I’ve visited Newport, Oregon, several times. It’s one of my favorite towns on the Oregon Coast. Usually, I stay in the compact, historic Nye Beach neighborhood. I like walking from the hotel to the beach, coffee shops, bookstores, art galleries and boutiques.
On a recent trip, I stayed at Hotel Sylvia, a literary-themed boutique hotel overlooking Nye Beach. Formerly the Sylvia Beach Hotel, the building has hosted vacationers and boarders since it opened as the New Cliff House in 1909. It’s a unique property that captures the summer cottage vibe.
This trip was hosted. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Overall Impressions of Hotel Sylvia
- Unbeatable location and ocean views. Hotel Sylvia‘s decks and patio are ideal for watching sunsets over the ocean. Stairs lead down the beach, while shops, art galleries and restaurants are within three blocks of the hotel.
- Unplug with a digital detox. In keeping with the book-loving theme, the hotel encourages guests to unplug during their stay.
- Timeless and relaxed. The 22-room boutique hotel blends vintage-inspired decor with contemporary, unfussy furnishings.
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you can’t climb steep stairs, select a room on the first floor. The hotel has no elevator. An ADA accessible room is on the first floor.
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Who’ll Love Hotel Sylvia
I adore hotels that successfully blend contemporary comfort with vintage decor. Hotel Sylvia does this exceptionally well. The literary theme appears in the art and books found throughout the hotel. Add easy beach access, comfortable common areas and warm hospitality, and the hotel becomes an excellent choice for:
- Romantic getaways
- Unplugged vacations
- Storm watching
- Book lovers
- Girlfriend trips
- Solo travelers
SheBuysTravel Tip: Hotel Sylvia isn’t a good fit for families with children, because few rooms offer family-friendly amenities, such as a sleeper sofa or microwave. The hotel has no pool, mini refrigerators or TVs.
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Rooms at Hotel Sylvia
Hotel Sylvia features 22 guest rooms of various sizes and themes. Seven rooms are dedicated to authors. The other rooms use art, books and thematic wallpaper to illustrate various genres.
I stayed in the Hemingway room, with ocean views and plush leather chairs in front of the fireplace. I snuggled into the buttery soft Luxury Comphy brand linens covering the king-size platform bed and pillows and fell asleep to the sound of the waves.
Like the rest of the hotel, the rooms mix vintage details, such as soft sage green beadboard wainscotting, high baseboards and retro light fixtures, with contemporary furnishings in shades of caramel.
Included Amenities:
- Themed art, books and wallpaper
- Some rooms feature gas or electric fireplaces
- Some rooms feature a private balcony
- Rainfall and handheld showerheads
- Luxury Comphy brand linens & towels
- Beekman 1802 bath products
- Some rooms feature a wet bar, electric kettle and microwave
- Complimentary WiFi
- Desk with outlets
- Books in every room
- Pets welcome ($35 fee includes pet bed, bowls and treats)
- Extra blankets, towels, toiletries, plates and utensils available
SheBuysTravel Tip: Free coffee, tea and an electric kettle are available in the lobby. The staff will also make you a latte or cappuccino with the espresso machine behind the front desk. Just ask!
Onsite Dining at Hotel Sylvia
Located on the lowest level of the hotel, Cafe Sylvia overlooks Nye Beach, offering breakfast with a beach view. Choose from scrambles, crepes, French toast, biscuits and gravy or build your own breakfast from the à la carte sides. If you want to avoid the steep stairs that lead down from the lobby, use the outside ramp. The cafe is open to the public.
In the afternoons and evenings, the cafe space welcomes hotel guests who want to play games, read or relax with ocean views. The patio outside the cafe offers comfortable seating and a fire pit.
Additional Dining Notes
- Breakfast can be charged to your room
- Ask at the front desk about holiday dinners and special events
- The long center table features outlets
SheBuysTravel Tip: Get your dinner to go at a local restaurant and enjoy it with an ocean view on the hotel patio.
Onsite Amenities/Activities
Hotel Sylvia offers a host of amenities to make the most of a relaxing stay at the Oregon Coast. From strolling the beach to curling up with a book in front of the fire, the hotel makes an unplugged vacation easy.
- Breakfast cafe
- Lobby market
- Off-street parking
- Free high-speed WiFi
- Complimentary espresso drinks at the front desk
- Complimentary self-serve coffee
- Cozy attic library
- Games and puzzles in the cafe/lounge
- Seaside deck and patio
SheBuysTravel Tip: Borrow a book from the lobby lounge or the attic library, or browse the shelves of the Nye Beach Book House just down the block.
What’s Nearby Hotel Sylvia
Nye Beach is a compact, walkable neighborhood full of locally owned shops, galleries and restaurants. Here are a few of my favorites.
Art and Culture
- Yaquina Art Association showcases the work of local artists in its beachside gallery.
- Three galleries at the Newport Visual Art Center present the work of regional and coastal artists. The center also offers art education.
- The Newport Performing Arts Center hosts touring shows, local theater productions, music and other live performances.
- Check Discover Newport for special events, such as the Newport Seafood and Wine Festival.
Local Restaurants
- Don’t leave Nye Beach without indulging in a taste of Ireland at Nana’s Irish Pub. Meat pies, fish and chips, bangers and mash and other Irish fare join American sandwiches and burgers on the menu. I’m fond of the chicken pot pie and the Reuben sandwich.
- Fuel your beach adventures with coffee, pastries or a light lunch at Ultralife Cafe. It also offers a few gluten-free baked goods.
- For nearly 20 years, Cafe Stephanie has been our favorite place in Nye Beach for breakfast or brunch. Everything is fresh, made in-house and delicious.
Retail Therapy
- Looking for a good book to curl up with on the deck? The Nye Beach Book House stocks new and used books less than a block from Hotel Sylvia.
- Located at the corner by the Nye Beach arch, the Archway Market stocks whatever essentials you might have forgotten to pack, as well as toys, souvenirs, snacks, drinks, clothing, tote bags, backpacks, chocolate, wine, stickers and so much more.
- Check out the gift-worthy, curated wares at Charisma Gifts and the Peerless Puffin. For jewelry and other gifts made by local artists, visit Made By the Beach.
Getting to Hotel Sylvia
The best way to get to Newport is by car. The city is at the junction of Highway 101 and Highway 20.
If you’re driving from Portland, Newport is 115 miles away. Head south on Interstate 5, then exit at Corvallis and follow Highway 20 and signs for the coast. Continue straight across Highway 101 (Highway 20 becomes Olive Street). Turn right on Coast Street, then left on Third Street. Hotel Sylvia stands on the corner of Third Street and Cliff Street.
The small guest parking lot is across Cliff Street from the hotel, on the corner of Second Street.
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