written by Cara Strickland
photography by McMenamins

One of the best things about staying or dining at a McMenamins property is that there is always a story just below the surface. The Kalama Harbor Lodge is no exception. Right on the Columbia River and just a whisper away from Oregon, this spot marries both the legacies of a Hawaiian transplant and the tribe that continues to live in the area.

ACCOMMODATIONS + AMENITIES

Enjoy knotty pine walls and thoughtful art, the perfect blend of cozy and kitsch you might already expect from a McMenamins property. You’ll have your pick of king rooms—single, double or either of these with an additional pull-out couch.

DINING + EVENTS

When it comes to eating and drinking, you have options at the lodge. Enjoy a hearty lunch or dinner at the Pub, and make any hour happy with the Cloud Bar (be sure to try the signature mai tai), located on the roof, or settle in for a river view and a snack at the lounge. Take a short walk to the Cove Bar, which features game rooms and an event space (choose from pinball, shuffleboard, pool and TVs for sports viewing), enough to keep everyone happy. You may want to wander to the Ahles Point Cabin for some indoor or outdoor wine and a dog-friendly patio. If you’re looking for a wake-up call in the morning, don’t miss the Harbor Lodge Market for coffee and pastries. Keep an eye out for live music throughout the year.

HISTORY

While the building itself is new, it takes a lot of cues from the past. The lodge itself borrows from the Pioneer Inn at Lahaina and is a nod to John Kalama, for whom the town is named. He came to Washington from Hawaii in the 1800s to work for the Hudson’s Bay Company as a fur-trapper and farmer. Kalama married a Nisqually woman and settled in the area. Long before he came, however, the Chinook and Cowlitz people made their home here. The whole property seeks to pay homage to these legacies.

215 HENDRICKSON DRIVE
KALAMA
www.mcmenamins.com/kalama-harbor-lodge