You get a dose of late-mid-century fabulousness when you enter the Valley River Inn, the lodge-like hotel that's been welcoming guests in Eugene, Oregon since 1973. The lobby boasts an enormous, stacked stone fireplace, Wrightian geometry, and exposed beams. Not only that, but the rooms are huge—good thing, since this is a favorite stay for visiting college football teams going up against University of Oregon’s Ducks.
The bar at Sweetwaters on the River, its lovable restaurant, has been offering throwback cocktails for the Inn's 40th anniversary—not speakeasy-style pre-Prohibition drinks, but rather, the type of cocktail that Warren Beatty might have sipped when he was getting with the ladies in 1975's Shampoo: a vodka and orange juice Harvey Wallbanger with a proper Galliano float; a sloe gin fizz; a creamy, almond-flavored pink squirrel.
Dinner is pure Northwest coast comfort food. In other words, I could have bathed in the potted Dungeness crab, goat cheese, and marscapone fondue. And my linguine was tossed with a gratifying abundance of fresh clams, along with garlic and leeks, Roma tomatoes, and shreds of asiago cheese. I loved it.
Another lovable thing about a stay at the Valley River Inn, though, is the service. The staff makes you happy because they themselves are happy—so happy, in fact, that they seem to stay on forever. The chef, bartender, and much of the waitstaff have been at their craft here for decades, and nothing feels stale. That’s testimony enough to the enduring charm of the place.
Out back, the Klamath River rolls along. The Inn will hook you up with a fishing guide if you want to catch one its muscular steelhead salmon, or a paddling or rafting trip, or you can just take a stroll or jog, or borrow a bicycle from the Inn and peddle, down the riverside path. You might just see a bald eagle diving into the water for its dinner. —Betsy Andrews
Wine Tasting: Oregon’s Williamette Valley is a premiere winegrowing region, known for its bright pinot noirs. The hotel can hook you up with a VIP wine package that includes vouchers and transportation so you can go tasting at local vineyards during your stay.
There’s also a fantastic amount of great craft beer in Eugene, where the Inn is located. Check out nearby Ninkasi, Oakshire, and Hop Valley Breweries where tours and, of course, tastes, are available. Ninkasi Brewing Co.; 272 Van Buren Street, Eugene, Oregon 97402; 541/344-2739.
Oakshire Brewing; 1055 Madera Street, Eugene, OR 97402; 541/688-4555.
Hop Valley Brewing; 990 W 1st Street Eugene, Oregon 97402; 541/485-2337.
Whitewater Rafting: Adrenaline junkies can hook up with Oregon Whitewater Adventures and careen down the rapids on one of the many local rivers. Oregon Whitewater Adventures; 541/746-5422.
The bar at Sweetwaters on the River, its lovable restaurant, has been offering throwback cocktails for the Inn's 40th anniversary—not speakeasy-style pre-Prohibition drinks, but rather, the type of cocktail that Warren Beatty might have sipped when he was getting with the ladies in 1975's Shampoo: a vodka and orange juice Harvey Wallbanger with a proper Galliano float; a sloe gin fizz; a creamy, almond-flavored pink squirrel.
Dinner is pure Northwest coast comfort food. In other words, I could have bathed in the potted Dungeness crab, goat cheese, and marscapone fondue. And my linguine was tossed with a gratifying abundance of fresh clams, along with garlic and leeks, Roma tomatoes, and shreds of asiago cheese. I loved it.
Another lovable thing about a stay at the Valley River Inn, though, is the service. The staff makes you happy because they themselves are happy—so happy, in fact, that they seem to stay on forever. The chef, bartender, and much of the waitstaff have been at their craft here for decades, and nothing feels stale. That’s testimony enough to the enduring charm of the place.
Out back, the Klamath River rolls along. The Inn will hook you up with a fishing guide if you want to catch one its muscular steelhead salmon, or a paddling or rafting trip, or you can just take a stroll or jog, or borrow a bicycle from the Inn and peddle, down the riverside path. You might just see a bald eagle diving into the water for its dinner. —Betsy Andrews
In the Area
Wine Tasting: Oregon’s Williamette Valley is a premiere winegrowing region, known for its bright pinot noirs. The hotel can hook you up with a VIP wine package that includes vouchers and transportation so you can go tasting at local vineyards during your stay.
Oakshire Brewing; 1055 Madera Street, Eugene, OR 97402; 541/688-4555.
Hop Valley Brewing; 990 W 1st Street Eugene, Oregon 97402; 541/485-2337.
Whitewater Rafting: Adrenaline junkies can hook up with Oregon Whitewater Adventures and careen down the rapids on one of the many local rivers. Oregon Whitewater Adventures; 541/746-5422.
