The lobby at The Grand Hotel in Salem, Oregon, makes me feel like I’ve stepped into a mansion in The Great Gatsby. Circular blue and gold sofas, plush amber-colored couches and oversized antique chairs beckon for revelers to enjoy gossip and conversation. The tall, elegant vases and dimly lit chandeliers hanging from the ceiling give the room an air of refinement and glamour.
While attending the Travel & Words Conference, I had the pleasure of being hosted at The Grand Hotel. After a two-day stay, I discovered that while it is a modern building with amenities travelers appreciates, it also retains an old-school charm that one could easily describe as grand.
(Photo credit: (above) The Grand Hotel)
Built in 2005, The Grand Hotel embodies many stately attributes of the beloved Marion Hotel. Photo courtesy of The Grand Hotel
A Little Bit of History
Located in downtown Salem, The Grand Hotel sits in the former location of The Marion Hotel. Built in 1870, the hotel was touted as “the finest and largest in Oregon” and the “finest North of San Francisco, with all the modern improvements.” Since Salem is the state capital, it also had the honor of hosting government and state officials. Tragedy struck in 1971 when a fire consumed the property. Out of the ashes, over thirty years later, came The Grand Hotel.
The Marion Hotel played an important role in Salem’s history and throughout the years housed government and state officials. Photo courtesy of The Grand Hotel
Spacious Rooms at The Grand Hotel
I arrived in Salem a little sooner than I had expected from my travels touring Eugene. Surprisingly, my deluxe king room was ready, and after a quick check-in, I found myself relaxing in my spacious guest room. Like the lobby, the room had amber and gold accents with dark wood furniture. It featured a cozy king bed with soft white linens, a sitting area with a leather loveseat, and a large desk with an executive chair.
Since I planned to be at the hotel for a couple of nights, I had time to enjoy the well-appointed room and its features. I’m the sort of traveler that doesn’t like cramped quarters, even if I’m traveling alone. I thoroughly enjoyed the extra living space. And, the working area and complimentary WiFi also proved to be very handy throughout my stay.
All the rooms in the hotel are oversized, providing plenty of space for their guests. Photo courtesy of The Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel Amenities
In total, the hotel offers 193 oversized rooms and suites, and there are eight room options including standard deluxe rooms, the grand Jacuzzi and family suites, a senator suite and a presidential suite. Some suites have a wet bar, a separate living area, gas fireplace, and the larger suites have an apartment style layout with a kitchen and a refrigerator. Another perk is that all guests receive a complimentary parking and a hot breakfast buffet.
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You can find more information about Salem, Oregon at Travel Salem. Read more about travels in Oregon on Wander here.
Click to read about my small town adventures in Oregon.