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Oregon Coast Lodging Review: A Stately Victorian in Newport

Victoria Room

(Newport, Oregon) - It’s one of those deliciously, slightly secretive spring days on Oregon’s coast. It’s early March, just before the main spring breaks have sprung, so the big tourist hubbub hasn't kicked in yet, and you feel like you’re part of the in-crowd with the weather this way – like you’re in on something special. The sun is beating down through a blue sky, albeit still a bit chilly and windy. The nights are clear but cold, with an immense frosting of stars splattered across the blackness. It’s like a teasing of summer, with that crystalline beauty of winter mixed with a touch of those things we all love about summer, giving the town of Newport an intense, almost otherworldly feel, along with that bulging sense of energy that spring conjures.

It’s on this kind of a week where I become reacquainted with a remarkable lodging in the atmospheric and uber-charming neighborhood of Nye Beach, where the architecture and street designs already bring you back in time as the sea rolls in nearby. But this beautiful little B&B, with its affectations for bygone eras, takes that vibe to another level.

The Grand Victorian B&B is a striking beauty recently built to look and feel like a time trippin' jaunt to the distant past. Indeed, a graceful elegance fills this place, with hovering chandeliers, an almost spiral-like staircase that wouldn’t seem out of place in a gothic romance novel or classic film, and rooms filled with interesting knickknacks that impart that sense of another age.

Terry and Eileen Obteshka run this place, having built it a few years ago to not only fit in with Nye Beach’s historic-copping architectural guidelines, but they’ve made you feel like you could’ve walked onto the set of an old BBC show or the gushy fantasy Christopher Reeve flick, “Somewhere In Time.”

Their Victoria Suite encompasses the entire third floor, providing a panoramic view of the ocean. There’s a hot Jacuzzi bath, private balcony, king bed, sitting area, walk-through closet and private bath and shower. From here, the sounds of the surf and a whistle buoy on the distant ocean lull you to sleep, while the décor will send frissons through the parts of your brain that are activated by all things romantic or tasteful. Martha Stewart ain’t got nothin’ on this place.

Bundles of knickknacks in Sir Charles Room

The Lady Catherine's Room is on the second floor, also overlooking the waves. It includes a queen bed, cable TV and VCR. Its décor is a bit more Spartan, but there’s that distinctive Victorian charm and coziness that permeates the place, as in all the rooms.

I stayed in the Sir Charles Room, which is also on the second floor, but overlooking the bustling main street through this district (well, as busy as Nye Beach can get), along with a handful of charismatic little shops. The room has a bundle of little antiques dotted throughout, imparting memories of my grandparents’ pads back when I was a wee one.

It simply screams Old World elegance, and again reminds me of Reeve’s character from “Somewhere In Time.” I feel like I should be dressed in period garb from at least 1910 or further back. I think about his character waking up, in costume, transported from the 70’s into the early part of the century.

I kick myself for not having taken a date with me.

The staircase always mesmerizes me here. It looks so ancient, yet is so obviously new and polished, exuding a sense of the posh on top of the time travel thing. I’ve explored this place before, years ago, and took numerous pictures of the complex stairway, which is easy to make artful photographs of. Along the way, there’s a small maritime-like window with a tiny game area next to it. Adorable details abound here.

The breakfast table makes its first appearance

Downstairs, there’s a living room packed with books and other knickknacks, where fat, comfy chairs create a seating area that’s exceptional for lounging or chatting with other guests.

This place is also different in that you must remove your shoes upon entering, which somehow brings everyone to the same level in some small sense, giving all guests a tiny jolt of the unfamiliar they must all share. Pretension is assuredly shed in this laidback coastal paradise. Be you tycoon or typist, that hole in your sock will show.

The ocean is doing some intriguing things, with a bit of occasional wild wave action. Low tides are exceptional, however, sneaking way out and leaving a much larger than usual beach to play on.

At night, the stars are out in full force, and it’s a taste of that in-crowd dynamic again as I get invited to a private after hours celebration at a local business. Some friends are whooping it over a particular triumph that week.

The other big highlight at Grand Victorian B&B is the gourmet breakfast in the morning, where, if you leave the table walking instead of rolling like Humpty Dumpty, you’ve done something wrong. This incredible feast will hold you past lunch. The enchanting retro kitchen, with its massive Aga stove, provides a bounty of delectable delights, led by the able hand of Eileen. The other guests and I stroll in to discover a carefully set table, with fresh fruit juices inhabiting some lovely glassware, amidst these surroundings from another time. White, gauzy curtains create a dreamy feel to the scene, and again I’m struck with a sense of the cinematic about it all: this could be a movie about romantic time travel.

Bacon, French toast, eggs and organic coffee arrive at the table, where three other guests have joined me to try and be chatty so early in the morning. Some are better at this than others. In any case, the waffles were of some stunning whole grain variety that left me scarfing them up rather greedily.

Oregon is a small state, and it’s hard not to bump into someone you know just about anywhere – often with hilarious results. One man, it turns out, was sort of indirectly my boss once at a photography job I had for the community college back in Salem. I was kind of a screw-up at the time, and he was one of the reasons I was fired. He doesn’t remember me, and it took me a little bit of time to remember who he was, but I had it figured out by the time the breakfast ended.

I could only laugh at this coincidence, especially since I had a blast talking to him and his wife about other coastal areas. He, too, had the same almost paranormal spiritual-like experiences I had with Neskowin. It was nice to talk to someone else who understood what I had sensed at that most special of Oregon coast beaches.

Nighttime brings out the cook again in Eileen. “Each evening I make either cookies, brownies, or apple crisp for their dessert,” she said. “We also give guests optional times for their breakfast of either 9 a.m., 10 a.m. or 11 a.m.”

Checkout time is noon at the Grand Victorian, which helps people like me who like to stay out late, whooping it up in whatever coastal burgh I’m in.

The Obteshkas also have a vintage rental cottage next door, which also has an old-world feel, although not quite as pronounced. This is more like the 1920’s or 30’s, with old-style heating fixtures and architecture mixed with the modern but cozy furniture. The front area is a sort of atrium, created by a porch that’s enclosed, allowing you a view of that mesmerizing, flat ocean horizon. It’s a perfect place to take in the sunny surroundings or watch the melee of an ocean storm.

There’s a small dining room here, a full kitchen, two bedrooms, and the living room is a beauty.

You’ll find the Grand Victorian B&B right on Coast Street, which is the main drag through Nye Beach. It’s about a half block away from the Newport Performing Arts Center, and like everything in Nye Beach, a quick walking distance to eateries and attractions like the center for the visual arts, Panache, Village Market & Deli, Nye Beach Gallery, Nye Scoop and dozens of other attractive amenities and shops. 105 NW Coast Street, Newport. www.grandvictorianor.com. 503-508-4820.

Scenes from the vintage cottage rental home at Old Victorian

Inn at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms. Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly. Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com.

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ASTORIA Where the Columbia meets the Pacific, Land of Lewis & Clark and loads of atmosphere & history SEASIDE The Promenade, Tillamook Head, family fun & broad, sandy beaches CANNON BEACH A mysterious lighthouse, upscale yet earthy, a huge monolith, fine eateries & an art mecca NEHALEM BAY Manzanita's beaches, Nehalem and Wheeler's quirky beauty; laid back Rockaway TILLAMOOK BAY Garibaldi, Barview, Bay City, Tillamook & an oceanfront ghost town THREE CAPES LOOP The hidden secret of the coast: Cape Meares, a lighthouse, Oceanside, Netarts and Pacific City LINCOLN CITY & THE CORRIDOR OF MYSTERY Miles & miles of unbroken beaches, Cascade Head, Neskowin and many manmade attractions DEPOE BAY A spouting horn downtown, freaky hidden cliffs and whales, whales, whales NEWPORT Time-tripping Nye Beach, a bustling bayfront, marine science-central and two lighthouses WALDPORT / SEAL ROCK Pristine, even secretive sands and wild geologic landmarks YACHATS Constantly dramatic wave action, a mix of the rugged & upscale UPPER LANE COUNTY 25 miles of deserted beaches & oodles of wonders FLORENCE A lighthouse, ancient bayfront and miles and miles of fluffy dunes

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