Bonneville Hot Springs Resort

My fiance proposed to me and planned a weekend stay at Bonneville as part of the surprise. We made reservations for the restaurant and told them it was in celebration of our engagement. We were seated and there were only two other couples in the entire restaurant. After waiting 30 minutes with no service, not even glasses of water. We stopped the server that had passed us several times and asked if we could at lease open our wine. She said ""I'm sorry, your not in my section"". Again the restaurant is small and she was the only server in the entire place! 45 minutes went by and I finally got the manager. As a ""courtesy"" for our wait she would waiver our $15 corking fee. Really!!!? We finally ordered (with the same server that wouldn't help us earlier). I ordered the fillet mignon medium well. When it came out it was so undercooked I was shocked. Literally, it was raw and cold most the way through. I got the manager and she proceeded to tell me that I could go talk with the cook myself but that they didn't get along and she didn't want to deal with them. She offered to comp our uneaten meals and let us order something else. The only things available were from the ""late night menu"". We got chicken strips. This is no joke! Long story long I will never go there again. It is was such a disappointment. more

They do not know how to run a business and I would not recommend this place to anyone. I bought a Spa Package which included an 80 minute massage as a gift for my mother for Mother's Day. We drove over an hour to get to this place. When we arrive, we are told we are early and to wait. We wait 5 mins and then a lady comes out and tells me they called me several times to tell me they had to cancel because their Massage Person called in sick. I told her I didn't receive any calls from them. She then proceeded to rattle off a phone number which was my work number. I told her I would never leave that number because I have a cell phone and I don't work weekends so why would I leave that number in the first place. I asked if they had caller ID because when I booked the appointment, I called from my office number and that was the only way I could think of as to how they got that number. She said the person who made my appointment was new and she would let her know , in the future, not to automatically assume the number on the caller ID is the customer's main contact #. At this point I'm very upset so she offers me 15% off my future service. I laughed because my gas alone cost more than 15%. I declined and ask for the manager's #. They said they would not charge us for not going through with the other services that were part of the package that they could have performed that day. Really? Then, to add insult to injury, a couple hours after we left, the front desk person calls me on my cell phone (now they have the right #!) to tell me they are charging my credit card for the services rendered. I told the guy politely that no services were performed and reminded him of the situation and he apologized for forgetting about it. more

First: I have seen better upgrades in the La Quinta by the Portland Airport. Second: sound proofing – it is not underrated, they should have used some when building the resort. We could hear our neighbors every move, as if we were in the same room. Third: after the first night of sleeping on the ""luxurious"" pillow top (maybe it was 15 years ago) we needed the ""hot spring"" - read it was more like a hot tub - just to get the soreness out. The front desk was, at best, apathetic. We couldn't cancel the second night because they have a FIVE DAY cancelation policy. So we were stuck either loosing $250 or sleeping on that atrocious bed again. We should have just accepted the loss and stayed the night at the Best Western down the street and across the bridge. The only plus was it was clean and the breakfast that was included was better than average but it certainly wasn't worth the cost of the hotel. more

This place is expensive, but if you're looking to treat yourself (or someone else) this is the way to go; it will be long remembered. I've read the reviews below about the staff, but I've visited twice and this has never been my experience. I had breakfast at the restaurant on one visit and was delightfully surprised with my meal. They're working hard to provide service and product that is way above average. more

Expensive, but worth the price. I stayed the night here back in May 2010 for my husband birthday. The place is very peaceful, clean, and relaxing. We both LOVE their bath & wrap- only $30 each! what a deal. \r \r They also had a young man playing the piano & singing downstairs in the lobby, extremely talented, hopefully he'll be around next time we visit. more

Front desk staff acts as if the customer is in the way. Nice building inside, rooms are large but the staff makes this place a cheezy, 2-bit operation. Way too expensive to be treated like a bother. more

Hands down the worst place we've ever visited. Rude staff, expensive, not impressed for what we paid. The spa and pool area were nice, but the staff and management acted like they were doing us a favor. We didn't even bother to use the spa because we were so underwhelmed by the entire place. The place looked tired, the staff too young to actually have experience in treating customers well. We thought it looked great on the website, what a let down in real person. PASS, go to a local portland day spa, we did - half the cost and at least they appreciated our business. more

I consider myself an average traveler looking for the best bang for my buck - not necessarily looking for the cheapest place all the time, but I like to feel that my hard earned $$ is well spent. I did not get that feeling from Bonneville Hot Springs. One of their major selling points is the mineral hot springs, but the pool and hot tub are heavily chlorinated almost to the point of stinging eyes. You smell it upon entering the lobby (which to be fair was pretty nice and probably one of the highlights of our stay - which is sad). The rooms are average (but overpriced), the mattresses felt very cheap - firm and springy, customer service was poor (seriously, you check in and you check out, so this shouldn't be an issue, but it was and it made a big impression), the food in the restaurant was average for a hotel but expensive, there's nothing to do around the immediate vicinity of the resort (they really take advantage of that fact), and the put put golf is lopsided. It seems to me that they put in minimal effort for the prices they want to charge. I never felt like I got my money's worth. Normally I wouldn't write a review, but the customer service put me over the edge. Nothing specific, I just felt like I was an inconvenience to them (the opposite of going above and beyond). I won't be going back. There are so many better hotels/resorts within a half hour's drive of that place to waste any more time there. Pros: Nice lobby and courtyard Cons: Average resort, above average prices, poor customer service more

They didnt say anything to me about not smoking and we smoked outside.. I just found out you cant and they charged me 150.00. I will not return to this place. Pros: Nice hotel Cons: They will do anything to make a quick buck more

I have visited this place several times. It's an easy drive from Portland and the pool is large and relaxing. \r The hot tub rooms are great so you can enjoy your private hot tub right out on your balcony. It's a privately owned hotel so it does not feel like a commercial chain company hotel. Good for families as well as couples. Pros: great pool, room service, mineral content in water,great spa staff more

Great rooms, clean and well equiped, excellent food and wine, spa was incredible, clean, professional and relaxing, great atmosphere, very helpful staff , friendly, polite, ( we needed items from the desk, ie. extra towels, they arrived promptly), good service, very good massages, prices were good for the quality. We will definitely be back! Pros: Everything was good or better! Cons: The kids enjoyed it, but it is geared more towards adults( depends on what your are looking for) more

I was looking for a get away close to home that provided me the opportunity to focus on ME and leave everything else at the door. From the front desk clerk who said, ""Of course, you can check in later. Go ahead to the spa for your mineral bath and wrap. We'll take care of the rest of it when you're done."", to the clerk to assured me that I could check out a little late, the service I received was outstanding, professional, thoughtful and kind. I managed to leave my lights on and needed a jump before I left the next morning. Even that was met with courtesey and the desire to provide assistance. The mineral bath and wrap, the first I've ever had, was relaxing and a great way to work my way into the ""Rock and Rain"" massage the next morning. My massage therapist, Brad, was skilled and managed to release several trigger points in my shoulder that have been around for some time.\r \r While there are undoubtedly more luxurious spa resorts, Bonneville Hot Springs was exactly what I needed. The room was spacious, well appointed and very clean. The environment was quiet and comfortable, the dining room did a fine job and the wine list was nicely balanced. \r \r The drive up the Gorge was, as always, enjoyable and the view going over the Bridge of the Gods was breathtaking-fresh snow. \r \r On the way home I had lunch with a friend and suggested that we should do this together. She agreed and we have reservations for next month. more

I have been to this hotel several times as a day use guest. I enjoy stopping there when I am on a day trip to the gorge hiking or something. Currently it costs $15.00 to use the pool and the 2 spas (one in doors by the pool) and one out in the garden. It is unfortunate that the heavy public use requires chlorine to be added. It is still a lovely setting for the price and the water is from the natural hot springs. You need to bring a towel (or rent one) and a swim suit. Lockers used to be free but this year they charged $5.00 which I refuse to pay. Still the locker room area has a nice changing area, big showers, and provided shampoo, body gel soap, and hairdryers. There is also a Sauna in the Pool area. This place is very popular with local Russian families and it is interesting to hear them chatting in Russian (not that I understand it) while in the Sauna. Children are only allowed until 7:30 but adults can stay until 9 pm. It is much more relaxing when the children start to clear out so try to extend your stay. I have also opted for the private soaks - then there is no chlorine. Men and Women have separate bath houses. A soak in a huge claw foot tub with fresh untreated thermal waters followed by a blanket wrap is $25.00. For $5.00 more they will add various bath salts. (Tip: Buy the bath only, and you might also get the salts thrown in by the attendant at no extra charge.) I don't usually buy the other spa treatments - too pricey. (My impression is that they try to keep costs down by hiring local people that don't have much hotel experience or have just recently gotten their massage licenses. This may lead to some inconsistent service.) Try climbing Beacon Rock on a brisk winter day and then go to this nearby hotel for a soak. Pros: Inexpensive Day Use Fees for Pool Area or Day Use for spa soak Cons: Inconsistent service, chlorine added to the public pool and spas more

This hotel is a complete disaster. Upon arrival, we were greeted by an unfriendly & cold front desk clerk, who rudely informed us that we did not book our reservations under the July special. After switching to an East (should be called parking lot) hot tub room, we were assured that the free bottle of wine (part of July special) would be delivered to the room. Needless to say, we received our wine the next day after calling the front desk (forgetful or just don't care?). Housekeeping did not clean our room because someone placed the 'privacy please' card on our door. When housekeeping did clean our room, it took all but 5 minutes (is that worth a tip?). The young gift shop girl needs a refresher on proper customer service. We asked her if the shop was still open & she replied ""for what?"" (to buy drapes?). Whatelse would we buy in a hotel gift shop other than trinkets, snacks, & soft drinks. If you need to reach room service and the lounge, you need to call the front desk because no one answers the phone. If you want to know what time the lounge stops serving food, you need to call the lounge because the front desk does not know. But the lounge does not answer the phone so you need to call the front desk. As one reviewer pointed out, this hotel is mediocre. And it should not be confused with other true spas & resorts. The hotel photos are misleading. This is an L-shaped 3 story apartment-like building. The drive over the Bridge of the Gods was gorgeous but we should have turned right (to Skamania Lodge) rather than left onto SR 14.\r \r NOTE: Rock massage was awesome. Boulderado Eggs Benedict and Breading Pudding French Toast were delicious. Love that Illy coffee. Pros: Rock massage. Boulderado Eggs Benedict. Bread Pudding French Toast. Cons: Rude, unfriendly, unprofessional, not as advertised, waste of time & money. more

I was a little worried heading into our stay after reading the negitive reviews here. So my experience was very good. It is not the Ritz or a super fancy place but, my wife and I had a great time and really enjoyed the facilities. We stayed in the suite and had the hot hot tub outside on the balcony, very nice, room was fairly well appointed with very nice bathroom. The wine tasting was decent, mineral bath/wrap was nice and relaxing. I would agree with the prior commment about the spa; massage was good but, not as nice as local spas and slightly more expensive. Pool was nice. Resturant was on the expensive side but, the wait staff was good and attentitive.\r Hood River not too far, Cascade Locks across the river, town on Bonneville just down the road, Skamania just up the road, lots of choices for other food and lots to do.\r Stayed at Skamania before and would say it is one step down from Skamania Lodge but, still nice place and secluded location. Pros: Front desk staff, wait staff, pool, Cons: Rest. slightly on expensive side, more

We stayed the night and had a few of the Spa Treatments. They were very basic, but decent. The same was said by a friend, but I decided to give it a try anyway. We brought our daughter who had a good time swimming in the over-clorinated mineral water swimming pool. Our eyes still burn. \r This is not a family-friendly place!!!! \r The food was awful. If you HAVE to stay the night here, bring your own food. \r Very expensive and too basic for the price. There are much better places to spend your money. Pros: it was close to Portland Cons: extremely rude management - very disturbing, ruined our experience completely more

I recently visited this resort and had a wonderful experience. The interior of the hotel is stunning and there are several amenities for a comfortable stay. The service in the restaurant and lounge was fantastic and accomodating. I didn't get a chance to try out any of the spa services, but overheard some people at check out, who were raving about their stay. I am looking forward to planning a romantic weekend for my significant other and I soon. Pros: Staff, service, ambiance Cons: Need to make reservations for spa services in advance more

We were very impressed with its beauty but our first experience consisted of the room service not arriving. 45 minutes later it finally did. That evening we called down for room service and the same thing happened. This time when we followed up the server had left for the evening so a supervisor brought it up later. No discount given, just another one of the many apologies we received that weekend. The surroundings are beautiful and the commons area is really fun to be in. So this would be a nice place to have lunch. \r The spa experience was either lovely or terrible. My therapist was terrific and my services felt great. My friend had a massage and caught --literally caught-- the girl reading a book when she looked back to see why she was still massaging her feet. When I submitted a review to them, and asked for follow up, none was given and no apology of any kind was ever received.\r Poor customer service from the staff overall.\r The wine tasting there was fun and the hostess was very knowledgeable.\r If you want a great spa product, they have good packages.\r If you want a nice room or good customer service that reflects what you're paying, don't count on it. Pros: Lots of spa services available Cons: Customer service more

Given I've been to places with ""resort"" and ""spa"" in their names in 14 states, I feel I'm not being too harshy when I give this mediocre rating. The place was much smaller than expected. The Deluxe room we had was about Holiday Inn level at best. The pool and jacuzzis were okay. Their overly priced spa - the body wrap I had and the massage my friend had were very good but the spa itself is disappointing. I've seen better spa settings at in town spas. But more than anything the most disappointing aspect of my experience is it staff who's lacking customer service training. Most of them acted ackwardly if not aloof. Their Lounge had a very bored bartender who did minimal and their restaurant had okay food with inexperienced wait staff. If you want to eat elsewhere, good luck as there's nothing at all around this place. Pros: close to downtown Portland Cons: bad service, overly priced, no choice in restaurant more