Refresh Your Spirits And Recharge Your EVs at The Fireside Motel

The beautiful seaside towns along the central coast of Oregon have a lot to offer, not only with exceptional recreational opportunities and stunning coastal scenery, but also with wonderful amenities that visitors can enjoy, both in the towns and where they stay.

Electric vehicle owners, for example, should know where charging stations are available along the central coast; even better, which hotel accommodations offer free charging as an amenity for their paying guests.

Charging is easy and efficient

In the picturesque and charming town of Yachats, just south of Newport, The Fireside Motel and its sister property, Overleaf Lodge & Spa, offer their guests free vehicle charging. It’s a value-added feature, says Drew Roslund, co-operator with his wife Kristin of both properties. “Our customers asked for chargers and we delivered.”

Both The Fireside and Overleaf Lodge & Spa have standard Level 2 chargers on site. These chargers are complimentary for guests and available first come, first served. Guests get a radio-frequency identification card (RFID) key to use a charger at the front desk.

“Our guests can charge their cars as they relax in their rooms,” Drew says. “It is very efficient.”

Grant award funded improvements

As technologies advance, Drew is invested in making improvements to the EV charging setup. Using a grant award from the Oregon Department of Transportation, Drew recently had the existing chargers replaced with networked chargers, and had more installed, too. Currently, there are two chargers at The Fireside Motel and four chargers at Overleaf Lodge & Spa. Tesla drivers can use the chargers but will need to bring their adapter.

These networked chargers connect to wi-fi and are accessible to guests at no cost via RFIDs. Travelers who are passing through and need a charge will also be able to access the chargers but for a fee payable through a QR code on the charger. The city of Yachats has an EV charger installed that is available to the public as well.

Eco-friendly decisions add up

Providing guests with onsite EV chargers is just one of the many ways The Fireside Motel works to reduce its environmental impact and make eco-friendly decisions. Low-flow showerheads and low-flow toilets have been installed in guest rooms to conserve water. In-room dispensers of personal care amenities, such as locally produced shampoo and conditioner, reduce the use of plastic bottles. And a water dispenser in the lobby provides chilled, filtered water to fill reusable bottles, cutting down on the use of plastic water bottles.

Just outside The Fireside Motel, the dramatic crashing waves, the gorgeous sunsets, the variety of active wildlife – all providing endless visual wonders for guests perched on their balconies to watch – are significant reminders of the surrounding beauty that benefits from our cherishing and caring for the environment.

“Chargers are really a small thing to install,” Drew says, “when you consider the emissions benefits for the environment. It’s easy to get behind that and give our guests what they want.”

Funded through a generous grant from the Oregon Coast Visitors Association.