Ebb Tide Oceanfront Inn

Guests—mostly tourists—who stay at the Ebb Tide Oceanfront Inn do so for the easy access to the beach directly in front of the hotel, which only a few hotels in Seaside provide. However, the inn itself is on the dated side. Four separate buildings comprise the property, all of which have somewhat shabby exteriors and motel-like setups with exterior hallways. Some buildings don’t have elevators. Interiors also lack atmosphere. The lobby is a small room with blocky wooden furniture, plus a well-worn rug and leather couch. Guests complain of poor sound insulation throughout, with noise creeping in from neighboring rooms, laundry facilities, or the beachfront promenade outside. 

The hotel’s beachfront location is its biggest draw, as guests can walk right out to the North Promenade from its front doors. On the other side of the property, the area is rather quiet, consisting mostly of other small hotels and homes. There are several Seaside attractions within walking distance. Seaside Aquarium is a one-minute walk away, and the Seaside Carousel Mall is six minutes away on foot. Broadway, the main drag in Seaside, can be reached in a 10- to 13-minute walk. Seaside Municipal Airport is six minutes away by car. Portland International Airport is a two-hour drive away. 

Rooms at the Ebb Tide are spacious and clean, but the floral wallpaper borders and clunky wooden furniture are from another design era. Several areas also show considerable signs of wear and tear, including stained carpets, torn window screens, or chipped walls. Small bags of candy waiting on the comfortable queen-size or king beds are a sweet welcome for guests. Rooms with partial views are decent, but full ocean view rooms are preferable as they also come with balconies. Accessible rooms are available, and the hotel also has pet-friendly rooms for extra per-night fees. All rooms are furnished with small tables and chairs for working or eating, plus flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms have kitchenette features like counters, sinks, and cabinets. All rooms provide tea-and coffee-making equipment, microwaves, and mini-fridges. The gas fireplaces are a particularly cozy touch, but rooms aren't air-conditioned (standing fans are provided), which can be uncomfortable in the summer. Most bathrooms are a tight squeeze and could use some cleaning up (guests have spotted mold), but manage to fit in shower/tub combos with fixed showerheads. Hairdryers and toiletries are also provided.

For a budget hotel, the Ebb Tide offers some nice amenities. The breakfast room was updated in the summer of 2017, and serves a plentiful, free breakfast buffet of hot and cold items including eggs and bacon, muffins, fresh fruit, and coffee. There are also free warm cookies offered every evening in the lobby, plus some packaged snacks and candy available to buy.Both the small indoor pool and its adjacent hot tub are old, and the room that houses them could use some more ambience, but families with children still enjoy the area. The gym is also tiny, with minimal equipment. There is an on-site laundry room in one of the buildings, with two washer/dryer units. The lobby has a single computer with a printer for guests’ use. Parking and Wi-Fi throughout the property are free.