After our visit to Cannon Beach, OR, the fam needed to rest a bit before embarking on our epic 9-hour drive from Washinton to California. After checking Expedia, bro suggested The Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, WA.
The hotel is styled as a rustic mountain lodge which just happens to be located in the heart of the city. Built with hand-hewn logs and decorated with indigenous artworks and crafts amidst its refreshing natural environs, The Heathman Lodge provides guests with the true flavor of the Northwest.
So what appeal can a lodge-style cabin hold for a family of Filipino tourists like us who found themselves in the Pacific Northwest? Let me cite five examples.
Convenient location.
Want to go all out on the shopping opportunities in Portland? (By the way, check out my post on Outlet Shopping in Oregon.) Want to check out the sights of Seattle? All these and more are a short driving distance from the hotel.
If you’re feeling hungry, the hotel’s very own Hudson’s Bar and Grill can serve up your particular cravings, or you can venture some distance out to Thai Wok Kitchen where we had my Mother’s Day Dinner.
Heading off for the long drive to California? This hotel was our starting point for the epic drive to San Francisco.
Indigenous art and artifacts.
A significant part of Pacific Northwest character is the body of artwork and artifacts indigenous to the area. These take the form of colorful blankets from Oregon’s Pendleton Woolen Mills, portraits of Western characters in the lobby, handcrafted antler and cut-metal sconces, and a fossilized fifteen-million-year-old tree trunk collected from Arlington, Oregon.
No-frills yet comfy accommodation.
To be honest, one really shouldn’t expect luxury at The Heathman Lodge. What you can look forward to is understated comfort: from the comfortable queen-size beds with Tempur-Pedic mattresses and the spacious toilet and bath, basic conveniences such as unlimited WiFi, phone line, refrigerator, coffee maker and microwave, as well as exclusive access to a breakfast/reception room that serves continental breakfast every morning.
Recreation facilities.
Feel like working out? Hubby was able to spend some time with the treadmill and weights at the hotel’s gym while my little boy and myself enjoyed ourselves at the hotel’s indoor heated pool.
Service with a smile.
All the hotel’s staff were friendly and accommodating. From the receptionists at the lobby offering the free gourmet coffee to guests, the staff assigned to the breakfast room providing us with trays since we opted to take our breakfast in our room, to the personnel we meet in the hallways, the people behind the hotel go the extra mile in meeting and anticipating our needs
We booked our overnight stay via Expedia for USD133.60 (Php7,188), which, for me, is quite a good deal. Overall, our stay was quite lovely and I wished we could have stayed longer.
The Heathman Lodge is located at 7801 NE Greenwood Drive Vancouver, Washington, 98662. For inquiries and reservations, call 360-254-3100.
Check out my posts on other accommodations:
Jellybeans in the City 