Have been to the Festival several times, and used to stay in the large rooms at the Bard's Inn, the new units across the street. This past summer we stayed at the Ashland Springs Hotel, which was nice, but certainly tiny rooms for the price.
There are six of us total, need three rooms. We meant to check out the Plaza Inn and Suites but never did. Any comments about those?
We definitely want to be able to leave the car and walk to the shows -- all six of them in three days, and want to be very close to pop back to the room, etc.

Ha Patrick, you're talking about my second home at the Plaza, we even have a room reserved that they always give us, Room 352, a King Suite with balcony overlooking the creek and wonderful jacuzzi tub in the bathroom for soaking.

The Plaza is great, we've almost earned a free stay with our tenth time we stay there. We just stayed there twice last month on our way to and fro to the Oregon Coast.

We have also stayed at the ASH many times, I adore the place but the rooms are just too small when we're traveling with our daughter. The Plaza is a great location, we walked to Chateaulin for dinner.

Recently had dinner at Beasey's on the Creek, it's right next door to the Plaza it was pretty good. I'd advise on the pasta entrees there and they have a nice wine list with Tori Mor wines.

One thing we like about the Plaza is that they do have a jacuzzi, the rooms are large and there's a nice breakfast in the am.

A nice touch is the PBJ's and homemade chocolate chip cookies they set out each night from 10-12. My daughter gets a kick out of that!! Any specific questions, ask away!! Where will you be going for dinner? I want to try New Sammy's in Talent next trip!!! ***kim*** Oh, BTW Rachael Ray was recently in Ashland and dined at Quince. Have you been there? There's also the Blue Giraffe DAy Spa right next door that looks cool!!

I think I just got my answer. Ashland Springs Hotel is already fully booked for our dates July 28 to August 1. They have some rooms left at Plaza Inn (none of the deluxe Kings) but do have some Executive and Spa Kings. Don't care about the spa, and at $200 a night for four nights for those rooms, we'll pass, but with AAA, the exec. kings are $161 plus tax. We need three rooms so will book today. She made clear they don't promise creekside views, they depend on "availability" which usually means whoever yells the loudest gets it.

Yes, have eaten at Beasley's and like it very much. Great fish preparations!

That's crazy how high the rates go up in the summer. We got that room for $79/night last month! They are really booking up fast this year.

We better get on our summer travel plans soon! We'll probably just go to Grant's Pass at the Riverside and get their $59/night rate with our Entertainment Book. It's a nice property and the jet boat ride up the Rogue is fun in the summer. Have a great time in Ashland!

BTW, all of the times we've been to Ashland, we have yet to see a play. Just the Green Show, I really want to see one in the Elizabethian. Do you know which play will be going on there this summer? ***kim***

kimamom- It is actually called Quinz not Quince, and it is a very good restaurant. Less formal than Chateaulain, Peerless, etc.

I peeked at their menu a few weeks ago while we were walking downtown. Sounds good for a more casual meal!

Does anyone know where the Rouge Creamery is? I'd like to stop by that place next time. ***kim***

Lots of play choices for the season.
In the Elizabethan:
Twelfth Night
Doctor Faustus
Love's Labors Lost

in the Bowmar:
Richard III
The Philanderer (Shaw)
Room Service
Napoli Milionaria (should be wonderful)
The Belle's Strategem (equally so)

in the New Theatre:
By the Waters of Babylon
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Gibralter


I made a mistake in my first post, we're seeing 7 of them in four days.

We've done the jet boat and stayed at the Riverside -- yes, lots of fun. I keep wanting to do a three night lodge and camping raft trip, but never do.

Which if the three at the Elizabethan do think would be the best?

Also, a heads-up on the decor at the Plaza. I love the way the ASH is decorated, very soft tones. Beware, the Plaza has very LOUD colors. In the bathrooms there is a gold wallpaper with big black lines and diamonds and the carpet is done in big triangle things.

The bedspreads are done with Shakespeare quotes in a very dark navy blue and black. They have a pillow menu at the hotel which is nice, tho. You can choose from many different types of pillows, even a body pillow which was very comfortable!

I hope you like the Plaza! ***kim***

I'd vote for the more traditional Twelfth Night (although I'm not sure how traditional their productin will be). Love's Labors Lost is sort of fun, but I'd suggest you "Cliff Notes" it first, kind of complicated. And while Dr. Faustus may be dramatic, it certainly is wordy.

Kimamom, I won't invite you to stay at my place -- I bet you'd gulp at the colors!!! I'm sure I'll love the Plaza more than that standard commercial design color scheme at the Ashland Springs. Looks like every Hyatt, Marriott, Sheraton, and whatever in the world -- although it was done with a little more care and interest than some. I enjoy staying in a place that's different and fun, so long as it's still tastefully done.

By the way, all three rooms now booked at the Plaza. My partner's brother and his wife are driving up from Tahoe just for the last two nights and three shows. We'll return with them to Tahoe for a few days.
Our other friends, a theatre couple (well he's the theatre one, she just enjoys seeing it), will be traveling with us for two weeks ending at Ashland from where they'll fly home.

Sounds fun, have a great time! The concierge is trying to get us back to Cucina Biazzi, they even offered us a complimentary dinner which we may take them up on this summer.

We had a bad experience there last June with a waitress chasing our car down for a tip. The owner felt really badly after the concierge at the Plaza notifed her and I received a very nice letter apologizing about what happened. I want to also try Amuse or Monet in Ashland. ***kim***

The Rogue Creamery is in Central Point, about 25-30 minutes from Ashland, just past Medford. It has recently worn some very prestigious awards for cheese and has recently added space to their retail/tasting room. It would be a fun side trip.

You should definitely try Amuse the next time you are there, it is wonderful and so is the service.
You may also enjoy Kat Wok. Great Pan-Asian food and a young loud atmosphere, but us 40 somethings and our two kids really love it too!

Patrick- you should definitely try the rafting trip down the lower rogue staying in the lodges. We did it a few years ago and it was awesome!

Thanks, a visit to the Creamery sounds nice. I also enjoyed the Paschal Vineyards last time, gorgeous tasting room and I really like the Pinot Gris there. (They have it btg at Peerless.)

The dinner trip on the Jet Boats also sounds fun, we've only done the Quick N'Scenic. BTW, there are now Lodge Rooms at the Riverside Inn, we stayed in one a few months ago.

Very nice rooms that open to the pool area, decorated in PNW decor. That section of the Inn was in dire need of updating! ***kim***

We had a really bad experience at Plaza Inn a few months ago. Our room wasn't ready at check-in time and no apology was forthcoming. It was a miserable experience after a long day of travel. Once we got in the room, it was nice but hard to enjoy considering the thoughtless reception we received.

Are you also jimjim and jimshep? That's too bad, we've stayed at the Plaza almost ten times now and have never had a bad experience. If anything, they are VERY accomodating to us, even giving us the room we request each time, and allowing us an extra hour the next day at check out.

Hopefully Patrick will have a positive experience! ***kim***

Kim,
Have you been to the Oregon Cabaret Theater in Ashland? We saw a play there last year with two teens and all of us were roaring. I can't recommend it more highly.

No, we don't ever time for a play, but I would really like to see one next time. I've always thought the Cabaret looked really fun from the brochures at the Ashland Springs Hotel.

We just use Ashland as an overnight stop there on our way to Portland/Oregon Coast so one night is all we every stay, each way. Maybe next time! How is the dinner with the play, good food? ***kim***

Wow, lovingheart. Out of curiosity, what time was the room ready? I think they say not till 4 pm on the website which seems to almost be standard these days. But how long did they make you wait?

Kim, We didn't eat at the theater. We just got tickets for the show itself. We did have desserts and drinks, which were good. I don't know how the food is.

We've checked in as early as 2:00 and our room is always ready! ***kim***

Thats because you're their favorite guest and they are holding room 352 just for you.

I know, because I read it in a brochure and I am planning to visit someday, so that means I am an expert.