Balch Hotel

Situated on lush grounds surrounded by farmland, the Balch Hotel is housed in a three-story Italianate brick building erected in 1907 by Charles Balch, a local landowner and businessman. Guests are greeted by the friendly staff and are offered homemade cookies and tea in the cooler months, and iced lemon water in the summer. The superbly detailed interiors feature art from local artists, period antiques and hand-carved furniture, as well as historic elements like the building’s original fire hoses and an old electric meter. The lobby parlor has a shelf of books, wood floors, elegant sofas, and walls in a rich red color. Guests relax here, take in views of Mount Hood from the lawns, or kick back in the hammock by the pond. The hotel draws mostly couples, with its romantic setting, superb breakfast, and charming rooms. Many use it as a base to enjoy a spa treatment and unwind and unplug  between adventurous outdoor excursions. 

The Balch Hotel is a three-minute drive off U.S. Highway 197, about a three-minute walk south of the center of Dufur, a small town with a general store, supermarket, and very little in the way of shops or restaurants. The hotel roughly a 20-minute drive from the I-84 freeway, the town of The Dalles, the Columbia River, and The Dalles Bridge over the river into Washington. Dalles features shopping, dining, and attractions like the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center. White River Falls State Park is a little more than 20 minutes by car, and opportunities for windsurfing, kayaking, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities are about 30 to 40 minutes away. The town of Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area are a 40-minute drive, and the hotel is about one hour from both the Mt. Hood Skibowl and Mt. Hood Visitor’s Center. The center of Portland and Portland International Airport are both one hour and 45 minutes from the Balch Hotel. 

The guests rooms at the Balch are individually decorated and have a quaint, charming look, with wood floors, fine wood furniture, and period antiques. Many rooms have elements like chandeliers and quilted bedspreads. The color palette is a warm beige, tan, and brown, with some rooms featuring bedspreads in a rich gold or ruby red. Rooms are fairly spacious, and some offer views of Mount Hood or the hotel’s grounds. All come with comfortable beds with pillowtop mattresses, plus free Wi-Fi. Rooms are intended to let guests take a break from modern technology, so they do not have TVs or phones, and they also lack coffeemakers and mini-fridges. A suite with four-poster canopy bed and jetted tub is available. Some rooms share a bathroom, and these rooms lack air-conditioning, while rooms with private bathrooms have air-conditioning only in the summer. All bathrooms come with hairdryers and shower/tub combos (some with clawfoot tubs). 

The Balch offers a nice array of amenities for a small hotel. Guests are treated to an excellent breakfast, free of charge for up to two guests per room, with the spread featuring fresh-baked small frittatas, homemade muffins, seasonal fruit, yogurt, and a variety of hot and cold beverages. Free take-away breakfast for guests on the go is also available, and the hotel can prepare box lunches for a fee. Guests also give high marks to the restaurant’s lunch and dinner offerings, with typical menu items like Mediterranean wraps, salmon, and cage-free chicken. A wide range of local wines, beers, and ciders is available. The Balch also offers extensive wedding services, retreat/event hosting, and a small full-service spa with range of massages and other treatments. A small lobby gift shop sells Balch Hotel-branded items and fine gifts. Parking is free of charge, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, and the staff is available around the clock (front desk is closed overnight). The hotel is housed in a three-floor historic building with no elevator, but the staff will assist with taking luggage up stairs.