Roam+Board :: The Sou'Wester

[trip style = budget + weekend getaway + glamping + beach]

Editor’s Note: When I told my friends I was spending my summer vacay at a trailer park, they thought I'd lost my trip styling marbles. In all fairness, my stay-by-the-sea is only part trailer park; it's mostly a collection of vintage travel trailers. Throw in an 1892-built manor and cabin quartette, and you've got the The Sow'Wester.

What As I lined up to check into The Sou'Wester, the Portlandia resident checking out mused to the front desk gal "The Sou'Wester is Portland's Hamptons." As my week away progressed, I discovered her description could not have have been more apt.

Overnighting in the one of 10 vintage travel trailers at The Sou'Wester recalls a time when motor hotels and Spartan Manors---a retro version of today's mobile mansions---topped travel. I feel like I should have packed pearls, a power blue suit and pumps as a sat in my stationary time capsule sipping a tumbler of whiskey listening to eras of records from Johnny Cash to The Beatles to Willie Nelson.

A retro expo seasoned in boho and purist midcentury finds, the Sou'Wester is miles away from a hotel-cation. Indie bands play in the lodge. Artists-in-resident work on projects. Hip families roast marshmallows at fire pits in aluminum alley. Hipsters read classic American literature.

MORE PHOTOS BELOW

A 28-mile long Hampton's-style beach decorated in massive waves and low-bank dunes covered in wispy sea grass is a five minute walk away. Portland's Hamptons indeed. Trip Styler approved.

Where Seaview, WA, three hours South of Seattle by car, or 1.5hrs Northwest of Portland. Don't miss the paved, multi-mile biking/walking/jogging path winding through the dunes. Oh, and you can drive on the beach.

When The summer is your prime opportunity to sun-seek. The rest of the year is famously stormy and foggy---there's 100+ days of fog---but the inclement weather is part of its misty, wind-swept charm.

Who/Why Because you can't resist telling your friends you're vacationing at a trailer park. Think of it this way: it's as if you're rolling with the 'Stones in their tour trailers.

Cost Rates start at $58 for trailers and $68 for cabins and include WiFi and parking. Everything from linens to kitchen utensils to space heaters is provided. BYO shampoo and conditioner, or end up washing your hair with dish soap...

Trip Styler Tip :: No need to knock on the next trailer for a cup of sugar, there's an honor system shoppe where you can pick up flowers, butter, beer, thrift finds and local crafts.

Photos {Aluminum alley.}

{Us, trailering.}

{Inside our Spartan Manor trailer.}

{The living room.}

{The record playa.}

{The music selection.}

{The bedroom.}

{Flowers for sale.}

{Sou'Wester's resident dog.}

{Beach near Sou'Wester.}

{In case you want to shower off after the beach. Note that most of the stationary trailers have showers too.}

More Roam+Board Cama Beach Cabins – near Seattle The Pearl Hotel – San Diego The Templar – Toronto Encuentro Guadalupe – Mexico Hotel Havana – San Antonio The Ampersand Hotel – London Mount Engadine Lodge – Canadian Rockies Lava Lava Beach Club – Hawaii Island Ace Hotel – Seattle The Wickaninnish Inn – Tofino The Burrard – Vancouver  Hotel de Glace – Quebec Alcazar Palm Springs – California Jumeirah Zabeel Saray – Dubai Makena Resort – Maui Find more R+B hotels featured here, plus our it list of worldwide hotel picks.

[photos taken by @tripstyler]