2126 S.W. Halsey St., Troutdale, OR 97060, 503-669-8610,
Rates: range from $30 for a night in a hostel-style room to $110 for a suite with bath; $150 for a family room for up to six people.
Stay here if you: like the idea of a self-contained getaway complex and don’t mind sharing a washroom down the hall with strangers. Although there are a few rooms with attached baths, most of the rooms share a suite of bathrooms — sink, commode and tub or shower. There was never a wait, but there was other people’s makeup spilled in the sink, which made you think. … Edgefield seems like a great place to have a friends or family reunion because there’s plenty to do on the 74-acre campus without ever getting in the car. Though the buildings are renovated, they maintain much of the old-school flavor, so pay attention to the decor in the public spaces. For example, the original planting maps for the vegetable patches that sustained tenants of the property 100 years ago hang in the hallway to the Black Rabbit Restaurant, which specializes in seasonal regional cuisine.
It’s close to: not much. But because the Edgefield campus includes a movie theater, restaurants, bars, shopping, a spa, outdoor saltwater soaking pool, an amphitheater, brewery, winery, two par-3 golf courses and truly lovely gardens for taking a stroll, you might not mind that you’re 20 miles east of all of the same in downtown Portland.
The rooms are: funky. Like all of the McMenamins properties, Edgefield is a historic property reimagined for contemporary use. Originally the Multnomah County Poor Farm (seriously), this National Register of Historic Places complex is gorgeous. The rooms in the Georgian revival-style Main Lodge are generously sized, but true to its early-20th-century roots as a dorm for the downtrodden, none have televisions or telephones. (And we could have lived without the narrative painted on the walls of our room telling us the sad, tuberculosis-riddled tale of a previous tenant.) But then, the idea is that you’ll spend your time doing things like tasting made-on-the-property wines, spirits and beers, or getting a massage at Ruby’s Spa, not vegging in front of the tube. If you must plug in, the free Wi-Fi signal is strong, even on the third floor of the building. If you’ve got a big group, see about booking all six rooms in the Administrator’s House, next door.
They put all of the money into: creating beautiful grounds and comfortable gathering spots. There are gracious porches to settle into, solid restaurants to sample and a regular lineup of live music to enjoy.
The bottom line: It’s a fun place if you’re in the right frame of mind. Hedge your bets and pony up the additional $35 per night to get a room with a private bath. Dana Coffield
