The Best Western Plus Columbia River Inn Cascade Locks, Oregon is a comfortable hotel with pleasant staff who helped make our stay enjoyable, though there were a few caveats. The property is on the older side, and while the weather was generally nice, the 30‑mph winds during our first two days certainly made things interesting. Still, the hotel’s location along the beautiful Columbia River adds undeniable charm.
It’s important to note that although the hotel overlooks the river, there is no direct access to the water from the property. The views are lovely, but they’re strictly for admiring rather than exploring.
As a Best Western Plus, you would normally expect an on‑site restaurant and lounge; however, this particular hotel has neither. Instead, they have an agreement with the restaurant next door, which does offer excellent views of the Columbia River—especially at sunset.
Unfortunately, the experience at that restaurant didn’t live up to the scenery. The staff felt less than friendly, and the food simply wasn’t very good. As a Best Western Diamond Select member, our breakfast is typically complimentary, but after dining there on the first day, we chose to eat elsewhere and pay out of pocket.
I gave the hotel and its staff 5 stars because it was earned. I did not deduct a star because of the restaurant experience that the hotel has an agreement with. I will review that restaurant separately.
For those who enjoy fishing, especially salmon fishing, the area offers plenty of great opportunities. There are numerous spots along the Washington side of the riverbank and a few on the Oregon side as well. Guided fishing trips are also available and provide a memorable way to experience one of North America’s most stunning rivers.
If you choose a guided trip, you’ll need either a Washington or Oregon fishing license. If you’re fishing from the riverbank, you must have a license from the state you’re physically standing in. Licenses are reasonably priced, even for out‑of‑state visitors.
Be sure to review both Oregon and Washington fishing regulations carefully, especially for salmon on the Columbia River. The rules are strict. For example, barbless hooks are required for Chinook (King) Salmon, and you must record your catch immediately after removing the hook and stowing the fish. Depending on the year, you may be limited to keeping only one or two Chinook. Penalties for violations are steep.