
Skamania Lodge
Best for families and groups who want on-site recreation (golf, zipline, trails) and resort-scale meeting/wedding spaces.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Skamania Lodge is a full-service, family-friendly resort on 175 wooded acres above the Columbia River Gorge with golf, zipline, an indoor pool, on-site restaurants and a spa. Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa is a smaller historic 3.5-star Hood River hotel with a classic on-site spa and riverfront location; read this if you’re choosing between a bigger resort with activities and a quieter historic spa stay.
Updated · about 5 km apart

Best for families and groups who want on-site recreation (golf, zipline, trails) and resort-scale meeting/wedding spaces.

Best for travelers who want a historic Hood River hotel with a traditional spa and a close-in Columbia River setting.
When Skamania Lodge wins: Choose Skamania if you want a wide range of on-site activities, larger meeting and wedding venues, treehouses/cabins, a big indoor pool complex, and a property geared to families and multi-day stays.
When Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa wins: Pick Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa if you prefer a smaller, historic Hood River hotel with a riverfront location, a focused spa program, and a quieter hotel footprint closer to Hood River town attractions.
Bottom line: Both overlook the Columbia River Gorge but serve different priorities — Skamania is a full-service resort for activities and events; Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa is a compact historic spa hotel for a quieter, riverfront Hood River base.
| Category | Skamania Lodge | Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Resort-scale, activity-driven, family-friendly | Historic, quieter, spa-focused |
| Location | Stevenson, WA — 175 wooded acres above the Gorge; shuttle to downtown Stevenson | Hood River, OR — on the Columbia River, steps from the Gorge and Hood River town attractions |
| Size | Large resort (about 254 rooms, multiple cabins/treehouses, many event spaces) | Small hotel (40 rooms) |
| Ages / audience | Family-friendly, children welcome (playground, family rooms, kids’ pool hours) | All-ages hotel; not adults-only |
| Pools / hot tubs | Large heated indoor pool, indoor whirlpool, outdoor hot tub, saunas | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site outlets including Cascade Dining Room and River Rock Lounge (full meals and bar fare) | One restaurant (Simon's Cliffhouse) and a bar/lounge; room service during limited hours |
| Spa | Waterleaf Spa with HydraFacial, therapeutic massages, body treatments; spa + fitness center | On-site spa with massages, body treatments and facials; reservations required for treatments |
| Known for | On-site recreation (golf, zipline, ropes course), large event/wedding venues | Historic Art Deco property with river views and classic spa services |
| Meeting & event space | Extensive — many ballrooms, pavilions, large capacities for conferences and weddings | Conference space ~2,880 sq ft; 3 meeting rooms |
| Parking & transport | On-site parking included in resort fee; shuttle to Stevenson; nearest major airport PDX (~34–40 miles) | Free self-parking on site; nearest major airport PDX (~58 miles) |
Skamania sits on 175 wooded acres above the Columbia River Gorge in Stevenson, WA.
Skamania is set on a large property that emphasizes outdoor access and resort seclusion while still being near Stevenson.
Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa sits in Hood River, Oregon, right on the Columbia River and within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa is a compact, riverfront base for exploring Hood River and Gorge viewpoints.
Skamania offers a broad mix of lodging types across a large inventory.
Choose Skamania if you want many room styles and options for families or groups.
Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa is a smaller hotel with 40 air-conditioned rooms.
Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa suits travelers who prefer a smaller, more intimate hotel footprint with river-view rooms available.
Skamania runs multiple on-site dining outlets with regional American menus.
Skamania’s multiple outlets make it easy to eat on property for most meals.
Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa has a single signature restaurant and limited room service.
Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa is best for guests who plan some meals off-property in Hood River or want a single, classic restaurant experience.
Skamania’s pool complex and outdoor activities are a core part of the resort experience.
Skamania provides more extensive pool and hot tub facilities suitable for families and adults.
Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa emphasizes its riverfront position and spa rather than a resort pool complex.
Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa focuses on the riverfront location and spa services rather than resort-style pool facilities.
Skamania combines a full-service spa with on-site recreation and family-friendly evening options.
Skamania supports both wellness and casual evening entertainment across a larger property.
Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa centers wellness around its spa and quiet riverfront setting.
Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa is a calmer spot for spa-focused stays with easy access to Hood River nightlife if desired.

Skamania Lodge — on-site zipline, golf, treehouses, playground, and a large pool complex.

Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa — historic Hood River hotel with an on-site spa and immediate river access.

Skamania Lodge — extensive ballrooms and outdoor wedding pavilions with high capacity options.

Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa — smaller property in Hood River with easy access to town activities.
Skamania Lodge — it’s explicitly family-friendly with a playground, kid-friendly pool hours and family room options.
Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa — it’s in Hood River with easy access to town restaurants, shops and water sports.
Yes — Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa requires reservations for spa services; Skamania’s Waterleaf Spa also recommends advance booking and enforces a 24‑hour cancellation policy for treatments.
Skamania Lodge — it has far larger and more numerous meeting rooms and ballrooms than Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa.
Explore how Skamania Lodge stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·