Fancy yourself an eclectic traveler? A bit of a historian or music lover or pub buddy perhaps? Gypsy even? Or at the very least, always wanted to be one? Since 1905, Hotel Oregon has been home to a restaurant and lounge, banquet hall, Greyhound bus depot, Western Union, soda fountain and beauty parlor. Eclecticism abounds! Today, perfectly situated in the center of McMinnville, Ore.’s main street, it is an ideally located base camp for exploring the Willamette’s booming wine and food scene. And as one of the McMenamins family of properties, you can be guaranteed their signature funky, reclaimed aesthetic, historic renos and penchant for craft beer–at an affordable and unpretentious rate.
Each of the 42 guestrooms are unique in décor and layout; some face the inner courtyard, while others look out onto the town’s bustling and picturesque main strip. A number of rooms share bathroom facilities, while others have their own ensuite, so be sure to reserve your loo of choice if privacy is a concern or be prepared to make some new friends.
If you listen closely enough, you can almost hear the tall tales, legendary escapades and downright debauchery that has taken place in the colorful corridors over the past century. While the floors might be squeaky and the paint a bit thin, the character of the characters that have graced these floors shines though. McMenamins has created a living history by naming the guest rooms after some of the illustrious and infamous guests.
I stayed in Room 306, “The Heck Harper,” a tribute to the country and western band that often preformed in the lounge in the 1950s. Period photos and fixtures fill every nook and cranny, so if your aesthetic is chic and clean, you might want to carry down the road. However, if you’re looking for a fun, friendly and authentic atmosphere, with various eating and watering holes, look no further. Take your pick from the popular family-friend McMenamins Pub on the main floor, or head up the stairs to the Rooftop Bar for a panoramic city view. Gamers can try their hand at shuffleboard tables in the Paragon Room, and music fans are welcome to take in free, live music in the Paragon or Mattie’s Room on weekend nights. If you’re looking for a cozier snug, head underground to the bistro-style Cellar Bar, where ’20s-style speakeasy meets modern wine bar.
I delighted at the empty mason jar in my room, with a note instructing me to “fill ‘er up” with one of the McMenamins brews on tap in the pub. I do love beer after a long day of wine tasting. And I celebrated my own personal happy hour–I toasted to the large smiling poster of Heck Harper in my room.
Hotel Oregon || 310 N.E. Evans Street || McMinnville, OR || mcmenamins.com/hoteloregon
Follow on Facebook: McMenamins
Track on Twitter: @CaptainNeon
