T_R_Oglodyte
TUG Lifetime Member
I thought it might be interesting to get a thread going on "hidden gem" resorts.
By that I'm thinking of resorts that don't get a lot of publicity because they aren't "glamor" resorts with lots of amenities. But the resorts are in good locales, are nicely furnished, well-maintained and well run, and are just nice places to be. To me when I find such a place it almost feels more like "home" than a "resort". Most definitely these are resorts that people who are looking for "resort experiences" will not be interested in. But some place that appeals to those of us who are more interested in location than amenities and are only looking for a nice place to stay as a base for other activities.
To start I'll offer a couple of my hidden gems.
First - Whispering Woods in Welches, OR. Located in the Cascade Mountains between Portland, OR and Mt. Hood. Well-maintained. Lots of easy day trip options, including Portland, Mt. Hood, Columbia Gorge, Willamette Valley. Outdoor activities for fishing, hiking, rafting, skiing (year round at Mt. Hood), parasailing, wine tasting.
Second - Mandalay Shores in Oxnard, CA. One block from a golden sand beach that literally stretches for miles in either direction. Again, well-maintained and furnished. Very small resort in a residential area. About the only on-site amenities are a swimming pool and fitness room. Good base for all of the activities that are in the area north of Los Angeles. The beach is less crowded than other SoCal beaches. We've used this as a base for trips to Magic Mountain in Valencia - about 90 minutes away. But those who want to go to MM can do so, while others who want more peace and quiet hang out on the beach. Channel Island Shores is a stone's throw away and offers similar opportunities.
By that I'm thinking of resorts that don't get a lot of publicity because they aren't "glamor" resorts with lots of amenities. But the resorts are in good locales, are nicely furnished, well-maintained and well run, and are just nice places to be. To me when I find such a place it almost feels more like "home" than a "resort". Most definitely these are resorts that people who are looking for "resort experiences" will not be interested in. But some place that appeals to those of us who are more interested in location than amenities and are only looking for a nice place to stay as a base for other activities.
To start I'll offer a couple of my hidden gems.
First - Whispering Woods in Welches, OR. Located in the Cascade Mountains between Portland, OR and Mt. Hood. Well-maintained. Lots of easy day trip options, including Portland, Mt. Hood, Columbia Gorge, Willamette Valley. Outdoor activities for fishing, hiking, rafting, skiing (year round at Mt. Hood), parasailing, wine tasting.
Second - Mandalay Shores in Oxnard, CA. One block from a golden sand beach that literally stretches for miles in either direction. Again, well-maintained and furnished. Very small resort in a residential area. About the only on-site amenities are a swimming pool and fitness room. Good base for all of the activities that are in the area north of Los Angeles. The beach is less crowded than other SoCal beaches. We've used this as a base for trips to Magic Mountain in Valencia - about 90 minutes away. But those who want to go to MM can do so, while others who want more peace and quiet hang out on the beach. Channel Island Shores is a stone's throw away and offers similar opportunities.