Located just 45 miles east of Portland, Oregon, Skamania Lodge, on the Washington state side of the Columbia River is an outdoor lovers dream. The 22 year-old Skamania Lodge offers over 200 hotel rooms for nature lovers. The Lodge features activities for all ages. As I walked my dog in the morning, I saw golfers beginning their first hole and young teens shrieking with laughter from the zipline platform overhead.
Skamania Lodge hot tub
While relaxing in the outdoor hot tub, I conversed with a coffee roaster from Seattle who had high praises on Skamania and the surrounding hiking trails offered by the lodge. Two young Romanians from Gresham, Oregon also agreed that Skamania was the place to stay after climbing up to Multnomah Falls.
Being in the outdoors takes me to my happy place and I think it does the same for the lodge hotel employees. The gift shop lady helped me find the perfect early morning breakfast treat before my flight back to San Francisco and the waiter at the Cascade Dining Room made sure my seafood dinner was cooked to perfection. Before that, I enjoyed a relaxing massage at The Waterleaf Spa. The manager took the time to point out the benefits of the body rocks. I’d had a hot stone massage before, but the body rocks were new to me.
Body rocks from Waterleaf Spa
Knowing how much we love the outdoors, we couldn’t bear to leave our dog at home when a hotel offers a pet friendly option. Skamania Lodge offers a one time $75 charge for pets and our room even had a back door that opened to miles of dog walking trails. Water dog bowls were waiting outside after our nature outing.
Pet-friendly hotel rooms
Pulling up a rocking chair in the great room is an ideal way to wind down from your day of outdoor activity and take in the view. Looking out to the Columbia Gorge, this is the perfect place to relax and discover local Pacific Northwest wines.
Pull up a rocking chair and take in the view
Coming from California, water shortage is always on my mind. When hotels don’t provide a choice to forgo daily linen and towel changes, I’m pretty shocked. Skamania Lodge offers the Green Choice Program with bamboo cards displayed in the room – you decide if you would like to opt out of turndown, bedding & towel services – don’t worry, fresh towels are provided on request. If you chose to participate, you will receive a $5 voucher for use at many parts of the property.
Our room rented for $179 with a one time $19 resort fee. Skamania Lodge rates and packages are always changing so be sure to check the website for current rates. You can also compare rates at Expedia or Booking.com.
Resort review and photos by San Francisco-based hotel reviewer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of Destination Hotels & Resorts but all opinions are my own.
