‘People are excited not just to come to Seaside, but to come here to Seaside to see Ruth,” Brian Owen, CEO of the Seaside Chamber of Commerce, said.

Owen introduced lodging owner Ruth Swenson of the Hillcrest Inn and Cottages at last Wednesday’s morning meeting of the chamber. Swenson has owned the property for 16 years.

Part of the property, the 90-year-old Hillcrest House, was sold, she said.

Now the inn includes 25 hotel rooms and the three cottages, each with an old Cape Cod feel.

Cottage 105 is a two-bedroom suite with a 1950s diner-style decor, with original diner booths and a casual vibe.

Cottage 106 is the “game cottage,” Swenson said, geared to families. The room, which sleeps eight, comes with Monopoly, “Seasideopoly” and other games, with old-time video favorites like Pac-Man or Asteroids available to check out at the front desk.

Cottage 107 is lighthouse-themed, originating from a collection Swenson started when she was 3. She now has 750 of them.

Each cottage comes equipped with pots, pans and dishes. “Some of them even have crockpots and mixers,” she said. “We like to think that whatever you want to do when you’re here, you can do in these, whether you want to bake cookies or just walk downtown and eat.”

Visitors can picnic in the courtyard, with barbecue grills, picnic tables, disc golf and climbing toys.

“We have lots of families that have been coming for many, many years,” she said.

One family has been visiting for more than 50 years for family reunions, going from renting 10 rooms to renting the whole property.

“It’s almost like you can’t marry into the family unless you’re willing to come to Seaside,” Swenson said. “And maybe that’s the catch. If you get invited and you’re not married to one of them yet, ‘let’s hope you pass the test.’”