Drawing, on experience
Marc Rini and Patrick Creighton • TODAY photos
Bellmen’s beach artwork helps complete the dining experience for guests of Fathoms at the Inn at Spanish Head in Lincoln City
By Niki Price • Oregon Coast TODAY
Marc Rini doesn’t consider himself an artist. “I’m more of a doodler,” he says. The guests at the Inn at Spanish Head, who have enjoyed his artwork for the past 12 years, might disagree. Marc is one of two ISH bellmen who are known for their ability to draw giant messages and charming pictures in the sand, in front of the 10-story Lincoln City hotel.
With their rakes and sticks, they welcome corporate groups, announce wedding parties and mark major holidays. They also take requests, writing messages like “Happy Birthday, Bob” or “Fifty years and still going strong.”
“I don’t know if you’ve heard, but we have a pretty good success rate on the marriage proposals,” Marc said, surveying his work from the ninth floor lobby last week. “It’s true. 100 percent.”
By Niki Price • Oregon Coast TODAY
Marc Rini doesn’t consider himself an artist. “I’m more of a doodler,” he says. The guests at the Inn at Spanish Head, who have enjoyed his artwork for the past 12 years, might disagree. Marc is one of two ISH bellmen who are known for their ability to draw giant messages and charming pictures in the sand, in front of the 10-story Lincoln City hotel.
With their rakes and sticks, they welcome corporate groups, announce wedding parties and mark major holidays. They also take requests, writing messages like “Happy Birthday, Bob” or “Fifty years and still going strong.”
“I don’t know if you’ve heard, but we have a pretty good success rate on the marriage proposals,” Marc said, surveying his work from the ninth floor lobby last week. “It’s true. 100 percent.”
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Playing in the sand isn’t generally part of a bellman’s job description. Most of the time, you’ll find Marc Rini and Patrick Creighton carrying bags, parking cars and otherwise assisting guests. But when they have time, and when they get a special request, they head down to the sand to create a piece of “beach art.” Depending on the size and the design, these works require anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes each.
Patrick has been a bellman at the Inn at Spanish Head for 25 years, and Rini arrived 10 years later. They were first asked to try beach art 12 years ago, by then sales manager (now general manager) Susan Burr. “We’ve been doing them ever since. Some months we don’t do any, and other months seem full of requests. Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate, or there’s not enough sand because of the tides, or we’re just too busy in the hotel. But we try to do them whenever we can,” Marc said. Over the years, the bellmen have learned a few tricks to keep the lines straight, the words symmetrical and the circles pleasantly round, so that what is hard to conceptualize on the ground looks good from the 10th floor. They’ve discovered the ideal ratio of water to sand, and just how deep to draw the trenches. They wear flat-soled shoes, which won’t smudge their masterpieces. The front desk keeps a photo album of all-time favorites, just in case the guests need inspiration. Sometimes, in the busy summer season, Patrick and Marc find that one request will lead to another. They just move over and start anew, making a row of good wishes across the sand that will only last until the next high tide sweeps them all away. There’s no charge, but tips are happily accepted. “We’re lucky because we get to work around people who are on vacation,” Patrick said. “It’s part of our job to make their vacation as fulfilling for them as possible. It’s a fun job because you see a lot of smiles.” For Mark Irving, food and beverage manager at the Inn at Spanish Head, beach art is just one more expression of the staff’s commitment to customer service. Like the whales spouting offshore, the sunset from the corner table at Fathoms, and the rich peanut butter pie with coffee, a bellman’s artwork can create a sweet ocean memory. “We are a destination for celebrations, a place where a lot of folks come to celebrate their birthdays and anniversaries, in groups both large and small,” Irving said. “But with our amazing setting and terrific food, we try to make every visit a special one. Whether you’ve traveled from Portland or Salem, or from just down the street, we never want to disappoint. I take that very seriously.” There are special meals to be had here. Fathoms offers a Sunday Champagne Brunch on holidays (including Mother’s Day, May 8, and Father’s Day, June 18), and every Sunday from July through September. The Fathoms penthouse bar is known for its hand-shaken cocktails and freshly-squeezed juices, and offers a new menu inspired by the foods of Spain and the Mediterranean. The dining room menu has fresh seafood, steaks and a full complement of Northwest wines. But don’t wait for a special occasion, urged Irving. Instead, give his staff the opportunity to make an everyday meal something extraordinary. “Come in for breakfast or lunch, any day of the week. Just pop in. No reservations are necessary. You don’t have to dress up. Any given day is a great day here.” Fathoms Restaurant and Bar, on the 10th floor of the Inn at Spanish Head, is located at 4009 SE Hwy. 101, in Lincoln City. Fathoms is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and offers special meals and brunches on winter holiday weekends. For details and reservations, call 541-996-2161 or 800-452-8127. Book lodging reservations and learn more about the hotel at spanishhead.com. |
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