Hotels Archives - Wanderboomer

BY Nancy Mueller 2 Comments ON June 9, 2020

At the Helm Boutique Luxury Hotel & Pub

At the Helm Boutique Luxury Hotel & Pub

Looking for a boutique luxury hotel experience after months of pandemic sheltering in place? Consider a coastal getaway to At the Helm Hotel & Pub on the Long Beach Peninsula in southwest Washington.

Location

Views of Marina and Working Waterfront

The hotel’s serene, scenic setting on the Port of Ilwaco’s marina and working waterfront provides just the right respite for reflection and relaxation. Stroll the waterfront or the Long Beach Boardwalk, walk barefoot on the beach, or go beachcombing for seaside treasures. Enjoy leisurely excursions to Cape Disappointment (which is anything but), hike nearby nature trails, or explore the diverse ecosystems of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge.

Cape Disappointment

Highlights

At the Helm Hotel Features Reclaimed Old-Growth Lumber

Once the site of ShoreBank Pacific, At the Helm Hotel & Pub opened for business in its current incarnation in June 2019. Owner/operator, Marcene Miller not only spearheaded the building’s renovation as the general contractor; she also “designed, scraped, and painted” the hotel interior to manifest her vision of an upscale guest experience in the tranquil fishing village.

Fish Art Installation Underneath Staircase

With its use of reclaimed old-growth lumber and fir beams from neighboring Astoria, Oregon, the colorful three-story building features plenty of eye-catching, eco-friendly touches. The hotel’s nautical theme woven throughout the premises is a nod to the Miller family’s 39-year-history in commercial fishing.

Owner/Operator Marcene Miller

Any tension from a long road trip disappears the moment you walk through the door to At the Helm Hotel & Pub. It’s always nice to be warmly welcomed upon arrival at a beautiful destination. When that welcome is followed by your choice of a glass of wine or beer as it is at this boutique luxury hotel, even better!

Rooms

Deluxe King Room

Deluxe King Room with Suite

Settle in at the Waterline Pub to enjoy your drink or head for the comfort of your own room. No elevator is available, but no worries. Just ask for assistance if you need help getting luggage to your room.

At the Helm Hotel Room

Each of the nine beautifully-appointed rooms is named after fishing vessels like “Blazer,” “Elena N” and “Tri-umph” that the family has owned over those 39 years. Rooms range in size from 300 – 550 square feet with non-views, port views, and partial port views available on one of two floors. An ADA Accessible room is available on the first floor.

Heated floors, eco-friendly fireplaces, complimentary snacks, and cozy robes are among the room amenities. Nest bath products and an Englunder mattress with premium linens add to the luxurious accommodations.

Breakfast At the Helm Hotel

For breakfast, guests can select locally-sourced items like a croissant with Brie, bagel and salmon spread, or plain Greek yogurt with granola and raw honey drizzle, each served with fresh fruit. Ask for room delivery or enjoy your morning meal in the cozy, light-filled pub. For an additional fee, spring for a mimosa or beer to quench your thirst.

Dining

Dining At the Waterline Pub

What’s better than fine dining in an intimate setting with a laid-back ambiance? At the Helm Hotel & Pub delivers on all three counts. As you might expect and hope with a coastal dining experience, the focus here is on fresh seasonal seafood. With small plates selections such as lemon garlic prawns or calamari, together with main meals of pan-friend Willapa Bay oysters, 8-oz. rib-eye, or a Helm Burger, guests have plenty of options for a weekend or weeklong hotel stay.

Room Rates

Like most hotels, room rates vary with the season and day or week. Check the website for details.

Why Go Now

Recently re-opened after the last few months of lockdown due to Covid-19, At the Helm Hotel & Pub is offering two special packages: a weekend getaway package, book one night and get the second night half-off, and a mid-week getaway package, Monday – Thursday, book two nights and get the third night free.

To ensure guest safety and peace of mind, At the Helm Hotel & Pub offers spacious accommodations with dining in the privacy of your room, in the pub or outside.

Getting There

The hotel is about a three-hour drive from Seattle and a two-hour drive from Portland.

Guidelines on Responsible Visiting

Thanks to my hosts, At the Helm Hotel & Pub and Visit Long Beach Peninsula, for the chance to experience the beauty and hospitality of the Long Beach Peninsula!

BY Nancy Mueller 4 Comments ON November 5, 2012

European Travel Tips from Rick Steves and Friends

I’m spending the day in Edmonds, Washington to attend a free European Travel Festival (“Teach-A-Thon”) hosted by travel expert Rick Steves and and his Europe Through the Back Door team to kick off their 2013 tour season. With 10 classes to choose from – ranging from Steves’ session on “Travel Skills” to “Packing Light & Right”, from “1000 Years of European Art & History” to country-specific information, here are a few travel tips I picked up along the way:

Rick Steves

To get off the beaten path and away from the tourist crowds . . .

Tour the most popular sights early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Then plan to spend the night.

Spice Market in Istanbul, photo by exfordy, courtesy of Flickr

Get into the markets. Buy something even if you’re not hungry. Talk to people.
Go to local sports events. You’ll learn local swear words (but be sure you’re wearing the right [team] colors).
Think of the cruise ships or buses as your base and then go off on your own. Be independent in the context of the big tour operators. Get out and stroll and meet people. Travel is about connecting with people.
“There are two IQs of European travelers: those who wait in line and those who don’t. If you’re waiting in lines, you’re screwing up.” For example, go to Versailles any day but Tuesday when the museums are closed because that’s when all the tourists head to Versailles.

Tourist Information Office in Hunstanton, photo by Ell Brown, courtesy of Flickr

To find out what your options are at your destination . . .

Look at TripAdvisor for sightseeing, tours and entertainment possibilities.
“The first place I stop is the Tourist Information Office no matter how well I know a town. I can find out what’s going on this week and get free passes.”
Guided tours sponsored by the local tourist office are always time and money well spent.
If you use a local tour guide, you’ll have much more value in your sightseeing trip. Prices can range from $200. for half a day in the most expensive cities like London to $100. a day with a car in less expensive countries like Poland.

Ramiro’s in Lisbon, Portugal, photo by crystalmartel, courtesy of Flickr

To be an adventurous eater while minimizing the risk . . .

Always order a different dish from your travel partner and share.
Find places that specialize in local clients. You can tell if the menu’s handwritten in one language and not extensive which shows that it’s seasonal and changes daily.
Ask the people in the tourism office where they go for lunch.
Department store cafeterias or government subsidized cafeterias for workers are a relatively good bargain.
“Eat in a good restaurant but eat sparingly. Share small plates.” Have a salad and a glass of wine, tapas, or antipasto spreads.
Pick up food at a local market and have a picnic.

Passport and Luggage, photo by Sean MacEntee, courtesy of Flickr

On packing light . . .

“If there’s one thing you can take home that translates to travel happiness, it’s to pack light.”
You want to be mobile.
Only take carry on bags.

On accommodations . . .

“The more you spend, the higher the wall you build between you and what you came to see.”
When you stay in a B & B, you have a friend, and as a bonus, you get your own local mother. You don’t have to, but you can.
Smaller towns also have hostels, not just for younger travelers.

Euros, photo by patola, courtesy of Flickr

On money . . .

You will have more versatility if you get a credit card with a chip in it. Ask for one at your local bank.
Flights within Europe have come down in cost. Investigate pricing of air travel before taking the train or bus.
“Wear a money belt tucked inside your shirt for security.”

The bottom line . . .

“If you expect yourself to travel smart and you’re equipped with good information, you can travel like a pro.”

For travel writing advice from Rick Steves, be sure to check out my earlier post here.

What are your favorite travel tips, Wanderboomers?

BY Nancy Mueller 10 Comments ON December 27, 2011

The Best of 2011: Hotels & Haciendas

Here are my top hotel choices from my travels in 2011 . . . Drumroll, please!

Hacienda Cusin

1) Hacienda Cusin – If you’ve been following my blog, then you already know much I loved staying at this luxurious Ecuadorian resort last summer. My only regret is that my visit was so short, only for a night. No matter. I was still able to take in its beautiful pastoral surroundings and enjoy a couple of exquisite meals in the cozy dining room.

2) Termas Papallacta – I’ve written several posts about this luxurious hot springs and spa that lies high in the Andes, just 40 miles east of Quito. Just imagine starting your day with a restorative soak in one of several pools just footsteps outside your cabin door. Go ahead. Breathe in the misty, clean air brought by the Amazon jungle winds. Afterwards, stroll along the covered walkways that lead to the main lodge where a breakfast of empanadas and exotic fruit juices, like naranjilla or guanabana, await. I can hear you moaning now . . . Or was that me, remembering the experience?

The resort, a popular haven for adventurers and health-conscious travelers, is the first in mainland Ecuador to receive the Smart Voyager sustainable tourism certification. Lucky me to have stayed here for three days and three nights!

Inside Spa at Termas Papallacta

3) MV Evolution – My home away from home for my cruise of the Galapagos Islands was aboard a classic 32-passenger yacht “floating hotel.” Billed as a throwback to memories of exotic travel in the 1920’s, this small-ship was a beauty. With an all-Ecuadorian crew of 18 that included a doctor, cruise director and two naturalist guides, the level of personal service our hosts provided was exceptional. As you might imagine, the sky lounge on the upper deck became a very popular watering hole at the end of our days spent hiking, kayaking and snorkeling.

Okay – so far, my top hotel choices for 2011 have all been in Ecuador. But there is one more worth mentioning . . .

4) Hotel Casablanca in New York City – What a perfect little retreat from the over-the-top bright lights and cacophony of Times Square! Truly a boutique hotel, with its tiny elevator and narrow hallways, the hotel is a lovely little gem with a Moroccan motif in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. The staff was warm and welcoming, and despite a few problems with the free Wi-Fi service during my stay, the level of service was outstanding. I especially enjoyed Rick’s Café, the intimate lounge where a delicious continental breakfast was provided each morning and a wine and cheese reception every afternoon. So civilized . . .

While there, I struck up a conversation with one of the other hotel guests – a young girl visiting New York City with her family to celebrate her 11th birthday on 11/11/11. If you saw The Today Show that day, you saw her, too, along with several other kids celebrating the same event themselves.

Inside Rick's Cafe at Hotel Casablanca

So much depends upon the care and kindness of strangers when we’re on the road. Whether you want to celebrate a special occasion like my new 11-year-old friend, or simply disappear off the beaten path, each of these hotels offer unforgettable experiences.

What hotels made your “Best of 2011” list, Wanderboomers? Tell us why.