Bonneville Hot Springs Resort

06/02/2008 Posted by kigetsu

I have visited this place several times. It's an easy drive from Portland and the pool is large and relaxing. The hot tub rooms are great so you can enjoy your private hot tub right out on your balcony. It's a privately owned hotel so it does not feel like a commercial chain company hotel. Good for families as well as couples.

Pros: great pool, room service, mineral content in water,great spa staff

02/20/2008 Posted by relaxed08

Great rooms, clean and well equiped, excellent food and wine, spa was incredible, clean, professional and relaxing, great atmosphere, very helpful staff , friendly, polite, ( we needed items from the desk, ie. extra towels, they arrived promptly), good service, very good massages, prices were good for the quality. We will definitely be back!

Pros: Everything was good or better!

Cons: The kids enjoyed it, but it is geared more towards adults( depends on what your are looking for)

01/04/2008 Posted by blythenative

I was looking for a get away close to home that provided me the opportunity to focus on ME and leave everything else at the door. From the front desk clerk who said, "Of course, you can check in later. Go ahead to the spa for your mineral bath and wrap. We'll take care of the rest of it when you're done.", to the clerk to assured me that I could check out a little late, the service I received was outstanding, professional, thoughtful and kind. I managed to leave my lights on and needed a jump before I left the next morning. Even that was met with courtesey and the desire to provide assistance. The mineral bath and wrap, the first I've ever had, was relaxing and a great way to work my way into the "Rock and Rain" massage the next morning. My massage therapist, Brad, was skilled and managed to release several trigger points in my shoulder that have been around for some time. While there are undoubtedly more luxurious spa resorts, Bonneville Hot Springs was exactly what I needed. The room was spacious, well appointed and very clean. The environment was quiet and comfortable, the dining room did a fine job and the wine list was nicely balanced. The drive up the Gorge was, as always, enjoyable and the view going over the Bridge of the Gods was breathtaking-fresh snow. On the way home I had lunch with a friend and suggested that we should do this together. She agreed and we have reservations for next month.

01/02/2008 Posted by midnitdr

I have been to this hotel several times as a day use guest. I enjoy stopping there when I am on a day trip to the gorge hiking or something. Currently it costs $15.00 to use the pool and the 2 spas (one in doors by the pool) and one out in the garden. It is unfortunate that the heavy public use requires chlorine to be added. It is still a lovely setting for the price and the water is from the natural hot springs. You need to bring a towel (or rent one) and a swim suit. Lockers used to be free but this year they charged $5.00 which I refuse to pay. Still the locker room area has a nice changing area, big showers, and provided shampoo, body gel soap, and hairdryers. There is also a Sauna in the Pool area. This place is very popular with local Russian families and it is interesting to hear them chatting in Russian (not that I understand it) while in the Sauna. Children are only allowed until 7:30 but adults can stay until 9 pm. It is much more relaxing when the children start to clear out so try to extend your stay. I have also opted for the private soaks - then there is no chlorine. Men and Women have separate bath houses. A soak in a huge claw foot tub with fresh untreated thermal waters followed by a blanket wrap is $25.00. For $5.00 more they will add various bath salts. (Tip: Buy the bath only, and you might also get the salts thrown in by the attendant at no extra charge.) I don't usually buy the other spa treatments - too pricey. (My impression is that they try to keep costs down by hiring local people that don't have much hotel experience or have just recently gotten their massage licenses. This may lead to some inconsistent service.) Try climbing Beacon Rock on a brisk winter day and then go to this nearby hotel for a soak.

Pros: Inexpensive Day Use Fees for Pool Area or Day Use for spa soak

Cons: Inconsistent service, chlorine added to the public pool and spas

08/01/2007 Posted by tundrakid05

This hotel is a complete disaster. Upon arrival, we were greeted by an unfriendly & cold front desk clerk, who rudely informed us that we did not book our reservations under the July special. After switching to an East (should be called parking lot) hot tub room, we were assured that the free bottle of wine (part of July special) would be delivered to the room. Needless to say, we received our wine the next day after calling the front desk (forgetful or just don't care?). Housekeeping did not clean our room because someone placed the 'privacy please' card on our door. When housekeeping did clean our room, it took all but 5 minutes (is that worth a tip?). The young gift shop girl needs a refresher on proper customer service. We asked her if the shop was still open & she replied "for what?" (to buy drapes?). Whatelse would we buy in a hotel gift shop other than trinkets, snacks, & soft drinks. If you need to reach room service and the lounge, you need to call the front desk because no one answers the phone. If you want to know what time the lounge stops serving food, you need to call the lounge because the front desk does not know. But the lounge does not answer the phone so you need to call the front desk. As one reviewer pointed out, this hotel is mediocre. And it should not be confused with other true spas & resorts. The hotel photos are misleading. This is an L-shaped 3 story apartment-like building. The drive over the Bridge of the Gods was gorgeous but we should have turned right (to Skamania Lodge) rather than left onto SR 14. NOTE: Rock massage was awesome. Boulderado Eggs Benedict and Breading Pudding French Toast were delicious. Love that Illy coffee.

Pros: Rock massage. Boulderado Eggs Benedict. Bread Pudding French Toast.

Cons: Rude, unfriendly, unprofessional, not as advertised, waste of time & money.

07/10/2007 Posted by scottbrenton

I was a little worried heading into our stay after reading the negitive reviews here. So my experience was very good. It is not the Ritz or a super fancy place but, my wife and I had a great time and really enjoyed the facilities. We stayed in the suite and had the hot hot tub outside on the balcony, very nice, room was fairly well appointed with very nice bathroom. The wine tasting was decent, mineral bath/wrap was nice and relaxing. I would agree with the prior commment about the spa; massage was good but, not as nice as local spas and slightly more expensive. Pool was nice. Resturant was on the expensive side but, the wait staff was good and attentitive. Hood River not too far, Cascade Locks across the river, town on Bonneville just down the road, Skamania just up the road, lots of choices for other food and lots to do. Stayed at Skamania before and would say it is one step down from Skamania Lodge but, still nice place and secluded location.

Pros: Front desk staff, wait staff, pool,

Cons: Rest. slightly on expensive side,

04/16/2007 Posted by aleit

We stayed the night and had a few of the Spa Treatments. They were very basic, but decent. The same was said by a friend, but I decided to give it a try anyway. We brought our daughter who had a good time swimming in the over-clorinated mineral water swimming pool. Our eyes still burn. This is not a family-friendly place!!!! The food was awful. If you HAVE to stay the night here, bring your own food. Very expensive and too basic for the price. There are much better places to spend your money.

Pros: it was close to Portland

Cons: extremely rude management - very disturbing, ruined our experience completely

03/28/2007 Posted by smizz

I recently visited this resort and had a wonderful experience. The interior of the hotel is stunning and there are several amenities for a comfortable stay. The service in the restaurant and lounge was fantastic and accomodating. I didn't get a chance to try out any of the spa services, but overheard some people at check out, who were raving about their stay. I am looking forward to planning a romantic weekend for my significant other and I soon.

Pros: Staff, service, ambiance

Cons: Need to make reservations for spa services in advance

03/16/2007 Posted by robbij

We were very impressed with its beauty but our first experience consisted of the room service not arriving. 45 minutes later it finally did. That evening we called down for room service and the same thing happened. This time when we followed up the server had left for the evening so a supervisor brought it up later. No discount given, just another one of the many apologies we received that weekend. The surroundings are beautiful and the commons area is really fun to be in. So this would be a nice place to have lunch. The spa experience was either lovely or terrible. My therapist was terrific and my services felt great. My friend had a massage and caught --literally caught-- the girl reading a book when she looked back to see why she was still massaging her feet. When I submitted a review to them, and asked for follow up, none was given and no apology of any kind was ever received. Poor customer service from the staff overall. The wine tasting there was fun and the hostess was very knowledgeable. If you want a great spa product, they have good packages. If you want a nice room or good customer service that reflects what you're paying, don't count on it.

Pros: Lots of spa services available

Cons: Customer service

09/05/2006 Posted by iwritereviews

Given I've been to places with "resort" and "spa" in their names in 14 states, I feel I'm not being too harshy when I give this mediocre rating. The place was much smaller than expected. The Deluxe room we had was about Holiday Inn level at best. The pool and jacuzzis were okay. Their overly priced spa - the body wrap I had and the massage my friend had were very good but the spa itself is disappointing. I've seen better spa settings at in town spas. But more than anything the most disappointing aspect of my experience is it staff who's lacking customer service training. Most of them acted ackwardly if not aloof. Their Lounge had a very bored bartender who did minimal and their restaurant had okay food with inexperienced wait staff. If you want to eat elsewhere, good luck as there's nothing at all around this place.

Pros: close to downtown Portland

Cons: bad service, overly priced, no choice in restaurant