Outstanding, atmospheric red-brick hotel, built in 1903 on SR2 in the County seat of Douglas opposite pioneer park and Douglas county museum.
I stayed here to explore some of Eastern Washington, small western towns, a weekend away from the hurly-burly of downtown Redmond (tongue firmly in cheek). The owners have maintained the old-world feel of the Hotel without sacrificing essential amenities (there are showers, radios and wireless internet access). Hoorah!
Rusty old Deere tractors stand each side of the hotel, like the wild west equivalent of classic Greek lions. The Lobby has a large dose of the obligatory 'stuffed' animals shot by the locals.
Most rooms share bathroom facilities at the end of the corridor. This is not the place to come if you need cable TV, a phone in your room and an en-suite shower. I paid a wee premium to have one of the rooms with an en-suite clawfoot bath. I suspect the owners liked my accent because when I checked-in they gave me a discount on the pre-agreed prIce.
The attention to detail was impressive, furniture, beds, baths, sinks, light fittings, all clearly turn of the century or 'in the style of'. Electric lights with fittings that looked 'gas' style.. The hotel has modern air-circulation heating with older radiators still in place. They are beautiful cast iron artifacts.
I ran a bath, with my hand under the hot water I waited nearly 15 minutes before the water warmed-up. I remember thif from living in an large old house in the UK where the Hot water tank was so far away from the bath that the it took nearly 20 minutes before the cold water in waiting in the pipes ran through, then the warm water lost it heat while travelling the cold pipes to the bath. It was worth the wait. Plenty of hot-water to fill the large bath and bubble-bath supplied.
The hotel owners checked in on the quality of my visit whenever I stopped off in the lobby or shared lounge. Very friendly and helpful. It felt more like a bed and breakfast, a family business, than a hotel.
Waterville fits my stereo-type of a small western American town. Houses with big porches, loud dogs, camoflauge painted pick-up trucks. One bar with friendly staff, drunken clientelle (It was Cinco De Mayo), and fancy hand-made burgers. YUM-ME!
Not really much to do in the town, but that was exactly what I was looking for....
Why not 5 stars? The breakfast was a little light - one big muffin in a tuppaware container and a mug of filter coffee. read more