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The Good Hearted Woman

Home Cooking & Cozy Living

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Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa: Your Perfect Oregon Coast Getaway

April 13 By Renée 14 Comments

Head Out. Stay In. Whatever you choose, you’ll discover your perfect Oregon coastal getaway at Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa in Pacific City.

Sunset at Haystack Rock, Pacific City, Oregon | The Good Hearted Woman

Pacific City sunsets can be spectacular. {Image taken 2.25.2017}

When I was a little girl, I lived on the Oregon coast for five glorious summers. One of my most enduring memories from that time is of standing on the edge of the world, looking out into the great vastness of the Pacific Ocean and wondering if somewhere out there, there was a little girl on the other side of the water looking out and wondering about me.

Last month, Mr B and I were invited to stay at the newly opened Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa in Pacific City, Oregon, and as I sat outside on our room’s lovely little private balcony enjoying a few moments of splendid solitude, I found myself once again looking out into that great unknown, and listening to the wind race and the waves crash, and remembering those two little girls an ocean and a lifetime away.

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman
Many thanks to the Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa for hosting our stay. This post may contain affiliate links.

Headlands Coastal Lodge: Unpretentious Luxury & Oregon Hospitality

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa is a stunningly beautiful destination, expressly designed as a place to relax, recharge, restore, and rediscover. From the moment you walk through the massive glass and wood front doors, you will find yourself surrounded by warm hospitality, rich wood finishings, and unpretentious luxury.

Located adjacent to Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area in Pacific City, Headlands Coastal Lodge has been twenty years in the making. Owners Mary Jones and Jeff Shons spent those years designing and redesigning the lodge, with the goal of creating a luxury destination that takes full advantage of the Oregon Coast’s rugged natural beauty, and highlights the incredible views of Cape Kiwanda and Haystack Rock.

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You can find the personal influences of Mary Jones and Jeff Schons throughout the lodge. For example, the “Haystack Rock Wall“ showcases a rotating collection of the work by local artists – all featuring the iconic rock. Local art lines the halls and adorns room walls as well.

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman

Mary, who teaches cooking classes to lodge visitors, keeps a kitchen garden just off this gorgeous, hardwood hall.

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman

“Stay In” 

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman

Each and every one of the 33 oceanfront rooms at Headlands comes with a balcony and an unobstructed view of Haystack Rock (the Pacific City one, not the Cannon Beach one). {Editorial: As a lifetime Oregonian, I have never understood why a state with nearly thirty names for rain cannot come up with two unique names for two geographically distinct monolithic rocks adjacent to the beach. C’mon, people!}

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman

The view from our balcony. [Room 111]

Uniquely, Pacific City is one of the few places in Oregon where you can drive right out onto the beach. Automobile beach access is literally right next door to Headlands, making it particularly appealing for those who may have mobility challenges. Mr B and I are seriously considering bringing my 92-year old mom for a stay so that she can enjoy the beach she loves so much one more time.

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman

Mattress firmness is always a personal issue. That being said, Mr B and I sleep on a lot of hotel mattresses, so I can say with some authority that the mattresses at Headlands are some of the most comfortable we’ve ever slept on.

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman

Mr B and I were absolutely fascinated with the glass-walled shower in our room. The cast iron soaking tub is comfortably sloped and long enough to stretch out in, and generously accommodating for both solo or companion bathing. One of us (not naming names or anything) took both a shower and a bath in one night!

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman

Let’s take a closer look at this shower set-up, shall we? I mean, this is so cool! You can stand in the shower and look out onto the beach – while you shower!!

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman

Our room came with a host of luxury amenities. Mr B and I were both intrigued with the high-tech “Do Not Disturb/Make Up This Room” door card system. To alert resort staff that you are away and your room is ready to be made up, guests need only press “Heading Out” on a switch just inside their room’s entry door to light up a small green “go” light on the room number placard in the hall outside. Conversely, pressing “Staying In” lights up a red “stop” light, letting staff know that you’d like some privacy.

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Additional room amenities include a gas fireplace, Bonavita brewing system and freshly ground coffee, Smith tea service and tea kettle, bluetooth lantern speaker, in-room safe, iPad for requesting services, and complimentary WiFi. Well-placed bike hooks and surfboard racks can also be found in every room. In fact, I couldn’t think of a single thing they forgot to include, but if I had, I’m pretty sure someone would have gotten it for us!

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman

As if there weren’t already enough to love about this place, the entire lodge, as well as many of the guest rooms, are dog-friendly!

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman

Cackling Geese ~ Spirit of Headlands

Everywhere you turn at Headlands, you will see the subtle influence of the cackling geese: soaring gracefully across the wrought-iron front door pulls, the front entry desk, the room placards and restaurant menus; even the art on the guest room walls. The cackling geese not only provide a striking logo image, but offer a metaphor for the spirit that Headlands espouses: rugged, beautiful, and ready for adventure. We found the background on these exceptional birds quite interesting.

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted WomanPacific City is the only wintering spot in the world of the Semidi Island Aleutian Cackling Geese. Each year, the geese fly south more than 2,000 miles from their small Alaskan nesting islands to Oregon’s North Coast. Every evening during their annual Pacific City stay, they leave the grassy pastures in the Nestucca Valley and soar across a mile of ocean to roost on Haystack Rock—the same towering monolith that Headlands guests can see from their rooms and cottage.

~ Headlands Coastal Lodge 

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman

Headlands offers guests surprises around every corner. The stunning “live metal” in the image above can be found in the main lobby’s huge, gender-neutral restroom. {The picture simply doesn’t do it justice.}

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted WomanEach of the lodge’s three floors also has a “honor pantry,” well-stocked with top-shelf snacks and local favorites, like as Tillamook Ice Cream pints and One Fork Farm Caramels. (Oh. My. Goodness. Seriously, if you haven’t tried One Fork Farm Caramels yet, do so immediately! They are amazing! ➢ Not a sponsored plug – just way too good to not share.)

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Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman

“Head Out”

Most luxury hotels offer complementary concierge service, but Headlands, embracing the adventurous Pacific Northwest spirit, takes the idea to the next level. “Adventure Coaches” help guests plan specialized outdoor adventures – everything from kayaking, clamming, and cooking classes to hiking, biking, and beach bonfires. (Don’t worry if you didn’t bring a bike: you can get a loaner in the lobby.) They’ll even pack you a lunch from the hotel restaurant!

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman

Tidepools Spa & Wellness Center

Whether you’re in the mood for a good workout, a relaxing soak, or just some quality “me-time,” Headlands in-house spa and wellness center can accommodate your needs.

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman

Tidepools offers both indoor and outdoor exercise options, including a well-stoked weight room, Pilates classes, beach yoga, and surf lessons. (Yes folks, we really do surf here in Oregon.)

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman

If you’re in the mood to relax, you can get a massage or facial, or take a soak in the outdoor hot tub and enjoy the striking ocean view.

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Meridian 

Meridian at Headlands offers guests a Pacific Northwest-focused menu in a casually elegant setting. Ingredients are locally sourced from the ocean, local farmers, and Mary’s Herb Garden. (I’ll be posting more about Meridian, as well as a recipe from Executive Chef Andrew Garrison, in upcoming posts.) Briefly, the meals we had there were fresh, well-composed, and beautifully presented.

Lox & Bagels at Meridian, Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman

Finally, as far as Oregon coastal accommodations go, Headlands has a decidedly high-end price-tag, but Mr B and I both agree that it is well worth it. Headlands Coastal Lodge would be a perfect destination for a special occasion or well-earned getaway… or when you just need to stare out into the ocean for hours on a windy winter evening and wonder who’s on the other side of the world.

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa

33000 Cape Kiwanda Drive
Pacific City, OR 97135
(503) 483-3000

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa | The Good Hearted Woman
Disclosure: Thanks to the Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa for hosting our stay. As always, all opinions and photos (except as noted) are our own. This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they will help us keep this site up and running – and (relatively) ad-free!! Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Find unpretentious luxury and Oregon hospitality at Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa - Your perfect retreat on the Oregon Coast | The Good Hearted Woman

Filed Under: Oregon, Pacific Northwest Tagged With: Hotels, luxury hotels, Oregon Coast, Pacific City, Travel Oregon

Why You Will Love “The Guest House at Graceland”

August 11 By Renée 20 Comments

From first impression to last, the vibe at The Guest House at Graceland is a fusion of classic elegance and modern luxury – welcoming, refined, and unique as Elvis himself.

Shoes - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

Many thanks to the The Guest House at Graceland for hosting our stay. This post may contain affiliate links.
Mr B was over the moon when I told him that I had arranged for us to stay at The Guest House at Graceland. “You mean, we’re going to stay on Elvis’ property?” he asked.

“Yep. Just a block down and right across the street from Graceland Mansion.” He beamed. Almost glowed. I’ve known this man since I was fifteen years old, and I knew that just visiting Graceland was already overflowing his bucket big-time – he’d never even considered that he might get to stay there.

As for me, I wasn’t so sure… secretly, I didn’t know if I could endure (what I imagined would be) all those rhinestones and black velvet paintings in one place, even for Mr B. As it turned out, we were both in for a refreshing surprise.

Exterior - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

Driving through the security gates at The Guest House at Graceland, all of my preconceived notions about the place just sort of fell away. From first impression to last, The Guest House is a classic, dignified celebration of Elvis Presley and his legacy.

When Elvis had friends and family visit Graceland, he would have them stay at a hotel down the street. He would have been thrilled to have had his own guest house where they could stay so close by. Lisa and I, and our entire family, are excited that visitors from around the world can now experience our unique resort hotel — The Guest House at Graceland.

– Priscilla Presley

Front Entrance - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

With much of the design overseen by Priscilla Presley herself, Memphis’ newest luxury hotel reflects Elvis’ personal style. The vibe at The Guest House at Graceland is one of classic elegance and modern luxury – welcoming, refined, and unique as Elvis himself.

And not a single velvet painting in sight.

Hall - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

I fell in love with the symmetry of The Guest House halls: I found them to be very calming and reassuring.

The lobby is stunning, filled with instantly recognizable close-up images that evoke the spirit of Elvis: cuffs, sunglasses, popped collars. Note the high-backed lobby seats, specifically designed to echo those iconic Elvis collars!

Foyer - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

This picture totally does not do justice to the opulence and elegance of The Guest House lobby.

Flowers - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

There are subtle touches of Elvis everywhere, from the understated “EP” wall sconces that line the halls to the close-up jumpsuit details of the wall art. Even the signs that tell you what floor you’re on are iconically Elvis.

6th Floor - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

The Guest House at Graceland has 450 guest rooms on six floors, as well as a number of uniquely-themed VIP suites. (Lamentably, Mr B and I did not get to stay in one of the VIP suites. Maybe next time ?)

Our room was clean, comfortable, surprisingly spacious – and notably not overly “Elvisy.” (I personally LOVED the Jail House Rock image on our wall!) The bed was extremely comfortable, with luxury linens and a kitten-soft throw blanket that practically dared me to stop petting it.

The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

Elvis movies, concert footage, and specials are available on room TVs at all times, as well as a 24-hour live-stream of the entrance to Graceland. Free Wi-fi, free airport shuttle service, and shuttle service to Graceland Mansion and the newly opened Elvis Presley’s Memphis Entertainment Complex is also included in your stay (or you can make the five minute walk on foot). They provide free shuttle service to Downtown Memphis/Beale Street as well.

The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

But as nice as it is to have soft sheets and free shuttle service, we all know that sometimes it’s the little things that really elevate a hotel experience. Some of the amenities that Mr B and I particularly appreciated include the in-room Keurig (Mr B has got to have his coffee!) and the larger-than-average naturally-sourced luxury bath products. (You can buy full-size items in the hotel gift store.) The dual-head rainfall shower was a big plus too.

Shampoo - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

Keurig - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

Clearly, great consideration was taken in designing and appointing The Guest House at Graceland, from the carefully chosen color scheme to the cushions in the guest rooms.

Details - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

I’m one of those people who touches everything, and with all the textures on the The Guest House walls, I was in heaven.

The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

The Guest House at Graceland has been open less than a year and from our experience, they still have a few minor kinks to smooth out. For example, during our stay a system glitch set fire alarms off all over the hotel at about 1:15am. (Never a good thing, especially for bone-weary travelers.) But… Life. Plus, it gave us a good story. Overall our stay was pleasant, relaxing, and truly memorable.

The service we received at The Guest House was, in all cases, first-rate. We were especially impressed with our hotel attendant, Aramis. (Yes, like the Musketeer 😉 )

Aramis - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

I don’t know what Aramis’ actual title at the hotel is. I asked him once, and he replied, “Everything. I do everything.” And apparently, he does. When we first arrived at The Guest House at Graceland, it was Aramis who carried our luggage to our room and introduced us to its amenities. He likewise acted as our concierge during our stay, and directed us to some great local blues and barbecue destinations. At one point, he even served as our shuttle driver.

In every instance, Aramis was gracious, amiable, and proficient. (And if by chance our review has any weight with hotel administration/powers-that-be, we encourage them to give this young man a raise and a promotion: he is an both an exceptional representative of The Guest House and a true ambassador of Memphis hospitality.)

Jumpsuit Hall - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

The hotel throughout is, in a word, Beautiful. There are a number of lovely common areas, as well as a ball room, meeting rooms, and other large event spaces.

Spaces - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

One of the highlights for Elvis fans at The Guest House at Graceland is the full-scale replica of the Grand Staircase at Graceland, complete with the blue curtain at the top of the stairs, the mirrored wall and the chandelier, just like at the entrance foyer of Graceland.

Staircase - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

PRO TIP: This is a great spot to take that commemorative Graceland photo! (I have no idea how we forgot to do this while we were there.)

As part of our all-inclusive Elvis Presley’s Memphis Celebration Package, we were treated to a wonderful breakfast each morning at Delta’s Kitchen, one of the two full-service restaurants at the hotel. (Note that breakfast is not included with the regular room rate at this time.)

Orange Juice - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

The service at Delta’s Kitchen was friendly and efficient, and the food was all tasty and satisfying. The breakfast buffet offered a broad variety of choices, from fresh fruit to homemade biscuits and gravy to the biggest tray of bacon I’ve ever seen. Made-to-order omelets were also available upon request.

Breakfast - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

In addition to Delta’s Kitchen, The Guest House at Graceland offers a number of other fine and casual dining choices.  The Lobby Lounge is a great place to kick back and relax with your favorite beverage while you nosh on selections from their a la carte light dining menu.

Happy Hour 2 - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

Happy Hour specials are available daily from 4pm until 6pm at the Lobby Lounge.

Happy Hour - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

EP’s Bar & Grill, a Memphis-inspired setting with lots of Southern flair, serves contemporary interpretations of Elvis’ favorite food and beverages.

EP BAR & Grill - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

If you’re not up for a sit-down meal, the Shake Rattle & Go offers grab-&-go favorites to get your day started, including coffee, espresso and delicious baked treats. Open all day, it also features freshly made sandwiches, salads, and snacks.

Shake, Rattle - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

On-site entertainment options include everything from foosball by the pool to daily showings of Elvis’ movies in the hotel’s full-size, 464-seat movie theater.

Foosball by the Pool - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

The outdoor pool and hot tub are open seasonally. The hotel also offers a 24-hour access fitness room.

Pool - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

Lounging by the Pool - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

The area surrounding The Guest House feels as though it could use some serious renovation, but once inside hotel security gates, the grounds are beautifully attended, and safety and security abounds. Parking was included with our stay in our Celebration Package, and the entrance gate and all parking areas are manned 24/7 by security attendants. (Without the package, self-parking currently costs $10 per day, with valet parking available for an additional fee.)

Hot Tub by the pool - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

If you are an Elvis fan heading to Memphis, this is the place to stay – no question; and even if you’re not a big Elvis devotee, if you’re heading to Memphis and plan to go to Graceland, this is a beautiful, memorable destination.

Guest room rates are very reasonable for a luxury hotel of this caliber, varying between approximately $127 (the current deal on TripAdvisor) to $249 a night for standard rooms, depending on the night and the season.

The Guest House at Graceland

3600 Elvis Presley Blvd
Memphis, Tennessee 38116
901.443.3000

Disclosure: Many thanks to the The Guest House at Graceland for hosting our stay. As always, all opinions and photos (except as noted) are our own. This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they will help us keep this site up and running. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Coming up next: The Newly Opened Elvis Presley’s Memphis Entertainment Complex

Bus Back - The Guest House at Graceland | The Good Hearted Woman

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Why You Will LOVE The Guest House at Graceland - From first impression to last, the vibe at The Guest House at Graceland is a fusion of classic elegance and modern luxury - welcoming, refined, and unique as Elvis himself.

Filed Under: Tennessee, Travel Tagged With: Hotels, luxury hotels, Memphis, Tennessee

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