#364 - Ocean Crest Resort in Oregon

Near the Coast

We spent one notable night at this oceanside hotel in Moclips, Washington.

I knew little about the property when I booked, but I knew it was near the beach. The hotel's name hinted at that.
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"Crest"

The resort's name also hinted at the hotel's elevated location... high on a bluff, overlooking the ocean. 

Our room certainly was up high! It was perched on a 125-foot bluff, about 40 feet from the shoreline!

A Bit of History

​I knew very little about Ocean Crest before our stay. I learned more after arriving.

The resort began in 1953 with just a few small cottages. Barbara Cornish (later Curtright) was the matriarch behind the family business.

She ran and expanded the resort for many decades.

Changes Over the Years

By 1963, Barbara and her second husband transformed a section of their on-site home into a restaurant. Barbara handled the cooking.

Eventually there were about 45 guest rooms, plus a recreation building with pool and fitness center. Barbara passed away in 2016, after 68 years of ownership. Her children sold the business in 2021, but family members are still involved today.

Traveling with Family

Don and I were traveling with my sister and sister-in-law, when we arrived last August. It took a minute to find the office, hidden behind a decorated wall... that looked like it was missing a little something, 

On my way into the office I paused a sec to admire the driftwood, decorated with sand dollars. The vibe reminded me of Florida summers with my family in the 60s.

Postcard  

This old postcard shows the same building, from maybe the 70s. The blue shield was secured to the wall then, but I don't see a mural below.

After we parked, I headed into a casual office space. A serious looking young woman checked me in. She handed me the keys, then surprised me with a memorized spiel. She reminded me of a well-trained flight attendant, the way she spoke while pointing to a laminated map of the property.

The North Building
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Our 2 rooms were located in the north building. The newest rooms on the property, I believe.

On our way up the stairs I stopped a moment to look down towards the ocean.

I could see water, barely!  I had to look through lots of trees and a little fog. 

Room 404

We found our rooms on the top floor. The exterior looked like it had a fresh coat of paint.

Once inside, it was clear our room had also been updated. The bed looked heavenly. 
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Our room felt especially welcoming, since the night before we'd slept in rustic single beds at a National park lodge... with shared bathrooms down the hall.  

Our corner room was fresh and spacious. 

I was excited to make use of a decent shower before dinner.

I was even more excited to check out the balcony view. The fog and trees made the view mysterious.

I got no photos of Jennifer and Kate's room, but they were equally impressed. 

Before dinner, they came to our room for a toast to the coast! We moved some more chairs into the space near the windows and enjoyed a glass of wine.

"Dinner House"

​We'd read outstanding reviews about the hotel's restaurant, which has been popular since the early 60s. 

This old pamphlet shows the hotel's Dinner House, after Barbara's family converted a portion of the family home into a restaurant. Sadly in 2011, there was a massive fire in Moclips, which destroyed the restaurant.

2014 Reopening

We didn't get to dine in Barbara's original Dinner House, but the restaurant was rebuilt and opened again in 2014. 

We were impressed with the inviting decor.

Lots of wood and Pacific Northwest art.

Dinner with a Better View!

We were glad to have 7:45 reservations when we learned the popular restaurant was booked. We were given a decent table, but our waiter looked concerned.

Sam noticed our view was a bit obscured and moved us to an even better table! Jennifer and Kate had no complaints. 

Sam

We had an incredible evening, much thanks to Sam!

He offered lots of good suggestions and told plenty of stories. 

"Grandma's Famous Clam Chowder"

The menu spotlighted Barbara's special clam chowder, which has been a favorite since 1953. Originally the chowder was served on Fridays. It was slow cooked outside, over a Japanese Hibachi grill.

Luckily Barbara's recipe is still used today. After the resort was sold, Barbara's grandson Jess Owen stayed on as Executive Chef. Sam brought us 2 orders of chowder, divided into 4 bowls. It was just as good as we'd heard about. In fact Olympic Gold Medalist Apolo Ohno posted on his Instagram, "Favorite clam chowder on the planet!"

Photo Time

Sam brought our entrees a while later and happily took photos.

We were just as enthused as Apolo, I believe!

My grilled prawns in coconut curry sauce were amazing. Dried apricots and mango, topped with chili threads. I was in heaven.

Don's pan seared salmon with lemon dill cream was equally yummy. I should have snapped photos of our clean plates.

We managed to share a little dessert but I failed to get a photo. It was gone too fast.

By the time we finished up, only a few other diners were left. We thanked Sam for a great evening and headed off.  

I took a quick photo of the restaurant and hoped I could later compare it to a vintage photo. I never found one, so I just have to imagine what the old Dinner House was like when Barbara and her family cooked and served guests.   

We walked just a few steps to the North Building and headed up the stairs to our comfy rooms.

Before turning in, I stepped out on the balcony and took this eerie photo of the trees. 

Morning Beach Adventure

I woke at 6 and was tempted to linger in bed with a book. But I was just too curious about that ocean. By 6:30 I was dressed and searching for a way down to the beach. 

I let the sign guide me to a gate that opened to a wooden staircase. Then  I began a curious journey, down 141 steps! 

The growth was so dense I was unable catch a glimpse of the water or sand below. I was able to get a good view of the restaurant, though. 

The steps and ramps wound this way and that. Every time I thought I was almost to the bottom, I found another set of stairs.

Once the steps ended I walked over 300 steps to reach the water!

I noticed this interesting dead tree, sticking up from the sand. I learned later that there was a very good reason for that decoration in the sand.

As I walked out towards the water, I looked back and had a hard time spotting the hotel.

It wasn't easy to see anything through the trees and growth.

Beach Time
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For the next hour I wandered the wide beach. I had it to myself... except for the seagulls.

I was totally entertained by the birds, sand dollars and sunrise. 

I wandered far enough that I eventually needed that funny tree to guide me back.

I got a little workout climbing back up.

But no complaints about climbing up through a coastal forest, after wandering an enormous sandy beach at sunrise!

Coffee Time

I was back sitting on the balcony with coffee, just a little after 7:30.

So glad I got a glimpse of blue sky. 

The clouds had returned by the time we checked out.

What's Notable?

From the road, Ocean Crest Resort doesn't look like a grand destination. You can't see the beach. You can't see that the restaurant and the rooms (at least in our building) are fresh and modern and welcoming. 

My fond memory of this stay will be all about the room, the dinner and the beach!

For $284. our ocean-view room was a luxurious treat! Our meal (with food & service) was fabulous! My morning visit to the beach was the icing on the cake!
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