Enjoying a Dog Friendly Vacation at the Adrift Hotel in Long Beach, WA

I think the Adrift Hotel in Long Beach, Washington is one of the coolest dog friendly hotels in Washington state.

Disclosure: I’ve paid to stay at other Adrift Hospitality properties myself. However, in this case, I was provided a free stay in exchange for telling you about the Adrift.

Whether you want take your dog on a weekend getaway, want to enjoy a relaxing week-long vacation with your dog, or want to work remotely in a great place (a workcation) with your dog snuggled by your side, definitely check out the Adrift Hotel.

Where is the Adrift Hotel Located?

The Adrift Hotel is located on the Long Beach Peninsula in the southwest corner of Washington State.

It’s approximately 3.5 hours from Seattle, WA and 2.5 hours from Portland, OR.

The hotel itself is:

• Steps from the ocean where you can wander the sandy beaches for hours
• At the south end of the Long Beach Boardwalk, which is a great place to watch the sunset
• Near a major entry point to the 8.5 mile paved Discovery Trail that you can run, bike, or walk
• Minutes by car, or a 15-minute walk, from downtown Long Beach and the famous arch

Bonus: If you have an elderly or injured dog that needs to be pulled in a wagon or pushed in a stroller, the Discovery Trail is a real gem.

How Long is Long Beach Washington?

Long Beach, Washington is 28 miles, or 45 km, long.

It’s claimed to be the world’s longest beach. However, that isn’t exactly true.

It’s not the longest beach (that award goes to a beach in Brazil) but it is the world’s longest continuous peninsula beach and the world’s longest drivable beach.

What Is the Adrift Hotel Pet Policy?

I’m very impressed with the pet policy at the Adrift hotel.

Every single room is dog friendly and they don’t only allow dogs!

From their website, in summary:

“Pets are allowed in all of our rooms… There are no restrictions on pet type or weight – if they can fit through the door, they can stay!”

Hmmm… really? Any animal that can fit through the door?

I decided to challenge that and gave them a call.

As suspected, the Adrift Hotel draws the line at animals like cows and miniature horses (unless the mini horse is a service animal – yes, that is a thing).

The general pet number limit is 3 per room. However, it does depend on the size of the pet.

I was told that they would probably limit the number of large dogs per room to 3. However, they might allow 4 small dogs.

I asked about other animal types like cats, hamsters, ferrets, and pot bellied pigs because I have some friends who travel with those types of pets.

I was told they are welcome as long as the owner can maintain control of them (in a leash or cage) and cleans up after them.

Some general pet policies at the Adrift Hotel:

• There is an additional fee of 20 USD per pet
• Owners must clean up after their pets
• Pets must be leashed while in any common areas on the property
• If there is any evidence of damage done to the rooms by a pet you will be charged for repairs

I do want to note, while doing my research, I came across a 2018 review on TripAdvisor about the Adrift Hotel claiming it’s not cat friendly.

I’m not sure the context of the comment, or what their experience was during their stay with their cat, or if they even did stay at the hotel, but, based on my conversations, that sentiment is incorrect.

Cats are welcome too!

Other Cool Things at the Adrift Hotel that Don’t Have to Do With Dogs

Besides being a great place to vacation with your dog on the beach, there are many other great things about the Adrift Hotel that don’t have to do with dogs.

There is a covered, heated saline pool, barrel sauna, and spa onsite.

While your dog can’t enjoy those with you (but can be in the seating area for the pool/sauna), you can put your dog in the car if it’s cool, or have someone else in your party watch them, while you take advantage of the amenities.

The Adrift Distillery right next door that creates craft vodka, gin, whiskey, and cranberry liqueur (the region is one of the leading producers of cranberries).

I was very impressed with how environmentally conscious the Adrift Hotel is.

There are recyle bins all around the property and even a small one right in your room.

Shower gel, lotion, and shampoo/conditioner is provided in bulk containers vs being provided in small disposable plastic containers.

They’re also a Social Purpose Corporation and a certified B corp. They value treating their employees and their community right.

Things to Do With Your Dog in Long Beach, WA

Honestly, I think the best thing to do with your dog in Long Beach is to walk your dog on the beach again and again.

It’s always pretty and there are always things for your dog to sniff. In fact, different things may wash up on the beach with each tide cycle.

But if you are looking for additional activities to do with your dog within 30 minutes of the Adrift Hotel, here are my suggestions:

Clark’s Tree

Visit Clark’s Tree – a bronze memorial sculpture, located at the north end of the Discovery Trail – commemorating Lewis and Clark’s journey across North America.

It’s 10 minute drive and short walk or 45 minute walk from the hotel.

Cape Disappointment State Park

Visit Cape Disappointment west of Ilwaco, WA to see the light house and to walk the trails.

It’s a 10 minute drive or 1 hour walk along the beach.

Fort Columbia Historical State Park

If you’re a military and maritime history buff, you won’t want to miss this.

Fort Columbia State Park was constructed between 1896 and 1903 and is considered one of the most intact historic coastal defense sites in the U.S

This 618-acre day-use park sits along 6,400 feet of freshwater shoreline on the Columbia River. It’s located within the accustomed territory of the Chinook Indian Nation and is designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Dogs are welcome on the grounds, and along the 2.5 miles of trails, but not in park buildings.

Fort Columbia is a 15 minute drive from the hotel.

Astoria, Oregon

Visit historic Astoria, OR to admire this quaint little historic fishing community in the northwest corner of Oregon.

You can stroll along the waterfront to try and spot sea lions on the docks. You’ll likely hear them before you see them.

Drive up the hill to see the 125-foot-tall Astoria Column (Dogs are allowed on grounds but not inside the tower).

Another point of interest is that this town is where part of the Goonies movie was filmed.

Astoria is a 30-minute drive from the hotel.

What is the Best Time to Visit Long Beach?

Summer at the beach is often warm and sunny so that is when most people visit.

But there are down-sides to visiting in the summer with your dog.

Hotel rates in the area are usually highest in August and September.

Summer is also when the largest number of people vacation on the Long Beach Peninsula.

That means there are a lot more dogs and kids on the beach, which isn’t the ideal situation if you have a reactive dog.

That also means, since one of the major draws of Long Beach is the ability to drive on it, there is a lot of vehicle traffic you’ll have to avoid.

My favorite times to visit Long Beach and stay at the Adrift Hotel are weekdays October through mid April.

The temperatures during the fall, winter, and early spring typically range from 50-60 F. And when the sun is out, it can feel a lot warmer than that.

Going to the ocean in the colder months means cooler days, and potentially rain and wind, but I like storm watching on blustery beach days.

Dog Friendly Restaurants Long Beach Washington

Unfortunately, there aren’t many dog friendly restaurants in Long Beach.

In general, the ones I could find only have outside seating in the summer.

Also of note, a lot of the restaurants are closed mid-week, especially in the off season.

If you want to eat with your dog at the Adrift Hotel, you don’t even need to leave your room.

Lucky you though! The Pickled Fish restaurant at the Adrift Hotel will deliver to your room.

The Abbracci Coffee Bar in the heart of downtown allows dogs inside but does not serve food.

In the summer, you can sit at one of the 12 outside tables at the Cove Restaurant (bonus: they have a Patio Pup menu).

There are a couple tables at Captain Bob’s Chowder.

Would I Recommend the Adrift Hotel to Other Dog Lovers?

Yes, I would absolutely recommend the Adrift Hotel to any of my friends with dogs.

And owners of several other types of pets for that matter!

I love that their pet policy is so generous. In fact, I would be willing to bet it’s one of the most accommodating pet policy out there.