Hood River and the Columbia Gorge area are an outdoor lover’s paradise. People come to the town of Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge for all sorts of athletic endeavors or simply to take in the natural beauty that this Mount Hood Territory has to offer. If you are looking for a place to stay in Hood River, this Best Western Hood River hotel review should lead you in the right direction.
The Best Western Plus Hood River Hotel is a category three star hotel and offers show-stopping views of the Columbia River from hotel rooms, the restaurant, the beach and the swimming pool. This Best Western Hood River Hotel is also a family and pet-friendly hotel. Kids 12 and under stay free – that’s reason enough to stay at this Hood River hotel in my book.
With river front accommodations, dining, pool, hot tub, sauna and fitness center, the Best Western Hood River Hotel offers year-round fun for business or pleasure. My recent stay was a little bit business and a lot of pleasure, as I was exploring Mount Hood Territory wine country for work. Tough gig; I agree.
About Best Western Hood River Hotel
Built in 1965 and remodeled in 2011, the 194 room Best Western Hood River Hotel offers riverfront accommodations in the magnificent Columbia Gorge. Walking the long hallways might be difficult for an unaccompanied minor – I saw a couple of adults get disoriented. I found my first floor room without a hitch, as there is plenty of signage on the walls.
The main attractions at the hotel are the dining options and outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, both offering Columbia River views. If this had been a family vacation, I would have spent the majority of my time lounging or swimming laps in the year-round heated pool.
I imagine this Best Western Plus hotel is also popular for destination weddings and business meetings. Of course, you wouldn’t want the Columbia River upstaging a beautiful bride or distracting from business presentations. The kite boarding and wind surfing in the Columbia Gorge is world-class and is steps from the hotel. Looking southwest toward Mount Hood and one mile from the town of Hood River, this hotel is a great location for exploring Mt. Hood territory.
Take a peek inside my Best Western hotel room
With half of the 194 Best Western Plus Hood River hotel rooms offering Columbia River views, I opted for the budget-friendly first floor parking lot view. As I mentioned, this was a working press trip to explore Hood River wine country. I wasn’t in my hotel room other than to sleep. My king room 122 did have a patio and was a comfortable and spacious room.
Amenities include a flat screen tv, minifridge, microwave, and coffeemaker. Room categories range from queen beds to king beds, some with private balconies or patios, including deluxe riverside suites. Additionally, there are pet-friendly rooms, depending on availability during your stay. During my visit 2 dogs were allowed per room with an 80 pound weight limit and $15 per day charge.
I received a media rate of $203.66, including a grab and go breakfast. Children under 12 years of age stay free with at least one parent.
Food and dining options at Best Western Hood River hotel
There are several dining options at this Best Western Hood River hotel. The Riverside restaurant is open daily from 6:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. and offers outdoor dining with river views at every table. Pets are not allowed on the outdoor deck. Cebu Lounge offers cocktails and more formal dining options. Additionally, there is a Grab and Go breakfast option that is offered complimentary to hotel guests.
Breakfast coupons are available if your room includes this option. During my stay the Grab & Go breakfast was offered for pick up at Cebu Lounge. The other option was breakfast at Riverside restaurant with $5 off any breakfast entree. I enjoyed my to-go breakfast of fresh fruit, yogurt with granola, hard boiled eggs and a muffin with a bottled water. Another option is the cinnamon roll with bottled water. For either selection, I was disappointed with the amount of plastic used to package my meal.
It should be noted that I was traveling during a Coronavirus pandemic; housekeeping was limited, as was meal service in an effort to keep all hotel guests safe. I felt safe during my hotel stay and my hotel room was clean.
Best Western Plus Hood River Hotel (541) 386-2200
Best Western Hood River Hotel review and all photography by travel writer Nancy D. Brown. I received a media rate from Best Western Hotels while I was attending a Wine Media Conference press trip to the Mount Hood/Columbia Gorge AVA.