Venue Facts
Location: Newport, Oregon
Total meeting space: 6,000 square feet of flexible meeting space
Guest rooms: 151
Access: Three hours’ drive from Portland, two hours from Eugene, one hour off Interstate 5
Contact info:
541-574-6854
Oregon’s coast is known for its rugged natural beauty and endless beaches, and there’s no better place to experience them than Hallmark Newport Resort. Atop a 60-foot bluff overlooking the Pacific, the Hallmark is the ideal place to find a blend of coastal scenery, amenities and activities that offer limitless potential for event planners.
The Newport property is one of two Hallmark resorts in Oregon (the first Hallmark resort was opened by Bill and Georgie Hay on Cannon Beach in 1948; the Newport location opened in 1976). The family- and employee-owned resort is known for having warm, inviting hospitality that guests love to return to.
The resort features 151 oceanfront rooms, plus 6,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including a beachside lobby and dining area. Available spaces run the gamut from ballroom to breakout rooms, and planners can take advantage of the resort staff available to support events from beginning to end.
“Our lower lobby area is a semi-private space that’s a nice place to have receptions or breakfast before heading into meetings,” said Beki Hueth, engagement manager for Hallmark Resorts. “Our oceanfront restaurant has a meeting space that can be used for receptions or more formal dinners. We work with planners to figure out what would work best for their group.”
There are abundant options for rest and recreation on-site and off. There are miles of beach to explore, volleyball and horseshoe pits, a playground, and a saltwater pool, spa and sauna. The on-site restaurant, Georgie’s, is a local favorite of guests and locals alike.
“Georgie’s just celebrated its 24th year,” said Hueth. “We are consistently No. 1 on TripAdvisor — when I’ve been in other places in the state and people find out I’m from Newport, they’ll mention how much they love Georgie’s. We’re a destination.”
The Hallmark Newport is just a half-mile from the bayfront, where there are shops, restaurants and opportunities for boat tours. Nearby is the world-renowned Oregon Coast Aquarium and a pair of lighthouses.
Meeting Spaces
The Hallmark features 6,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including a ballroom that can be divided into several smaller spaces, plus a couple of breakout rooms that can be used for board meetings. The lower lobby has an oceanfront meeting space for receptions or roundtables. A meeting space below the restaurant is ideal for dinners and receptions. Planners can utilize these customizable spaces for groups of up to 200. The Hallmark’s intimate size and beautiful scenery make it an excellent option for business retreats.
“We are a smaller resort, so it’s ideal for a smaller conference or retreat,” said Hueth. “We have A/V capabilities, a business center and a staff that goes above and beyond when it comes to making every detail of the event work.”
Dining
With waves crashing onto the shore outside and a menu featuring classic coastal dishes like steamed clams in white wine, Georgie’s offers a quintessential Pacific Northwest dining experience. The menus reflect the area, with seafood options and American classics like burgers, steaks, pastas and salads, as well as numerous gluten-free options. The bar at Georgie’s is an ideal space to sip an ice-cold martini or a glass of wine with a seaside view. It offers a lengthy menu of beers, ciders and wines (many of which are local), plus spirits and cocktails.
In addition to serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, Georgie’s also handles all of the in-house catering. “The quality of our banquet food is always very well-received,” said Hueth. “I have often heard comments along the lines of, ‘This is the best meal I’ve ever had in a conference setting.’”
Amenities
All the Hallmark’s rooms have balconies, and many have fireplaces. All rooms have high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen HDTVs with Blu-Ray players, pillow-top mattresses, microwaves, mini-fridges and Keurig coffee makers. Their suites include kitchenettes, living areas with sleeper sofas, eating areas, workspace and spa tubs.
The resort’s saltwater pool, spa and sauna are ideal self-care, and a 24-hour gift shop features snacks and sundries. The business center is open for copies, fax services or mailing.
Another obvious amenity is the resort’s oceanfront location. “We have miles of public beaches for people to walk and explore — you can go forever,” said Hueth. “People enjoy shell collecting and walking to the lighthouses, where you can also check out the wildlife in the tide pools.”
Coastal Charm
Not far from the Hallmark, Newport offers plenty to do when it comes to team-building or after-hours activities. The attractive working port city offers a range of shops and restaurants. Or visitors can take a guided fishing trip or a whale watching tour. Across the bridge, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is one of the best known in the country. Newport is the home of Rogue Ales and Spirits (both a brewery and a distillery), which gives tours and tastings. “If someone’s planning a corporate retreat and they want some fun things to do, we have some great options,” said Hueth.