Book Lover's Hideaway

Sylvia Beach Hotel, Newport, Oregon

I discovered this delightful literary-themed bed-and-breakfast hotel thanks to a book-loving friend’s suggestion. Located near Newport, Oregon, on the bluff above Nye Beach, Sylvia Beach Hotel is chock full of everything a bibliophile could want. The hotel itself was built in 1912 and could easily be the setting of a cozy mystery novel. Named for the woman who originally opened the world-famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris, the hotel boasts 21 rooms, all named for different authors.

I slept in Jane Austen’s room, which was decorated with ruffles and frills, floral prints and a brass bed. A small writing desk stood by one window and an over-stuffed reading chair with a side table piled with Austen’s books by another. My view looked northward up the beach towards the lighthouse.

Next door was J. K. Rowling’s room with a Gryffindor plaque on the door. Inside were magic wands, magician’s capes, and lots of secret surprises straight out of the Harry Potter books. In John Steinbeck’s room the Joad family’s truck, laden with all their worldly possessions, seems to drive right out of the mural-painted wall. Other authors with rooms of their own include J.R.R. Tolkien and Amy Tan, Alice Walker and Herman Melville. Each room is filled with artifacts and decorated to transport visitors right into the heart of a novel.

The hotel’s common rooms invite you to settle right in with a good book. There are small reading nooks and a larger library furnished with high-back chairs and cozy sofas, and bookcases stocked with titles. Patios and balconies with comfy Adirondack chairs overlook the waves. There’s a game room with jigsaw puzzles and boardgames piled high on shelves and a big game table covered with puzzle pieces and a half-made puzzle.

Downstairs, the cleverly named Table of Contents Restaurant serves a complimentary breakfast with a menu that changes every day. One morning there were personal-sized soufflés, another morning blueberry pancakes made with local blueberries. Dinner is a one-seating affair, where you’re seated with and get to make friends with other guests while you indulge in a delicious multi-course meal.

The beach down below is great for long walks, kite flying, and sandcastle building. It’s wide and dotted with shells and driftwood.

I’m thinking it would be a wonderful destination for a book club getaway. Or better yet, an inspiring writing retreat.

For more info about Sylvia Beach Hotel, including great photos of the rooms: http://sylviabeachhotel.com/

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