4 Best Hotels in The Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

This elegant condo-style compound on a sheer cliff overlooking the Columbia River contains some of the plushest accommodations in the region—units have one to three bedrooms, fireplaces, terraces or patios, stone-and-tile bathrooms, and fine linens. Additional features found in the top-of-the-line suites are fully equipped gourmet kitchens, large sitting rooms, and deep soaking tubs in some. Although there's no gym, the hotel does access a pretty jogging trail along the riverfront.

The draw here is an enviable setting with great views of the Columbia River and Bridge of the Gods—many rooms, which are done in soft tans and grays and hung with framed black-and-white photos of the Gorge, overlook the river, as does a deck in back and the breakfast room. There's also an exercise room and indoor pool. Several shops and restaurants (including Bridgeside, next door) in tiny downtown Cascade Locks are within walking distance. This is a good base camp for hiking, biking, and boating on both the Oregon and Washington sides of the Gorge.

A low-slung, rambling hotel beside the Hood River Bridge this Best Western Plus offers some of the best river views of any hotel in the Gorge, and many units have private balconies or patios on the water; the deluxe accommodations have full kitchens, fireplaces, and Jacuzzi tubs. All rooms are clean, bright, and nicely maintained, with flat-screen TVs, irons and boards, coffee/tea service, refrigerators, and microwaves. On-site Cebu Lounge has live music many evenings, and the Riverside restaurant has a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water.

Set in 74 acres of gardens, murals, orchards, and vineyards, this Georgian Revival manor—once home to the county poor farm—is now an offbeat resort that offers intriguing amenities and large but basic rooms filled with vintage furnishings; some rooms are hostel-style and most have shared baths. There are three restaurants and several bars, with pool halls, distilleries, and tiny wine sheds tucked away in unexpected places. All guests have access to the outdoor soaking pool. Edgefield is an Oregon treasure with a mellow, bohemian vibe.