Tucked away near the southern tip of Ocean Shores at the edge of the Oyhut Bay Wildlife Reserve sits a quiet, charming resort community that looks like something out of a movie…or perhaps a dream. Although Oyhut Bay Seaside Village is fairly new, its classic cottages and condos by the sea evoke an immediate sense of nostalgia.
Ocean Shores is more of a small locals’ hub than the more popular tourist-friendly coastal towns in Washington, like Long Beach or the nearby Seabrook (with which this community is not affiliated). But whether you go during the height of tourist season or in the mellow, dreamy off-season, one thing is certain: you won’t even have to leave this property to have an amazing, relaxing vacation.
Oyhut Bay Seaside Village consists of 58 vacation rentals (and growing), all of which are fully furnished and well-stocked with everything you’ll need for an idyllic escape. The homes are cozy, with plenty of blankets for those cold coastal nights. The vast majority of the properties also have hot tubs and fireplaces, so you won’t have to choose which amenities matter most.
The top-notch service starts as soon as you check in for your vacation at the leasing office, where you’ll be given a map of the area and any tips or recommendations you need. They’ll even help you with reservations for tee time at the Ocean Shores Golf Course. The team is always around to help with any questions or concerns you might have during your stay.
While you’ll have a full kitchen at your disposal in your rental, you might not need it. The on-site Oyhut Bay Grill & Loft serves food so fantastic, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything better in Ocean Shores proper. Chef Danica goes all-out with her freshly made alfredo sauce, house marinara for the pizzas and hand-cut steaks. If you stop in on the right evening, you might be treated to live music in the lounge.
Washington and Oregon are both world-renowned wine producers, and you’ll find plenty at Corks & Taps, Oyhut Bay’s new wine bar. Not only is the space delightful, the service is undeniably friendly, and the servers’ wine knowledge is impressive. If you have a tough time deciding, the tasting flights are a perfect option. And while you can’t go wrong with anything on the small plates menu, the savory garlic cheesecake is to die for (and personally recommended by Chef Danica and numerous other staff members).
The community also has a coffee shop and market well-stocked with groceries and gifts, souvenir shops and a salon, with plenty of room for expansion. If you do leave the property, you’ll want to make the short five-minute drive to North Jetty, the scenic northern entrance to Grays Harbor, where the sunsets are absolutely surreal.
It’s tough to pick the best part of a stay at Oyhut Bay, but something that stands out is that the vacation rentals are surprisingly affordable in the off season (starting at $105 per night). The larger houses will comfortably host multiple families or groups of friends, so it’s entirely possible to have a luxurious vacation here without breaking the bank. And that’s a good thing, because you’ll want to save your splurges for decadent dinners at the Oyhut Bay Grill.
To book your Oyhut Bay Seaside Village vacation, visit www.oyhutbay.com.