Recent Changes at Some Central Oregon Coast Hotels

Published 07/14/2010

Inn at Wecoma

(Lincoln City, Oregon) – Some new developments at a handful of Lincoln City lodgings are reshaping the hotel landscape of the central Oregon coast town. The Sea Gypsy has migrated from a motel to a condo rental operation, one hotel has changed ownership and its name, and another has acquired a high-profile marketing partner from Los Angeles.

The Lee family of Lincoln City (owners of Coho Oceanfront Lodge) recently snagged the Farmer’s Daughter Hotel on Lincoln City’s Highway 101, and the name is now Inn at Wecoma. Rob Lee, Director of Operations for the Coho and Wecoma, said the place will experience a few changes and additions, including in-room DVD players, a gift shop, business center, and they’ll have numerous resources for people to look through to prepare for their adventures. 

Lincoln City's beaches

“We also will be decorating the lobby with a throwback to the ‘miracle miles’ era and past Lincoln city pictures and photos,” Lee said. “All that with a slight modern twist so people of all generations will find it appealing.”

Inn at Wecoma is at 945 NW Hwy 101. Lincoln City, Oregon. 800-452-8981. www.innatwecoma.com

Meanwhile, their Coho Oceanfront Lodge has partnered with Los Angeles marketing and sales firm K Hotels.

Lee said K Hotels will fill a much needed sales position that would otherwise be financially prohibitive for their hotel, based on the sales efforts required to stay in front of travel agents and consumers not in Oregon’s backyard.

“The Coho Oceanfront Lodge makes an excellent addition to our collection of hand-picked hotels,” said Lara Weiss, Managing Director, K Hotels. “It’s such a unique leisure property, and is sure to attract new clients, as K Hotels continues to expand our growing brand of hospitality expertise and service.”

Part of Coho's renovation.

Recently renovated by renowned interior designers Ankrom Moisan Architects, the Coho is also committed to green practices. For more information on the The Coho Oceanfront Lodge, see www.thecoholodge.com.

Also in Lincoln City, rumors of the demise of The Sea Gypsy condo hotel are greatly exaggerated – in fact it couldn’t be more alive and kicking. A recent article in national magazine The Christian Science Monitor incorrectly portrayed the Sea Gypsy as a sinking ship, when in fact it was simply changing its operations model into a privately managed set of oceanfront condos.

It is no longer a motel but now a large collection of vacation rentals, managed by a handful of private owners and companies, including Michele Franck of Oregon Beach House Rentals. Now, prices are likely a little less to stay there but the views are the same.

The Sea Gypsy condo building recently removed its sign.

“It did close as a motel officially last November,” Franck said. “The office maintained operation for the transition through January, 2010. Units have always been individually owned but all were managed under one group, one management. It has operated that way nearly since its inception. In recent years the rank and file of new owners were opting to update and handle their own condos rental. I did, myself. With more and more turnover in ownership from the old guard, the new took on the actual and correct 'condo' persona.”

Franck started managing and renting out her own condo several years ago, and now the majority of condo owners do that or use a management company such as hers.

“This cuts down on the overhead and costs of operation dramatically - like housekeeping, grounds keepers, stock, supplies and 24-hour office staff and services,” Franck said.

Inside the Sea Gypsy rooms.

Franck currently manages eight condos in the extensive complex, and plans are to manage some eight more in the coming months.

The large signage on the southern side of the building – visible from the D River access – has recently been removed. Franck said this was because it was a leased sign and that lease ran out. With it no longer being an actual motel but separately managed vacation condo rentals and no front office, that signage was no longer necessary.

Oregon Beach House Rentals and their Sea Gypsy condos can be found at www.cottagesbythebeach.com and 888-755-7783.

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