Hallmark Resort & Spa Cannon Beach

The Hallmark Resort Cannon Beach occupies a series of two-story buildings with wood siding and graystone accents, and beautifully manicured Japanese-style garden features throughout. The lobby has soft brown chairs clustered around a polished wooden coffee table topped with a Bonzai tree and seashells. A mural of Haystack Rock decorates the wall behind the front desk, and a small gas fireplace warms the room. There's a refrigerator with wine and soft drinks for sale, a small lending library, and a collection of boardgames and DVDs guests are welcome to use. Most guests here are vacationers wanting to be right on the beach -- including plenty of families and dog-owners -- although the multiple event spaces and scenic views also make it a popular choice for weekend business retreats and seaside weddings. 

The Hallmark Resort Cannon Beach is located right on the beach in the south part of town, overlooking the iconic Haystack Rock. The immediate area is dotted with a few local businesses, including a surf shop, a liquor store, and an alternative healing center. The property is a 10- to 15-minute walk south of the main "downtown" area of Cannon Beach, home to lots of quaint art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Cannon Beach is a 90-minute drive from Portland and about an hour and 45 minutes from the airport.

The Hallmark offers a variety of room types, ranging from rooms to suites with one or two bedrooms. Decor is consistent throughout the property, with an autumnal color scheme that seems inspired by the sand outdoors. Walls are beige with white trim, and most of the furniture is made of blonde wood, complemented by rusts, browns, and muted yellow sofas and armchairs. All rooms have microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers with local coffee, and free Wi-Fi. Many also come with extras such as gas fireplaces, full kitchens, and balconies or patios that look out on the ocean. Bathrooms in most are small and simple, with shower/tub combos and granite counter tops. Junior Spa Suites are the most romantic and include jetted tubs for two in the main living areas. The hotel also offers four pet-friendly Oceanfront Vacation Homes with private outdoor areas. 

The Hallmark has an unusually extensive number of on-site amenities by Cannon Beach standards. Guests can check out cruiser bikes and DVDs free of charge, and popcorn and cookies are available in the lobby. Pets are very welcome (except in certain types of rooms, such as Junior Suites), and there are areas for exercising pets along with a fresh water fountain for dogs, a dog wash area, and dog treats. There's direct beach access from the hotel, but as Oregon's coastal waters are usually too cold for even the bravest of swimmers, the hotel has two indoor saltwater pools, three whirlpool tubs, and an adults-only sauna. The on-site Elements Spa -- inspired by the four elements -- offers a range of massages, scrubs, and wraps along with energy work (such as Reiki) and hydrotherapy treatments. There's also a fitness center (albeit a small one) with a few cardio machines and a resistance-training machine. The hotel offers free tea, coffee, and cocoa in the mornings, but no full breakfast, and there's no on-site restaurant. The Hallmark also has four event spaces, the largest of which can seat up to 140 people, theater-style. There's a business corner with a printer and desktop computer. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.