By Ann Terry Hill

The deep green velvet Confidante settee , and rich carpet of the same green still greet you as you enter the lobby, but the air seems fresher, the windows more sparkly clean and draperies gone allowing  unrestricted views of the Columbia River and the Gorge.

The Columbia Gorge Hotel, a true jewel of the Pacific Northwest, and an icon since it originally open in 1921,  reopened in late 2009, after being closed for a year.  It  might be  growing a little older,but like a fashionable matron, maturing with grace and dignity, not  to mention, the twinkle in her eyes,as if all dressed up for the hotel’s   Saturday afternoon High Tea, Saturday night gourmet dinner, or the Sunday brunch.

If only walls could talk and tell of former guests.  While I enjoyed my dinner   strains of Try a Little Tenderness from piano player/singer Tony Klugel   drifted into the dining room from the Valentino Lounge, and the mood was set. I knew I was in no ordinary place. I fully expected  Myrna Loy, Shirley Temple  or evenValentino himself to join me for dessert or a nightcap. I was surrounded by nostalgia and love.

Still, this hotel with  a new owner Vijay Patel and well seasoned manager Paul Robinson, has been well guided in its resurgence and has kept  authenticity along the way.  It offers the latest in appointments and amenities, yet keeps its original elegance.

Robinson has experience far beyond his years and hotel management  adding to his resume  the fact Julie Child was one of his teachers, and he has cooked for Presidents, Nixon, Ford and Reagan.  Patel was attracted to the property, saying  “ I bought this hotel because of the wonderful history it offered.  The hotel is a Northwest Pacific gem.” He is excited to restore it to its former glory.with many new touches.  Visitors want for nothing. Plans for a full service spa in the hotel will be added later this year.

The Columbia Gorge Hotel  is an easy 1 hour drive east on I-84 from Portland making it possible for a day trip or even more special an overnight in one of their 44 newly decorated rooms.  Wandering through their well-manicured gardens and enjoying Gwin Gwin Falls on the property, the 3rd highest drop to the Columbia River in the Gorge, brings nature up close.  During the season the grounds are a great place for receptions, weddings and meetings.  Of course inside, the hotel is available throughout the year. The Holiday season is special. The hotel and grounds are lit up like a Christmas tree.

The hotel is a destination by itself, but if you are looking for more activity you will find a myriad of choices  all within minutes of the property.

The Hood River area is known as the wind surfing capitol of the world—your choice—wind surfing or kite boarding. Skiing or snowboarding all year on Mt. Hood,   golfing at one of several courses nearby, driving the Fruit Loop, or visiting Maryhill Museum with its Rodin collection and the replica of Stonehenge nearby offering surprises you wouldn’t expect to find in this area.  Fish the Klickitat and Deschutes rivers for trout, salmon, steelhead and bass.

Check out your scientific  knowledge at the Goldendale, WA Observatory or river raft on the White Salmon close by.  Perhaps just kicking back,  wine tasting at several of the wineries or shopping the Main Street  of Hood River before returning to the Columbia Gorge Hotel for a sumptuous dinner will suit you best.  Whatever your pleasure, you won’t be disappointed.  Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge  is named as one of The 1000 Places to See Before You Die USA/Canada Edition.

All photos in this group (c) 2002 by Peter Marbach

For details:

www.columbiagorgehotel.com
www.hoodriver.org
 

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