Lodging

Posted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Oceano Hotel Lobby

Don’t you love the smell of new cars? Well, new hotels have that same smell and feel to them. The Oceano Hotel and Spa is Half Moon Bay Harbor’s newest neighbor and I wanted to check it out. Having dropped my daughter at camp for a week, I was foot loose and fancy free for the afternoon. I drove up Highway One from Santa Cruz and admired the gorgeous California coastline.

After arriving at the Oceano, I dropped my bag and looked for a good place to get some fresh seafood. Yes, this would certainly be a nice place to bring my husband for a romantic getaway, but, as usual, he was home with our other child.

My room, #312, was called the Grand Oceano and rented for $379. The suite had a king bed, organic linens and panoramic views of Half Moon Bay’s Pillar Point Harbor. The sliding glass doors opened to the balcony looking out to the Pacific Ocean. As I mentioned, the hotel is new, having opened 16 months ago on March 13, 2008.  Each suite comes with a fireplace, private balcony, a 42 inch, flat screen, HD television, free Wireless Internet access, a separate sitting area and wet bar. Too bad you can’t see the Mavericks Surf contest from the hotel.

ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY

Oceano Room #312

As environmentally-conscientious Californians, we’re used to linen re-use programs, water efficient landscaping and reduced wattage lighting. Oceano Hotel clearly walked the eco-friendly talk with its low VOC paints, their ozone laundry facility and its biodegradable cleaning program and the use of reclaimed cooking oil used to produce Bio Diesel fuel. Heck, if I’d pulled up in my LEV and FEV (low emitting & fuel efficient) vehicle, I could have had free valet parking. But I don’t yet own a smart car, although it is on my list. Instead, I arrived in my slightly dented, but fully-paid for, Honda mini van and self parked in the garage. How very un-sexy.

The Green Suites certified hotel, also has a Spa and Health Club, although the spa wasn’t fully up and running on my visit. The Oceano Coastal Spa will officially open on August 29, 2009 with a soft opening taking place August 24-28. The Spa will offer a barbeque during the grand opening and all treatments, except massages, will be 50% off during the soft opening. Check the website for Getaway Packages and specials.

Oceano Hotel and Spa 1 (888) 623-2661

280 Capistrano Road, Half Moon Bay, California 94019

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Mill Casino Suite

After a morning of Dune Buggy riding in North Bend, Oregon, I was looking forward to checking into my hotel room at the nearby Mill Casino to kick back and relax.  I stopped to have lunch at the Plankhouse Restaurant and was very happy with the crab melt sandwich.

The recent $42 million dollar hotel expansion not only added more casino space and much needed meeting room suites, it upgraded the waterfront hotel with a seven-story, 92 room tower.

SPA DAY 

Mill Casino Spa Tub

I could have spent the entire morning in the spa bathtub that looked out over the water.  Instead, I moved to the deck, wrapped in the fluffy white cotton hotel robe and scanned my book.  Afterall, I was reading “Out Our Backdoor” a paperback outlining Oregon South Coast Driving Tours and Day-Hikes in the area. That afternoon I ventured to Golden Falls with guide Marty Giles and was in awe of her local knowledge and the natural beauty that surrounded us on our hike to the thundering water fall.

The Mill Hotel, owned by the Coquille (pronounced “Ko Kwel”) Indian Tribe,  has done a nice job with the natural decor and color scheme in the tower rooms. Those in need of a 42″ flat-screen TV will be happy, as well as the complimentary internet access, but for me, the real beauty of the area is in the outdoors. My complimentary room, one of six bay-view luxury suites, rented for $280 a night with the AAA discount in the winter.  Check the website for getaway packages and if you enjoy gambling, consider the Millionaires Club for benefits and discounts.

Mill Casino Hotel and RV Park 1 (800) 953-4800

3201 Tremont Avenue, North Bend, Oregon 97459

Pet-friendly