Top 10 Oregon Odd Inns and Unusual
Places to Stay - Breweries, Fire Lookout, Treehouses and more
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Mcmenamins Old St
Francis School Hotel and BrewPub
The Old St. Francis School has undergone a transformation from 1936
Catholic schoolhouse to lively destination hotel complete with
classrooms-turned-lodging rooms, a pub, brewery and bakery, a movie
theater, private meeting and event space and a truly fantastic
soaking pool that beckons day travelers, shoppers, hikers, skiers
and snowboarders alike. One of the most unusual place to stay in
Oregon.
This school offers 19 richly appointed guestrooms and four
individual rental cottages with room for 2 to 10 people, perfect for
group getaways. Old St. Francis School reopened in its current
capacity in November 2004 and we honor the property's former life by
featuring extensive artwork that pays homage to the history of the
school and the surrounding community.
Complete Story
and Photos
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Wolf Creek Inn Built in 1883 - Oregon's Oldest Inn
Built in 1883 by pioneer merchant Henry Smith, the Inn was billed as
a "first-class traveler's hotel" for folks traveling on the
stagecoach. The building was first called Wolf Creek Tavern, an old
English term describing a hotel that served food. By the 1880s Henry
Smith had accumulated large land holdings, many of which he planted
in orchards that still stand today. In fact, the large apple and
pear trees located next to the Inn north of the dining room are part
of an orchard planted in 1885. In 1975 the Inn was purchased by the
state of Oregon. Local carpenters and craftsmen spent 4 years
restoring the Inn to its former luster. Historians from the Oregon
State Historical Preservation Office spent countless hours
researching the original floor plans and wall coverings in order to
return the Inn to the look and feel of the mid 1920's and recreate
the atmosphere for current visitors.
Complete Story, Photo, and Video
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Crater National Park Lodge
Crater Lake Lodge was built to encourage tourism to Crater Lake
National Park and southwestern Oregon. It opened to guests during
the summer of 1915. Its clientele has included people from all over
the world. Most guests have had fond remembrances of their stays,
even though the lodge was often in an unfinished state. In the
spring of 1989, the engineers advised the park that the Great Hall
wing was unsafe for occupants. They predicted this part of the
building might collapse of its own weight. This compelled the
National Park Service to keep the lodge closed and begin a
rehabilitation project. On May 20, 1995, Crater Lake
Lodge reopened to the public. Visitors could again enjoy
its accommodations and services safely, and in an atmosphere
reminiscent of the 1920s. For the first time since its original
opening, Crater Lake Lodge was a project finally
completed.
Complete Story, Photo, and Video
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Heceta Head Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast - Yachats
Pronounced “Ha – SEE – Ta” by most, “HECK – ah – Ta”
by others, yet everyone agrees Heceta Head is one of
the most beautiful lighthouses in the world. The
lighthouse is a working lighthouse. From a height of
205 feet above the ocean, it’s “first order” Fresnel
lens, casts it’s beams some 21 miles out to sea. It
is the brightest light on the Oregon coast. It is
said to be the most photographed lighthouse in the
United States. The Queen Anne style Keeper’s House
has been restored to its original splendor. It now
serves as an Interpretive Center by day and a Bed
and Breakfast by night. The B&B welcomes guests year
around. Guests are encouraged to view the lighthouse
after dark, a rare experience. The awesome sight in
the sky while standing at the base of the tower can
only be described as “Magical.”
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Out'n'About Treesort - Cave Junction, OR
We want you to please understand that although we do
everything in our power to insure safety, there is
an inherent risk associated visiting a total of 18
different treehouses and a host of platforms (a few
almost 40+ feet up the tree), a few child size
forts, seven swinging bridges, five swings plus the
Giant Tarzan, 20 flights of stairs, four ladders and
an unbeatable collection of zipline courses with
over a mile of TreehouseZiplines. The treesort is on
36 private acres backed up to Siskiyou National
Forest land & wilderness with 25 horses, two rocking
horses, 4 dogs, & 1 cat usually running around.
Out'n'About is a truly unique place. Part of it's
uniqueness has to do with that it is a home grown
and based business. There are no locks on the
treehouse doors. It is not the Ramada or Hilton in
the trees, but is a genuine four star Treesort.
Complete Story and Photos |
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The Historic and Haunted Geiser Grand Hotel
The Geiser Grand Hotel is a historic hotel in Baker
City, Oregon, that opened in 1889. It received a
restoration and reopened in 1993 after closing in
1968. Decorations include mahogany columns up to a
high ceiling, Victorian-style chandeliers, and a
stained glass ceiling. It was known as "the Queen of
the Mines" during Gold Rush times and described as
being the finest hotel between Portland, Oregon and
Salt Lake City with the third elevator built west of
the Mississippi River. The most famous ghost in this
haunted
hotel is the Lady in Blue. She walks up and down the
grand staircase in a long, lavender dress looking
like a Gibson Girl of the 1900s. Many have watched
her climb the staircase only to disappear into a
wall. Her identity is unknown. Some say she was a
former owner of the hotel and others say she is a
woman who hung herself after her cowboy boyfriend
was shot.
Complete Story and Photos |
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Gold Butte Lookout in Willamette National Forest, OR
The historic Gold Butte Fire Lookout is located five
miles northeast of the Detroit Ranger Station on the
Willamette National Forest. The Civilian
Conservation Corps constructed the hip roof, L-4
ground structure with catwalk in 1934. Eight years
later the Forest Service constructed a cabin in the
saddle north of the lookout station where it was
staffed year round as part of the aircraft warning
system during World War II. The lookout and cabin
were abandoned in the early 1960’s and scheduled to
be burned.The Forest Service and Sand Mountain
Society entered into an agreement to rehabilitate
and maintain Gold Butte Lookout. When work began in
1999, the lookout had to be taken down to
ground level and re-framed. Many visible components
including windows, floor, wall, and ceiling boards
were re-usable.
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Historic Gilbert Inn in Seaside, Oregon
Romantic Homes magazine called the Gilbert Inn “a
haven for lovers.” It was built by a colorful
Frenchman who came to town by way of the
Franco-Prussian War, San Francisco and the
boisterous seaport Astoria, Oregon. From 1885 to
1892 Alexandre Gilbert selected old growth Douglas
Fir for the construction of his Seaside home. Most
of the structure is still in its original condition.
Thanks to members of the family, you will find many
original Gilbert items, gone for years, returned
once again to their place in the house. Entering the
Inn you will walk on Mayor Gilbert’s 100 year old
Persian rugs. You will hear his clock chiming on the
mantel. A portrait of Alexandre, Jr. hangs once
again in the living room.
Complete Story and Photos |
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Cannery Pier Hotel in Astoria, Oregon
Experience a truly unusual place to stay on the mighty Columbia River. The Cannery
Pier Hotel was built on the site of the former Union
Fish Cannery, 600 feet into the river. This Astoria
Hotel offers guests unparalleled views of a real
working river, as well as views out to Cape
Disappointment Lighthouse and nearby Washington.
Each room has a private balcony and is lavishly
well-appointed with a fireplace, hardwood floors,
and luxurious amenities. Take advantage of the
full-service Cannery Pier Hotel Spa, an authentic
Finnish sauna and a fitness room; or learn more
about Astoria's heyday as the Cannery Capital of the
World on our Museum Walk. For the ultimate in
comfort and luxury, and a uniquely historical Astorian experience, think of the Cannery Pier
Hotel.
Complete Story,
Video and Photos |
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Umpqua Lighthouse State Park
The yurt phenomenon started in Oregon. These round
sixteen foot huts can be found in many parks
throughout the state, and usually have furniture,
heating and lights. You bring the food, dishes,
bedding and other general camp gear. Umpqua
Lighthouse State Park is one step ahead of all other
campsites when it comes to yurt camping: The park
offers deluxe yurts. Deluxe yurts are shaped like
the rustic yurts, but deluxe yurts are twenty-four
feet in diameter, and come with beds for seven
people (a rustic yurt sleeps four comfortably), a
bathroom, shower, small kitchen area, fridge,
microwave, TV/VCR, dining table, and outdoor picnic
table and fire ring. Umpqua Lighthouse State Park is
located less than a mile from the famous Salmon
Harbor on Winchester Bay.
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