Are you looking for a boutique hotel that is located on the east end of the Columbia Gorge? My historic Balch Hotel review will give you a first-hand look into a stay in Dufur, Oregon. The Balch Hotel is independently owned and operated by a husband and wife couple who put great care into this historic property.
Located in Dufur, Oregon, with a current population of 641, the town was established in 1893. This historic hotel is located in the Mt. Hood Columbia Gorge area and is the first stop on Barlow Road out of The Dalles. History buffs will appreciate that you’ll be travelling on the Historic Oregon Trail as it passes through Dufur on your way toward Mt. Hood.
We arrived in the afternoon, having traveled from Eugene, Oregon, via Mt. Hood Territory. Having previously stayed at the historic Hood River Hotel, we were reminded that this part of the Columbia Gorge is popular with bike riders. The Balch Hotel is also extremely popular with bicyclists.
What makes historic Balch Hotel unique?
Built in 1907 and officially opened in 1908, the Balch Hotel’s location was selected for its close proximity to the stage coach stop by the Barlow Road on the Oregon Trail. The historic Oregon hotel was built to accommodate Great Southern Railroad passengers.
The historic 3-story Edwardian-style brick building was designed for Dufur businessman and rancher Charles Balch. Formerly serving as a motel, boarding house and private residence, the boutique Bed and Breakfast now features 20 historic guest rooms. Owned by Claire Sierra and Josiah Dean, the husband and wife team have added Balch Bistro, Sanctuary Spa and a small art gallery with artwork displayed in all bedrooms.
What are the Balch Hotel rooms like?
There are 14 traditional rooms, 5 signature rooms and 1 king suite at the historic Balch hotel. Traditional rooms share common baths, with 3 shared restrooms on each floor. There are 7 traditional rooms per floor. Most traditional rooms have in-room sinks and vanities. Signature hotel rooms have private, en suite baths. The king suite has a private bathroom with a jetted soaker tub.
On our summer visit, we stayed in Signature room #24 on the third floor of the hotel. Being that the Balch Hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places, there is no elevator in this protected historic landmark. The hotel also does not have central air conditioning. However, all rooms have fans and/or portable air conditioning units. We didn’t find either of these situations to be a problem.
Our Signature queen room featured a pillow-top mattress, small desk and view of the patio below. The bathroom was fairly spacious with a shower/tub combination. Beekman 1802 bath amenities were offered, as well as a locally made goat milk soap. There was a hairdryer in room.
No coffee maker or tea kettle is available in-room. However, Post Canyon Coffee Roasters and Good Medicine Tea is available downstairs.
Hotel Balch Bistro dining
Upon check-in hotel guests are greeted with 2 homemade chocolate chip cookies. Being the cookie monster that I am, I came down the following afternoon for a cookie, but was told they were only for guests at check-in. Don’t miss your opportunity for a fresh baked cookie.
That evening we dined at Balch Bistro. Seeing that Hotel Balch is one of the few dining options in Dufur, you’ll want to be sure to make an advanced reservation at Balch Bistro. On our visit, the restaurant was open for dinner Friday and Saturday evening. Be sure to try the salmon cakes if you enjoy seafood. There’s also a weekend happy hour with a slight discount for local beer, wine and natural sodas.
A breakfast basket is served from 8:30 – 10: 00 a.m. Our basket consisted of vanilla yogurt, house made granola, scratch baked muffin, hard boiled egg and sliced orange and apple. Additionally, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and orange juice are available. There is a community mini fridge and microwave oven available to hotel guests, as well as cubed ice.
Rates at historic Balch Hotel range from $102 – $328, depending on the season, day of the week and room category. The best value is fall and winter weekdays. Peak season rates fall on popular summer weekends.
The Balch Hotel is considered a refuge for adults, with an age requirement of 12+ years and up for overnight guests. As with most historic properties there is not a lot of sound-proofing. There are also no televisions or telephones in-room. This hotel hotel is a place to relax and enjoy the grounds.
Balch Spa Sanctuary
The Balch Hotel has an in-house Spa Sanctuary. Owned and operated by co-owner and LMT Claire Sierra, the spa offers energy healing treatments such as gem reiki. As Sierra is not a licensed massage therapist, I tried the 60 minute Aroma Touch Treatment. Using plant-based essential oils, Sierra gently pressed the oils into my back and feet, to reduce stress and support my immune system.
Things to see and do in and around Mt. Hood Territories include White River Falls State Park, white water rafting in nearby Maupin and visiting Mt. Hood and The Dalles.
WiFi is complimentary. Parking is self-park and complimentary. Check current rates on the hotel website. The hotel also offers 1 EV charging station, complimentary for hotel guests.
Hotel check-in time is 3:00 p.m. and check-out time is 11:00 a.m. The hotel has a limited number of pet-friendly rooms in both the traditional and signature rooms for an additional nightly fee. Ask about the Stash Rewards network, a loyalty program for boutique hotel guests.
Balch Hotel (541) 467-2277 info@balchhotel.com
40 South Heimrich Street
Dufur, Oregon 97021
Historic Balch Hotel review, YouTube video and all photography by Pacific Northwest travel writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of Balch Hotel for review purposes.