100% would stay here again.
We stayed here one night during a whirlwind motorcycle trip through Oregon. I wish we'd have stayed longer.
I'll admit, I really geeked out about this hotel, but I'm a history buff. And the history of it is really really cool. Beyond that, the ground it's on is gigantic, has several eating and, alcohol drinking/buying options. AND wherever you eat you can eat there or you can take it to go and sit anywhere in the enormous property. AND same things apply with any alcohol. Think about that...we got a glass of wine (for her) in one building then walked with it--outside--up to the distillery where yours truly wanted a flight of whiskey from the distillery. Yeah, they have a winery and a distillery (and a brewery) right there on the grounds. This place is like a self-contained little commune with a place to stay, place to eat and drink, even buy and smoke a cigar if that's your thing. I loved it, if you couldn't already tell.
In the hotel, there is art everywhere. Like, everywhere. Pretty, weird, funky...all of the above...but regardless whether it's stuff I would've picked, it gave the place such an extra cool personality, as if the history of didn't do that already.
The grounds are immaculate yet unpretentious. I felt like we should be dressed better than t-shirts, shorts and flip-flops. But...that's what everyone was wearing! Very casual vibe, like it's OK to be around nice things without having to dress up for it.
We stayed in a regular hotel room (they offer hostel-type rooms, if that's your thing). Everything was clean, there was cool art everywhere, including an artful explanation on our wall describing the man whom our room was named after (every room is named after someone). The only complaint I had, was that the rooms don't have AC. Not a problem in the evening, but when we first got there at around 4:00 pm, it felt toasty even with the windows open. (Troutdale is in the Columbia River Gorge, which can toast a little in July.)
It doesn't overlook the Columbia, but is close enough where getting to the river would be easy. But, I can't speak to the river access since we were only there one night.
Well, I loved this place. It's the flagship for the McMenamins hotels. If I ever work up the nerve to ask my girlfriend to marry me, I already decided my vote would be to have the wedding here. It's perfect...places to stay for everyone, Portland airport not that far away for everyone to fly in, gorgeous grounds, fantastic food and drinks... We stayed at another McMenamins hotel, near the coast, the next night and it wasn't nearly as good. Undeterred, I want to try out their other hotels (like the one I saw in Bend that looked uber cool) anytime I'm back in Oregon again.
