Windermere on the Beach — Hotel in Bandon

Whenever I want a few minutes to relax, I think of the time spent here during a winter's break. Peaceful it was, wonderful are the memories made during this visit to a more remote part of the ocean in Oregon. The allure of this place is obvious to anyone who finds it the way we did on the back roads along the coast. We considered the Best Western, but decided we'd rather risk the Tsunami and experience that On the Beach excitement and smell of salty air.

Knowing that if one promotes a place too much, it is quite possible that there won't be a place to stay the next time one wants to visit. But, given that the song says "I may not pass this way again" ... could be true, I want to thank the folks, who run the place for making our time comfortable. The little place was built during the 1930's in the Craftsman style and is quaint to look at as well as interestingly laid out.

We opted for the downstairs as we are getting older and didn't want to drag our stuff upstairs. The only obvious drawback was that the lower units, during a recent remodel, was converted to an ADA configuration so that the bath could accommodate the disabled. It meant that there was little or no closet space. I did manage to hang a few items next to the microwave. I was able to figure out how to put the electric alarm clock on a shelf above the TV and connect the CPAP device where the alarm clock was. Somehow that also disconnected a lamp, but it began to work the day we left when I put it all back in same order. Never figured that out.

Coffemaker, small refrigerator and microwave came with the reasonable rent and we stayed over two nights. No regrets. I did notice a perfume type of smell that I would have preferred not to have, but I managed and felt that maybe this was a cleaner smell that came with the cleaning after a dog had stayed with the previous visitor. Dog friendly, cat not. Promised they clean well after each visitor. In the room we stayed in, we took the bed next to the window as the other one seemed to be a bit more broken in.

Shower worked great, plenty of hot water. Good coffee offered, even decaf which we find is not always available. Beware of the plastic water cups, I found one of them had split rims and wasn't friendly to my lips. Maybe bring your own cups, or use the coffee cups. They'll be glad to give you more in the office. Nice folks who run this one. They even have one Electric Vehicle charger by the office.

View. View. View... did I say view? Well, I was thrilled and chilled all at the same time. It would be an awesome way to go, if one has to pick a way to go, the Tsunami Zone is right out the back window... as old folks, we'd never have made it up the hill. If that bothers you, stay at the Best Western up above this place, but I say that the price of adventure is risk and here you take a risk... I'm glad I did. I'll hold this memory in my mind for a long, long time. From here we saw so many great views. Try the local food. You'll have a good time....

Ocean view with no balcony facing the ocean. What's with that?! Our balcony was facing the hotel across the street. No one rents a room with a view only to sit outside facing the parking lot. With no A/C you think they would provide a FAN, but nope! The bathroom was so small and cramped, there was a gross brown thing on the mattress (I don't even want to know what it was, but it was big and gross), no phone in the room, there needs to be more lighting (it felt like a cave in the room), the floor in the bathroom was at an angle and raised higher than the rest of the floors... so weird, the toilet wasn't secure and moved when sat on, the big window facing the ocean only opened at the bottom so you couldn't even get a good breeze or hear the ocean, the coffee was so weak even with using both little packets of coffee for one pot (we had to go buy coffee and filters), there was mold on the bathroom window and the living room widow looked like a petri dish culture with the mold in between the panes of glass so it can't even be cleaned, there was gum stuck to one of the photo frames, there was a huge grey hair on the bed (neither of us have grey hair) so I can only assume they didn't clean the bed properly, the sponge they give you to wash dishes was used and had a gross smell, the heater was so sad and super old, the steps were steep so keep that in mind if you have bad knees, I'm glad I brought my switch because tv channels were seriously limited. The view was amazing, the beach access was great, the kitchen was convenient, the staff were friendly, and the bed/pillows were not uncomfortable but not great. I really wanted to enjoy my stay, but there was so much wrong. For the price to be what it was ( and in winter to boot), we should have had a balcony facing the ocean and not the parking lot, it wouldn't be a bad idea for them to upgrade the coffee pot (they charge enough, there should have been a Keurig), should have been a bath tub, and better heating and cooling. Save your money and stay elsewhere. Also, we shouldn't have been charged an additional cleaning fee when the room was dirty. I get that they're trying to do the old cozy coastal cabin type of vibe, but it really comes off as neglectful and disgusting, not cozy and nostalgic. We usually stay up the road in the ocean front rooms that are right on the ocean, but we decided to switch it up......

Why I loved it: I stayed in the Family Cottage and the ocean views were phenomenal, the room had an old-timey feel, it was comfortable and clean, and the staff was friendly.

But why I wouldn't go back: As soon as we unpacked our bags, I noticed the front door wouldn't lock. The deadbolt was broken and so, too, was the lock on the handle. The only way to secure the door was to latch a thin chain to it.

The stairs to the top floor were extremely steep and narrow. I cannot imagine an elderly, disabled, or young person trying to climb up or down these stairs without risk of serious injury. I'm in my late twenties and even I was nervous going up and down. I'm shocked they haven't renovated them.

The electrical outlet on the top floor could not be used without bending the prongs on the end of the cord. I must have spent 15 minutes plugging and unplugging my device in to the top outlet before finally bending the metal prong sideways to get it to fit securely. The bottom outlet would not work at all.

There were noticeable spots of rust on the light fixture in the bathroom, and the towel rack next to the toilet looked rickety and as if it'd fall off if you put too much weight on it. Other areas - such as the oven in the kitchenette - had faded and/or chipping stickers.

The bathroom itself was very small (i.e. the toilet was two steps from the shower; the door was two steps from the toilet; etc.)

And, finally, the wifi was slow and spotty.

For $250 per night, I felt our room could have been better updated. I LOVED the old-timey, comfortable feeling of staying in the cottage - and the views ARE truly outstanding - but there are areas they could improve upon if they want to continue charging such a high price. Rust in the light fixture? An electrical outlet that you can't use? Chipping stickers on the stove? A door that you can't lock? Slow internet? These aren't expensive fixes.

If they would update their rooms, this would hands-down be...