Balch Hotel

Sun Lundell

2024-04

What I love about the Balch Hotel is the relaxed pride that the proprietors and staff have for this treasure of an inn. They keep the place beautiful and clean at all times with warm smiles and homey politeness. Although a 15 minute drive away from the Historic Columbia River Gorge, this restored historic hotel is a great place to land for quiet, restful, and friendly nights when taking in the beauties of the Gorge. Between outings for site seeing, the hotel is a place to read or write, enjoy a fire or a meal. It’s a cozy comfy home away from home.At the Balch Hotel, we soaked in a claw foot bath tub with healing aromatic bath salts, AHHHH! And in the sunny spacious dining room, we enjoyed the locally sourced healthy cuisine for breakfast and dinner, and met fellow travellers who were happy to share recommendations about their favorite drives, sites, and places to listen for birds.Rooms: Very clean and quiet… they give all the guests ear plugs just in case, but we didn’t need them. Comfy firm Queen bed, large private bath, had to request a room with a desk, no elevator, three stories. Goid for cardio! 😊Nearby activities: While there for Easter weekend, we explored a few nearby waterfall hikes, the American Stonehenge WWI Memorial, The Mary’s Hill Museum and nearby Winery, and a couple of river front restaurants on both the Washington and Oregon sides of the river. From there, we continued south to the White River Falls and along the Deschuttes river. We stuck to the scenic eastern freeways 197 and 97, a beautiful back roads journey through Oregon ending in Mt Shasta. Felt very magical every step of the way.

Joseph Bittner

2024-04

Such a charming old hotel! The downstairs large room had books, games, comfortable chairs and a great playlist for hanging out. The rooms are cozy and clean, and the outdoor fireplaces looked like fun (unfortunately raining the night I was there). Be advised to call ahead for the restaurant, as they will only open the kitchen if they know people are going to be eating there (or if there are a lot of people staying there). The food was delicious and the service was above and beyond! So friendly and accommodating, I had to leave before 7 am and they set up the coffee and a breakfast for me so I could help myself in the morning before the kitchen opened. Hope to stay there again!

Destiny Vasquez

2024-04

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Katie Honeman

2023-12

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Jennifer Woodruff

2023-11

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Lisa Rodriguez Clement

2023-11

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Steven Lovs

2024-04

Very nice manager & attendants! Good food and ambiance! We came back to celebrate our Aniversary!Rooms: Very nice.

Allison Brusati

2023-10

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Dave Moore

2023-10

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Alison Hardy

2023-10

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Ethan Wright

2023-05

My partner and I needed a stay last minute after a rough night camping. We were a little worried to go to a tiny town hotel as a queer couple, but were pleasantly shocked to find a pride flag and black lives mater sign at the entrance. We felt so welcomed. The staff were so lovely and kind. The room was comfortable and just what we needed. The included breakfast was great too! It is a neat historic building and we really enjoyed our stay. Don't miss this place!

Donald Jonasson

2023-09

This was our 53rd - replay of 50th dimmed by covid - anniversary. We were looking for exceptional and unique ambiance and service. At our age we were concerned about how many times we could make it to the 3rd floor but based on a recommendation by a friend we took the chance. When we arrived Lizzy cheerfully grabbed all of our bags and equipment and hoofed it to our room. At breakfast it was offered to deliver but we opted to eat out in the beautiful shade covered garden with cheerful bird song and delicate warm breeze. We had intended to spend the day reading in our delightful and cozy room but it was so comfortable and cheery outside that we read and talked and remembered in the garden. Well-done Balch crew on making another fond memory.

Ashley Rose

2023-05

In July 2016 we held a large wedding at the Historic Balch Hotel. Our family and friends (many of which were guests staying at the Hotel) were blown away by the timeless beauty of the venue, relaxed atmosphere, and outstanding customer service provided by the Balch team. My experience planning and teaming with Josiah and Claire was wonderful. They were organized, considerate and generous throughout our discussions and collaborations. The compliments we received after the wedding regarding the venue have been endless and we could not be happier with our wedding celebration. The Balch Hotel is a true gem in the Columbia River Gorge. Thank you, thank you for all you did to make our celebration so wonderful!

Barbara Hettwer

2023-05

We loved the Balch hotel. It is perfect with simple old rooms and antiques throughout. The downstairs common areas are comfortable, beautifully decorated, and include a small library. The restaurant is excellent--delicious! The grounds are delightful. The staff was very helpful and friendly. It is NOT a modern hotel: bathroom down the hall, no closet, no TV, no elevator, old windows that are hard to open and only have screens if you ask the management for them. It is located on the edge of an old town near farm fields. If you want character and history, this is the place. The town has few services (a tavern, a small cafe, and a gas station), but we loved the open air museum with old farm equipment. We took drives to White River Falls & Mt. Hood National Forest.

bert hinkley

2023-05

We found the whole hotel to be comfortable and welcoming. The lobby was an extremely pleasant spot to relax and settle in. Rooms were nicely decorated and "fixed up" from the old days. We chose a room with the bath down the hall and this was never an issue. The grounds were well kept and provided a setting for our Oktoberfest German food and beer meal. We enjoyed the almost "European" feel of the small, adequate room and the easy social contact with other guests. There are also many miles of gravel roads around Dufur on which to ride bicycles.

Brendon Burton

2023-05

Incredible hotel with charm and restored with care. Spend the night on a whim after a long road trip and it was one of our favorite experiences. Dinner at the bistro was great, fantastic wine selection and a beautiful patio dining area. Room had one of the best views of Mt Hood I've seen. Super friendly hotel kitten visiting us during breakfast was an added bonus. Would stay here again in a heartbeat!

Tina Smalldon

2023-05

The quiet and peacefulness of this place will bring us back. Elizabeth, the hotel manager was very helpful and courteous in all things. She is a real blessing and we felt right at home the minute we walked in. We are thankful you accept dogs, our little one comes with us wherever we go. They had fresh baked cookies when we checked in! We really loved that they didn't change anything inside the hotel, it was historically beautiful and elegant.

Alex Stolpovsky

2023-05

Very nice, friendly place. If you are unlucky enough to have guests in the room above you who wake up at 4:00 am and think it's alright to stomp around in the mountaineering boots - then you will lose some sleep. I don't know what can be done about it. You'd think people would have common sense not to wear their boots while packing up early in the morning. But alas, common sense is a subjective thing.Good, very much edible food in the morning. Great coffee, too!Everything was very clean and tidy.

Mike Beall

2024-02

This hotel is truly one of a kind! Such a fun vintage place to stay. Justina was a gem!Rooms: Everything in the room was so well thought out. Great!

Joe Snyder

2023-09

We have been regular visitors for several years. This is wonderful hidden jewel of a place in the middle of endless wheatfields. Staff is kind, friendly, and helpful. Scenery is amazing. Plenty of time to read, write, converse in the commodious lobby, the garden or the room. Drives through the wheatfields mornings and evenings are beautiful beyond words. Highly recommended.

Bob Weinstein

2023-06

My wife and I and couple friends just stayed at the Balch for a couple days for the second year in a row. Very comfortable place, including rooms as well as indoor and outdoor areas. Very welcoming and friendly staff. Great location- very quiet, but near many hikes on both sides of the Columbia, parks like White River falls, etc. Highly recommend!

Luke

2023-05

We stayed one night with their Dine and Dream package. We highly recommend it! The hotel is very charming and dinner was delicious. The staff is extremely nice. The bed was very comfortable. The shared bathrooms are kept very clean. This is a unique historical hotel; so, visit with the attitude of enjoying the experience. Enjoy a historic 5 stars instead of the bland, big city, perfect but somehow lacking Ritz 5 stars. Everything is better when it is authentic. We were on the third floor and there are no elevators. There were two shared bathrooms on that floor. We love this place and enjoyed visiting northern Oregon.

Abby Welter

2023-05

My husband and I had such a lovely time at the Balch. We stayed for one night in a standard room on the third floor - so cozy, clean, and peaceful! The hotel staff was super friendly and accommodating. We ate dinner in the bistro and it was delicious, plus the chef is very kind and cares a lot about creating good food. He even gave a free dessert - strawberry basil sorbet (incredible)!Thank you, Balch Hotel — we’ll definitely be back!

Patricia Hogan

2023-09

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Aaron Courter

2023-06

Such a quaint, intimate, unexpected spot for a wedding! As a wedding photographer, I've photographed a few at the Balch Hotel in Dufur and each has been so memorable. It feels cozy but yet expansive with the open skies and fields surrounding the property. A small country town with the ability of family & guests to share in a lovely experience. The staff are always exceptional!

Jay Nadeau

2023-08

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Esmeralda Brock

2023-05

The hotel was outstanding! Upon arriving we were offered fresh baked cookies and everything was already ready for our stay. Went up to our room and was amazed by its beauty and preservation, was able to escape from technology (for the most part, had our cell phones lol) and the peace and quiet was amazing. The next morning we walked into the dining hall and was immediately offered breakfast and fresh coffee which was also GREAT! The staff is SUPER polite and very friendly, if we weren’t in such a rush I’d sit and talk with the receptionist all day :) Tavern for drinks and burgers are right across the street, the market which was extremely nice with good food is just a short walk ahead, and a beautiful scenery! 10/10 would recommend everyone to go here for a real getaway. Super happy and content with our stay, thank you guys for being so good to us 💕

Eve-Maridy Rice

2023-05

The best word to describe the Balch Hotel is MAGICAL. My husband and I found this property randomly when looking for places in the gorge for a long weekend. I had never been to Dufur, and I had never heard of the Balch. The property is absolutely beautiful, and relaxing in every way. The rooms are not large, but we did spend a bit more for a room with a private bathroom. The staff is all lovely and very accommodating. Do NOT miss out on dinner in their bistro! The new executive chef is fabulous, and will create a meal you won't soon forget. We will be back!

r. sera lee

2023-05

It isn't completely modern, which is the kind of thing I enjoy in historic hotels.Not much going on in the town, but that's all right. You get sunsets, chirping birds and evergreens instead.I particularly appreciate [and seek out] hotels that include breakfast, especially ones that care enough to put out more than single-serve yogurts and sugary cereal from a box.Staff was generous and allowed me to take a house-baked muffin and boiled egg for the road.

Doomsi Something

2023-05

I stopped in for dinner by chance. It is only about 15-20 minutes from The Dalles and definitely worth the visit. The atmosphere is pleasant and relaxing, restored but keeping an historic aesthetic. Dinner was great. I had their Caesar salad, and steak. Both were great. The croutons were freshly made and still warm, and the steak was flavorful and tender. Everything came together great! Service was genuine and friendly. As a bonus, a kitten visited me outside!