Willamette Valley South - STAY

Story and photos by June Russell-Chamberlin (unless otherwise noted)

Excelsior Inn

Excelsior Inn Bach room-31 in Eugene (Photo courtesy of the Excelsior Inn & Ristorante)
Excelsior Inn Bach room-31 in Eugene (Photo courtesy of the Excelsior Inn & Ristorante)

With its glossy wood floors, antique-style furnishings, candles and luxurious amenities such as jetted tubs and fireplaces, the Excelsior Inn offers Old World style and modern comfort in 14 unique rooms just steps from the University of Oregon in Eugene. A classical music composer sets the theme for each room. Nosh on fresh baked cookies and breakfast from the kitchen of the Excelsior Inn Ristorante, the standout Italian farm-to-table restaurant and wine bar downstairs. The inn is popular for staycations, weddings and other special events.

 

754 E. Thirteenth Avenue, Eugene, Oregon

Lumos Wine Company Vineyard Cabin

Built in 1938, the Little Cabin is just steps away from the Big Ol’ Barn where the Lumos Wine Company offers wine tastings, including wines made from the grapes grown in the vineyard just outside the cabin. Both the cabin and barn are remnants of the H Bar H dude ranch that drew vacationers in the 1940s. The rustic, open-beamed 250-square-foot cabin features a queen bed, kitchenette with a vintage refrigerator, bathroom, original hardwood floors, wood stove, and a barbecue grill on the deck overlooking the 15-acre vineyard. The cabin has no TV, but it does offer wi-fi and a spectacular view of Mary’s Peak in the Coast Range.

Only 20 minutes from Corvallis, Oregon, and 45 minutes from Newport on the Oregon Coast, the cabin is ideally located for hiking and mountain biking, touring covered bridges and spending a day at the beach. On the weekends, guests sample chardonnay, pinot noir and other wines with a complimentary wine tasting at the Big Ol’ Barn.

24000 Cardwell Hill Drive, Philomath, Oregon

The historic cabin at Lumos Wine Company near Philomath, Oregon
The historic cabin at Lumos Wine Company near Philomath, Oregon

206 ½ Historic Hotel

206 1/2 Hotel in Albany, Oregon
206 1/2 Hotel in Albany, Oregon

Once lodging for wives of GIs at Camp Adair during World War II, today the private bedrooms and communal spaces of the 206 ½ Historic Hotel in downtown Albany, Oregon, draw guests who delight in connecting with other travelers. Guests share two full bathrooms — both with clawfoot tubs, one of which is original — a spacious fully equipped kitchen with a dining area, a washer and dryer, and a serene living room overlooking Second Avenue.

Located on the second floor of a historic building circa 1910, the hotel features original wainscotting, doors, lights and other details. Restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, riverside parks, the Albany Regional Museum and the Historic Carousel are just a short stroll away.

206 1/2 Second Avenue, Albany, Oregon

Hanson Country Inn

With its authentic antique details and lush hydrangea-filled gardens, the Dutch Colonial-style Hanson Country Inn in Corvallis, Oregon, offers genteel accommodations only five minutes from Oregon State University. Built in 1928 for J.A. Hanson, a poultry magnate who was inducted into the Oregon Poultry Hall of Fame in 1971, the historic home features original wood floors, chandeliers, doorknobs, wood accents and ballisters as well as the original mantels for the four fireplaces.

The main house offers three spacious rooms with private baths and sitting areas. Families enjoy the two-bedroom cottage with a full kitchen. A one-bedroom cottage, formerly the poultry farm office, is also available. A full gourmet breakfast with fruit, muffins, eggs and more is served every morning on an antique dining room table original to the house. The inn is popular for weddings and other small events.

795 S.W. Hanson Street, Corvallis, Oregon

The Hanson Country Inn in Corvallis, Oregon
The Hanson Country Inn in Corvallis, Oregon

Lanzarotta Bed and Breakfast

Lanzarotta Bed and Breakfast in Eugene, Oregon
Lanzarotta Bed and Breakfast in Eugene, Oregon

The Yew Suite at Lanzarotta Bed and Breakfast may not be a treehouse, but it feels like one. Glossy yew wood harvested from the 40-acres of surrounding woodlands covers the walls and kitchen cabinets and is shaped into tables. The suite features a quilt-covered king-size bed and ensuite bath. Wide windows look out onto the forest and the balcony, on which branches serve as railings. Below, the Cedar Room features a queen-size bed and glass doors that open to a sunny, flower-rimmed patio and the woods beyond it.

Half a mile from the nearest paved road and just 30 minutes from the bustle of downtown Eugene, Lanzarotta offers guests a woodland oasis. Hike, birdwatch, grill dinner on the patio and relax with a book to the quiet sounds of nature. The bed and breakfast is close to several tasting rooms, including Alesong Brewing, King Estate Winery and Chateau Lorane.

29179 Hamm Road, Eugene, Oregon

Tipi Village Retreat

Sheltered beneath towering Douglas firs and cedars, the five tipis and master suite at Tipi Village Retreat offer guests a forest haven in Marcola, just 20 miles from Eugene, Oregon. Don’t be surprised to catch a glimpse of wild turkeys, deer or elk in the meadow, or salmon spawning in the creek. Each tipi features a king or queen bed, down comforters, rugs on the stone floors and electric lights. Winding paths through the forest — lit by LED candles at night — lead guests to the bathhouse and the other tipis.

With a maximum of 22 guests, Tipi Village is ideal for small groups. Breakfast is served creekside or on the patio and includes organic free-range eggs, smoked salmon, hot cereal, fresh fruit, and more. The retreat also offers dinners, yoga classes and reflexology sessions. Tipi Village operates seasonally.

39615 Wendling Road, Marcola, Oregon

Sleep in a tipi at Tipi Village in Marcola, Oregon
Sleep in a tipi at Tipi Village in Marcola, Oregon

Leaping Lamb Farm

Patches, one of the friendly goats at Leaping Lamb Farm in Alsea, Oregon
Patches, one of the friendly goats at Leaping Lamb Farm in Alsea, Oregon

Escape the bustle of the city for life on the farm at Leaping Lamb Farm in Alsea, about 24 miles from Corvallis, Oregon. Guests choose from the 720-square-foot cabin that sleeps six or the sprawling 4,000-square-foot farmhouse that sleeps 12. Both have full kitchens and baths and are stocked with do-it-yourself breakfast supplies. Gather eggs from the henhouse for breakfast, then lend a hand on the farm, hike in the woods, play in the creek and pet the friendly farm animals. When it’s time for dinner, harvest and cook fresh corn, tomatoes, beans and more from the garden or head into town. If the skies are clear, don’t miss the chance to stargaze.

20368 Honey Grove Road, Alsea, Oregon  

The Village Green

The 14-acre garden takes center stage at The Village Green in Cottage Grove. A popular place for weddings and events, the garden features flower-lined paths, a fountain and a gazebo. The hotel also offers a seasonal pool, pet-friendly rooms, an enclosed dog area and an RV park. During the holiday season, vendors and more than 500,000 twinkling lights transform the garden into the Christmas Market. Guests can tour six nearby covered bridges, visit area wineries, browse the unique shops in downtown Cottage Grove and relax over a drink in the Fireside Lounge or dinner in Seasons at the Green restaurant.

 

725 Row River Road, Cottage Grove, Oregon

The garden at The Village Green in Cottage Grove, Oregon
The garden at The Village Green in Cottage Grove, Oregon

Inn at the 5th

Inn at the 5th, Eugene, Oregon (Courtesy of Inn at the 5th)
Inn at the 5th, Eugene, Oregon (Courtesy of Inn at the 5th)

Located within the historic 5th Street Market in downtown Eugene, the four-diamond Inn at the 5th is known for its exceptional service, pampering guests with complimentary wine, fine Italian linens, a pillow selection menu and in-room spa services upon request. Many rooms feature balconies overlooking the market. Hungry? Freshly made pizza, salads, deli sandwiches, breakfast and more from Provisions Market Hall next door can be delivered to the private butler’s pantry in each room. Don’t miss dinner at Marché, a market fixture that serves French cuisine made from fresh, local ingredients.

If you can tear yourself away from the hotel, 5th Street Market is on your doorstep with boutique shopping, wine tasting, fine dining, a day spa and salon. Guests can borrow a bicycle to cruise the paths along the nearby Willamette River, browse Saturday Market and explore downtown Eugene.

205 E. Sixth Avenue, Eugene, Oregon

Graduate Hotel Eugene

You know you’ve arrived in Oregon Duck country when you spot the larger-than-life duck pull toy in the Graduate Hotel’s lobby, a nod to the nearby University of Oregon. From the Nike brand running shoes lining the front desk to the stacks of books behind the breakfast bar in Poindexter, the coffee shop and cafe in the lobby, the Graduate channels a hip academic vibe that draws inspiration from the U of O. Located in the heart of downtown Eugene, the hotel is just minutes from the university and steps away from the Saturday Market, the Hult Center for Performing Arts and numerous shops, restaurants and art galleries.

 

66 E. Sixth Avenue, Eugene, Oregon

The Graduate Hotel Eugene, Oregon (Photo by Christian Horan)
The Graduate Hotel Eugene, Oregon (Photo by Christian Horan)

June Russell-Chamberlin likes nothing better than to explore and photograph the gems and hidden corners of the Pacific Northwest and the world. When she’s not traveling, June can be found tucked into a good mystery novel, hiking in the Cascade Mountains or continuing her quest for the ultimate piece of pie. She lives in Eugene, Oregon, with her family and a very bossy cat.