Winter, spring, summer and fall, Hood River has it all when it comes to year-round adventure. The Hood River Hotel served as our Columbia Gorge basecamp for summer adventures in Hood River, Oregon. There’s plenty to see and do in Mount Hood territory if you enjoy eating, drinking, visiting farm stands, playing in the river or exploring Mount Hood. We selected this Hood River vintage hotel because it was centrally located in the historic downtown, affordable and pet-friendly.
While the Hood River Hotel isn’t bright and shiny brand new, this 1912 hotel is proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is privately owned and lovingly looked after. The 42- room hotel is 60 miles east of Portland and popular with young and old with several room categories on tap. From historic rooms and suites to a bunkhouse that sleeps 10, adventure seekers will be satisfied here.
Our historic queen room was pet-friendly, as were most rooms, with an additional daily fee. Our dog felt right at home walking into the bright and airy lobby. Our visit was mid-week in June, but I can easily imagine a roaring fire in the lobby fireplace with a cup of tea in my hand. We did spy the signs for a bucket of beer or wine available for pick up at the front desk and there was a bottle of wine for purchase in our hotel room.
Our room was located on the second floor, accessible via elevator or stairs. We were thankful for the in-room air conditioning unit, as our multi-day stay was a hot one. Colder temperatures will signal the radiator steam heat to kick into gear. We also noticed the earplugs available to guests on the vintage nightstand. The trains do rumble through downtown, but the sound didn’t bother us.
Hood River Hotel dining
If you visit Hood River and Mount Hood territory in the summer, you’ll want to take advantage of the local food and drink scene. We loved exploring the Hood River Fruit Loop Trail and sampling hard cider at Fox-Tail Cider & Distillery, south of Hood River. The family owned company also operates Smiley’s Red Barn, one of Hood River’s oldest fruit stands. Before you head out for a day of exploring, it’s best to start with a good breakfast at Broder Øst, a Scandinavian restaurant within Hood River Hotel.
The independently owned Broder Øst is an offshoot of the Portland-based Nordic restaurant of the same name. They specialize in hearty Swedish breakfast bords (not a typo) think Æbleskiver Danish pancakes and Lefse (Norwegian Potato Crêpes) or Köttbular (Swedish Meatballs.) Needless to say, this California girl with Norwegian roots was in foodie-heaven. Breakfast and lunch are served all day with the addition of an evening Fish Fry monthly; check the website for details.
Rates at the Hood River Hotel vary per season and may range from $50 for a bunkhouse bed to $400 for a hotel suite depending on room type. There are 11 different room types at the vintage hotel. There are no resort fees or hidden charges for wifi, however there is a charge for self parking in the lot next to Mt. Hood Railroad (with in and out parking.) You can compare rates at Expedia.
If you aren’t a breakfast eater, but you enjoy a good cup of coffee, Pacific Rim Coffee Roasters is available 24/7 in the hotel lobby. Guests also have access to the microwave and bagged ice is complimentary in the mini-freezer.
See more details at the official website. If you find yourself in Bend, Oregon, check out their sister property, The Campfire Hotel.
Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown was a guest of Hood River Hotel for purposes of review. Text and all photos are her own. As always, all opinions are her own.