After having walked the length of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco as well as downing our yearly limit of fine wines in Napa Valley, it was time to say goodbye to California and continue north into Oregon.

Travelling north along the famed Highway 101 towards Portland, we passed through many small coastal towns including Eureka, Crescent City, and Bandon, all of which offer decent accommodation for an overnight stop while passing through. Though there is one stop however which is an absolute must before hitting the rush of the big city; the hidden gem that is Gleneden Beach, Oregon; two hours southwest of Portland.  With lush pine forests and stunning beaches littered with beautiful agates and driftwood instead of trash, it is pure nature at its best.

After having spent a string of evenings in small motels and B&Bs, accommodation which merely got the job done, the Salishan Spa & Golf Resort of Gleneden Beach stands out like a much needed oasis of serenity and relaxation after having trudged north along the rugged Pacific Coast. It was a chance to recharge our batteries and take a moment to truly take in and experience the very best of the Oregon coast.

The resort is secluded and private yet close to many attractions in Newport such as the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Devil’s Punch Bowl, and Yaquina Bay. You may find yourself having trouble leaving the resort however as there are such an array of activities onsite which we found easily consumed our time. With an Audubon certified Golf Course, a gorgeous spa overlooking Siletz Bay, private beach access along with hundreds of hikable acres of nature trails, numerous on-site restaurants, complimentary mini golf course, indoor pool, tennis facility, specialty shops, kids game zone, and fitness facility, there is truly something for everyone here.

Of course we thoroughly tested the “Dance Dance Revolution”, multiple arcade games and air hockey tables which made up the kids game zone just to ensure they were all in working order…for the kids. Always thinking of the kids!

Catering to families, romantic couples and business retreats alike, even pets can enjoy the resort just as much as their owners with the abundance of hiking trails onsite. Offering three distinct options for guest rooms as well as several suites, all options are sure to impress. Incredibly spacious rooms are set up with all the amenities of a high class modern hotel, while maintaining the homey feeling of a personal cabin secluded by nature with breathtaking views and access to the forest.

We detached ourselves from the outside world and read a book beside the in-room fireplace while overlooking the bay and forested hillsides. We slept soundly as the warmth of the fire radiated throughout the entire room. Though for those who cannot quite detach themselves completely, each room of course includes complimentary high speed WiFi as well as a seriously large large flat screen television for that nighttime movie after the sun goes down.

Salishan Spa & Golf Resort was truly an escape, and we highly recommend a stay as the easiest way to discover the best of the Oregon coast. We were pampered by it’s fine restaurants and spa, and let our inner child out to play as heated games of mini golf and air hockey took over each day. We followed hiking trails down towards the Pacific and were tailed by harbor seals as we mapped out each secluded beach.

With beautifully manicured grounds and a welcoming, friendly staff, it is hard to believe that this resort could get any better.  This is however exactly what they are planning to do as they continue to improve upon their success by launching a multi-million dollar renovation to continue a commitment to providing an experience every traveler can enjoy.

For more information about Salishan and all the resort has to offer, please visit www.Salishan.com.

Megan is an Australian Journalist who has been travelling and blogging since 2007, with the main aim of inspiring others to embark on their own worldwide adventure. Her husband Mike is an American travel photographer, and together they have made the world their home.

Committed to bringing you the best in adventure travel from all around the globe, there is no mountain too high, and no fete too extreme! They haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on their list.

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