
Skamania Lodge
Best for families and activity-driven stays — on-site golf, zipline, ropes course, pool complex, and a full-service spa.
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Skamania Lodge is a full-service, family-friendly resort on a 175-acre wooded campus above the Columbia River Gorge; read this if you want on-site activities (golf, zipline), a spa, and lodge-style rooms. Best Western Plus Hood River Inn is a practical, riverfront 3-star hotel in downtown Hood River; read this if you want convenient riverwalk access, conference space, and a simple waterfront base for exploring the Oregon side of the Gorge.
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Best for families and activity-driven stays — on-site golf, zipline, ropes course, pool complex, and a full-service spa.

Best for travelers who want riverwalk access and a straightforward downtown Hood River location with conference facilities.
When Skamania Lodge wins: pick Skamania when you want an all-in-one resort experience — outdoor activities on the property, a larger set of restaurants and meeting/event spaces, and an on-site spa and fitness center.
When Best Western Plus Hood River Inn wins: pick the Hood River Inn if you want to stay on the Hood River waterfront, be steps from the marina and riverwalk, or need a hotel with lots of meeting rooms and easy access to downtown Hood River.
Bottom line: both put you close to Columbia River Gorge recreation, but Skamania is a wooded resort campus focused on on-site recreation and wellness, while the Best Western Plus Hood River Inn is a practical, riverfront option for convenience and meetings.
| Category | Skamania Lodge | Best Western Plus Hood River Inn |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Lodge-style resort on wooded acreage with resort activities. | Practical riverfront hotel in downtown Hood River. |
| Location & setting | 175 wooded acres above the Columbia River Gorge, shuttle to Stevenson. | On the riverwalk near Hood River Marina and downtown Hood River. |
| Size (rooms) | About 254 rooms and suites across multiple room types. | 194 air-conditioned rooms. |
| Who it's for | Families, groups, and guests who want on-site activities and spa services. | Business and leisure travelers wanting riverfront access and meeting space. |
| Pools & water access | Large heated indoor pool, indoor whirlpool, outdoor hot tub (outdoor hot tub 21+ after 6 PM); pool kid hours apply. | Outdoor heated pool; hotel sits on the riverwalk (near waterfront). |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple outlets including Cascade Dining Room (Pacific Northwest) and River Rock Lounge. | Riverside restaurant plus a bar/lounge serving guests. |
| Spa & wellness | Waterleaf Spa with massages, HydraFacial, body treatments, saunas and fitness center. | Not published |
| Meeting & event facilities | Large conference center and many indoor/outdoor venues (ballrooms, pavilions, amphitheater). | Conference center with 8 meeting rooms and banquet/meeting facilities. |
| Accessibility & family policies | Family-friendly with playground, babysitting, and pet rooms; free Wi‑Fi; accessibility features documented. | Family-friendly; wheelchair-accessible paths, accessible pool; free Wi‑Fi. |
| Notable extras | On-site zipline, aerial ropes course, 18-hole golf course, bike rentals and shuttle to downtown Stevenson. | Electric car charging, dock access, and immediate riverwalk access to downtown attractions. |
Skamania Lodge sits on a 175-acre wooded property overlooking the Columbia River Gorge and offers shuttle service into downtown Stevenson.
Choose Skamania for a more secluded, wooded resort setting with property-based activities.
Best Western Plus Hood River Inn is located on Hood River’s riverwalk near the marina and downtown attractions.
Choose the Hood River Inn for immediate riverfront access and easy downtown convenience.
Skamania offers lodge rooms, suites, cabins, villas and treehouse options across hundreds of rooms.
Skamania’s range suits families and travelers who want a mix of standard rooms and unique stays on property.
Best Western Plus Hood River Inn provides standard hotel rooms with in-room microwaves and desks.
The Hood River Inn is a straightforward hotel choice for travelers who prioritize location and basic comforts.
Skamania has several on-site dining outlets focusing on Pacific Northwest cuisine and casual lodge fare.
Skamania covers a range from sit-down regional dining to casual bar fare without leaving the property.
Best Western Plus Hood River Inn’s dining centers on the Riverside restaurant and a bar/lounge.
The Hood River Inn gives you a reliable on-site restaurant and quick access to downtown dining choices.
Skamania’s aquatic facilities emphasize an indoor pool complex plus an outdoor hot tub overlooking the Gorge.
Skamania’s pool area is part of its family-and-relaxation focus, with rules and adult-only windows.
Best Western Plus Hood River Inn offers an outdoor heated pool and immediate riverwalk access.
The Hood River Inn pairs a standard outdoor pool with direct access to the Columbia River waterfront.
Skamania emphasizes wellness through Waterleaf Spa plus many daytime activities on the property.
Skamania suits guests who want a full-service spa and on-property active options alongside calm spaces.
Best Western Plus Hood River Inn covers basic wellness needs and is convenient for evening walks and local bars.
The Hood River Inn supports simple wellness needs and easy nightlife access in downtown Hood River.

Skamania Lodge — zipline, ropes course, golf, bike rentals and multi-mile resort trails.

Best Western Plus Hood River Inn — immediate riverwalk and marina access; downtown Hood River nearby.

Skamania Lodge — Waterleaf Spa plus saunas and a large pool complex.

Best Western Plus Hood River Inn — 8 meeting rooms and a conference center built for events.
Skamania Lodge — it’s explicitly family-friendly with playgrounds, kid-friendly pool hours, family rooms and on-site activities for children.
Best Western Plus Hood River Inn — it sits on the riverwalk near the marina and downtown shops, making it more convenient for short downtown visits.
Skamania Lodge has Waterleaf Spa with a broad menu of treatments; Best Western Plus Hood River Inn lists sauna/steam facilities but a full spa is not published.
Yes. Skamania Lodge offers extensive meeting and event spaces including multiple ballrooms and pavilions; Best Western Plus Hood River Inn also provides a conference center with 8 meeting rooms.
Explore how Skamania Lodge stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·