Pelican Shores Inn

Pelican Shores Inn is a beachfront hotel popular with families and couples. Renovated in 2015, this three-story building looks like a typical Oregon beach hotel from the outside, with its mix of unfinished cedar siding and dark-gray stone trim. Inside, the lobby is bright and homey, with white-and-yellow zigzag-print upholstered chairs and a nook with a flat-screen TV and plenty of DVDs and board games for guests to borrow. Rooms are reached from exterior corridors, and there's an elevator for guests who prefer not to trudge up the stairs. There's not much in the way of grounds, beyond the parking lot that separates the hotel from the street, but the beach can be reached via a short flight of stairs. 

Pelican Shores Inn is located right on the beach in Lincoln City, an eight-minute walk to the Oregon Coast Highway (U.S. 101). There are plenty of dining options within walking distance. It's a 20-minute walk or four-minute drive to a Safeway supermarket and the Chinook Winds Casino Resort, one of the few casinos in the state. Newport -- home of the Oregon Coast Aquarium -- is a 40-minute drive south, while the quaint town of Canon Beach is a little less than two hours up the coast. Portland and Eugene are each about two hours away, while the state capital of Salem is about an hour's drive.

The hotel's 33 rooms come in a wide range, but all have the same neutral decor in shades of muted green and gold, paired with light-wood entertainment centers and tables. Large picture windows or sliding-glass doors have scenic ocean views that add visual character to the otherwise plain spaces. All rooms and suites have flat-screen TVs, DVD players, microwaves, fridges, and coffeemakers, and most have ocean-facing patios or decks. Rooms lack air-conditioning, which is rarely a necessity on the Oregon coast, but they do have ceiling fans. Most of the bathrooms have simple vanities, wall-mounted hairdryers, and shower/tub combos with bulk soap and shampoo dispensers.

King Studios are the smallest, while King Deluxe Studios add sliding glass doors that lead to patios or balconies. One-Bedroom Suites and single Two-Bedroom Suites are also available; both have separate living areas with small kitchens, and the larger suites come with sofa beds, an extra half bath, and a full kitchen with an oven. The Fireplace Suites are arguably the most romantic and come with gas fireplaces and small kitchens -- all of these units are on the top floor. 

Aside from the beachfront location, the hotel's best feature is the large heated indoor pool, which is a hit with families. The pool sits in an atrium-style room with frosted-glass ceilings and windows instead of walls, but its partial parking-lot views are not the prettiest. The hotel also offers a continental breakfast and has a board game and DVD library so that guests can make use of the in-room DVD players. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and there's ample on-site parking. Note that pets are not allowed.