The Grand Columbia Gorge Hotel

Eleven beautifully landscaped acres hold the historic Columbia Gorge Hotel; built in 1921, the hotel re-opened after years of closure and was restored to her former glory. You can't beat the site above a 210-foot high falls overlooking the Columbia River Gorge that is 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep,

The magnificent setting and gorgeous building does overwhelms solid resort food, so the best bet is probably the Columbia Gorge's Sunday brunch.

Few hotel restaurants feature their own creek and waterfall. No other in Oregon offers such a river view, and the building is magnificent, the grounds worth a stroll. The restaurant's been voted "the best in Oregon" many times. They'll even pick you up at nearby Dalles Airport if you can't spare the hour's drive from Portland.

The award-winning restaurant with service to match does a decent dinner as well. The tableside presentation of wilted spinach salad that added smoked duck to the usual bacon before the mustard and brandy sauce flamed out. The result seemed a bit greasy, but we eat more game than domestic meats so have a very limited tolerance to fat.

Dinner Entrées fared better, the rack of lamb that presented itself as two double chops with a succulent stock reduction and truffle sauce. A layered potato cake and crisp vegetable complimented the dish. The venison "fillet" ran to two double thick chops, with a most delicious sauce of meat reduction with a hint of chocolate and some raspberries. All entrees where accompanied by acceptable new potatoes and vegetables.

Dinner finished with an apple tart for two topped with puff pastry flambreed at the table with orange liquor, split and presented with a small scoop of French vanilla ice cream.

Lodgings are lovely, and views are worth the extra cost if you arrive early or leave late. The hotel boasts 40 unique guest rooms in the $159.00 to $280.00 per range. Reservations should be made in advance, and must be made early for the many special events such as the Harvest Feast Dinner Dance, Thanksgiving Dinner, A Dickens of a Christmas and the New Years "Unparty".

4000 Westcliff, Hood River, OR 800.345.0921

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