Columbia River Hotel and Conference Center, an Ascend Collection Hotel

The hotel offers a memorable stay, particularly for its stunning views of the Columbia River which many guests find inspiring and a significant highlight. The property has undergone extensive renovations, resulting in a modern and clean aesthetic, especially in the common areas and many guest rooms. This makes it an appealing choice for road trippers and travelers seeking a comfortable stopover with scenic surroundings, as well as business travelers due to its convenient location. While the hotel aims for a refreshed experience, some aspects of the renovation have received mixed feedback regarding quality and completeness, with some areas still feeling unfinished or cheaply done. Guests consistently praise the overall cleanliness and the comfortable beds. To enhance your experience, consider requesting a room with a river view, and be prepared for potential noise from ongoing improvements or from adjacent rooms due to the building's structure.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel has undergone significant renovations, with many guests appreciating the updated look of the common areas and some rooms, though some feel the quality of the updates is inconsistent or incomplete. A notable concern for many guests is the complete absence of an elevator on site, which poses a considerable challenge for those with mobility issues or heavy luggage, as rooms can be a long distance from the front desk. Some guests reported issues with noisy wall heaters/AC units that are old and loud, impacting sleep quality. Other amenities issues include fire doors that slam loudly, a funky smell in the lobby, and occasional cleanliness issues with the ice machines. The exterior grounds are also noted by some as appearing unkempt. Additionally, some rooms lack sufficient electrical outlets and have cold linoleum floors.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Most guests find the rooms to be generally clean and spacious, with many praising the comfortable beds that ensure a restful night's sleep. However, some guests have reported significant issues with bathroom cleanliness, including dirty bathtubs, toilets, and leftover hair or sawdust from previous guests. There are also mentions of hot water inconsistencies, with some sinks only providing scalding hot water or no hot water at all. Noise levels are a recurring concern, stemming from old and loud HVAC units, thin walls allowing sound from adjacent rooms, and noisy door slams from fire doors. Other comfort issues include a lack of blackout blinds allowing light intrusion, thin towels, minimal room lighting, and occasional reports of broken TVs or missing amenities like shower curtains and wardrobe bars due to ongoing renovations.

Dining & Food Quality
The on-site restaurant receives high praise from many guests for its amazing food, great views of the Columbia River, and generally friendly staff. However, some guests noted that the restaurant staff can become overwhelmed during busy periods, leading to delays in service. A significant and recurring point of contention is the breakfast offering. Many guests were disappointed to find that the advertised continental breakfast was either unavailable, no longer included under new ownership, or consisted of a sparse grab-and-go option with limited variety, often lacking gluten-free items. There were also reports of the on-site cafe not being open as expected. For larger groups, there were instances where the restaurant ran out of food, plates, coffee, and cups during breakfast service, causing considerable inconvenience.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a great location right on the Columbia River, offering many rooms with beautiful views that guests highly appreciate. It is conveniently situated close to local attractions but slightly outside the immediate downtown area, providing a quieter setting. However, its proximity to I-84 means that traffic noise can be noticeable in some rooms. While the location is generally praised, a significant drawback is the hotel's accessibility. There is a consistent complaint about the complete absence of an elevator on site, making it challenging for guests with mobility issues or heavy luggage, as rooms can be a long distance from the front desk. Some guests also noted that the property is not ADA accessible at the entrance and has a confusing layout with multiple areas to navigate. Concerns were also raised about parking lot safety due to aggressive individuals.

Staff & Service
Feedback on the staff and service is notably mixed. Many guests commend the friendly staff, particularly highlighting their helpfulness and efficiency during check-in and the pleasant demeanor of the restaurant staff. However, a significant number of reviews describe negative experiences with the front desk personnel, citing instances of them being annoyed, unpleasant, or unhelpful, especially when addressing guest concerns or reservation issues. Guests also reported a lack of responsiveness to messages and requests for callbacks, indicating poor communication and follow-through. Some found the check-in process to be slow or lacking clear guidance on navigating the property. There were also observations of staff appearing overwhelmed or understaffed, and isolated incidents of noisy housekeeping behavior or staff performing maintenance tasks, which impacted the overall guest experience.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that the hotel is currently undergoing ongoing renovations, which, while aiming to modernize the property, have resulted in mixed experiences. Some areas may still feel unfinished, and guests have noted issues like missing amenities due to this process. A significant concern raised by several guests is the occurrence of unexpected charges or daily rate changes, leading to higher-than-anticipated costs upon checkout. On a positive note, the hotel is widely recognized as pet-friendly, offering convenient access for guests traveling with animals. However, the property's confusing layout and the long distances between the front desk and some rooms can make navigation challenging. Additionally, some guests expressed security concerns related to the parking lot environment and issues with door locks that do not fully secure rooms or allow visibility from the hallway.