficient unit with kitchen and fireplace, with a veiw (water's best, mountains ok). I'll want to go for walks, read books, etc. Just a nice, quiet Northwesty kind of place. Help?

montyw

Try Skamania Lodge on the Columbia, or Aloha B&B in Gig Harbor. Two places we loved!

jimshep

Without reservation I recommend an ocean view room in Cannon Beach, OR. It's 200 miles from Seattle, but well worth the 4-hour drive. If you insist on a 3-hour drive, go to Ocean Shores, WA, but, even with an ocean view there, you won't have the connection to the ocean that you will get in Cannon Beach.

sgorces

Lonesome Cove Resort, San Juan Islands. Right on low bank waterfront on the north end of the Island. Rustic, but comfortable cabins with small kitchens.

Juan de Fuca cottages on the bluff above the straight just north of Sequim. Great views. A bit easier to access than San Juan Islands. Good access to shops and services in Sequim for when you get tired of being self-sufficient.

I adore Skamania Lodge as recommended above by montyw, but no facilities for self-sufficiency. If you like the idea of the Gorge, you might consider Columbia Gorge Riverside Lodge instead. Not quite as upscale as Skamania Lodge, but nice and with kitchens. Good location although the entire Gorge does have some nightime train traffic.

Enjoy!

sgirlie

jimshep, what places do you reccommend in Cannon Beach? Most of them are ridiculously overpriced...???

jimshep

You're right--ocean view rooms in Cannon Beach command top dollar because the views are spectacular and because Cannon Beach is a short drive from Portland. Check www.surfsand.com and ask about rooms in the North Building or the small rooms in the main building that face north.

kimamom

sgirlie, aren't the rooms on off-season now? Cannon Beach has many places to stay. I would think the rates should be pretty good this time of year.

If all goes well, we hope to spend several days on the coast in November!

Astoria is a place you may want to check out, located right on the Columbia River. A wonderful place to relax with lots of charm and history. www.oldoregon.com ***kim***

10530

But Victoria doesn't have the ocean views you want.

10530

Excuse me--Astoria.

kimamom

Waters water, Jim! LOL The Columbia River is beautiful as is the ocean. Astoria is a quiet, very Northwesty kind of place the OP is requesting.

sgirlie, there is also a wonderful spa there, Columbia River Day Spa if you like that kind of pampering. I had the best pedicure of my life there this summer. Our entire family went for pedicures, massages, algae baths in the Geisha tub. Very relaxing! Also, lots of great places to eat if you're a foodie! ***kim***

BTilke

There are a few self catering units in Port Townsend, I believe the Morgan Hill Guest Cottage gets excellent reviews. The Harborside motel has fridges and microwaves in its rooms and you'd have your own balcony directly overlooking the water. The Swan Inn has lots of atmosphere and is right on the marina at the end of Water Street. PT also has several nice little restaurants and cafes, walking trails, etc. You could also take in a performance at the local jazz bar, etc.
I love Cannon Beach, but to drive all that distance (no way you could get there within three hours or Astoria either, for that matter) when you have places like PT closer to home strikes me as a "coals to Newcastle" kind of suggestion.

Fodorite018

I love Cannon Beach, and Jim's suggestion of the Surfsand. But I also adore Port Townsend and the Morgan Hill Guest Cottage! That would be a perfect place to go relax and it is pretty close by. When we lived in the Seattle area we stayed there for an anniversary and it was wonderful!

sgirlie

Thanks for the ideas, everyone. I have often stayed in Cannon Beach, at the Sea Sprite, but they're getting too darn expensive now for a single person to bear all that cost. Jimshep, you're right about why they're expensive, I just wish the WA coast was as nice, as it is a long drive to Cannon Beach from Seattle, especially on a holiday weekend when the roads are jammed.

Kim, you're right, overall prices are lower this time of year, except for holidays, including Thanksgiving, where they jack the prices up equal to summer rates.

BTilke, I do love Port Townsend, too, and will think about it. No crashing waves, though... ;-)

kimamom

Hmm...I'll keep that in mind for our beach cottage rental in Seaside! LOL Hopefully, we'll be the ones staying in it,tho!

We enjoy the WA coast. There are lots of yummy places to eat in that area. 42nd Street Cafe, Shoalwater, The Sanctuary, The Ark. The WA beaches are nice for kite flying and riding/walking the beautiful paths that run along the ocean there. Have you considered a stay at the Shelburne Inn in Seaview? www.shoalwater.com ***kim***

jimjim

The best deal I could find in Cannon Beach with a view and fireplace is at The Hallmark...room with queen bed, balcony, and NW view (toward the lighthouse) for $117.23 at the discounted seasonal rate. It seems you have to click the $117.23 option to get the rate.

kimamom

That's a great price, sgirlie, if you want to stay in CB, jump on this offer. The Hallmark is very nice and oceantfront.

Have a bowl of clam chowder and a crabmelt at Mo's! ***kim***

sgirlie

I'm trying to place the Hallmark resort. Is the Hallmark north or south of that river that crosses the beach? Meaning, will I be able to walk out the door and head out for a long walk, or will I have to go through town to get past that river?

jimjim

It is south of the river (which isn't much o0f a river--it was less than an inch deep when I visited last month). You can take nice long walks and explore the tide pools around Haystack Rock. I like to walk south to Stephanie Inn or north to the shopping district. Wayfarer restaurant (the snapper is good) is nearby and so is a new bistro located where JP's used to be.

kimamom

There's also Cafe Mango, which served really good halibut when we ate there in the summer. We dined on their very small patio which overlooks the town. Great views from up there, it's upstairs and on the corner! ***kim***

jimjim

Kim, Does Cafe Mango bring out tablecloths for dinner? Is the service friendlier than the grim woman who greeted me when I peeked in to check the place out? Jim