In central Washington State, The Olympic Club Hotel's legend looms large. Here you'll find an historic building -- filled with warm woods and period details -- steeped in colorful tales of countless gamblers' jackpots, revenuer raids, dark secrets deeply buried, and a famous bandit's bravado. The Olympic Club has been a point of power, intrigue and contention since opening in 1908. Its name evokes heroic gods of ancient Herculean characters, the exploits of whom are now the stuff of modern legend.
The Old St. Francis School, conveniently located in the center of downtown Bend, has undergone a transformation from 1936 Catholic schoolhouse to lively destination hotel complete with classrooms-turned-lodging rooms, a pub, brewery and bakery, a movie theater, private meeting and event space and a truly fantastic Turkish-style soaking pool that beckons day travelers, shoppers, hikers, skiers and snowboarders alike.
Remember when the worst thing you could imagine was being kept after class? My, how things have changed! At Kennedy School, you'll never want to leave. Here you may chew gum, laugh out loud, and even pull that special someone's pigtails (as long as they approve, of course!), take a nap in class, enjoy an aged whiskey and a cigar in detention, and enjoy a movie in the old auditorium. The possibilities here are endless.
For decades and generations, the Sand Trap has been a lightning rod for camaraderie and epic gatherings of golfers and non-golfers alike. The place has survived dire economic downturns, war, even calamitous fire. In the context of the history of the remarkable beach community of Gearhart and a rich tradition of golf that predates almost all others in the Western United States, the Sand Trap's saga brims with some of the greatest characters, achievements and antics of the region.
On McMinnville's charming, old main street, Hotel Oregon strikes an inviting pose -- as it has since 1905. Once home to a restaurant and lounge, banquet hall, Greyhound bus depot, Western Union, soda fountain and beauty parlor, the handsome four-story building we call Hotel Oregon is a delightful destination in the heart of Oregon's wine country that seamlessly blends modern amenities and whimsical features with the building's rich historic character.
Prepare yourself for a grand escape at McMenamins Grand Lodge, located in Forest Grove, Oregon. It's a bit like falling down the rabbit hole with Alice, really, and a good deal more interesting to boot. It's all in the details at this place with its stately columns and winding drive, sweeping green carpet of a lawn, 77 European-style lodging rooms, multiple restaurants, and cozy, small bars, and -- truly the best part indeed -- some of the most fantastic artwork to ever grace these aged walls.
