188 W 2nd Street, Cannon Beach, Oregon, United States | (888) 273-7116
In the heart of Cannon Beach, a block from the seaside
Range of room types available; many come with full kitchens and gas fireplaces
All rooms have DVD players; DVDs are available through the front desk
Most rooms have full or partial views of the beach
Indooor whirlpool hot tub looks out at the beach
Books, games, and beach toys are available for guest use
Free on-site parking
Free Wi-Fi throughout
No on-site restaurant, gym, or pool
Room decor is a bit bland
Some complaints of maintenance issues
The Waves is a value property right in the heart of Cannon Beach, with an excellent location -- but few amenities. The 36 rooms range from simple units to two-bedroom condo-style units, many with decks, fireplaces, and kitchens or kitchenettes. On-site amenities are limited to a few DVDs and beach toys in the lobby, and a whirlpool hot tub with beach views. While there's no restaurant, the hotel's location in the middle of quaint Cannon Beach makes it easy to access area eateries. Schooner's Inn next door has nicer rooms with similar amenities and a reservable hot tub.
Scene
This ocean-facing value hotel is well-suited to vacationing families and couples on a budget.
The Waves is a value hotel on the beach made up of six ocean-facing buildings with the brownish-grayish clapboard siding that's typical of houses and inns in Cannon Beach. There's no real lobby or common areas to speak of -- just a small office building that's charmingly fronted with a low brick wall, flower patches, and beach pails brimming with plants. Hand-painted dusty-blue signs lead guests into the reception area (a simple room with a pitched ceiling, wood-accented front desk, and framed beach-themed paintings and photographs). Most guests here are families or couples in town for a beach vacation, and the rooms with kitchens make this property a good option for those who want to cook for themselves.
Location
In the center of Cannon Beach town, a block from the beach
The Waves is located right in the main "downtown" area of Cannon Beach, home to lots of quaint art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants, and about a block away from the beach. The Primary Elements and Jeffrey Hull Galleries are both within a few minutes' walk, and a grocery store, wine shop, and local playhouse are just down the street. Haystack Rock is a 20-minute walk down the shoreline. Cannon Beach is a 90-minute drive from Portland and about an hour-and-45-minutes from the airport.
Rooms
A variety of rooms and suites are on offer, and many vome with kitchenettes. Most have ocean views.
The hotel offers a large variety of room types, from simply furnished Garden Court Rooms and roomier Oceanfront Studios with kitchenettes, clear up to Two-Bedroom Suites with separate dining and living areas, large wooden decks, and two full bathrooms. Decor is simple but elegant in a homey kind of way, and most rooms have cream-colored walls with wooden trim, soft lighting, and large-ish windows -- often with ocean views. All units have flat-screen TVs with DVD players, and many of the rooms have gas fireplaces. Bathrooms vary a bit, but tend to have shower/tub combos with large shower heads. There have been some complaints of maintenance and housekeeping issues, and the overall look and feel of rooms might be a bit dated for some tastes.
Features
Limited amenities include free Wi-Fi and parking and an indoor whirlpool hot tub with beach views
All guests at the Waves get free on-site parking and free use of the community outdoor gas grills. There's also free Wi-Fi throughout the property, though some guests have found it slow. Also on-site are coin-operated laundry facilities, and a selection of books, games, DVDs, and beach equipment that guests can borrow from the lobby. The hotel also offers a small indoor hot tub with big picture windows that look out on the beach.