There’s a new way to experience the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, thanks to The Society Hotel Bingen. Offering a refined, off-the-beaten-trail experience, the multifaceted campus – which occupies 2.6 acres – features a variety of lodging options for different kinds of travelers, plus a spa, café, underground sanctuary, and indoor and outdoor community gathering spaces. It welcomed its first guests over Memorial Day weekend, and reservations can be made by visiting thesocietyhotel.com/bingen.
“The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is one of the country’s natural gems, and we created The Society Hotel Bingen to be both a basecamp for exploring the region, plus a relaxing escape for those who want to rest, relax and recharge without leaving the property,” said Jessie Burke, one of the owners of The Society Hotel. The Bingen property is the second location for The Society Hotel.
Like they did with the original Society Hotel in Portland’s Old Town/Chinatown neighborhood, the team restored, renovated and revitalized a historic property, melding modern comfort with historical preservation.
Anchoring the renovated retreat is the 80-year-old Bingen Schoolhouse, which was originally constructed 1908, and was rebuilt in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps after a fire in 1933. Melding modern comfort with historical preservation, the schoolhouse hotel was designed to retain most of its original feel, with a library in the reception area, lockers in the hallway, hotel rooms reflecting school subjects, and the refurbished gym open to guest use.
RANGE OF ACCOMMODATIONS
The Society Hotel Bingen bridges the gap between hotel and hostel by offering both cozy private standard rooms and bunk room accommodations in the main schoolhouse building, along with a cabin ring with 20 units.
For guests seeking the full hotel experience while still capturing that sense of community found in old-world lodging houses, the 10 private standard rooms make ideal accommodations.
Rooms feature a queen and king bed option and include a refurbished school and vanity, and a shared bath one might expect to find in a European boarding house. (Rates: $65-$133)
Also located in the schoolhouse, the two 24-bed bunk rooms with custom, built-in triple bunks are a great option for travelers on a budget, or groups. Each bunk includes a privacy curtain, luxury twin-size mattress, power outlet, storage cubby and reading light. (Rates: $25-$52)
Surrounding the spa in the center of the property is the cabin ring. Each attached cabin is a miniature home for travelers, families, and professionals who want a more traditional room with more space, more views and the privacy of their own bath. Cabins include complimentary spa access, kitchenette, indoor lounge area, and outdoor seating area with table and hammock. The one- and two-bedroom cabin options include one king bed, two queens or ADA-accessible queen plus bunk beds. (Rates: $180-$316)
The three accommodation options are perfect for the variety of travelers who are drawn to the Gorge for its incredible diversity of activities in a stunning setting – from hiking, cycling, and whitewater rafting and other watersports, to wine, beer and cider tasting, to exploring the famous Hood River County Fruit Loop and nearby Mount Hood and Mount Adams.
RELAX, RECHARGE AND CONNECT IN THE COMMUNITY SPACES
Warm and welcoming community spaces are also a signature of The Society Hotel, and the new property features numerous gathering places for groups. In the schoolhouse, The Library Café & Bar provides a bright and airy space with ample seating and serves regional coffees, teas and pastries and light fare such as salads, sandwiches and bowls, as well as cocktails, beer and wine. The hallowed, restored School Gymnasium & Gameroom serves as a multipurpose room for everything from shooting hoops to corporate meetings.
In the center of the property, the Spa & Bathhouse features a saltwater soaking pool, sauna, hot tub and cold plunge, as well as massage rooms and a Spa Café. Guests staying in the cabin ring have full access to the spa, while guests staying in the schoolhouse and bunk rooms can access it for a day fee. Passes for non-guests are $20 for 2 hours; passes for standard or bunk room guests are $10 per day.)
Literally tucked in the corner of the property, The Sanctuary is a unique subterranean building that can be reserved for retreats or other groups of travelers for yoga, team-building activities, family gatherings, etc. It’s flooded with natural light through a roof cupola and south-facing glass doors from the courtyard entry.
The property is located close to the Bingen-White Salmon Amtrak Station at Highway 14 and Walnut Street. Service from Portland is $14 and takes about 90 minutes.
For accommodation pricing and further details, visit thesocietyhotel.com/bingen/.
About The Society Hotel
The Society Hotel is a collection of experience-focused boutique hotels built within unique reclaimed buildings. The design-focused minimalist aesthetic, authentic staff and one-of-a-kind amenities have made the hotels a celebrated destination for travelers from all over the world. The hotels offer social spaces that encourage worldly and adventurous travelers to convene, connect and collaborate. The original Society Hotel opened in fall 2015 in Portland’s Old Town/Chinatown, and the second Society Hotel opened in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Bingen, Wash., in May 2019. For more information, visit www.thesocietyhotel.com.
37th Annual Northwest Cherry Festival. A longtime favorite among locals and visitors alike, the festival is set in the spectacular Columbia River Gorge and showcases The Dalles’ deep agricultural heritage and Western roots. The Best Ever Cherry Festival in 2015 expanded to three days of family-friendly activities and events, and 2016 is going to be even better! The Northwest Cherry Festival takes place in downtown The Dalles from Friday, April 22 through Sunday, April 24, 2016. The fun begins with a Dance Party on Friday April 22nd at 7pm, and continues with the Gorge’s biggest parade, classic car and tractor shows, a 10k race, and lots of great local music and bands. There’s also cherry sampling with the Oregon Cherry Growers, pony rides, and Davis Show’s Carnival. Be sure to see the Festival culminate with the crowning of Festival King Bing and Queen Anne! The Dalles Has Much More to Offer Though the festival alone could keep you busy. Voted one of the “Top Ten True Western Towns of 2014” and one of “The 19 Most Beautiful Small Towns In America,” The Dalles is one of Oregon’s great escapes, just beginning to be discovered. This historic town sits at the eastern entrance of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, just 75 miles east of Portland. With 300 days of sun a year and fantastic recreational and cultural opportunities, it’s a wonderland for cyclists, hikers, river rafters, wildflower fanatics, fishers, art lovers, history buffs and wine aficionados. Look for other events taking place in The Dalles all week long!
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