Escape from Reality at One of Grays Harbor’s Best Overnight Accommodations

An escape from our busy lives is sometimes needed to fully recharge, and Grays Harbor County is just the place to do that. Whether you’re nestled deep in the temperate rainforest or a stones throw from the shores of the Pacific Ocean, you’ll feel the stress melt away and check-out feeling ready to take on anything.

Peace and Quiet in the Quinault Rainforest

There’s nowhere in the world quite like the Quinault Rainforest. With its towering old growth forest, lush moss, clear blue Lake Quinault, and the feeling of walking into a sacred land, this is the place where you can truly find peace and quiet. While on this native Quinault land, let your worries wash away as you watch bald eagles soar through the sky and Roosevelt Elk traipse through the woods. Book an overnight stay and make the most of your time in the Olympic National Park.

Lochaerie Resort is the perfect place for individuals, couples, or families to stay on the north side of the Lake. Open since 1926, the six individual vintage cabins are each appointed with quaint kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and views of the surrounding forest and Lake.

On the Southside of the Lake, Rain Forest Resort Village offers Parkside Suites, Fireplace Cabins, the Village Inn itself, as well as their RV Campground. A weekend here has everything you need, including easy access to their on-site fine dining restaurant, the Salmon House. Just down the road you can find the historic Lake Quinault Lodge, also constructed in 1926 in its grand yet rustic fashion. Unwind in front of the massive fireplace in the lobby, enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner in the Roosevelt Dining Room, swim, paddleboard or fish on the Lake, or curl up with a good book in your home away from home.

While for many peace and quiet is best found in a comfortable bed, for many others hitting the reset button is best found setting up camp under the stars. In Quinault, pitch your tent at Falls Creek Campground,  Willaby Campground, or Gatton Creek Campground where all campsites are located near the shoreline of glacier carved Lake. Learn more about camping and RV camps in the Quinault region here.

Relaxing Seaside Retreats

When looking at Grays Harbor County, the mighty Chehalis River divides the two beach communities in two. Roughly an hours drive from each other, it’s possible to explore both in one day, however it’s best to find a place to rest your head in the community that best suits your interests.

In South Beach, opportunities for dining, shopping, storm watching, beach combing, surfing and much more are right at your fingertips. The Westport Marina is bursting with restaurants serving locally caught seafood from one of the largest fish landing ports in the country, unique shops to pick up the perfect souvenir, as well as charter fishing offices and boats that can take you on a high seas adventure to catch bottom fish, salmon, tuna, or whale watching in the spring.

Chateau Westport positions guests just steps from the Pacific Ocean. Their many room options include those with ocean views, saunas, kitchenettes, and dog-friendly options, so the whole family can get away together. The property also features an indoor pool, frisbee golf, gym and 27 acres of gardens to explore. Another vast property near the beach is Vacation by the Sea where guests are encouraged to make themselves at home in their spacious one and two bedroom condos, all with full kitchens, high speed wifi and internet, flatscreen TV’s, cookware, washer/dryer, luxury linens and towels.

Wanting to be near the bustling Westport Marina? Book a night or two at the Westport Marina Cottages Motel where charming private waterfront cottages await you with full motel amenities. Also near the Marina is The Westport Inn where you have the option to book basic rooms, an ocean view, or even a cozy cabin complete with a jetted tub. Explore a full list of South Beach accommodations here. 

Venturing to the North Beach, visitors will find no shortage of places to find their zen. Rent out a cozy cottage or condominium at Ocean Shores’ Oyhut Bay Seaside Village positioned on the edge of the scenic Oyhut Bay Wildlife Reserve offering some of the best bird watching in the area. Onsite, the property has everything you need to keep the stress of vacation planning to a minimum including a restaurant, winery, market, bakery, and retail shops as well as free bicycle usage, outdoor game area, and amphitheater.

Additional options in Ocean Shores include Sweet Caroline Inn, an exquisite condominium building unlike any other in the area with five luxurious condos that sit high up on the dunes, WorldMark at Mariner Village complete with condos equipped with kitchens and fire places in addition to their outdoor pool and hot tub, and Lighthouse Suites Inn, the closest hotel to the beach, with large studio suites, ample space, and modern luxuries.

Drive north of Ocean Shores and you’ll soon find the hidden gem of Iron Springs Resort, the 2022 winner for Best Cabins named by King5 Best Northwest Escapes. In operation since the 1940’s, their oceanfront cabins have undergone extensive renovation and are the ideal place to stay for fresh air, beach combing, bonfires, and all things nature. Continuing up the coast is Seabrook, a perfect place for unwinding with friends in an expansive home or cottage rental, each carefully appointed with calming beach decor. The always evolving community features numerous shops, restaurants, bars, a spa, indoor pool and hot tub, parks, bike and beach rentals, and much more. Ditch the car and cruise the winding streets before making your way to the beach where kite flying, skim boarding, and relaxing is always within grasp.

Further north from Seabrook sits Ocean Crest Resort where blissful ocean views of the Pacific pair perfectly with warm hospitality. Unwind in a cliff-top room with a view of the ocean or forest and fully enjoy the full-service resort complete with 45 comfortable rooms, indoor pool, health club, fine dining restaurant, cocktail lounge, and gift shop. Take the private staircase to the beach where the crowds diminish and you’ll feel as if you have the beach completely to yourself.

For a complete list of lodging option in North Beach, click here.

Accommodations Near Outdoor Recreation in East County

For some, escaping reality means peace and quiet, while others prefer their getaways allow them to get active and let off some steam. In East County, one of the most popular recreational activities is mountain biking. With the Capitol Forest at the city’s doorstep, there are miles and miles of trails to explore that also make for fantastic hikes for all skill levels. Nature lovers also can experience some of Washington’s best waterfowl and big game hunting as well as fishing in the area including on Montesano’s Lake Sylvia, and the Humptulips and Wynoochee Rivers.

Within the the area, position yourself close to all the action with a stay at the Elma Stay Beyond Inn & Suites or at the Travel Inn RV Resort. Another comfortable place to rest your head after a long day of riding is the GuestHouse in nearby Montesano.

Find the perfect place to stay for your getaway to Grays Harbor by utilizing the city sorter feature and interactive map on our Where to Stay Page. No matter where you end up and how you like to relax, the Washington Coast is awaiting your arrival!

This original content is produced by Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. and sponsored by Grays Harbor County Tourism.