Third time even better than the first two!

Guest: Michael (Portland, OR)
Date of Stay: 12/02/11 Review Submitted: 12/19/11

This was our third time staying at the Zen House over the last several years. If you're looking for a quiet, relaxing spot, your search has ended! The weather turned out great and the new dishwasher was a welcome addition!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, girls getaway.

idyllic locale for a Pacific retreat

Guest: Kiwi La Femme (Portland, OR)
Date of Stay: 11/05/11 Review Submitted: 11/22/11

I was entranced by the Zen House when searching on VRBO for a rental for several previous beach trips, but it wasn't the right spot for large gatherings of family and friends. But when I decided to spend a week alone for reflection and restoration, I woke up one morning thinking "Zen House!" and couldn't have made a better choice. Yachats is my new favorite beach town, and I loved the house's location on the sandy beach north of town, just a 3-mile wander or jog to the 804 trail, particularly lovely at sunset with a minus tide and full moon rising. It's also just a short drive to either Waldport or Yachats or beyond, where the Devil's Churn and St. Perpetua and Amanda trails await, and the Cape is always ready to surprise and delight with its ever-changing atmosphere and vistas. As is so often the case at the coast, the weather was surprisingly mild and warm for November, with a few short dramatic storms followed by glorious sun and mist. The Zen House itself is aptly named. Every detail is harmonious and I instantly felt at home among the cozy furnishings, well-appointed kitchen, beautific lighting and ... amazing bathroom! The soaking tub and garden-jutting river-stone-lined shower are wonderful, and the sauna completes the triumvirate of solace perfectly. At first I was disappointed there was little view of the outdoors from this sanctuary, but I realized that feeling of being warmly held in a protected space is exactly what makes it so special. The pine-filtered view of the ocean from the master bedroom and adjoining deck is lovely, and the desk positioned at that window is an ideal place to read or write. Watching a full moon move through the night sky through all the windows in the loft was also marvelous. Zen House is also the first beach retreat I've stayed with well-chosen books and movies such as Princess Bride, Winged Migration and Thief of Bagdad - what a delight! For anyone traveling alone or with just a few companions, Zen House will welcome you peacably. I will be back.

Recommended for:

Perfect Beach House for Balancing Your Chi

Guest: River Otters (Boise)
Date of Stay: 10/23/11 Review Submitted: 11/11/11

The Zen House provided us a lovely place to renew our spirits. The ocean is close, uncrowded beach gorgeous. The home is delightfully furnished in every room so as to encourage rest and meditation (and good eating). We especially loved early morning yoga on the beach and in the big bedroom, breakfast on the deck (we had 3 days of sunshine in October!), thoughtful wanderings in the marvelous private garden and endless beach, resting in the magical loveseat by the cheery woodstove, and of course, our tub, sauna, and shower sessions after outdoor adventures (do hike the nearby Cape Perpetua trails and tidal pools for the bird's eye and closeup of marine ecology). Enjoy!

Owner response:Thank you so much for your review. And yes - October can be absolutely beautiful at the coast. Hope you come back and stay with us again.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers.

ZEN Experience

Guest: Pzazz (Salem )
Date of Stay: 10/20/11 Review Submitted: 10/31/11

We had a wonderful time at the Zen House. It exceeded all our expectations. The Spa and Garden were great favorites with our family and were used daily during our stay. The privacy of the guest area worked well for our son and his wife. Our two dogs were on their very best behavior. The proximity to the beautiful beach was enhanced by beautiful Fall weather. We were there during the Yachats Mushroom Festival and were able to relax, renew and have a great learning experience. The town of Yachats was very friendly and the restaurants we visited fed us well. We hope to visit again soon.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, pet owners, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Planet Spa

Guest: Ospreydance (Eugene, OR USA)
Date of Stay: 10/01/11 Review Submitted: 10/14/11

Best house to enjoy Yachats with your lover and another couple. Perfect separation of space as the garage houses it's own bathroom/shower and second story apartment. The main house's impeccably Asian influence brings awareness to peace at each turn, in every little cove, in color and buddhist items displayed. Main bathroom is a planet to itself and is perfect for a couple to enjoy lounging in the 2 person soaking tub by the gas woodstove, take a wonderful sauna, and then a glassed in shower on river rock. This, my second time to have the honor to stay here, was much easier, knowing it has a few 'tricks' like any house; where the garage apt key is stored, how to light the pilot to the gas woodstove in the bath, knowing to tell others that it is on septic and has an on-demand hot water system. Way more able to enjoy it fully with a lover and friends than with my mother and her dog - I don't recommend for those unable to go up stairs or handle a change from a normal 'city' house. For us, we will come back as often as we can - Zen it is, cradled within the TAO! Love and light to all !!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with teenagers.

Returned after four years for another great stay

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/07/11 Review Submitted: 10/06/11

Our second stay at the Zen House (ZH) in September 2011 was for 2 weeks again. We are still enthralled by the Oregon coast, and the ZH is in a great location from which to see it. We enjoy the beachcombing that is steps away and watching for a great sunset each evening. The neighborhood is quiet and convenient to Yachats, Waldport, Cape Perpetua, Newport, and Florence. Our last stay was in late June and the weather was not as challenging as in fall. The coast can be fickle in fall when 10 miles north or south can make all the difference between a cloudy, foggy day and a nice sunny one. We appreciated the remodelling changes downstairs that made the dining area more accessible and provided more room. On our last trip we hardly used the spa because we ran around so much, but this stay we made a point of using it. It's very nice to know that you can come back to a long, hot soak after a day of clambering over the rocks. The garden in the back had a manicured look compared to four years ago. In general, the outside of the ZH looked better than before. We didn't use the deck off the upstairs bedroom as much because the downstairs dining area was more convenient, but we appreciated that the big birch was trimmed back so you could see more. We drove up to Newport and Yaquina Head many more times on this trip. We saw whales on 3 days from the lighthouse at Yaquina Head, and we ate ourselves silly down at the bay in Newport. Food is much improved in both Newport and Florence since our last trip. We especially liked Local Ocean and Saffron Salmon in Newport and the Maple Street Grille in Florence. However, you can go to the South Beach crab market and get smoked tuna and salmon and crab cocktails to take home and be perfectly happy at the ZH. In general, the ZH was better than the last time and the rental price reduction makes it a better value. We would stay here again in a minute. Yachats is such a great little town and Cape Perpetua is such an interesting place. We drove down to Strawberry Hill to watch the seals almost every day. The Zen House puts all this closeby.

Owner response:Thank you so much for returning to the Zen House and for your gracious comments. The Oregon Coast is a special place, and we work continually to make the Zen House a very special experience and a launching spot to enjoy it from. We hope you come back again.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+.

What a nice stay

Guest: Bill (Palm Desert, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/14/11 Review Submitted: 09/14/11

MY wife ,our dog and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Zen House. The kitchen is small, but it functions great. Our dog learned to climb on the roof, what a surprise to us to see her on the roof peak! If we're at the Oregon coast again we'll rent the Zen house again.

Owner response:Dog on the Roof - was that a song in the 80's?? Oh sorry - that was Band on the Run.... So glad you enjoyed the Zen House - please come back!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, pet owners, age 55+.

Our favorite place to stay in Yachats!

Guest: BraccoFamily (Eugene, OR)
Date of Stay: 07/24/11 Review Submitted: 08/21/11

Our family stays in this house every summer, it's perfect! From the garden to the deck, to the soaking tub & sauna, we love it! The location is awesome, and the beach is always great. Very reasonable rate, considering some hotels are as much, with far fewer amenities. Owners & manager are very responsive to needs. House is very comfortable, and really has a "Zen" quality to it. Perfect places to read, nap, dine, and relax.

Owner response:Thank you for your kind comments - we are so happy you enjoy it as much as we do.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Quiet, uncluttered, and nice atmosphere for the price

Guest: Setherson (Olympia, WA)
Date of Stay: 07/06/11 Review Submitted: 08/21/11

My wife and I stayed for a week in July 2011. We found the house to be almost exactly as listed, fairly well maintained, well appointed and slightly unconventional (but in a good way). We loved eating breakfast on the second story deck, listening to the ocean. We also loved the deep soaking tub - I am 6'6" and don't fit in standard sized tubs but my wife and I both fit easily in it and used it every day. Our only complaint was that none of the windows on the second story were operable - to listen to the ocean at night, we would have to leave the door to the second story deck open, which us city slickers didn't feel comfortable with. The owner responded to all emails before and after the rental period. We would recommend this property to friends and family without hesitation.

Owner response:Glad you enjoyed your stay. That tub is amzing isn't it. Deep and long - very unusual. We feel pretty comfortable keeping the bedroom door open, with the screen locked. Since the only access to the deck is through the bedroom and the sleeping loft - it's pretty safe. Someone would have to put a ladder up there - never heard of any of these kind of problems in our area. Thanks for your comments.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, girls getaway.

A Lovely Place

Guest: Matt (Walla Walla, WA)
Date of Stay: 06/13/11 Review Submitted: 07/20/11

My wife, 5 year-old daughter and dog enjoyed our stay very much. It's a peaceful setting in a very cozy, comfortable home. Our daughter played with the kids across the street and our dog swam in the ocean with the neighbor's dogs. We felt right at home. We would definitely stay again. Thank you, Nan.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, pet owners, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.