Awesome 3 day stay!
We just returned from a wonderful 2 night stay in the Villa Suite, our first visit but definitely not our last.
The hotel is located about 2 Miles from Hood River, off a feeder road to I-84. The condos share the beautifully treed and flowered grounds with the beautiful, historical Columbia Gorge hotel separated by a stunning waterfall off the cliffs to the river.
Our Villa Suite unit was in the waterfront building on the 2nd floor (of 3) there are 2 on each end of the building with equally stunning views. As you enter the unit to the kitchen/Livingroom area with a stone gas fireplace and wooded floors, your jaws just drop, the view out of all windows is stunning! River, tall hills and steep cliffs of the opposite shoreline. The master bedroom also has a stone gas fireplace and a spacious bathroom with a huge window overlooking the river, and a big soaker tub, huge shower and separate toilet. A big covered patio with comfy seating for 2 and unobstructed river views, accessible from Master BR and Living areas. There is a full sized Laundry Room! The furnishings are definitely upscale and tasteful, Kitchen is equipped with everything needed even for a longer stay. Everything was spotlessly clean, the king bed very comfy. Sitting on the balcony, within 15 mins we saw the first bald eagles, then osprey, ravens, seagulls, herons fly by, turkey vultures soared at all times. So stunning!
Problem is, once you get into your suite, you don't want to leave. However breakfast can be had a the Columbia Gorge hotel (not incl) as well as a nice bar and reasonably priced delicious dinner with an incredible view. There is an Indian Restaurant on the property next door, which is recommended as a takeout option only though (wasn't nice inside), but the food was yummy. Closest other restaurants are within 1 mile on the road to Hood River, the downtown area is about 2 miles away.
Here are some things to be aware of if you decide to stay there: The reception is staffed from 8AM to 10PM only, Kristine at the desk was a delight, pleasant and helpful! The grounds are beautiful for a stroll, but very small, the greater area is not very walkable, location on a steep cliff along the Columbia and Freeway just across the feeder road. There is freeway noise which you don't really hear in your unit unless you open the kitchen windows. The west facing units are adjacent to a wedding venue (we got to witness a beautiful cliffside wedding), and there can be noise from that, or music from event space a little ways down at the hotel. There are trains running on both sides of the Columbia, frequently day and night. There are train tracks underneath the condos, not visible but definitely audible. So if you are a light sleeper, keep your windows closed at night. We got used to the trains it would not keep us from coming back, as all the positives definitely outweigh any perceived negatives. Upscale lodging options with a view are very limited along the Columbia, most have close freeway, and train traffic issues. We found the prices very reasonable too and look forward to our next stay.
