My husband and I have a long-standing tradition of escaping to the coast each year, returning to Newport, Oregon. It began when our daughters were small, then paused for several years while our family had a beach house of our own. Last week we decided to rekindle that ritual and drove down to Newport to make new memories and revisit old ones.
There’s something special about reconnecting with your past and continuing to create moments together. We’ve been a couple since I was 19, so we share many years of memories. This trip felt both familiar and fresh, a welcome chance to slow down and enjoy each other’s company.
Our favorite place to stay is the Sylvia Beach Hotel. It’s a charming, book-themed boutique hotel that seems made for readers and writers, or anyone who wants to step away from daily life. The rooms are cozy and imaginative—each one dedicated to a different author. There are no TVs, phones, or internet—just the sound of the waves outside the window. For us, it’s an ideal retreat.
While luxury resorts have their appeal, we prefer the unpretentious comfort and quiet solitude of this bed and breakfast. It’s not flashy, but its simplicity is what makes it so inviting. Staying there gives you space to breathe, think, and simply be.
Over the years we’ve stayed in several of the themed rooms. Each visit offers something new: unique décor, small delightful details, and the warm, lived-in feeling of a place that values story and imagination over modern distractions. It feels personal and restorative.
Honestly, I almost kept this spot to ourselves because it feels like a private hideaway, but I wanted to share it with you. Just promise not to book our favorite room when we plan our next visit—that’s all I ask.
During our stay we enjoyed simple pleasures: a lovely salad across the street at April’s, long walks on the beach, browsing local shops, and plenty of coffee. Mostly we read and wrote, which felt restorative. We also bought a piece of art to bring home—it’s a tradition of ours to collect artwork from places we visit, a tangible memory of the trip.
I didn’t capture a perfect shot of the hotel from the water, but the property sits right on the beachfront with a stunning view. The week was windy yet warm, and the weather made the coastline even more beautiful.
This little corner in the upstairs library became my favorite spot. It overlooks the water and felt like a quiet nook perfect for writing. I worked on a large project during the trip that I’m excited about and can’t wait to share when the time is right. Sometimes a retreat like this gives you the focus and calm you need to move big ideas forward.
Do you have a favorite getaway? I’d love to hear about your special place.