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Ester Lee Motel

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Traveller (407)
Room & Suite (235)
Pool & Beach (32)

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Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Other miscellaneous taxes and hotel fees which are not fixed or due at time of booking may be payable at the property at time of stay. Please see our partners for more details.

About

#2 of 9 motels in Lincoln City
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
The Ester Lee Motel, a Lincoln City landmark, has been a vacation destination on the Central Oregon Coast for families for generations. Each room has a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. We have cottages and Suites that sleep up to seven people. Many of these units have a full kitchen and a fireplace in the living area. We are pet friendly and allow pets in most of our cottages. “Ahh… What You Can See From The Ester Lee”
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Vending machine
Beach
Books, DVDs, music for children
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Non-smoking hotel
Paid internet
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Room features
Fireplace
Seating area
Telephone
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Kitchenette
Microwave
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
2.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Ocean View
Great View
1,072Review6Q+A100Room tips
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Debra H wrote a review Feb 2024
Portland, Oregon2 contributions1 helpful vote
I have been staying at this hotel for something like 30 years, maybe even longer. Since the selling of the property, there have been some negative reviews. I read them after I had made my reservations. I decided to return to see if they were true, and they were NOT. We found the same room (which we have been renting for about 10 years) immaculate and updated with several little details. This hotel has exceptional views of the Pacific Ocean. The front desk manager, Chris, was accommodating to every need we had. Ben, the evening manager, was just as accommodating. Patrons can put anything they want on reviews. Please don't believe everything you read. Booking my stay again for February 2025.
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Date of stay: February 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Shiela M wrote a review Feb 2024
1 contribution
+1
The room was VERY outdated, steps made it hard for me to get to the room being on oxygen and bad knees, bed was a full not big enough for2 , heat very unstable, old oil type heater, 1 small tv,no sofa, 2 chairs. 2 uncomfortable dining room chairs, bathroom outdated. The only good thing was pet friendly and the view. Ask to look at your room before taking. We checked in early as did everyone else and couldn’t change the accessibility option. Don’t think I will stay here again. Shiela Morland
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Review your room first.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Brenda Faxon wrote a review Jan 2024
Dallas, Oregon1 contribution
My family has stayed at the Ester Lee hotel many times over the last 30 years. We loved the view-perfect from every room, and each room is cozy. It’s always been so comfortable and home away from home. Over that time, we’ve always had 3 dogs. They have a 2 dog rule, but given our history there, and that we always pay extra for each of them. The people working there were helpful and friendly. It was literallly the only place we stayed in Lincoln City and we’ve referred many people there. Now, it seems things have changed. We called to make a reservation and made sure they knew we had 3 dogs. The guy we spoke to was friendly and said he would only charge partial for the 3rd dog. We thought that was very nice. We arrived and the lady working the counter said no, that is not possible and whoever we talked to broke the rules, then charged us for all dogs. She said that since we were there, we could stay. She seemed quite rude about it. We learned that a company came in and bought up several hotels and restaurants along the coast. Rules were changed, which is their right, of course. The prices seemed like they have gotten a bit steep also. This trip left a bad taste in my mouth. As much as we have enjoyed this hotel over the years, we won’t be returning. We just didn’t feel welcome anymore.
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Date of stay: January 2024
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Location
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Rhonda D wrote a review Jan 2024
1 contribution
Excellent customer service. The power was out and I needed a warm place to stay. I booked the room for one night and then extended it for two more. When the power at my home came on earlier then expected they allowed me to cancel the last day even though I did not give 24 hour notice. The hotel was clean, had a comfortable bed and an excellent view. And to top it off very reasonably priced. Even though I don’t live far away, I would definitely come and stay here again for us escape from every day life
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Date of stay: January 2024
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Pamela A wrote a review Oct 2023
2 contributions
We have been coming to Ester Lee for over 20 years. Use to be a special place to stay not anymore. All the things that cost nothing that made it special are gone. Pick your favorite room, clean and friendly gone- welcome home so nice to see you again. Gone- will be looking for a new home away from home..
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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JuliaHubbel wrote a review Oct 2023
Eugene, Oregon847 contributions388 helpful votes
This review is too parts. First, a celebration of what WAS, and is no more. And a fair warning to anyone who once loved this place and I am advising you right now: under new and incompetent management. The Esterlee is kinda funky, the kitchens are Seventy-ish, but it is situated beautifully and in the quieter, lower part of LIncoln City. Before the NM (New Management) the help did help. You were cared for with real care, and you felt like part of the family. I would spend a week, sometimes more, usually around Oregon's fabled King Tides. You could say that my fondness for this place and the fact that I'm a travel writer meant two things: they could count on me for about three grand plus a year, steady, with likely more to come, and that I would encourage lots of others to come here. No more. Stay away. Here's why: any hotel/motel owner knows that if your cohort loves a particular room, they want to be able to rent it. I have a love for a particular room, and learned fast that it was a favorite of many others as well. So I got int he habit of calling in and asking for that room well in advance. Any reasonable owner understands that you give the customer what they are willing to pay premium for, as this room's commanding view of the coast is worth the extra. Not any more. I called EsterLee yesterday to check on that reservation and was told by the "I Just Work Here" employee that the ownership will take your money but move your butt where and when they choose, no matter what you might want. What? I am not sure where these new owners came from. I worked for Disney World, one place on earth where you learn about customer service. If you are going to up the rates (they did) without improving the grounds (they haven't) then expect loyal customers to accept being told that no matter what, they can't have their favorite room, well, honey, that's how you tank a business. I have already contacted those people I had advised to stay here and shooed them elsewhere. I am actively researching my options. What's so intriguing about this idiocy is that any operator who buys a beloved, long-standing business like this is also buying the rights to relationships with its long-standing customers. We long-standing loyal customers have our favorite rooms, and in order to continue staying in them, we were willing to tolerate a mild uptick in costs. But you don't then tell said longstanding loyal customers that they can't be guaranteed their favorite rooms. That's. Just. Stupid. I wish Esther and Lee the best, they did a lovely job. The new owners are going to do an equally lovely job of tanking their income from those of us who loved the place despite the funky old kitchens. We loved the family feel which is gone, and is now replaced by rapacious money-first customer-last owners. Very sad to see this happen. However, we have lots of options. And I will be recommending them shortly.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Brian P wrote a review Sept 2023
1 contribution
Woke up with many bed bug bites. Bugs crawling on sheets. Blood stains and bug feces. Went to the office to report. Desk clerk apologetic. Promised 100% refund and gave us large black plastic bags for clothes. Left for home- 2 days early- to regroup and wash clothes on hot. Sad- used to be our favorite place at the coast. 30 year veterans. It has gone consistently downhill for a few years. We will not return.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Kris5552014 wrote a review Aug 2023
Newberg, Oregon9 contributions
The best thing about Ester Lee is the view. We have been going there off and on for over 20 years. They have updated their rooms, so they are comfortable. The rooms are clean and very adequate. The beds are comfortable, as are the pillows. There used to be a full size couch in the room, but that has been taken out and a two person couch installed. Reason being they do not want more than 4 people in a room (that's what I was told). The room had the couch clear against the back wall, which was depressing and far from the view window. We always push the couch all the way up from the back wall to the window. The downside this time was the one person at the desk. He was rude and unhelpful. The office is open only from 10 am to 5 pm, so he was not able to help us figure out the three remotes so that we could watch our movie. We have had trouble with that pretty much every time we went over the years. The motel needs more than one person in the office, and they need to find someone with people skills. I don't know how they handle people that arrive after 5 pm. There was only one roll of TP in the bathroom, and no kleenex. We had to go to the office to get another roll. The only amenities were tiny bottles of shampoo and conditioner and a few tiny soaps. We were expected to have the dishes washed, table clean, etc. (which is fine), but the price of the room was so exorbitant, that we felt a bit miffed to do the cleaning up. The beach below Ester Lee is accessible via a paved road, but it's steep and you are not allowed to drive down. It is a good beach and has rocks and tide pools to see. Overall, with several people-friendly people manning the desk from 6 am to 10 pm and a reduction in price, I would recommend Ester Lee to friends.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip: Not much to do in the area besides walk the beach and visit a used book store. Drive to Newport...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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D H wrote a review Aug 2023
1 contribution
My partner and I booked a weekend away in room #1. We were so excited to cook some delicious meals in the kitchen and stare at the ocean. The first day and night were spent whale watching and enjoying every moment - but the second night everything changed. I woke up at 2am to go to the bathroom and of course, I took my phone with me. When I turned the bathroom light on I saw a strange bug crawling across my phone screen. I immediately flicked it off and proceeded to google the mystery bug. A quick search identified it as a BED BUG. I woke up my partner and we immediately checked the bed. Upon our search, we found the fecal / blood stains left behind from bed bugs, multiple young bed bugs crawling across the sheets and pillows, and at least 2-3 more full grown bed bugs. After running back into the bathroom to vomit and cry, we tried to figure out our next move. Since management does not have a 24 hour emergency contact number, I could only leave frantic messages and hope for a response when the office opened at 10am! From 2am to 6am, we packed our belongings into garbage bags, took showers, and even cleaned up our dishes from the nights' meal. As soon as the sun was up, we loaded up our car and headed home all while worrying about what we were bringing with us. We ended up throwing away over $500 dollars in clothing and shoes just to be safe. Yes, the motel refunded our stay in full but still, I do not want anyone else to go there and unknowingly bring home bed bugs!!! Management promised that room #1 would be closed and the issue would be resolved. So if you can book it now, you are not safe!!! The owner / manager also tried to make the lame excuse that since switching to online booking, they are unable to control the "types of people that come through". Please proceed with caution! (I have photos and videos for reference.)
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Date of stay: August 2023
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Check your bed for bed bugs!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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M L wrote a review Aug 2023
3 contributions
Perfect place for family (with pet) on a budget. We’re from out of State & my kids have never stayed on the Oregon coast. We wanted a room with a view that allowed pets & this place fit the bill as well as being within our budget. Older place, but was clean & comfortable. Internet was bad, but we were not there to be staring at a screen. Free parking & they even allowed our companions who stayed in their conversion van to park. Beach access is down a somewhat steep (paved) hill. If you’re unable to walk this may not be the place for you, worked fine for our family. Generous pet policy allows you to have pets in the room & on property. It even allows you to leave your pet alone in the room in a crate - many places do not allow this. It’s perk that allows you to shop or get a meal without taking pup. Advice for rookies like me: bring your own lawn chairs & lap blankets. Bring fire wood & s’more fixings for a sunset fire on the beach.
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Date of stay: July 2023
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Location
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Bring outdoor chairs & blanket.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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PRICE RANGE
₹7,959 - ₹16,249 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
ester lee hotel lincoln city, ester lee lincoln city
LOCATION
United StatesOregonOregon CoastLincoln City
NUMBER OF ROOMS
53
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Other miscellaneous taxes and hotel fees which are not fixed or due at time of booking may be payable at the property at time of stay. Please see our partners for more details.
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ESTER LEE MOTEL (Lincoln City) - Motel Reviews, Photos, Rate Comparison - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Ester Lee Motel
Which popular attractions are close to Ester Lee Motel?
Nearby attractions include Lincoln City Glass Center (1.1 km), North Lincoln County Historical Museum (1.2 km), and Rock Your World: Pacific Northwest Gem & Jewelry Gallery (0.6 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Ester Lee Motel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free parking, and books, DVDs and music available for children.
Which room amenities are available at Ester Lee Motel?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
Is parking available at Ester Lee Motel?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Ester Lee Motel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Nelscott Cafe, Fathoms Restaurant & Bar, and Dory Cove Restaurant.
Are pets allowed at Ester Lee Motel?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Does Ester Lee Motel have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.