Salishan Coastal Lodge, A Nature Lover's Oregon Coast Destination for Recharging Body and Spirit

Enjoying the view from the outdoor hot tub at The Spa at Salishan Coastal Lodge.

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Gazing out my window as my plane prepares to land at Portland International Airport, I see a landscape of lush greens and blues. It's a beautiful sight and a complete contrast to my departing view from LAX, a layer of smog over concrete sprawl.

A forest trail at Salishan Coastal Lodge.

I'm already reassessing my life choices based on my landing view alone, thinking about how I need WAY more nature in my life before I even touch ground in Portland. Thankfully, I'm heading to Salishan Coastal Lodge where I'm about to spend time immersed in the Pacific Northwest’s natural beauty. The destination is an iconic Oregon vacation getaway that opened in 1965 in Gleneden Beach. I can't wait to explore a little of the 250 acre property.

Getting to Salishan Coastal Lodge

We stopped to take a short hike at Erratic Rock on the way to Salishan Coastal Lodge.

After landing in Portland, a driver from First Nature Tours is waiting to take my travel group to Salishan Coastal Lodge which is approximately two and a half hours from the airport. The scenic ride meanders through a beautiful Oregon wine region which makes it go by quickly. It's also stress-free thanks to our fantastic driver Malloy, who is knowledgeable about all things Oregon and, of course, where to find the best pit stops.

On the way there, we take a quick break for restrooms and a short mini-hike at a place called Erratic Rock. If you are flying into Portland, and don't want to rent a car for a visit to Salishan Coastal Lodge, First Nature Tours is a great option. You could even break up the ride to the resort with a stop at one of the local wineries.

A Total Reset

As I exit the van at Salishan Coastal Lodge, I instantly feel my body reset. I take a deep breath. It's early summer, and the air is cool and crisp. The lodge is surrounded by coastal rainforest with magnificent towering Douglas firs.

The whimsical lobby at Salishan Coastal Lodge.

I head into the lobby to check in. It's rustic and whimsical. The central seating area is decorated with hanging plants and a giant salt crystal. There's also a library, a fireplace, a chess table, and board games for guests to enjoy.

Cozy Accommodations at Salishan Coastal Lodge

My terrace view at Salishan Coastal Lodge.

When I step into my room, the view takes my breath away. I bolt straight to the terrace to take it all in. The accommodations are surrounded by forest with the backdrop of Siletz Bay.

Premium King Room at Salishan Coastal Lodge.

My Premium King Room is huge with a fireplace and vaulted ceilings. I'm already picturing myself sitting on the terrace in the morning sipping hot tea. I'm imagining myself relaxing in my comfy bed at the day's end enjoying a book with the fireplace crackling.

This is a destination that gets me. I'm someone who loves being surrounded by nature, but I’m no camper. Sleeping in cozy comfort is more my style. Salishan Coastal Lodge is the type of destination that makes you want to slow down and take your time, to relax and be present.

Dinner at The Attic

Seared Scallops served with parsley cream, sweet corn, parsnip, and shaved asparagus at The Attic at Salishan Coastal Lodge.

The Attic is conveniently located in the main lodge and specializes in dishes made with farm-to-fork locally and sustainably sourced ingredients.

Creamy Coastal Clam Chowder made with clams sourced from Netarts Bay, Oregon. Chef Jave Cronauer prepared it with turkey bacon for a group dinner to accommodate my dietary restrictions.

Dinners at The Attic feature an imaginative selection designed by Chef Jave Cronauer. The restaurant is known for their nourishing soups, entrees featuring fresh regional ingredients, creative craft cocktails, and local wines.

Oregon Coast Dungeness Crab Cakes, lightly crisped and paired with a seasonal remoulade. The crab cakes at The Attic are made with Dungeness crab sourced from Astoria, Oregon.

The dining destination is conscientious about dietary restrictions and can customize menus for your party's needs. Salishan Lodge is a beautiful place to host an event and menu flexibility is a nice bonus.

A local cheese and antipasto board, also featuring pickled vegetables and house-made jam.

Some of the highlights from my two dinners at The Attic include clam chowder, Oregon Coast dungeness crab cakes, brown butter poached sablefish, a local cheese and antipasto board, seared scallops, and a salt-baked halibut fillet.

Salt-Baked Halibut Fillet and Braised Short Ribs served buffet-style for a group dinner. The halibut was finished with tarragon Béarnaise and Italian Gremolata, while the short ribs were slow-braised with pomegranate and tamarind and served over roasted root vegetables. The halibut at The Attic is sourced from Pacific Northwest waters through Salishan’s partners in Pacific Seafood. Short ribs are sourced from Painted Hills Natural Beef in Wheeler County, Oregon.

Everything is thoughtfully prepared to showcase seasonal flavors of the Pacific Northwest.

Biscuit-Style Marionberry Shortcake made with fresh Oregon marionberries layered with cream and tender house-made biscuits.

And then there are the desserts! Homemade cheesecake, crème brûlée, chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream, and a shortcake made with fresh Oregon marionberries (a welcome new addition to types of berries I've tried).

Cheesecake with Fresh Berries and Caramel Sauce.

All the deserts are divine.

A refreshing seasonal mocktail at The Attic.

I also very much enjoy a refreshing mocktail and glass of wine from the nearby Willamette Valley.

A Day Filled with Fun and Relaxation, the Pacific Northwest Way

Women’s Indoor Hot Tub at The Spa at Salishan.

Instead of slowly sipping tea on my terrace, my day is off to a quick start with breakfast followed by a visit to The Spa at Salishan Coastal Lodge. I'm really only here for one full day, and I plan to experience as much as I can with an itinerary of restorative wellness activities.

The Spa at Salishan Coastal Lodge

A morning at The Spa at Salishan Lodge is just the right way to start the day. I can't believe that this gorgeous spa location was previously the site of a gas station!

I admire the scenic view from the relaxation lounge before my therapist whisks me away for a fabulous one hour massage.

The outdoor hot tub at The Spa at Salishan Coastal Lodge.

Post-massage, I spend time enjoying all the amenities including the steam room and sauna. But my favorite feature is the outdoor hot tub which boasts a breathtaking view of forest and the Silitz Bay.

I'm finding that spas in the Pacific Northwest are some of my all-time favorites. The woods and waters create a truly calming environment.

I feel restored and ready for more wellness and fun.

Group Yoga

The Yoga Studio at Salishan Coastal Lodge.

After the spa, it's time for a group yoga class. Again, there's a fantastic view. It feels great to get some movement and stretching in.

Other activities hosted in this studio space include Pilates, soundbaths, and meditations.

Golf, an Aerial Park, and More Activities

I decide on a light healthy salad for lunch, but I can't resist trying the delicious sweet potato fries.

After eating, I hop onto a golf cart for a group tour of the property with Robert Ratchford, the GM. The staff at the property is one of the things that makes a visit so memorable. And Robert has put his heart into bringing lots of unique touches to Salishan, including making it a welcoming destination for the surrounding community.

A cozy seating area at Pioneer Joe Coffee, one of the businesses at Marketplace at Salishan.

One of the first places that Robert points out on the tour is the Marketplace at Salishan which has become a gathering place for hotel guests and the community alike. It's a shopping hub that includes art galleries, boutiques, a coffee shop, and brewery. There's even a farmer's market on the weekends during the summer.

As we continue on with the tour, we drive along the beautiful golf course with forest and sea views at every turn. We stop by the pro shop where there are lots of Salishan-branded goodies, a restaurant and bar, and an indoor golf simulator for cold, rainy days.

Next, we learn about the property's unique aerial park, and it looks like a blast! The course includes zip lines, 18 platforms, and 22 other elements. It's all surrounded by majestic forest, and today the sun is shining through the trees like a picture from a storybook.

A nature trail at Salishan Coastal Lodge.

We take a short walk through one of the property’s many nature trails. The air is refreshing. The moss is soft and squishy under our feet.

The indoor swimming pool at Salishan Coastal Lodge.

Other activities at the resort include indoor tennis courts, an indoor pool, bikes, and lots of beautiful hiking and walking paths.

There's no shortage of ways to keep busy or to find spaces for quiet relaxation.

A golf cart parked at Salishan Coastal Lodge’s driving range.

After the tour, I hit some balls at the driving range. It's been a while since I've visited a range, and I'm not hitting too well. I strike up a conversation with a friendly golf club member who gives me a few pointers. He mentions that there's a women's golf club event that evening that I could check out. I feel welcome and encouraged despite my embarrassing golf performance. Happily, I end my time at the range on a high note with my best drive of the day.

One of the cool things about Salishan Coastal Lodge is that it’s also a gathering place for the local community. There are membership opportunities that provide access to play golf, tennis, yoga classes, and more.

A Whale of an Adventure

Salishan’s Famous 1967 series 2a Land Rover.

My evening starts with a short ride to the beach in Salishan Lodge's vintage 1967 2a Land Rover. Hotel guests can arrange a ride in this famous Salishan vehicle.

A jar of tumbled agate stones from Gleneden Beach.

The Gleneden Beach coast is filled with agate stones. If you know what to look for you can find them scattered in the sand.

This part of the Oregon coast is also home to whales year-round. Within seconds of learning this fact, we spot a whale spout. And then another. And another. This is turning into one of the most unique beach golden hours I've seen in a long time.

My day ends with a delicious dinner at The Attic followed by s'mores on The Lodge's terrace and socializing. After a full day, I fall asleep the second my head hits the pillow. So much for reading in bed.

A Storybook Setting

A covered path leading from Salishan Coastal Lodge’s rooms to the main lodge is designed to keep visitors dry on rainy days, but today is a beautiful sunny day.

Between the sun soaked woods, local farm-fresh mushrooms and berries, dazzling beach agate stones, and whales appearing almost on cue, my visit to Salishan is feeling more and more like something from a lovely little picture book.

Before you judge this storybook comparison as silly, there are a few more things you should know that add to this observation. First, there's a gentle dog grooming spot that's located next to the tennis courts. Guests can drop off their pups at Flower Power Pet Spa for grooming while enjoying onsite activities. How cute is that?

Second, handmade blown glass floats are hidden all over the property like secret story "Easter eggs." Guests who find these colorful locally-crafted art objects get to keep them as souvenirs. Kids love this!

And third, there's the plant music. Guests who reserve the Jacobsen Suite at Salishan can listen to the music of plants thanks to a partnership with PlantWave, a device that translates plant wavelengths into soothing music. The Jacobsen Suite is already booked during my visit, but I'm intrigued.

The only things missing from this fairytale setting are mermaids and forest fairies. But I do spot the dreamy SCP Muse, an ethereal goddess whose image can be seen in art around the property. Salishan is an SCP Hotel, and the muse represents the personification of the hotel group's core values of committing to wellness (Soul), kindness (Community), and sustainability (Planet).

A Sweet Summer Start at Salishan Coastal Lodge

For me, Salishan Coastal Lodge is the type of place where summers feel like they did when I was a kid, filled with joy and wonder. Maybe it's that my stay reminds me of the last time I visited Oregon on a family vacation growing up. Maybe it’s because spending an evening roasting marshmallows and running through green grass dotted with a thousand tiny flowers feeds my inner child. Or perhaps it’s the nostalgia of waking up early on the final morning of my stay and sharing fluffy French toast with new travel friends whose paths I may or may not ever cross again; you never know for sure.

French Toast at Provisions Market at Salishan Coastal Lodge.

One thing I do know for sure is that Salishan Coastal Lodge is somewhere I want to return. It's the type of place you want to make a family tradition.

My trip was quick, and I packed in as much as I could. But one day I'll return for slow relaxation. I'll sip tea on the terrace, read in bed, and listen to plant music.

Life imitating art. Taking a selfie and channeling the SCP Muse through sunshine rays at Salishan Coastal Lodge.

Lizzy Sherman, Co-Founder of Spa & Beauty Today

A University of Michigan graduate, Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning writer and editor. You can also find her work in publications including Healthline, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo!, MindBodyGreen, Men’s Journal, Bezzy, and more.

She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA, and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals.

When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram: @zillizy.

travel, spas, wellnessLizzy ShermanJuly 17, 2026Salishan Coastal Lodge, Oregon spa, Gleneden Beach