Escape to Paradise: Cannon Beach's Ocean Lodge Awaits!

The Ocean Lodge Cannon Beach (OR) United States

Escape to Paradise: Cannon Beach's Ocean Lodge Awaits!

Escape to Paradise? Oh, Ocean Lodge, You Got My Number! (A Cannon Beach Confession)

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach, and my brain is still humming with ocean vibes and… well, a few slightly less zen experiences. This is not your polished, sanitized review. This is the real, unvarnished, “did they really have a doctor on call?” kind of deal. Consider this my Cannon Beach confessional.

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• Keywords: Cannon Beach, Ocean Lodge, Oregon Coast, Seaside, Beachfront Hotel, Accessible Hotel, Spa, Pool, Restaurant, Luxury Hotel, Family Friendly, Pet Friendly (Even though they might not be), Wi-Fi, Free Breakfast, Romantic Getaway, Family Vacation, Coastal Escape, COVID-Safe, Clean Hotel, Room with a View, Pacific Northwest, Lodging, Hotel Review.
• Meta Description: A brutally honest review of Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach, Oregon. Discover the highs, the lows, the slightly bonkers details, and whether it truly lives up to its "Escape to Paradise" billing. Accessibility, dining, spa, and COVID-19 safety protocols… we cover it all!

First Impressions: The Good, the Slightly Weird, and the "Did I Pack Enough Sunscreen?"

Pulling up to the Ocean Lodge is… striking. It’s got that classic, Pacific Northwest lodge aesthetic, all wood and glass and, well, the ocean right there. I was immediately struck by the view – truly breathtaking. I mean, Haystack Rock is just sitting there, like a giant, grumpy seabird. Now, getting in… that's where the first little cracks started to appear.

Accessibility: Okay, let's be real. I'm not in a wheelchair, but I'm acutely aware of accessibility because let's face it, good access benefits everyone. The website said it had accessible rooms. The elevator? Check. Ramps? Mostly. But navigating the corridors felt a little… maze-like. One minute you’re cruising, the next you're squeezing past a housekeeping cart. Still, generally good. They even ticked the box for all the essentials for disabled guests, which is awesome.

Rooms (Oh, the Rooms!)

Let’s talk room specifics. I’m pretty sure I scored a room with a partial ocean view, which was… mostly ocean. Definitely better than my usual view of a brick wall. They offer non-smoking rooms - which is a must. Inside, it was pretty. Clean, comfortable, classic. And I'm a sucker for blackout curtains. Saved me from some serious sun-induced crankiness after a long day on the beach! And the free Wi-Fi in all rooms? A godsend. Especially when you need to download a gazillion pictures of Haystack Rock.

The Little Things… and the "Wait, Is That a Thing?"

I loved having a coffee/tea maker in the room. Crucial for early mornings. And the robes? Plush. Slippers? Score! Oh, and the mini-bar… well alright let’s just say that I definitely sampled some of the local beverages. Don't judge! But there was a microwave in the room? That's a bit… unusual.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Where the Food Meets the View… Sort Of

Okay, food. This is where things get… interesting. The Ocean Lodge has a restaurant. Breakfast? Buffet. (Which, during a global pandemic, made me a little twitchy, I'll admit. But they clearly tried really hard.) A la carte was also an option, which was good. They had some serious essential condiments, which made me happy. Coffee shop? Check. Dessert in restaurant? Absolutely I will take dessert. The food was… generally good. International cuisine in restaurant. Western Cuisine? They had that too!

The Spa: Bliss and… Maybe a Slight Wait

The spa was… divine. Body wrap? Yes, please. Sauna? Hell yes. Massage? Oh, yes. I'm still floating, you know? Pool with a view? Don’t mind if I do. Steamroom… sigh. Pure bliss. But getting an appointment was a little bit of a scheduling dance. (Prioritizing time is key!) All in all? Totally worth it.

Fun Stuff: What to Do Besides Stare at Haystack Rock (Good luck with that!)

They said they have a fitness center. I never made it, but I heard it existed. The things to do, well, there's Cannon Beach. Beach, beach, beach. It's why you go! And while I don't think I saw a "shrine," I did see a whole lot of other people enjoying their vacations.

Safety, Cleanliness, and the COVID-19 Factor: Did They Pass the Test?

Okay, this is important. The Ocean Lodge seemed to be taking COVID seriously. Staff was masked, and staff trained in safety protocols. Hand sanitizer was everywhere. They had professional-grade sanitizing services. They had daily disinfection in common areas. Room sanitization opt-out available? I'm not sure, I didn't even think to ask. They're definitely trying.

The Quirks and the Slightly Annoying Bits

Look, no place is perfect. Here's a bit of truth. The parking situation was a little chaotic. Also, the elevator. It's slow. Like, excruciatingly slow, especially when you’re desperately needing that apres-beach shower. The "business facilities"? I didn't even see them. And I think they said they had a doctor on call, but I hope I'll never need it.

The Verdict: Escape to Paradise? Maybe, With a Grain of Salt

So, did I escape to paradise? Parts of it, yes. The Ocean Lodge is a beautiful hotel in a stunning location. It’s comfortable, generally clean, and the spa… oh, the spa. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

But it's not perfect. There are a few quirks and minor inconveniences that prevent it from being a flawless experience. But hey, isn't life like that? Beautiful, messy, and occasionally requiring a little patience? Cannon Beach and the Ocean Lodge? Definitely worth it. Just pack extra sunscreen and maybe, just maybe, a good book for those elevator waits. 🤷‍♀️

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The Ocean Lodge Cannon Beach (OR) United States

Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is a Cannon Beach survival guide, Ocean Lodge edition, fueled by coffee, existential dread about the impending doom of laundry day, and the sheer, unadulterated beauty of the Oregon coast.

The Ocean Lodge, Cannon Beach: A Slightly Unhinged Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival - The Tyranny of the Ocean (and a Really Nice Bed)

• 1:00 PM: Arrival and Initial Panic. Okay, first things first: Getting there. The drive. I swear, every time I hit Portland, I immediately lose all sense of direction and become convinced I'm driving in circles. Finally, finally, we're there. The Ocean Lodge. It's gorgeous, obviously. The lobby practically screams "coastal chic". And then the room… oh God, the room. That bed. I could sink into it and disappear for a week. This is already a win, even if I accidentally left my phone charger back in the city. Again.
• 1:30 PM: Infiltration and Initial Exploration. Luggage dumped (mostly), a frantic survey of the room, a quick test of the balcony view (breathtaking). The "ocean" part of "Ocean Lodge" is not an exaggeration. I swear, I've never seen a more dramatic, moody ocean. I'm already feeling emotionally overwhelmed, and I haven't even gotten to Haystack Rock yet.
• 2:00 PM: The Haystack Rock Pilgrimage (and a near-disaster). Okay, so. Haystack Rock. You've seen the pictures. Turns out, in person, it's even more majestic. The tide was going out, revealing these amazing tide pools. Kids were splashing. Tourists were snapping photos. Chaos. Beautiful, salty chaos. BUT… (deep breath)… I nearly lost my phone in the tide pools. I was SO mesmerized by a starfish that I almost dropped it. That would have been a disastrous, soul-crushing moment. Luckily, my reflexes (fueled by pure panic) kicked in. Lesson: pay attention to the ocean, but also pay attention to your expensive tech.
• 3:00 PM: Coffee and Contemplation. Back to the lodge. Coffee in hand (thank GOD for in-room coffee makers!), I settle on the balcony. Sun. Sea. Breaths. I can tell this is going to be the only place I'd feel safe, cozy, and relax.
• 6:00 PM: Dinner (a slight culinary existential crisis). The in-house restaurant, the Stephanie Inn Dining Room is the place to be. The food, the service, the view… it's all just ridiculous. I ordered the seafood (naturally), but then I started thinking about where the fish came from. And then I spiral: "Am I a bad person for eating this delicious, innocent creature?"… I pushed it down. Focused again. Ordered dessert to distract.
• 8:00 PM: Sunset Spectacle (and a mild existential breakdown). Sunset. Oh. My. God. The colors! The crashing waves! I swear, I could feel my entire being dissolving into the beauty of it all. I nearly burst into tears. Seriously. It was that overwhelming. And then I realized, with a jolt, that it's just… time. Time is still moving forward, and eventually, the sun will set on me, too. I know, it's dark, but it's just… reality. It was still beautiful.

Day 2: Exploration (and the relentless call of the beach)

• 8:00 AM: Rise and Shine (and a very slow start). Slept like a log. The bed is still my best friend. Drag myself out of it, and make a beeline for the balcony to absorb more of that glorious coastal light.
• 9:00 AM: The Cannon Beach Downtown Stroll (and the siren song of the shops). Time to wander the shops. Cute little boutiques and art galleries (expensive!). I'm not a big shopper, but I do love poking around and pretending I'm wealthy enough to buy that pottery. The fudge store calls to me with a siren song. I resist. (For now.)
• 11:00 AM: Ecola State Park - What the Actual Heck. After a quick, mediocre breakfast at a local cafe, I get to Ecola State Park. This is the point where I realize I should've packed better hiking boots. This hike is breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking. Trails that wind along the cliffside, glimpses of hidden coves, and that vast, untamed ocean stretching as far as the eye can see. I feel my soul slowly repairing itself.
• 1:00 PM: Picnic and Post-Hike Meltdown. Because I'm a genius, I packed a picnic. Okay, it's just a sandwich and an apple, but the view is a million-dollar view. I sit and eat my snack, feeling unbelievably content. Then, the wind picks up, and I start to feel cold. And I start to wonder if I should be doing more with my life than eating a sandwich in the rain. And basically, go wild. (I take a minute to recover.)
• 3:00 PM: Beach Time - Getting Lost (and Found). Back to the beach! The place where I feel most at peace. This time, I ditch the shoes and just walk along the sand. The waves crashing, the wind whipping my hair. It's so freeing. I let the water wash over my feet and just… be. Pure bliss.
• 6:00 PM: Wine and Wind-Down. The Ocean Lodge has a nice wine hour. I sip on a glass of Pinot Noir while watching the sunset. And then start to think about the world and the state of politics. I cut myself off before I can bring myself down.

Day 3: Departure - This is the Way

• 9:00 AM: Final Ocean View, Final Panic, and a Very Reluctant Goodbye. One last desperate gaze at the ocean. One last, delicious cup of coffee. I feel the familiar pang of sadness that always accompanies leaving a place that has, in some small way, saved my soul.
• 10:00 AM: The Check Out (and the promise of return). Check out. It's over. Goodbye to my perfect bed. Goodbye (for now) to the ocean. I swear I’ll be back. You get me, you wild, beautiful, chaotic place.
• 11:00 AM: The Drive Home – Exhausted but Revived. The drive back. The inevitable return to reality. Laundry. Emails. Responsibilities. But, I carry the memory of the ocean, the wind, the sunsets, and the quiet moments of awe in my heart. And that, my friends, is worth all the phone chargers in the world.

P.S. If you find a rogue credit card on the beach, please return it to the Ocean Lodge front desk. It may or may not be mine. No promises.

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The Ocean Lodge Cannon Beach (OR) United States```html

So, Ocean Lodge… is it REALLY as good as it looks in those glossy brochures? Honestly?

Okay, deep breath. Those brochures? Yeah, they’re pretty darn accurate. But here’s the thing: they *can’t* capture the... *feeling*. They can’t show you the way the wind whips off the ocean and straight through your hair when you stand on the balcony, even when it's chilly (which, let's be real, is often in Cannon Beach - pack layers!). I went there last fall, a bit harried, needing a serious escape from… well, everything. And it sort of… *worked*. I mean, the view from the balcony was legitimately breathtaking. You get the view of Haystack Rock? Oh, *yes*. But the brochures conveniently forget the little details, like the tiny, slightly grumpy seagull who tried to steal my breakfast muffin one morning. (He failed. Victory!) So, yes. Mostly. It's pretty damn good. Is it perfect? Nah. Nothing's perfect, except maybe the smell of fresh coffee brewing in the lobby, which, by the way, is *divine*. Seriously.

What's the deal with the complimentary breakfast? Worth waking up early for? (My bed is my best friend.)

Ugh, yes, the bed situation. I get it. My bed and I are practically married. But *yes*, the breakfast is absolutely worth dragging yourself out of slumber for. It's not just some sad continental offering of stale pastries and weak coffee. This is real breakfast. I'm talking fresh waffles, made-to-order omelets (or scrambled, if you’re like me and can't handle the commitment of an omelet), fruit that actually tastes like fruit, and, bless their hearts, decent coffee. My advice? Go early. Especially if you want a waffle. The waffle situation, you see, is… popular. I arrived one day a little late and sadly missed out. A small tragedy, but a tragedy all the same. It’s a good kind of early morning, though. The ocean is usually calmest then and the light is something else... you know, that soft golden hour that makes you forget you're a grumpy morning person.

Are the rooms spacious? Because I'm bringing… stuff. A lot of stuff.

Okay, I understand. I, too, have a suitcase that seems to multiply clothes once it enters a hotel room. The rooms are… decent. Not massive, you know? It's not a ballroom situation. But they’re well-designed, which helps. The layout makes good use of space. The biggest plus is that they actually *think* about storage! There's usually a decent closet (though, let's be real, I always end up living out of my suitcase anyway, because unpacking is a commitment I'm rarely prepared to undertake). The bathrooms are also quite lovely, good natural light. Honestly, unless you're planning on staging a full-blown fashion show, you should be fine. Just try not to unpack everything. Trust me. You’ll thank me later. Less time packing up, more time on the beach. Win-win.

I heard there was something about a nightly wine and cheese reception? Is that true? And is the wine decent? (Asking for a friend... who is me.)

Oh, the wine and cheese! Yes, it's true. Every evening, they have a lovely little reception. And the wine… well, it’s *okay*. Look, it's free wine. Don't expect a vintage Bordeaux. But it's perfectly drinkable, certainly enough to loosen you up after a day of chasing the waves (or, you know, just staring at them). The cheese selection is also… decent. Some sort of cheddar, a brie, maybe a Gouda. Crackers, usually. It's a nice touch, that’s for sure. The real benefit is the social aspect. It’s a great chance to chat with other guests, compare notes on the best places to eat (hello, Mo’s clam chowder!), and just relax. You'll probably end up staying longer than you planned to, talking with someone for the entire duration of the reception and missing dinner but that's part of the experience, right? Right?! It’s a good way to transition from a day of exploring to a relaxing evening.
Okay, confession: I ended up chatting with one couple for so long one night, we missed our dinner reservation. Oops. But we had a fantastic time! That's the vibe they're going for, and they succeed.

Is the hotel family-friendly? I’m traveling with a small human who generates chaos.

Well, "family-friendly" is a loaded term, isn’t it? I'd say... yes! They seem to welcome families. They have family suites (which you probably want, considering the chaos factor), and the atmosphere is generally relaxed. However... (and this is where personal experience comes in), be prepared for the *occasional* tantrum. Or a loud burst of excitement. Or a child running around yelling about seeing a seal (which, by the way, is entirely possible at Cannon Beach!). I didn't travel with any small humans, but I overheard some interesting conversations at breakfast. I'm guessing it's a gamble, but a good one. The staff is generally very accommodating, and it’s a place where you’re not going to feel like you’re constantly shushing your kids. Plus, the beach is right there! Instant entertainment. Just… pack extra snacks. You'll need them.

Beyond the hotel, what is there to do in Cannon Beach? (Besides, you know, sit on the beach and stare at the ocean, which, admittedly, is pretty tempting.)

Okay, so you *can* spend your entire time just staring at the ocean. And honestly? No judgment. It's a perfectly valid way to spend a vacation. But if you're feeling adventurous (or, you know, if you have kids who need constant stimulation), there's plenty to do. Walking the beach, of course! Haystack Rock is iconic. You can visit the shops! Browse the art galleries (some are amazing, some are… less so, but it's fun to look!). You could even venture out to the Ecola State Park for hiking. The views from the trails are incredible, and it's a good workout. (I say that as someone who avoids exercise like the plague, so you know it must be relatively painless). I went and I honestly didn't realize I'd walked so far until I found myself practically on the other side of the park! There's also the village itself, which is cute as heck. I recommend Mo’s for clam chowder (I mentioned that before, right? It's *that* good. Seriously...) and the Pelican Brewing Company for a beer (or three, if you're me). Basically… it’s a town crafted specifically for enjoyable activities.

Any downsides? Because nothing is perfect, and I'm a realist.

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The Ocean Lodge Cannon Beach (OR) United States

The Ocean Lodge Cannon Beach (OR) United States

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