Where to Stay - Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

There are settled towns all along the Oregon coastline that evoke a sense that when you step out to their shores, you’ve arrived somewhere. Nowhere is this more true than in Bandon, where a walk to the mouth of the Coquille River will draw your attention to the Bandon Lighthouse, a 107-year-old guide that has stood for the genteel maritime culture of Southern Oregon . An icon of history and perseverance, the lighthouse, currently under restoration, has withstood the sharp Pacific weather that spills rain, logs, and mist onto its shores daily. Once an emblem of a town whose history is preserved in a rustic old shack that charges $1 admission, it is the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort that is gaining international attention for staying true to the unspoiled spirit that the lighthouse has long stood for. 

Soulful, rugged, and primeval, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is located on the isolated coast of Southern Oregon, five hours from Portland and just 90 miles north of the California border, and may well come to represent the best convergence of land and sea in American golf. The resort itself could not be better fit to the golf experience, decorated with understated, natural Northwest elegance and featuring three separate buildings, each a unique accommodation option. The main Lodge is the center of activity for the resort, and includes 15 single rooms in addition to four single-bed suites and a pair of large, four-bedroom suites for larger groups and families. A short stroll from the Lodge is the Lily Pond Rooms, affordable private bedroom cabins with fireplace and private decks overlooking the placid Lily Pond and surrounding forest. Along with the Chrome Lake Rooms, Bandon Dunes has a lodging option for every group of guests, and each assures that your stay will be an enjoyable one in an authentic Oregon homestead.

At once isolated and self-contained, it should come as no surprise that the dining options at Bandon Dunes wonderfully reflect the invigorating spirit of the landscape. Executive Chef David Paul Moss’ menus combine the fresh bounties of the Pacific Northwest river and ocean systems with prime-aged beef and fresh fruits and vegetables to craft dishes that are tributes both to fine cuisine and the Oregon tradition. The Gallery Restaurant is Bandon Dunes’ primary dining option, featuring unique menus and ample seating for three courses daily. Enjoy some fresh fruit and smoked salmon hash before heading to the first tee, and then grab some flash-fried oysters or a serving of Bandon cranberry BBQ chicken in between rounds. In the evening, the menu accentuates the fusion of sea and land, offering up dishes like Merlot-braised beef short ribs and king salmon in a basil lime butter sauce. A fine list emphasizing Oregon wines is available, with enough variety to satisfy even the most discerning oenophile.

In addition to The Gallery, guests may choose to dine in The Pub, which features traditional Scottish-style pub fare, a healthy selection of Pacific Northwest microbrews, and classic single malt scotches: a great place to wind down in a casual atmosphere, reflecting on a well-played hole or recalling those that proved to be more humbling. Additionally, The Tufted Puffin Lounge offers light fare and drinks in a bright room with superb views of the golf course, and The Pacific Dunes Grill offers basic fare for lunch and dinner. Those who keep their legs into the night can finish a great day at Bandon Dunes in The Bunker Bar, sipping on a cocktail-of-choice while relaxing in front of the television or enjoying a game of pool.

Bandon Dunes may be true to form for the golfing purist, but that in no way hampers the alternative recreation options they provide to guests. A full fitness center, with sauna and hot tub, is available in the main lodge, and spa and massage treatments can be arranged in advance through the concierge. Should the weather cooperate, though, guests would be well-advised to enjoy themselves outdoors in harmony with the environment. Private angling trips are a wonderful way to spend a day off from golf, as professional guides take you through the Oregon river system in search of Chinook salmon, sturgeon, steelhead, and rainbow and cutthroat trout. Also running across the property is a well-maintained beach trail that weaves through the unique ecosystem of coastal Oregon; a perfect route for a jog at dawn or dusk. Other arrangements for sea kayaking or horseback riding can be made through the hotel, and on those days when brisk mariner gales blow in off the Pacific, wile away your time in the Bandon Dunes golf library. Located in the upstairs of the Lodge, guests can read up on classic golf literature, and perhaps ponder the inevitable inclusion of Bandon Dunes to the canon at some point in the near future.