Historically, the Oregon coast is not where you’d go to find a spa during your vacation. Happily, I was excited to find the Overleaf Lodge & Spa in Yachats, an undiscovered place that has a really wonderful spa. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this oceanfront property has a high-quality spa along with 54 hotel rooms—all with gorgeous ocean views.
This area is known for whale watching, beach combing, and storm watching. The central coastal town is tiny, but has some great restaurants to explore. The historic coastal 804 walking path is right outside the door. Our June wedding anniversary was a rejuvenating getaway, highlighted with lively whale action and spa time.
The Overleaf Spa has an interesting service menu with a variety of seasonal options. The combo treatments looked very appealing, so I had a hard time deciding what to choose. The massage and facial were excellent. As an esthetics educator and author in the spa business, my expectations are high and exceptional service can be hard to find.
You can enjoy a Vichy shower and other signature treatments, including the Aveda Stress Fix Massage (massage, reflexology, and acupressure with a special aroma blend). The Sea Escape Facial with a Repechage four layer facial and hot stones delivers a full-body experience, while the Aveda Renewing Face and Sole treats both the skin and tired feet.
This area is known for whale watching, beach combing, and storm watching. The central coastal town is tiny, but has some great restaurants to explore. The historic coastal 804 walking path is right outside the door.
One of the best parts of the spa to experience is the co-ed soaking pool and hot–tub with stellar ocean views. (The fitness center also has a great view.) The cozy spa is nicely done and uses space smartly, with steam rooms and saunas in well-designed locker rooms, along with a fun retail section. Aveda is the main skincare line here, and you will also find Aveda amenities in the rooms.
The spacious Overleaf Lodge lobby has a fireplace, and showcases beautiful wood carvings, art, and glass. The staff goes all out with an inn-quality breakfast serving fresh scones, muffins, and soufflés. The menu varies daily and may include goodies like Fuji apple French toast bake or orange-cranberry muffins.
With a focus on green, the lodge eco practices are communicated with guests. Green features include Clean the world (soap up-cycling to developing countries), recyclable water glasses, recycling bins in the rooms, water conservation, all-natural grounds care, and kitchen waste composting, notes Robin Morris, the spa director.
Socially responsible practices by Overleaf Lodge extend to the community with events and charities, promoting Breast Cancer Awareness and offering Breast Care Oncology Massage. They also support Locks of Love (donating hair for wigs), local children’s funds, food shares, and the Adopt a Highway program. Other contributions include an annual open house offering services at no cost for locals and veteran’s access and discounts.
If you need an excuse to get away, you can combine business with pleasure at the Overleaf Lodge & Spa, part of the Unique Inns network. The event center has a fireplace and a large outdoor deck and the conference room is perfect for small groups. With incredible views, rooms, spa facilities, and great food, exploring Yachats just got more tempting.
Shelley Lotz
Shelley Lotz has over 25 years of experience in the spa industry as an esthetician, educator, and entrepreneur. She is a major contributing author of "Milady's Standard Esthetics Fundamentals," a textbook for estheticians, and wrote "Green Spas and Salons: How to Make Your Business Truly Sustainable" (ViosSpaGroup.com).