Keith A.
Yelp
This is a really difficult review to write. I'm torn between 4 stars or 5. Is there a 4.9? And as one reviewer, Bill from Vancouver, already said, "Don't stay here....really...or I'll loathe you!" Well, Bill is right. With only 10 rooms, I'm gonna loathe you too. And Bill. And anyone else who happens to stay here when we want to come to Seaside!
Here's the real deal, folks: This place is a gem. The reviews are spot on. When I decided at the last minute (Monday night before the weekend we wanted to come) to book a hotel in Seaside, I went to Yelp. This is the only place with an overall 5 star rating.
Texted my son, who has stayed in and around this area numerous times over the years with his Air Guard unit and he suggested The River Tide. I started to book River Tide online but just couldn't bring myself to hit "confirm". Looking again at the reviews, I decided to call Inn of the Four Winds. It was after 9pm but I thought, "Why not?"
So thankful I did. Can't remember who answered, but the gal was wonderful. She said they still had one room available for the weekend: queen with a pullout sofa bed for $189. We chatted a bit more about why we were coming (our son is deploying again) and we were going to swing by and pick up our daughter at OSU for one last family weekend. Everything was coming together perfectly. The weather report for the weekend said clear & sunny. After hanging up the phone, I turned to my wife and said, "Done. I think we are really going to like this place. That lady was so nice!"
Arrived just after 4pm Friday afternoon. The clouds had rolled in, the wind had picked up and I had packed shorts. No biggie. It was still 60ish. Wife & daughter waited in the car while I went to check us in. Walked up the steps and was warmly greeted by Cathy who immediately said, "You must be Keith. I just tried to call you." Turns out Cathy had made the decision to swap our room with another guest that was having difficulty with the stairs. Our reservation didn't say anything about room preference so when Cathy couldn't reach me, she opted to make the switch and hope for the best. She was so nervous, but I quickly assured her it would be NO PROBLEM. We are very laid back about these things. Besides, Cathy said our room was actually going to be an upgrade to a King suite with a Queen. Cool. My daughter will enjoy not sleeping on a pullout and have her own room.
We chatted a bit more about amenities, firewood for the beach, DVDs they had available and restaurant suggestions. Cathy drew a map and listed several I had already bookmarked on Yelp. Gave her a thumbs up and went to grab the girls and get us moved in for the weekend.
Room 201. Second floor, extreme south end of the building. Opened the door and was immediately delighted in the spaciousness of the room. Definitely an oooo-aaaaah moment as we all said in unison, "Oh wow. OH WOW. Look at this. Oh look at THIS." To say we were impressed is an understatement. I knew we'd struck gold and Inn of the Four Winds was going to be a regular getaway for us in years to come. Quickly doing the math, the price we pay for semi annual trips to Hawaii...we could stay here a solid month!
Ok---so why the four stars? Or 4.9 stars? You are gonna think I'm being picky, but this is more for the owners / management to read carefully and not let a good thing go to their head. This is truly a beautiful little hotel. Service is superb. Couldn't be better. But...looking closely at the other pics and reading the reviews, I see some wear & tear that will get away from them if left unchecked. I'd be heartbroken to see this gem go downhill. Please don't let that happen! A broken door handle here, paint chips, wall rubs and scuffs there...some peeling wall paper in the corner. Again, my eyes were scrutinizing the little things. But that's only because I don't want them to grow into big things. Love this place! Will stay here again & again.
In closing, I'll steal from Bill in Vancouver, don't you stay here...or I'll have to loathe you!