As California became a mecca for new world wine on par with the old world, an upstart was waiting in the wings. Oregon’s Willamette Valley initially began producing wine in the ‘60s and ‘70s, but only reached a pinnacle of critical acclaim over the last decade or so. It took a few decades for winemakers in the region to really learn the climate, improve their craft, and get the word out, but a level of hospitality infrastructure was also necessary to transform this region. If there’s anything Napa does well, it’s infrastructure, as an influx of luxury hotels, beautiful tasting rooms, and world-class restaurants made the area a coveted destination. 

Now, Oregon is finally catching up, and the once-quiet agricultural zone is now dotted with luxurious, thoughtful stays that surprisingly stack up against any wine region in the world. I was born and raised in McMinnville, Oregon, and only later became a travel reporter, so I have a different perspective when it comes to development in the valley. But on a recent trip home, even I was surprised at how robust the hotel offerings have become. Overall, I'm thrilled to see people experiencing the beauty and bounty of Oregon, and want to point potential visitors in the right direction on where to stay when they make the trek. These properties are, hands down, the best places to rest your head after a long day of wine tasting and delicious local food. 

When the 36-room independent, boutique Atticus Hotel opened in 2018, it transformed McMinnville’s downtown corridor. The property’s locavore sensibilities reflect the area’s small town charm, fitting neatly into the city’s own style while offering an upscale hospitality that never existed here before. All guests are greeted with a complimentary glass of R. Stuart & Co. Blanc de Blanc bubbles upon arrival, and a quirky walnut archway in the lobby pays homage to one of the city’s founding fathers. From compact studios inspired by Oregon’s tiny house movement, to penthouse suites with over 10-foot ceilings, standalone soaking tubs and spacious living rooms, each room is unique. All but the smallest come with sleek fireplace screens that can be set to show dancing flames, like a year-round yule log, or activated to heat the room. Little touches like in-room Flag & Wire coffee with a French press, curated book selections, and Pendleton bathrobes channel Pacific Northwest culture to a T. Located just one block off historic 3rd Street, in the heart of the city, a stay here puts guests within walking distance from countless restaurants and a slew of local shops (Mes Amies is my favorite). While the hotel’s own Mediterranean restaurant, Cypress, is excellent, Thistle is just two blocks away and has been a neighborhood farm-to-table staple for almost two decades. If you’re a morning person, Alchemist’s Jam is a must for pastries and coffee, or the hotel’s affordable continental breakfast runs for $15. 

Quite literally built into the rolling hillside that overlooks the surrounding regenerative farm, Inn the Ground is a nine-room hotel burrowed into the soil. Every room has a floor-to-ceiling glass wall that showcases panoramic Willamette Valley views, along with the property’s pastures and regenerative water features........

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