It’s a puzzling conundrum. While Hood River is a bustling vacation town, set on the banks of the mighty Columbia River and the gateway to all the recreational opportunities on Mount Hood, options for waterfront lodging and dining are surprisingly limited. That makes the Hood River Inn, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, such a unique find.
The hotel itself is a sprawling complex just off I-84, coming from Portland. Founded in 1967 as the Eddie Mays Inn, the original facility had a lounge, a two-level restaurant, 24-hour coffee shop, two banquet rooms and a fruit grower’s sales building. In 1991, it became the Best Western Hood River Inn, but the change in ownership has not affected the speed at which the complex has been improving. Today, the Hood River Inn is still catering to all the needs of the weary traveler. The latest additions are a heated pool, indoor and outdoor spas, and a fitness facility, all set on the banks of the Columbia River.
My clean and spacious room is on the side of the building that faces the water, and it’s not a coincidence that the room’s desk faces the enormous sliding glass windows that take up the entire wall. I set down my bags and step outside for a few minutes on my private balcony to take in the stray seabirds bobbing up and down on the enormous expanse of water beyond.
On my February visit, it’s a little too chilly for me to want to visit the outdoor pool and hot tub, which are both heated for year-round use. Instead, I hop on the waterfront trail just a few short steps from my room, and a sunny, level, 10-minute walk next to the water and past a few boats pops me straight out into some of downtown Hood River’s most popular attractions—namely, Full Sail Brewing and Double Mountain Brewery & Taproom.
In a city that has world-class dining, it’s remarkable that when most people ask where I’m staying, they urge me to eat at Riverside, the Hood River Inn’s restaurant. It’s not as if the locals don’t have plenty of options, so when I’m repeatedly told that Chef Mark DeResta’s breakfast is one of the best in town, I keep that in mind (but unfortunately, not in belly, as I already have a breakfast date with nearby Broder Øst’s Swedish breakfast board). Riverside is also the only place in Hood River where you can sit and eat directly on the waterfront.
If you’re in the mood for a more casual ambiance, the Cebu Lounge also offers Riverside’s menu, as well as an extensive and well-curated wine list that features plenty of selections from nearby Oregon and Washington wineries.
Through the end of April, the Hood River Inn will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with a series of parties, “throwback dinners” featuring specials from the 1960s such as Shrimp Louis and reservation specials for Columbia Gorge locals (must have proof of Gorge residency). If there was ever a time to check out one of the most luxurious places to stay in one of Oregon’s most vaunted recreation towns, 2017 would be it.
