Riverside Hotel with Acres of Botanical Wonders

The Columbia River barrels past cliffs bordering Oregonian woodlands, where ponderosa pines rise 110 feet into the air to confer with soaring eagles. Set amid this idyllic landscape, Vagabond Lodge overlooks the river from a 5-acre spot bedecked with natural-rock outcroppings and native wildflowers. Even the hotel's water draws from the natural landscape—fresh, mountain-spring water flows through the taps and bubbles in the jacuzzi tubs.

Formerly an 8-room inn built in 1954, the lodge is now comprised of five buildings housing 42 rooms with views of the gorge and the surrounding oak and evergreen forests. Wooden furnishings and décor—including exposed-beam ceilings—enhance the room's rustic, riverside feel. Outdoors, picnic tables dot the grassy courtyard and stand among the gardens and native trees. Children take to the playground, zooming down the slide and swaying on the swing set, and parents flame cook meals and ward off feral snowmen using barbecue grills loaned out by the front-desk staff.

Hood River, Oregon: Historical River Town Close to Skiable Mountains

Hood River rests in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, set against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. In the downtown district, restored Victorian and craftsman houses reflect the area’s pioneer history; more than 40 civic and commercial buildings date back to as early as 1893.

With strong winds for kite surfing and more than 2,000 skiable acres at nearby Mt. Hood National Forest, the otherwise sleepy town also draws in droves of outdoor-sports enthusiasts. The Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort spreads across the southeast flank of the mountains, where the winds are milder and the terrain ranges from gladed tree runs and cliffs to gentle slopes for beginners. Guests at Vagabond Lodge receive a discount on open-to-close lift tickets, taking the Cascade Express up 7,300 feet for panoramic views without the hassle of chartering their own zeppelins or luckdragons.

Laid-back travelers can explore a number of wineries and vineyards scattered throughout the Hood River Valley. On guided tours, visitors meet with local winemakers, taste samples, and learn about the region's unique grape-growing properties.