Travels With Pain

I broke just about every rule I’ve ever made on this site when I stayed at the Overleaf Lodge and Spa. I was flaky about getting a reservation, so ended up calling to get the room at the Overleaf less than 24 hours before I arrived. I chose the Overleaf based on its convenient and pretty location as described on its own web site, rather than by looking at reviews and analyzing how its amenities would work for my physical needs. And I was Not Well Prepared(tm) for my stay–we had no food, no personal pillow, etc.

Just goes to show that y’all should Do As I Say, Not As I Do. Also, it’s better to be lucky than good. Without further ado, the wonder and joy that is the Overleaf Lodge.

The Basics

The Overleaf Lodge is a big spa hotel on the central Oregon Coast. It’s a newer hotel, built as an eco-lodge, with a lot of attention paid to sustainability programs. (They recycle the used bar soap. I love that!) The Overleaf sits just north of the town of Yachats (pronounced ya-HOTS), Oregon. If you’re not familiar with Oregon geography, be aware that the Overleaf is nowhere near Portland or any major city or airport.

Expect to pay a minimum of $150 for a basic room in the off-season, and $210 in high season. If you need cheaper accommodations, the Overleaf’s sister property the Fireside Motel lives next door and runs far less expensive (especially for the non-view rooms). But this review does NOT include the Fireside.

The Bedroom

Our standard King room was friggin’ huge. There was room to turn a wheelchair, though we were not in an ADA room. The bed was soft and fluffy and comfy–I sank into it upon entering and didn’t re-emerge for more than an hour.

The room has a TV & DVD player, but they don’t overwhelm the space. A small table sat in an alcove of windows looking out over the ocean. Our room was not one of the best view rooms, which meant that we were looking south toward the ocean rather than west toward the ocean. All our windows still looked over the water (which is only about 10 yards from the hotel). We were in the midst of an energetic winter storm, but the well-sealed double-paned windows and sliding glass door kept the room quiet all night long. The surf was a gentle echo.

We had a tiny balcony with plastic chairs and table. Didn’t use it on account of the cold and wind and rain, but in the summer it would have been lovely.

The rooms come with a kitchen area in an interesting open space leading to the sinks and bathroom. This kitchen is especially nice–it’s got a fridge with mini-freezer, microwave, coffee maker, cabinets, counters, and bar sink.

Most/all rooms have gas fireplaces. We found that turning on the gas fireplace for about 90 minutes heated up our room for the duration of our overnight stay. Whatever the Overleaf used for insulation in their walls, I want to buy some for my own house!

There’s free wi-fi in all guest rooms.

Grade: A

The Bathroom

We had double sinks in a nice wide usable area.

The bathroom itself was small, but the tub was deep-ish and comfortable. For a bit more $$, you can get one of the many spa tub rooms. We were being all budget-conscious and one thing the Overleaf ain’t is cheap, so I passed on the spa tub. Sigh. Maybe next time.

Towels were thick and numerous. Robes were comfy. Toilet paper was average.

Grade: B

Food & Drink

Here’s where the Overleaf totally won me over. We got breakfast with our room rate, which my wonderful husband went down and raided, then brought up to me so I could sleep in. They don’t use paper or plastic tableware–it’s all crockery & metal, which I like for its sustainability. The range of continental breakfast options was, in my opinion, well above average. (But you should know that I hate the scary pseudo “fresh waffles” offered at Holiday Inn Express.) All well and good.

Here’s the Awesome: The Overleaf has a small “pantry” in the lobby. This contains the usual sundries some hotels sell–toothbrushes and shampoo and granola bars. But they’ve also got a big freezer filled with microwaveable meals they’re purchasing at Trader Joe’s and reselling. They’ve also got wine, beer, and some shelf-stable food items. Having arrived exhausted at the hotel, and having been dreading the need to drive into town to eat dinner that night, my husband and I were beyond thrilled to see this. And the Overleaf lets guests grab plates and silverware from the breakfast area to take up to rooms to use for meals.

Grade: A

Common Areas

The Overleaf has a big lobby with lots of seating. They’ve got a tiny gift shop area that sits in the middle of the lobby. The hotel is easy enough to navigate. It’s got elevators (always a good thing from my POV).

A downside during winter: It’s cold and windy in the outdoor breezeways–bring a coat if you’ve got to get something out of your car. You can’t get close to most rooms via vehicle.

There’s a DVD library…but it’s a rental library and I found the price to rent a DVD to be stupid-steep. If you want to watch movies in your room, I’d recommend BYO.

Grade: B-

Service

Both on the phone and live in person, I found the majority of the service folks to be very friendly, helpful, and accommodating. The desk staff know the hotel–you can ask them questions and they’ll know the answers.

Grade: A

The Spa

Know that this review is based on looking in on the spa rather than using it. I wish I’d had the chance to enjoy this spa–it looks amazing!

Hotel guests get access to the hydrotherapy areas of the on-site spa–which means the hot tub and warm pool that overlook the ocean. I love this area so much–it evokes some of the wonder of the hot tubs at Esalen, with a more upscale indoor environment. (Also, swimsuits are required.) You also get access to the locker room (of course), which isn’t huge but is gorgeous and has upholstered armchairs for TWP who need to sit down comfortably. The locker rooms also have gender-segregated steam rooms and saunas.

The Overleaf Spa’s menu of treatments includes most of the standards you find at an eco-style spa–less facial peels and more seaweed and mud wraps. For TWP, what I like is the range of hydrotherapy treatments the Overleaf offers. They’ve got a Vichy shower room for their body treatments, plus they do a range of Soaks in individual tubs–these can be added to massages and other treatments for a super-relaxing spa day.

Grade: n/a ’cause I didn’t actually use it

Outside

A paved trail runs between the hotel and the sea. While I’d describe this trail as at best semi-accessible for wheelchair users (paving is old and not there at all in places, in the dirt/gravel areas the ruts can be nasty), it’s reasonably TWP-friendly. It’s a flat, easy walk with immense amounts of beauty all around. Even in the cold and wind, it was worth walking for the staggering sight of the Pacific crashing into the rocks.

There’s no beach to speak of. You’ll have to drive a little or walk a bunch if you want to plop down into the sand or hunt for shells & driftwood.

The Overleaf offers a wide range of outdoor activities to its guests. Ask when you make your reservation, or when you check in, if you want to go hiking or horseback riding or golfing or dune buggying or fishing or etc etc.

Grade: A-

The Bottom Line

The Overleaf Lodge and Spa is a fabulous TWP hotel. Not only would I stay there again, I’d make a point of it.

Grade: A-