I read with great sadness this week of the closing of a venerable old hotel located on the Columbia River in Hood River, Ore., the Columbia Gorge Hotel. Built by timber baron and philanthropist Simon Benson in 1921, she sits on a bluff overlooking the river, surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds and highlighted by a 208-foot waterfall that tumbles over the cliff to the Columbia below. In her early days the hotel was referred to as the “Waldorf of the West” and was host to presidents (Coolidge and FDR) and movie stars (Clara Bow, Rudolph Valentino and Shirley Temple). Its distinctive red-tile roof and Mediterranean-style stucco exterior houses just 39 guestrooms and several public rooms, all boasting the craftsmanship and elegance of a bygone era.
The current owners, Boyd and Halla Graves, rescued the place from a future as a retirement home almost thirty years ago and restored it, but they cite age, ill health and the current economic woes for the closure. They have had two sales fall through in the past year when the buyers weren’t able to secure financing, and their attempts to cover their mortgage have come to naught. Financiers and others have suggested that other factors, such as the limited number of rooms and poor management, have also led to the abrupt closure, but the reasons are of secondary concern for those most closely affected by the move.
Thirty employees were suddenly informed that they no longer had a job, and some had not been paid for several weeks. The hotel employs about 130 workers during the busy summer season, and several businesses in Hood River and beyond benefit from the traffic the hotel draws. There are a number of creditors left wondering if their invoices will ever be paid, and likely hundreds of future guests with prepaid reservations and gift certificates who may never see a refund. And there are 18 brides out there who had weddings scheduled at the site between now and this summer who are out their deposits and no doubt in a panic over what to do next.
There are great hopes that a white knight will come riding in to purchase the hotel and make it a viable operation again. One suggestion is that the property is just the kind of place that Colin Noble’s Noble Hospitality Inc. specializes in: small, failing properties that can become profitable again. Others point to Oregon’s own McMenamin brothers who over the past thirty years have been very successful at buying up old schools, theaters and even a former poor farm (Edgefield Manor) and turning them into boutique hotels, entertainment venues and brewpubs. All agree that whoever takes the project on will need to invest in upgrades and renovations and may need to add rooms to make it a viable business.
I sincerely hope that this beautiful, grand place can be rescued and reopened to be enjoyed by the public. One of my fondest memories is of our stay at the hotel on our third wedding anniversary, accompanied by our three-month-old firstborn. Living on just my husband’s teaching salary at the time, we were counting pennies, so our overnight there seemed a real indulgence. We felt welcomed, though, and really enjoyed the beautiful setting and rooms. The next morning we gorged ourselves on the hotel’s famous and enormous Sunday brunch, for which people drive 90 miles from Portland without a second thought.
I know I’m among thousands who hope for a return of the Columbia Gorge Hotel. As John Wroblewski pointed out in his blogs on the demise of the Purple Hotel in Chicago and the Brickyard Crossing Inn in Indianapolis, while it is understandable when age and/or declining business cause these institutions to close, it is a shame to lose that connection to the past and their glory days.
Patty Vanikiotis, proofreader
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Nov 4, 2024Have an Autumn Wine Soiree The SLO Way in San Luis Obispo
Yes, it’s harvest time — and that means great fall wine festivals, including the third annual Autumn Soirée The SLO Way Nov. 9 on California’s Central Coast. The event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Garden Courtyard at luxury boutique Hotel San Luis Obispo, recognized as a MICHELIN Guide One Key property.
Sponsored Content
Royal Air Maroc Relaunches Direct Casablanca–Beijing Route, Debuts Toronto Flight
As part of its international network expansion, Royal Air Maroc will reinstate the direct Casablanca–Beijing route initially launched in January 2020 and suspended just a few weeks later due to the health crisis.
Daily
Nov 4, 20247 Hotel Restaurants Worth the Travel
Book a reservation at one of these hotel restaurants around the country, providing excellent dining experiences you won’t soon forget.
Slideshow
Nov 4, 20247 Reasons to Put Strasbourg, France, on Your Travel List
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Strasbourg, France, with us.
Sponsored Content
Explore Egypt on the Most Extraordinary Tour Ever
Picture this: You’re standing in front of the Great Pyramid, the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, in complete silence, with no crowds in sight. As you step inside, your guide leads you to hidden chambers inaccessible to other tourists. Here, you’re granted a rare chance to delve into the deepest mysteries of ancient Egypt.
Daily
Nov 4, 20248 Must-Have (and Must-Pack) Perfumes for 2025
Still on the search for your next favorite perfume? Whether traveling, heading out to a fancy dinner or simply spending the day at home, finding the scent that works for you and lasts for hours is essential. These are our eight perfume recommendations for 2025:
Embark on Chile’s Lakes & Volcanoes Route
Daily
Nov 1, 2024Make The Londoner Hotel Your West End Base
Daily
Oct 31, 2024Daily
Oct 31, 2024Denver International Airport Completes Concourse Expansion
The expansion and renovation of Concourse A-East Ground Load at Denver International Airport was recently completed as the final phase of a $2.5 billion program to accommodate passenger growth as DEN is currently the third-busiest U.S. airport. The renovation was led by WSP.
Sponsored Content
Remarkable Medellín
Visiting Medellín in Colombia: The Country of Beauty is like stepping into a fantastic story — literally, as the city in the Western Colombian Andes region inspired Disney’s Encanto. Here, valleys, the world’s tallest palms, vibrant communities, colorful houses, garden-like balconies and more prove reality is more picturesque than anything on film. And it’s especially more tempting following Medellín’s remarkable transformation, shedding its troubled past and reawakening as a city of innovation, art, cultural richness, modern infrastructure, thriving tourism and resiliency.
Daily
Oct 30, 2024Winnipeg’s Indigenous-Owned and -Led Tour Operators Offer Array of Authentic Cultural Experiences
In Canada, Winnipeg’s indigenous population is the largest in the country, with numerous indigenous-owned and -led tour operators offering a variety of authentic cultural experiences. From dog-sledding adventures through old forests to cultural workshops and culinary treats, Winnipeg, Manitoba, offers a unique opportunity to engage with indigenous traditions firsthand in all four seasons.
ShareThis