Review & Giveaway: Westport Weekend

Disclaimer: Our stay at Vacations by the Sea and our dinner at the Half Moon Bay Bar & Grill were comped.

I did not think that I was stressed out, but nothing will help a person unwind quite so fast as a view of the ocean. While I am very much a land creature — I get seasick — I love the ocean with my whole heart. I love the way it smells, I love watching the surf, I love it when a beach is covered in thick white fog and when the sand is so hot it bakes you completely when you stretch out on it. I’m crazy for the coast and think the Pacific the grandest of sights. As much as I love living on Puget Sound, I still dream that one day I will live where I can walk to the Pacific and stand on the edge of that great vast water that reaches out all the way across the globe.

Westport Winter Sunset

With that kind of psyche, you can imagine that I was eager to accept an invitation to check out Vacations by the Sea in Westport on Washington’s south coast. It’s a condo property at the end a road that dead ends at the beach. There’s a series of three story buildings (not all of the units have beach views, though ours did), and a club house with a fitness center and a pool. They’ve got one and two bedroom units — we stayed in a top floor one bedroom with a huge picture window. There was a full kitchen, stocked with everything you’d need (blender included!), a nice little balcony, cable TV, and wifi. I’m sure we had one of the pricier units — it looks like the ocean view condos start at 169/night.

I’ve become pretty picky over the last year, so many hotel stays have made me extra critical and also, very focused on what matters. I like a clean, quiet place to stay with a comfortable bed. Everything else is gravy. Vacations by the Sea had the details covered, plus, really, with that view and the ability to make endless cups of tea, I was wildly content. Our hostess checked in via email to ask if I had any critical remarks and I was hard pressed. There were two things I could think of — our downstairs neighbors were a little noisy, though they shut down early enough to not be a nuisance and the ice machine in the fridge was making kind of a weird noise. Had I been sleeping in the living room, that would have been a problem, but I was absolutely sedated by watching the ocean from the couch that I couldn’t find much more to complain about.

On Saturday night we went to the Half Moon Bay Bar and Grill for a bit of feasting. Because of the notes in the guest book in our unit, I was expecting something of a romantic dining spot — I wouldn’t go that far, it’s more of a family restaurant. There’s some beach town/Hawaii stuff in the decor, it’s a bit brown for my likings, but it was comfortable and we’d gone to eat. That we did — we started with the Sesame Ahi (that was some yummy stuff, get this!), then J had steak (I don’t cook meat at home so this was a good choice) and I had the crab cakes. Everything was great, the crab cakes were crispy on the outside, the veggies were fresh and not overdone, the starter salads were generous (as were the dinners), and the waitstaff was friendly and helpful. We shared a giant serving of tiramisu for dessert. Though our dinner was comped, we did see the tab, dinner for two with drinks was 71.00. It was all very nice — and about a ten minute drive from our condo. In better weather, it would make a nice walk.

Not only did we get to have this lovely weekend through the hospitality of the Vacations by the Sea crew, but hey, you can have this too! They’ve agreed to a giveaway — but let’s have our lovely hostess tell you what you can win:

Let’s start with the disclaimers. Restrictions apply, dates subject to availability, the usual stuff. Some of the attractions may be operating on limited pre-summer hours or be closed for the season.You’ll need to use your stay before June 30 and holidays are excluded — that would be Memorial Day and Presidents Day weekends.

We’d like to give away one of the following packages:

  • Wine, climb & dine option 1:  4 mid-week nights in one of our lovely 2 bedroom partial view or park view condos; a complimentary wine, chocolate & cheese tasting at the Westport Winery, passes for 2 to climb Washington’s tallest lighthouse (Grays Harbor Light Station aka the Westport Lighthouse) and a $100 gift certificate to the Half Moon Bay Bar & Grill.
  • Wine, climb & dine option 2:  2 week-end nights in one of our lovely 2 bedroom partial view or park view condos; a complimentary wine, chocolate & cheese tasting at the Westport Winery, passes for 2 to climb Washington’s tallest lighthouse (Grays Harbor Light Station aka the Westport Lighthouse) and a $100 gift certificate to the Half Moon Bay Bar & Grill.

What do you have to do? Not much. Leave me a comment — be sure to fill out the contact information so I can get in touch if you’ve won. Just so I know you’re human and because it amuses me tell me the name of your favorite beach. If you enter more than once or don’t leave me a beach, you’ll be disqualified, sorry kids. I’ll pull a winner at random on the morning of Wednesday, February 10th.

I hope you have as nice a time out there as we did. Completely relaxed, stuffed with excellent local seafood, and mellowed by the Pacific, that is a fine way to be. I’m glad you’ll get to experience it.

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Westport Hotel Review

45 thoughts on “Review & Giveaway: Westport Weekend”

  2. Argh! I left out the beach, ridiculous I tell you – My favorite beach is Holman Beach in North Carolina – my husband’s family has been having reunions there since the 60’s. It’s fab!

  3. You know where to contact me, but I want the weekend!!! 🙂 My favorite beach to date is the beach just at and to the north of Makena State Park on Maui, Hawai’i. Lovely snorkeling. Many turtles. And Molokini is a short boat-ride away.

  4. Please put my name in the hat. My favorite beach is Lanikai Beach on O`ahu. I wish I were there, eating an L&L plate lunch, RIGHT NOW.

  6. A holiday in Westport sounds heavenly. I’m keeping all fingers crossed.

    My favorite beach is in Key West, where I grew up. The irony is that for someone who lived there as long as I did, I don’t swim and I don’t eat seafood. Hmmmmmm. Now I live in the mountains, far from the ocean, so a bit of R&R near the water would be a real treat.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  7. I am getting Westport Feaver…Westport…take me away!!!!!! I want the “pure wind in my hair” Westport beach escape…I can smell the ocean now! I can see the charter boats passing by because they are just “itchin to go fitchin” and I can hear the seals are barking for my presence…Okay…I’m dreaming, but I love my Westport Beach getaways!!!!

  8. My family and I LOVE Vacations by the Sea. These are the nicest beach accomodations we have been to. Seaside Or is getting too crowded and over priced for us, so we decided to try something new and we love it. And it’s closer to home.

  9. You did such a wonderful job of describing how I feel about the ocean. Sometimes, I wish I could just call you up and have you say things that I’m having trouble expressing.
    My husband and I would love going to that beautiful place in Washington, even though my favorite beach is in Crete, Falassarna.(The name sounds like it is calling you to the far sea.)
    Drive as far West as you can and a seemingly endless stretch of sand curves down around the edge of the island. The ruins of an ancient sea port stand there and you are free to climb over them and let your imagination wander. Go any month but July and August and you’ll have it all to yourself.

  10. If I had to pick a favorite beach it would either be at the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, CA or Cannon Beach, OR. I have many fantastic memories of both.

  11. I’m a beach person, too, and although a warm sunny day at the beach is terrific, I understand the soothing nature of a winter beach as well.

    My current favorite beach (and it changes regularly) is located in Cavtat, Croatia. It’s a charming little bay, just south of Dubrovnik, and depending on where you choose, you can do anything from sunning, sitting (on rocks overlooking the blue sea), or grab a spot at one of the beach cafes.

  12. Hi Pam- I am torn because I love all things ocean. So I am going with the “recency scale,” and most recently I visited Captiva Island, on the Gulf coast of Florida. They have a gorgeous three mile beach full of shells with live crabs walking up it. Oh and there were several bird watching ops, pelicans fishing and dolphins playing. I would recommend this place to anyone, and often do!

  13. This sounds like such a lovely getaway. My husband and I would really love it.

    Because I grew up in Ohio and didn’t really have access to ocean beaches, I have such fond memories of our trips to Myrtle Beach when I was a kid. So I’ll say that was my favorite beach, but only for nostalgic reasons. 🙂

  15. Mmmm. . . that sounds like a nice little getaway. Wouldn’t mind getting some of that action myself:). Boy, my favorite beach – Destin in Florida is stunning – super blue water and sand so fine you can barely feel it. Memory might be skewing the details a bit.

  16. Chuns Reef, North Shore Oahu. Looks like Westport with the sand and waves just not sunny 365 days a year and you have to wear a wet suit to surf….

  17. Love going to the beach……..best place to relax, unwind and let your mind wander imagining anything you desire. Favorite beaches are Long Beach in WA and any beach in Hawaii!

  19. Love reading your blog and tweets! This sounds like an awesome vacation. My favorite beach is Kaanapali in Hawaii. Not only is it gorgeous but I love coconut ;)!

  20. Best place for anyone and everyone. I love the Washington coast. The beaches are sandy, empty and vast. Westport is the real deal. A combination of the Deadliest catch type of guys and Seattle urbanites all about town. No Starbucks, but the 2 coffee stops in town are both great. Lots of friendly small town events. I especially love Pirate Days. Great bike rides, running/walking paths and the lighthouse is awesome. You must be 8 or older to climb, but I think a younger one would have a hard time with it. Oh, and did I mention it’s the surf capital of Washington? Yeah, I guess I love Westport.

  21. I want to win. I could use the break. Favorite beach: toss-up between where I grew up in Capitola, and Copalis up here. There was this beach in Greece and one in Herzliya in Israel that were fab, too. And the driftwood beach on San Juan Island. Is that enough?

  22. The Washington Coast in the winter can be spectacular! Favorite beach–that’s tough. I’d have to vote for the North Beach (not the West Beach) at Deception Pass State Park. I spent summers there as a kid carcamping with my family, sitting under the madrona trees, watching the tide come in, playing with the bull kelp. It’s the happy place I go to when I need to get away from everyday life.

  23. Just in time for Valentine’s Day! Thank you for such a wonderful giveaway! My favorite beach is Lanikai Beach in Kailua, Hawaii.

  24. Hmm I like the idea, but would have to go for option 1 since I’m a wee bit away from Washington. I’m glad I came back to check on tweets I favorited via my phone almost forgot to check out this link!

  25. I love Westport and I think my favorite beach there is Half Moon Bay. Half Moon Bay is like my own private little getaway and always seems as if I have it all to myself when I am there.

  26. Washington beaches are so lovely, even this time of year. But if I could be beamed over to my favorite beach right now, it would have to be Lumahai beach on the North Shore of Kauai…

  28. I was just there last weekend!!!! We stayed at Vacations by the sea as well.

    We ate at Half Moon Bay for lunch on Saturday. Their crab cakes has won some prize in the Bite of Tacoma last year. It was really good. There is a little diner not too far away from there has the best clam chowder I have ever had… Fried chicken from the only grocery store in town is pretty good too.

    Did you check out the shipwreck?

  29. Ahhhhh……I just returned from my favorite beach….Makena Secret Cove (also called Makena Wedding Cove)….just south of Big Beach on Maui….I still have my tan…..but I adore all Washington beaches, too. Every beach has its own fantastic personality and something to love about it in particular. I am a fan of every beach, whether its special feature is a vast expanse of uninhabited gray sand and constant, roaring surf, or a tiny hidden cove of creamy lava-speckled sand with distinct waves lapping at its shore…..

    Thank you for the opportunity to win a getaway at lovely Westport!!!

  31. My family and I were just in Westport and had an awsome time there. Can’t wait to go back to make some new memories of this hidden gem.

    I’d have to say my favorite beach is Kahekili Beach Park in Maui, HI.

  32. What a perfect time to stay! This would be heaven and perfect timing!
    You know this is hard to pick a perfect beach!..haha Believe it or not, wash-away beach just south of the condos was a favorite growing up. As you probably know, the best for combing and with the endless amount of drift wood, we would have countless bon-fires. After living near West Seattle for 12yrs I still have a fondness for Alki Beach.
    Thank You for doing this!

  34. I am 53 and have never been to any other ocean beach except Westport and Grayland Beaches. When my wife and I met 12 years ago, she convinced me that we needed to go to Westport for vacation and promised that I would enjoy it; my wife was right! We haven’t had the opportunity to stay at the condos, but walk by them every trip that we are there, regardless, every trip we make to our favorite beach, Westport, there is always something to do and see there. I had never been to the ocean so when we go, I spend my mornings walking the beach, enjoying the sounds of the waves rolling across the sand as well as crabbing off the docks, and fishing on the Hula Girl. Westport Beaches are my favorite getaway and would be a great anniversary gift for my wife as she introduced me to the most beautiful ocean beaches in Washington State.

  35. A mid-week escape sounds mighty lovely right about now – especially during Westport off-season (my fave time of the year to visit). I could use a little sea air, sleeping late, and tech-free time with my sand in the toes.

  36. I too love the ocean. But even better, my husband and I have relatives in the nearby area who can baby sit our kids. Actually we could make it annual affair. Drop the kids with grandma and escape for what sounds like a lovely weekend away for two hard working professionals with a demanding family life. I promise to be the best guest and to write a post on UpTake.

    Sounds dreamy.

  37. What a great giveaway! I’ve only been to the Pacific NW one time, but it was an absolutely magical experience. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

    My favorite beach? Oh, that’s so hard to answer. From our Pacific NW trip, I fell in love with Oregon’s Gold Beach.

  38. Sounds like an absolutely lovely trip. I have been dreaming of going to the Pacific Northwest for years. Nice to know of some places to check out when I make it out there :).

    The best beach I’ve ever been to is in Cascais, Portugal. It’s kind of rocky, with lots of jettys going out into the water, and surrounded by beautiful, European architecture of the town of Cascais. I was with a great group of people while there, which, of course, added to the experience.

  39. I’ve never been to the Washington Coast – but it sounds lovely! I could use a west coast getaway!
    My favorite beach – in the US – Ocean Beach in San Francisco for the view alone, certainly not for the swimming.
    International – just outside of Dahab in Sinai Egypt

  40. My Mom lives in Grayland so we enjoy Westport and enjoy the beautiful beaches when we make a visit. Many happy memories with my family searching for agates or picking up sand dollars. Still, my favorite beach is at home here in Juneau, Alaska – Auke Rec Beach. Come on up for a visit!!

  43. As I was reading your description of the place I was recreating all the good moments that I’ve had in beaches myself. It would be great to live it once again.

    My favorite beaches are all in Puerto Rico, but if I need to choose one, I would choose the beaches at Rincon. It’s right by an historic lighthouse, where you can relax in the warm sand or just take a board and surf the waves. Also, during late Winter, you could see whales in the horizon.

    I’m looking forward to visiting Westport Beach, if given the chance, and see if I need to rethink my favorites.

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