When I was a little kid, I dreamed about converting a school bus into a house on wheels. I’d roam the country, stopping where I pleased and being totally self-sufficient. (Is it any wonder I grew up to run a travel blog?!) I don’t yet own that home on wheels, but I did get to live out my dream by staying overnight in a converted bus at the Sou’wester Lodge and Vintage Trailer Travel Resort in Seaview, Washington. Add this vintage glamping property to your list of the most unique places to stay!
This one-of-a-kind property includes a lodge with individual rooms, but the real draw is all the renovated buses and trailers. These are vintage trailers (think Airstreams from the 60s) and, yes, school buses converted into mini-apartments. They have everything you need for a weekend stay—or longer. These unique places to stay are unlike any other lodging you’ve booked!
The Sou’wester Lodge property also includes tons of other super-fun features. We loved the tea house, sauna, vintage shop and even a live concert.
Curious about what it’s like to spend a weekend in a renovated bus or trailer? Want to try glamping trailers? Looking for unique accommodations on the Washington Coast? Read on, my friends! You, too, could live out your childhood converted school bus dreams!
A friend and I stayed at the Sou’wester Lodge for a discounted media rate. All opinions here are honest and my own.
100% Unique Places to Stay
The Sou’wester Lodge is home to more than 30 glamping trailers and renovated buses. Each one is different, with its own personality and accommodations. Honestly, I can’t think of a more unique place to stay when you’re in Seaview or exploring Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula.
My friend Snow and I stayed in the Blue Bird Bus, a converted school bus. (It was green, not blue—just one of this glamping bus’s many quirks!) I chose the Blue Bird Bus because it’s larger than many of the other two-person trailers.
With a queen bed, a full kitchen, a couch, a toilet and a roomy bath, the retro bus had everything we needed for a weekend stay. The glamping bus is also dog-friendly so Snow’s pup, Twinkies, could join us!
I loved the personal touches throughout this funky bus. We played music on the record player (the lobby has a selection of vinyl guests can borrow!) and cooked dinner in the bus. Snow took a nice long bath while I painted. (I’ve been teaching myself to paint with acrylics!)
I found the Blue Bird Bus to be totally comfortable. We kept cozy with blankets and a heater, and we could pull down the blinds for privacy. The kitchen was stocked with everything we needed, including a fridge. It had more homey goodies than a hotel room and as many as an Airbnb.
Glamping Trailers in Washington
There are more than 30 unique accommodations to choose from at the Sou’wester. Pay close attention to the features of each glamping trailer: some are more rustic than others. For example, some include a toilet; others are more like camping in that you’ll need to use the group restroom on the property. The restroom includes flush toilets and hot showers. There is also an open-air group kitchen, where you can prepare meals. It even includes a microwave.
In my opinion, the best way to choose between all the glamping trailers is to narrow it down first by rustic or not rustic. Do you need a kitchen and restroom in the trailer to feel comfortable?
Next, consider how many people will be staying in your vintage trailer. Different trailers are outfitted with different bed setups. One of my best friends stayed in a Sou’wester glamping trailer with her husband, two daughters and two dogs. That’s a different setup than if you’re on a solo trip.
Once you have those criteria figured out, check out all the trailers! They’re so quirky and fun—if you’re like me, you’ll have a tough time choosing.
And if you want more traditional accommodations, you can always stay in the Sou’wester Lodge. The lodge is a converted home from the 1800s with four suites.
Sou’wester Lodge Property: All the cool activities
As you might expect with a unique place to stay, there are also unique things to do! One of the coolest parts about the Sou’wester Lodge is that the property is also full of quirky activities and tucked-away spots.
Note that some of these funky activities must be reserved in advance, and some require a booking fee.
Tea house: You can book a session in the tea house, a cozy cafe made out of a renovated trailer. The tea trailer is outfitted with dozens of loose leaf teas. Comfy cushioned seats surround a little trailer—perfect for a solo sip or a very small group of folks.
Sauna: Reserve the sauna in advance to sweat away your worries. This natural, wood-lined spa can be either dry or wet heat—your preference. The sauna is set up in a secluded little garden, complete with a cold plunge tub. Sauna sessions are private so you won’t be sharing it with strangers.
Vintage shop: My friend Snow and I both scored a few secondhand goodies at this vintage shop housed in—you guessed it!—a vintage trailer.
Live music: On weekends, check out live music at the Sou’wester Lodge. We were lucky to catch Portland artist Hayley Lynn during our stay. There was no admission or cover price; the show was included in our stay! (Music isn’t booked every weekend; check out the Sou’wester’s calendar for upcoming shows.)
Yoga + meditation trailer: You can reserve this gorgeously renovated vintage trailer for a private meditation or yoga session. Unfortunately it was booked out during our visit, but I’d love to plan farther ahead next time to snag an hour in here.
Art trailer gallery: Art shows rotate in and out in this unique art gallery. (Yes, it’s also in a trailer.)
Lobby: The lobby is where you’ll check in at the Sou’wester—and much more. You can also pick up groceries and wine or thumb through a collection of vinyl. Buy locally made gifts or spa supplies for a relaxing soak. Everything is paid for by the honor system: You can put purchases on your tab and settle up when you check out.
The Sou’wester: Unique accommodations in retro trailers
If hotels-as-usual aren’t cutting it, you might be ready for these unique accommodations. Glamping trailers aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I absolutely recommend them for folks looking for an unusual or unique place to stay on their next trip.
I’m excited to book another stay at the Sou’wester Lodge in Seaview, WA. My kids were bummed they didn’t get to join this trip and have been asking that we go back as a family. They’re also curious about all the fun things to do in Seaview and the Long Beach Peninsula in Washington. (Did I mention that the Sou’wester is just a few walkable blocks from the beach?)
Seaview is a 3-hour drive from Seattle and less than 2.5 hours from Portland. Now you know that area’s most unique place to stay.
Have you ever stayed in a glamping trailer? Would you spend a weekend in a converted school bus? Let me know in the comments!
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