Balch Hotel

This quintessential historic hotel is beyond compare. The Balch Hotel has been my happy escape for 10+ years. As soon as I drive up to the gardens I go into relaxation mode. Josiah serves up a local beer on tap and I wander the peaceful grounds. Dinner is divine with wine and a locally-sourced menu. Don't forget the rhubarb dessert! All in an intimate pastoral setting with outdoor seating. The owners and staff treat everyone like royalty. Clawfoot tubs, chandeliers, art inside and out, and antiques in beautifully appointed rooms slow the world's mad pace.

Lovely old hotel with good people running it. Very quiet with the exception of semis cruising into town down the hill from the south side. Beautiful and comfortable patio area. Light breakfast included in price. Nice bar/restaurant across the street. Comfy AC in our room, even in hot weather. We had the bathroom en suite, which was spacious and clean.

We spent the night at the Balch while on a cross country road trip. It was a nice change from interstate motels. This is an old hotel so, the rooms are small and basic. Dinner was good and the staff were friendly and helpful. Breakfast wa small basket with fruit, boiled egg, yogurt and pastry. It was good. We enjoyed it.

Lovely overnight stay at the Balch. Accommodations were clean and beds/bedding were comfortable. Complimentary earplugs in the room were a nice touch (old buildings are noisy). I took a small fan which worked great for comfort and provided white noise. I'd consider the weather before visiting (July/August would not be optimal in a 100+ year old bldg.) We enjoyed the live music duo who played the night we stayed. The common areas both inside and out were very inviting. We had dinner there at the Bistro. Unfortunately they missed two attempts at cooking my partner's steak medium rare. It was well-done the first time, and rare (like, really rare) the second. But they comped both our meals and drinks (which was beyond our expectation, and a welcomed surprise). I think we'd go for the salmon cakes next time. We ambled across the street to The Ranger Station who served us delicious pub food (had a burger), and ice cold beer. Excellent service there from Shelly. There is a cute general store downtown featuring wine tasting from Shadowbuck (did not try - maybe next time), and an adorably quaint living history museum. The complimentary breakfast at the Balch was fresh and delicious - we were so happy to have freshly brewed coffee and warmed coffee mugs waiting for us in the morning. Overall it was a great experience, and we would definitely return.

This small town hotel is big on everything: charm, history, friendly staff, great food, and comfortable rooms that you look forward coming back to after a day's outing. Can't beat the location: within easy driving distance to the Columbia Gorge, multiple hiking opportunities, and vineyards! And all at a reasonable price.

We come for the gravel cycling on quiet back roads and we also enjoying watching the sunset from the porch with a glass of wine. The grounds are comfortable to hang out and relax and the folks in the hotel and the town are welcoming and friendly.