This hotel is a beautiful, old building with tons of charm and character, in a peaceful setting, situated in a quiet neighborhood and located right on the ocean. So it literally has everything going for it, along with cozy reading nooks, both in the lobby and in the attic on the fourth floor. This property also features a restaurant and community space on its lower level, which we did not utilize during our stay. We stayed in the Maya Angelou suite which is rather large compared to the other rooms and is oceanfront with a semi private balcony, all reasons why I selected it. Note: The bathroom in this suite is tiny, narrow and has an upper window located in the shower which is great for airflow and ventilation but faces the public balcony, so if the window is open and people are on that balcony, you will hear them. Overall we had a peaceful and relaxing stay, exactly what we needed. Our arrival was great. The person who checked us in was welcoming, friendly and super helpful. He gave us a restaurant recommendation that we went to and thoroughly enjoyed. But unfortunately the next day, that staff member was not present. Coffee service in the lobby was inconsistent, unreliable and the customer service was nonexistent. Two people were at the front desk and neither could be bothered to greet us. When we approached them it seemed as if they were bothered by our presence. This won't prevent me from coming back or recommending it because the setting was so lovely and the location is excellent, but I would be cautious of the inconsistent service that could possibly derail the experience. read more

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We stayed here for 2 days with our dog and had a truly exceptional experience. When they say they are dog friendly they really mean it. Alex was super helpful and kind when changing our reservation and getting us checked in. The cleaning staff was very good and attentive especially one lady (didn't catch her name but she has a miniature poodle). The rooms are very nice and decorated in a very cute and aesthetic way. The cafe attached to the hotel was very good too. There is a nice patio to sit on with amazing views of the beach which is just a short walk away or you could sit at the fire pit and enjoy the same views. We were very blown away with how nice the stay was and will be back in the future. read more

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I thought we hit the jackpot with this place. Stunning views located right in Nye Beach. In theory, I love the idea of this hotel-The writers getaway. The hotel itself was charming, decorated very, well. There were small areas to spend reading and watching the waves. The facility itself was very clean, newly updated. The only good thing about this place - is the bed and the bedding. Very comfortable. Now onto the reality of staying here. 1. The room is way too small, especially for two people. 12 x 10. There's no soundproofing, the sink is right in the room itself. The walls are very thin, and you can hear your neighbors moving around. 2. No TV, no fridge, no closet, no dresser, no place to put any of your things. 3. The shower has no water pressure! I didn't even try and wash my hair, even though I really wanted to. 4. No ice machine, but the hotel provides little Ziploc bags of ice, which isn't very efficient. 5. my biggest pet peeve, coffee was supposed to be ready at 7 AM. There was no one downstairs, no coffee. Finally at 7:30 got some coffee. Worst coffee I've ever had, and I've spent the last two days drinking gas station coffee. The person who checked us in yesterday was very nice and friendly, the gentleman here today seemed very grumpy and did not want to be here. bottom line - this is like a beautiful postcard. In reality it's more like a theatre stage, just for show. read more

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Amazing experience! It has been renovated and so it is now a more modern take on literary decorations but still has an amazing sense of charm and comfort. Also the biscuits are delicious! Definitely order those! read more

I'm deeply grieved by the loss of what used to be my favorite hotel--a place with a beautiful, shared sense of community that's now been gutted and replaced with something generic. The location is still stunning, but the soul of the hotel is gone. What's here now is a perfectly bland, serviceable hotel. The staff are nice and helpful, and it's clean and very quiet (there were no other guests in the lobby despite several tables) and has wifi. The new design--especially the glass divider between the bedroom and bathroom--feels impersonal and awkward. Nothing about this place invites connection or warmth. The loss of the third-floor library makes sense from a business point of view, but it's also the loss of something deeper: community. I miss the cozy, eclectic little bookstore. I miss the cats--but I understand. What's gone can't be replicated. What upsets me is that the owners are reusing the old hotel's website, complete with glowing reviews of an experience that no longer exists. Either we have to erase our reviews of what was, or be part of their new advertising campaign. Anything before summer 2025 is totally irrelevant to what you will get now. They should have closed the old site and allowed those who loved the original hotel to preserve it as a memory. Instead, those heartfelt reviews are now advertising for something entirely different. This is not a renovation. It's a replacement. And it feels wrong to market it as if nothing has changed. read more

Even though there was a crazy storm, this was beautiful stay with incredible service. It was kinda nice to have the place pretty much to ourselves! read more

I stayed here on September 2nd-3rd 2025. This hotel is modern unlike traditional hotel chains I'm accustomed to. It was relaxing to sit outside by the fire pit watching the sunset. As I return to my room, it was nice to see people playing board games in the dining room. Also, in the morning the staff was very attentive and asked if they can make me a cup of espresso or cappuccino. I am an early riser but was able to sleep-in because the bed was extremely comfortable. I understand the remodel does not have the same characteristics as the original hotel but I have to admit, it is much cleaner. Howard read more

Hotel Sylvia - Relaxing outside by the fire pit. - Hotels Near Me - Newport, Oregon

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This was a wonderful experience. I only stayed one night as it was business travel. I had shipped my gear in advance and when I got there they had moved it to my room already. Great service from everyone. Very clean and tidy. My room theme was done in Hermann Melville, which I know was by chance but I love my nautical stuff. They have a library up at the very top. I think it's the fourth floor and it was wonderful to relax in. The location couldn't be better in a block away is Nana's Irish pub which you gotta go to. If I could give six stars, I would. read more

This literary-themed beach hotel is an absolute dream. It's the kind of place that makes you briefly consider becoming a novelist, or at the very least journaling and overthinking aggressively by the ocean. Housed in a beautifully converted beach house in a charming small waterfront town in Oregon, each room is thoughtfully themed after a different author. Staying here feels like stepping into a story. The attention to detail is exceptional without ever feeling gimmicky & oh so cozy, intelligent, and genuinely inspiring. I stayed over Christmas Eve and Christmas with my dog, and the experience was exceptional. This place is truly dog-friendly in ways that actually matter -- personalized food and water bowls, a huge and incredibly comfortable pet cushion, treats, and bags provided for walks and clean-up. The surrounding downtown is also wonderfully walkable, with several nearby coffee shops happy to offer pup cups, which made mornings even better. The manager, Blake, and staff member Alex are outstanding -- kind, accommodating, and genuinely welcoming. They create an environment that encourages relaxed, thoughtful conversation among guests and staff alike, giving the hotel a warm, communal feel that's rare and memorable. It's quietly magical, in a way that's hard to manufacture and even harder to forget. P.S. Try the crepes! read more

Romantic, charming, tasteful. We love Newport. My wife and I booked a room at Hotel Sylvia on our way back from a business trip to San Fransisco this weekend. We'd intended to stay overnight and visit the town briefly in the morning. But when the time to check out came, we decided that we didn't want to leave, so one night became three nights. The hotel is a wonderful, quiet place to stay and relax, and to rest. Thanks to Alex and to Blake for their help during our stay! read more

Just stayed there July 26th-28th 2025 What GREAT experience!!!! We had a great stay and the new remodel is amazing. Is it the same hotel as before the remodel...NO. BUT I love the remodel, the old hotel was like your Grandmas house and smelled like cat pee and was so dirty and gross. The new remodel, is charming and new but still makes it feel quirky and different than your normal hotel. We loved the views from the room and the hotel is right on the cliff with beach access. Don't listen to all the old gray haired haters, this is a rad hotel and can't wait to go back for another date weekend!! read more

Review on July 24 2025: The renovations ruined this hotel. It completely lost its charm and is now cookie cutter and corporate. What was once a charming book themed hotel was bought out by a company or people Who half assed the book theme rooms. If you didn't already know the rooms were book or author themed, you would never know that it was. There is barely any book theme to it...one or two framed photos of the author and one Knick knack related to the book, and a few books in the room from the author. That's it. I stayed here before the renovations and it was so charming, fun, had great energy, whimsical, cozy, and now it's boring and dull. The charming communal library before the renovations on the 3rd and 4th floor was one of the best parts as it had a game room and amazing view of the ocean. Tons of people Reading together and it felt like community. After renovations, there was absolutely no one using it. They got rid of that and put in new rooms, and now it has a small crammed claustrophobic reading library area on the 4th floor only with minimal views of the water. I was so excited to see the new renovations and it basically turned in comparison a charming, unique ma and pa coffee shop into a corporate Starbucks. Its modern update feels familiar to literally any other hotel you could find literally anywhere else, with a few books here and there like other hotels also have. They also got rid of the "tables of content" dining area and opened that area into a cafe open to the public. By cafe I mean tables you can sit at and you ask the front desk to make you coffee. It's an insult to people Who pay 500 bucks for a room when you could literally just buy a bottle of wine at the front desk and enjoy the same amenities and view without paying for a room. Breakfast is also not included anymore. Not worth the price when you could just come here for breakfast (you have to pay whether you're a guest staying in a room or not) and use the amenities. Sad to say, and never thought I would say it, I will not be back. They should have left it how it was and fixed structural issues in the renovations, not redo the entire hotel and pretend that it's book themed. It's not even the same Hotel, and changed its name as well. It got bought out and the Sylvia beach hotel was sold. Now it's the hotel Sylvia, so it's not even the same Hotel and they're acting like they only did renovations. No, it's literally a completely new hotel and nothing like the previous Sylvia beach hotel . It's a sorry try and sorry excuse to keep the Sylvia beach hotel Alive. If you think I'm the only one who feels this way, I'm not. You can read more on the Facebook group "Sylvia beach hotel lovers". I found it on a simple search for if others had left reviews of the renovations, and apparently others feel the same way I do. Very validating. Also the positive reviews on their site sound like AI. Also found complaints of renovations on Reddit. People are not happy with these changes. https://www.reddit.com/r/oregon/comments/1hl7a71/the_sylvia_beach_hotel_in_newport_is_about_to_be/ read more

Hotel Sylvia is a reincarnation of the old Sylvia Beach hotel. The previous owners decided to sell and it has been thoroughly updated. While it is not the old hotel they have kept some of its themes. The main being lots of books to read and no televisions. They have added decks with great ocean views and a nice restaurant area on the lower level, only doing breakfast at this time. We really enjoyed our stay here, given that they had been open less than a month after the renovation, it all went very smoothly. The manager and staff were very friendly and helpful and went the extra mile to make sure everyone enjoyed their experience. I didn't finish the book I started so maybe I can finish it the next time we stay here, which we look forward to. A lot of the low reviews here are for the old hotel and some from people who didn't like the change. Change is difficult and it could have been a lot worse, judge this as a new place on its merits and not its history. read more

This hotel doesn't just have a library. You are expected to be very very quiet like it is a library. It really should be called the library hotel. Never have I felt so unwelcome at a hotel before. Just had family visit for a moment and was complained about immediately. They should show on their website as adult only hotel and not have a Dr Seuss room with toys in it. read more

If you love books and unique experiences this charming and quirky hotel is the place for you! Sylvia Beach Hotel is a lovely renovated historical building from the early 1900s and the owners did a phenomenal job keeping it's historic feel even after renovations. The hotel is designed in a way that allows guest relax and unplug from modern society. If you desire big rooms, up to date luxurious bathrooms, televisions and wifi you will want to look elsewhere. The aim of the hotel is to unplug and relax from our fast paced modern society. With author themed rooms , no wifi, a cell phone free library and sitting area this hotel transports its guest to another place and time. There are books, puzzles and fascinating book themed decor throughout the hotel. Every room is different. Some have views, multiple beds or only one bed. If you have particular requests you should do your research on your room's amenities before booking. The three course meal at Table of Contents was phenomenal! The vegetables are all grown in the owner's home garden. The restaurant requires reservations since it is a small dining experience. There are two large tables where guests are seated (cruise style). My husband and I met lovely people from Washington, Idaho and Oregon. Sylvia Beach Hotel is located directly on the beach and there are fun shops all around. My husband and I stayed in the JK Rowling room. The vacant rooms are left open so we took a tour of several other rooms including Ken Casey, Shakespeare and Dr. Seuss. Each room had its own unique appeal. If you are looking to relax and you're able to let go of our modern expectations this beautifully restored hotel is top notch! read more

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What an amazing stay! I could have stayed for days. My husband found this in a guide book from years ago and he called as soon as our itinerary was set from our trip from San Francisco to Portland, OR. Although they have a website- reservations are old fashioned through the phone. You won't see people with IPads watching movies or going through Tik Tok. It is quiet and beautiful. This is a book lovers paradise. Each room is themed after a different author and the rooms are well done. And the hotel sits on a bluff with amazing views of the ocean. We stayed in the Mark Twain room (both literary majors) and as soon as we got to our room- I didn't want to leave. It had a large bed and desk and two windows that looked out over the ocean. You could see the ocean anywhere in the room. There was a window seat that I stretched out on and a fireplace. Our room had this beautiful balcony with ocean view and the day we checked in- it was windy. Very windy. Enough that I couldn't close the car door and when I almost had it- the wind flew the door back on its springs. We thought what a waste- this balcony but no way we could use it. But the location of the room blocked the wind and we enjoyed a bottle of wine outside with a premade cheese plate from the gift shop. The gift shop also has wine for purchase. We sat outside and watched the few people trying to walk on the beach in the small hurricane. Then we dug out our books and got cozy and read. And drank more wine. We did start a fire and it was wonderful. The employees were nice and there were books everywhere along with common library rooms with people quietly reading. I was so sad to have to leave in the morning. This is a book lovers paradise and you should make a trip to Oregon just to stay here. read more

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It's a romantic bed and breakfast hotel with themed rooms. It's reasonably priced for the coast. Be careful....not all rooms have a view, private baths, or queen beds. Their web site is informative, and the front desk woman is very friendly and willing to reexplain everything. We stayed in the Virginia Woolf room. It's small, but the bed and room were overall comfy. The bathroom was tiny, cold, but functional. The room had hints and clues of Virginia Woolf like a scavenger hunt or an escape room. The complementary breakfast was excellent with pancakes, oatmeal, cereal, and yogurt. Coffee and OJ as well. Beautiful beach view in the dining area. Very romantic for weekend getaway. No wifi, and no tv. Just quality time with your sweetheart. Also, I like they have dedicated parking for about 8 cars. If you go early, you got parking across the street. Great location....on the beach, and a block away from Nana's Pub. read more

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The Sylvia Beach Hotel is one of my very favorite places. Steps from the sand and an easy walk to the Newport Performing Arts Center, gobs of fun shops and tasty places to eat (Nana's Irish Pub is wonderful!). Comfortable themed rooms, a delightful staff and delicious breakfast every morning. Oh, and BOOKS everywhere! I've been several times, always excited to go again. read more

Picture walking up a flowered garden path into the entry way of an old friend's home. On entering you find a living room area filled with oversized chairs, couches, friendly people, fabulous funky art, all with literary reference. Explore every floor here and discover reading nooks, rooms dedicated (and decorated) to specific authors like Jules Vern, Virginia Woolf, Amy Tan, even Dr. Seuss! Don't miss the third floor library, complete with a nice selection of good books, games and puzzles and magnificent views of the beach and sea. Sign up on arrival for dinner at Bookends - the chef is special, and breakfasts are delicious! read more

Beautiful hotel and location. My wife and I actually stayed in 2021 in the Mark Twain suite. It was perfect. It was quiet. Our view was the coastline and we were lucky enough to see humpback whales in the morning. I have been trying to get back to Sylvia Beach hotel again, but unfortunately I haven't been able to. I would highly recommend it!! read more

Best coastal hotel EVER!! Every room has a different theme and decor based on a particular literary author; no TV, radio or WiFi-prepare to decompress and Relax! Their "Table of Contents" Restaurant is fabulous and headed by a most talented and creative chef! The resident cat may greet you and you will absolutely Love it!! I suggest the Agatha Christie or Mark Twain suites-with oceanfront decks and wood burning fireplaces!! So many shops, entertainment and restaurants are walkable and the ocean is a couple of hundred feet away awaiting you! I will be here again but call far in advance to book and no online reservations. Love it !! read more

I've stayed in the Agatha Christie room, Oscar Wilde room, and Emily Dickinson room over the years and have really loved this place. I went in today passing through town because I wanted to show my kids the awesome rooms, but under the new ownership you mayn't tour the vacant rooms anymore. I don't see any decent reason for this and I think it sucks that it's been purchased by a company who owns several hotels rather than a smaller outfit that will actually care about the place like so many guests care about it. read more

Each of the rooms is named after, and decorated in honor of, an author. Perfect place for book-lovers. Right on a beautiful beach, in a cute little historic neighborhood. Rooms are a bit small but the common areas are spacious and inviting - two decks and two library/reading rooms. Comfortable bed and nice sheets. It's a historic hotel; shabby chic is part of the charm. Yummy breakfast included. No elevator (there are guest rooms on the first floor which avoids bag-schlepping, but I wouldn't recommend the hotel to someone who can't do stairs cause some of the best areas are up/down stairs) No phones, tvs, wifi (but good cell service) No pets, but they have a hotel cat :) Price is reasonable compared to other places on the coast with similar views/location. read more

Comfie, charming rooms. Delicious breakfast, stellar views. We really loved our stay here. We will be back! read more

Hotel Sylvia - In-room fireplaces available - Hotels Near Me - Newport, Oregon

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Casual grace of bygone eras. Comfy, friendly, great views, good books to read. Perfect!

A great find on the beautiful OR coast right next to beautiful Nye Beach. A very cozy hotel with great decor and a homey feeling. A literature lover's dream come true, as each room is themed to a different author. We booked a room at the last minute and I was really hoping that we could either get the JK Rowling suite or the Colette suite. Luckily the Colette ended up being the only available room that day. It is also considered one of the largest rooms and the most romantic. It also has a balcony with an ocean view. The decor sticks cleverly to the whole literature theme, there is a resident kitty who is very friendly and curious, and on the third floor they have a cute and quiet library for you to sit and read with views of the beautiful ocean. There is no WiFi or tv. You simply have books and your lovely company. Dinner is optional (though highly recommended), breakfast is included and both are communal. I mention this because the word communal dining hall always invokes much fear and anxiety into the heart of my very introverted husband. I myself am not incredibly social, but it doesn't tend to bother me as much as it does him lol. Only reason I've given this establishment 4 instead of 5 stars, is because the bathroom was a little smelly when we checked in. It did have a very tiny hint of urine smell which was just not pleasant. After we aired it out though, it was totally fine. read more

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Had a marvelous time at their set dinner yesterday evening! Know ahead of time that you're sat next to strangers (which quickly become friends) at larger tables and served family style. The food was superb and the atmosphere divine. While we did not stay here, we did explore and will probably make a point of staying at this quiet, lovely historical hotel. It's so quiet and peaceful...the perfect getaway for writers and book lovers alike! read more

So I wanted to go away for the weekend at the coast with my increasingly significant other, but this little Seinfeldian exchange kept popping into my head... JERRY: I'm thinking about asking this girl I'm seeing to go away for a couple of days. GEORGE: Oh no. No, no, no, no, no. I'd have to advise against that. What, you've known this woman for how long? And you're going to be with her seventy-two hours? That's a dating decathlon. Come on, Andy, don't let Costanza dissuade you. The Sylvia Beach Hotel's quaint Jane Austen Room has a beautiful north-facing view of the beach (and a sunset, if you're there around the summer solstice), and the hotel is in such a nice neighborhood, with all sorts of cute restaurants and cafes within walking distance. The literary themed hotel encouraged us to just spend the whole weekend reading, and we couldn't have been happier doing just that. With the superb lodgings accounted for, the other main consideration is the food. I had some fabulous duck for dinner with wholly adequate sides; however, my companion had an undeniably sub-par Cornish game hen. Add to the bone-dry bird a questionable incident involving a bottle of wine ordered but undelivered, and the staff's initial "I don't know what you expect me to do about it" response (followed by profuse apologies), and I'm left with no choice but to remove a star. It's a high four stars, though, for the simple reason that the Sylvia Beach Hotel made a wonderful, romantic weekend possible. Far from a dating decathlon -- more like a long walk on the beach. read more

Hotel Sylvia - Hotels Near Me - Newport, Oregon

This is the best place to stay in Newport, hands down. The hotel has a library, coffee/puzzle room, gift shop, decks, reading room, restaurant, and, oh yeah - fantastic rooms. Each room is literary-themed and comfortable. I love staying in the dorm room, which you share with a few other folks of the same gender in bunk beds (it feels a little like summer camp). Breakfast is included in the cost of the room. The hotel is right on the beach and it is also in a great part of town, in the historic Nye Beach portion. Nearby are plenty of restaurants and bars: Cafe Mundo, Savory Cafe, Nana's Irish Pub. read more

Hotel Sylvia - The hotel looms on a hill - Hotels Near Me - Newport, Oregon

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I loved our time at the Sylvia beach hotel! We stayed during a road trip down the Oregon coast, and booked the Herman Melville room. The room was decorated with a thorough (and passionate) attention to detail! Every room is uniquely designed around an author or a book. We were so excited to see that until a room is occupied, the door is left open. This means that guests can look at their awesome decorations until their occupant arrives. We had a blast exploring all the other rooms, and we will definitely book another room for the full experience. The hotel has a permanent resident in the form of a sweet cat. I don't think there were any elevators because the building itself is quite old. If you have a room on the top floor, I'd suggest bringing a backpack with limited supplies for the hike. I'd also recommend bringing your own shampoo and hair dryer, as our room didn't have either (thank goodness I have short hair!). The building itself is lovely, and the other guest amenities are also superb. The hotel has a library which extends to 2 floors. Adjacent to the library is a communal kitchen with coffee, tea, and hot mulled wine at night. It also had awesome games and puzzles available for the guests. The hotel has a free breakfast, which was by far my favorite breakfast on the Oregon coast. In addition to staples like cereal, juice, yogurt, and fruit, they have a hot meal option. Our hot breakfast option was a dutch baby. Since I'm a vegetarian, they were able to modify mine and make it without sausage. It was absolutely delicious! The maple syrup sizzled when it touched the plate, and they added some lime for a hint of citrus. Their restaurant also serves dinner, but we chose not to attend due to their limited vegetarian options. Thankfully, Newport and Nye Beach have many other restaurants available. I am a big fan of the Sylvia Beach Hotel, and I can't wait to return. I loved the building itself, the rooms, the amenities, and the cat (who, by the way, enjoys playing with plastic and paper bags). Next time, I must remember to bring cat nip! read more

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Having heard many accounts of happy experiences had at the Sylvia Beach, I was excited to try it. Sadly, it did not meet with my expectations. Such a venerable and beautiful old hotel deserves the very best in service and those subtle amenities which make guests feel special and cared for...and wanting to return. I found the staff remarkably short on people skills, the bed pillows the worst I've ever experienced in a hotel and the breakfast disappointinting. I will grant the views from our room were magnificant and the private porch special. I may even give SBH another try. In the meantime, I hope they will up their game. read more

Sylvia Beach hotel is a jewel. Loved the location, perched over the shore, the views of the lighthouse at night, the fact you can leave your window open and hear the crash of the waves. The rooms are small and the bedding in the Jane Austen room felt reminiscent of a great aunt's softly worn quilts and floral sheets. There is a bathtub in the Austen room and surprisingly lots of hot water. Not to mention a great view of the coastline. This place just has so much charm, from the library on the 3rd floor and its resplendent views (as well mulled wine at night) to the resident feline, the painting of the author's of the hotel, to the quirky gift shop. The neighborhood surrounding the hotel while a bit scrubby also offers several cute shops and an Irish pub. The best part of the hotel is the nightly dinner served community style- it's an opportunity to enjoy a well thought out meal as you drink wine and get to know your fellow guests. What fun! read more

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Superb: My sweetheart and I went here with a couple of our friends who had been before and thought we'd like it. We did! I adore this place and am glad it exists- it's like an introvert's paradise. I've told so many quiet, bookish friends and those looking for a serene get away to check this place out. The themed rooms are inspiring and so much fun. On the top floor there's a space with a great view of the ocean filled with comfy couches and chairs and books. There are two little rooms attached to this room- a board game room and a kitchenette which is stocked with tea and at night mulled wine. There's a hotel cat that wanders around the premises named Sandy. She's the absolute cutest. She came into our room (we stayed in the Emily Dickinson room) and jumped on the bed and into my lap for a solid half hour before she went on her way. It was magical. :) Room for Improvement: In our room there was beautiful delicate white lace curtains. Gorgeous in the day, but at night it offered no refuge from the blinding neon signs from the place next door. Definitely bring an eye mask if you need darkness to sleep. Only one window wasn't painted shut in our room. From that window the sounds, smells, and sights of the ocean were refreshing and breathtaking. That being said, it would have been nice to be able to open all the windows. The breakfast looked lovely, but I would like to see some vegan options, even if that means just a milk alternative for coffee and tea at breakfast. We had toast, fruit, and black tea. All in all a lovely retreat that I would recommend to anyone. read more

My overall experience was mixed, and I am glad it was only one night. I purposely chose the Oscar Wilde room, as I think you should be able to judge a hotel by it's more humble of rooms. I walked in and liked the dated decor of the tiny room, and was immediately grateful for the large deck out of the back. It needed air. Old building and all. Plus, the chair in the room is cute and dated and could break under weight. I was kindly checked in early, which was a nice surprise. I tried napping in the afternoon, which was not very possible with the loud creaky stairs nearby, and this continually running water sound like someone right above the bed was showering. I brushed it off and spent a little bit of time staring out of the "library" windows at the ocean. (Note to potential visitors: the actual library is on the 4th floor- the books and puzzles are up there, and it is more of an introverts retreat.) Then came dinner. Immediately it was very uncomfortable sharing a seating arranged table with a bunch of strangers (very like a wedding), the forced conversation was exhausting. Obviously this is a personal issue, many people would enjoy this arrangement, but for me it was strenuous. The people were lovely individuals, and the food was the real highlight of the visit- crafted by a chef who is exceptionally talented. When the meal had finally ended, I went for a walk on the beach, hoping that it would wear me out physically the way the dinner wore my nerves. (The front desk is personed 24h.) I came back and read the journals in the room. Then I tried sleep. Sleep was not possible. I spent hours trying to be comfortable, but the pillows were HARD and FLAT and I had developed cramps in my neck and shoulders very quickly. The running water sound (like a never ending shower above my head) was impossible to ignore. By 4am, with a headache, cramped shoulders, and a huge wish for earplugs, I had given up. The next morning at breakfast I was sharing a table with one of the owners, and this tidbit of my awful evening came up. She said "well, you should have come told us, we have new pillows." Hmm, yes, at 4am, I should have come down the very loudly squeaking stairs to the front desk in my jammies and with my considerably shitty unrested mood to beg for reasonable pillows. At this point I was irritably perplexed- if you have new pillows, why the hell didn't you put them in the rooms to begin with?!? Big sigh. Also a side note- unlike even the most basic of hotel rooms, this one does not provide any kinds of shampoo or conditioner or lotion. I was staying one night, and didn't think I would desperately need a shower, but after a night like that, it would have been a welcome and necessary notion. Also, breakfast was not impressive, and actually a big disappointment. This place is a BnB, after all, and I was under the impression that the breakfast was fantastic (according to their website)- which was a big motivator for booking the hotel. It was pancakes and sausage. The pancakes were very good (almond poppy seed), the sausage was the boxed commercial frozen kind, and the fruit at the cereal bar was flavorless. Coffee was good, and they use local honey- coffee things are thankfully on the table when you enter the dining room. Once again, sharing a table with a bunch of people in the morning at a hotel that touts quiet introversion was unnerving. I just wanted to eat and have my coffee while looking at the ocean and avoiding speaking about my terrible night. Another side note: The room was old smelling, fine and fine- it's an old hotel, but it was the smell of dust. And there were also pantry moths in the room. Hard to get rid of those critters, but the room is small, and if cleaned well it should not be an issue. Overall impression: The hotel owners were both present, and pleasant enough people. The hotel is an impressive sight on the edge of the ocean, and the idea of the rooms is interesting and fun. The Library ideas are great, the gift shop cute and fresh, and give a diverse feel to the overall experience of staying here. But what is the point of a hotel that you cannot sleep in? Why not provide basic linens, and decent pillows? Why no minimal toiletries that even shitty hotels provide? And what the hell is up with that awful continual showing sound? Plus, if I hadn't spent a chunk on the dinner there, I would not have known the food could be good. Breakfast was just a touch better than continental. Too much money for the stay. Disappointment. read more

Really lovely spot to crash. This is a for real BnB so if that type of stay doesn't appeal to you just roll on to the Holiday Inn. We stayed in the Mark Twain Room. The room was amazeballs, ocean view, chooching balcony, fireplace with wood, clawfoot tub. This spot has a great breakfast and friendly staff. The mulled wine in the top floor library is super friendly. The bed was comfortable and the room was clean. read more

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Love it! The Jules Verne room is the coolest. The sunroom is an amazing place to watch resident whales and read books... In any weather. The kitchen provides exquisite fare, and the staff is family. read more

Came across this place a few years back when looking for a place to stay that my boyfriend and I might enjoy. When we found Sylvia Beach Hotel, we struck gold. Books everywhere, rooms themed after some of our most decorated authors. Hand written journals of patrons that are full of confusion, love, and pure emotion. A calm and quiet atmosphere among like minded individuals. DELICIOUS hot breakfast included with your stay, not to mention countless cold options (cereal, fruit, yogurts, etc). A wonderful view of the beach from the library that serves spiced wine at no additional charge. Friggin intense, incredible, and refreshing. The staff are AMAZING. They feel like family and have a love and appreciation for the building that encourages them to carry full knowledge and great stories of its past. Every time I come here, the front desk women cater to our late nights, our comings and goings, and never fail to carry on excellent conversation with a warm smile. We have visited several times since and now have an open log book of which rooms we've already stayed in. We WILL return and we will continue to recommend this incredible place to every book lover, writer, and beach goer that we know. PS Melville room is INCREDIBLE for lovers (the journals and personal experience in this room confirm my words) :-) PSS a home away from home. read more

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Quirky, comfortable rooms with marvelous views. My grands and I stayed in Ken Kesey's ward. Table of Contents served sumptuous meals. Would definitely come again. read more

Inspiring and quaint ! Wish I could give 10 stars! Clean, comfortable, friendly, beautiful! Good breakfast. They serve dinner, but you must give at least 3 hours notice. Looked wonderful! Hot spiced wine at night is a great touch. We were able to see many of the rooms. I was happy with Virginia Woolf room. read more

Past due review. I stayed in March of 2020. Planning on going again in the next few months. I have seen many complaints re; mattress and pillows. I always take my own pillow and sleeping bag to any place I stay, and throw a sheet that I bring over the bed. Kind of a germaphobe. I do that, no matter where I go. I check all beds for bedbugs before I start. I bring a ziplock with Lysol wipes, and wipe things down quickly. I had no complaints about the mattress. Hoping I won't this coming stay. I do hope to get some restful sleep. Smell? it is an old building. Hard to make it smell brand new. If I wanted new, I would have stayed at a new hotel. You come here for old, and no fancy amenities. Of course, a place needs to be clean, safe, without bedbugs or rodents, which this place was that. I had no complaint about the cleanliness, during my stay. I don't want staff bugging me. I am fully capable to ask for something if needed. Yes, you may hear plumbing. It is a historic building. Be prepared to walk up/down stairs. No jacuzzi. No big fancy bathrooms. No internet. No phones. No tv's. This is for someone that wants to be left alone, isolate, checkout for a while from society. Read a book, knit, watch the waves, sit on a deck, sit by a fire, drink a glass of wine. If you plan on spending an extended time in the bathroom, these are basic bathrooms. Nothing fancy or big. Yes, it is on the spendy side... it is worth it to me, to be in a room that I feel like I have escaped the world for a bit, and relax. If you want new, fancy, artificial lighting, lots of activity and amenities, you need to go elsewhere. If you have physical disabilities, you should call ahead of time to be sure this place can meet your specific needs. Within this price range, you will find what you are looking for, I am sure. There are plenty of reviews that clearly describes what this place is and is not. Go elsewhere, if you are needing modern amenities. Don't come and complain about something that was not promised in the first place. Yes, communal meals. Go down the street, if you want a single table. No one said you have to eat onsite. There is a unstated expectation that you are quiet, as if you are in a library. People whisper. It is so nice to not hear tv's, boomboxes, videos, virtual meetings, loud chatter.... So nice to have quiet... I almost cancelled my upcoming stay, due to COVID, cost and much being closed down. Then I was reminded.... memories are what I will remember on my death bed. Will I regret not going and having a few extra bucks in my bank account when I die? Yes! Life is short! Who knows, next year I may not have the option. I will enjoy while I can, and maybe when I am 80, I can say I went every spring for 20 years... read more