We used to live in Portland in the late 90s and frequented Skamania Lodge. We even got married there in 1999. The lodge was a very special place to us. Had not been back since moving to CA in 2000. Decided to spend our 10th anniversary there with 2 young kids and grandparents in tow.
Sadly, we were very shocked and disappointed with how Skamania has gone so downhill under the new ownership. It still looks nice from the outside, but inside it was a whole different story. The front desk staff was not very friendly. The rooms had been redone with very cheap looking furniture.
The biggest disappointment was the restaurant, which used to have incredible cuisine. The quality was mediocre at best (and we ate there several times - hoping it would get better, I guess!)
If you had never been to Skamania the way it used to be, you might be okay with this average hotel. But the old Skamania was a world-class, top quality resort - a very special place with outstanding service, amazing food and luxuriously appointed rooms with solid wood furniture.
When I mentioned the changes to a couple of employees I talked to, they all confided how their pay had been drastically cut under the new ownership. They all cared very much about the hotel. They were long-time employees who were and how dismayed they were over what Skamania had become - just another average, corporate hotel.
Very sad.
I hope another company will purchase the hotel and restore it to its former grandeur. Until then, we won't be back (and will be sure to avoid any properties owned by Destination Hotels & Resorts).
Pros: location
Cons: poor quality food, mediocre rooms, poor management
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