lodge lady: May 2011

Seen from the back, the Chateau seems tucked into the ravine.
Photo by David Morris

   Oregon Caves Chateau is one of the state's sometimes forgotten gems. Nestled in a ravine in the Siskiyou Mountains in the southwestern part of the state, the bark covered lodge is a lesson in "less is more." Designed by local builder, Gus Lium from nearby Grants Pass, it is a prime example of environmentally compatible, rustic architecture. The lodge, a National Historic Landmark, opened in 1934 and is one of the last examples of a hotel built on public lands in the rustic picturesque style. That public land is the country's first National Monument (1909) featuring Oregon Caves as its center attraction.
   Due, in part, to its remote location and limited activities, even Oregonians seem to forget that the lodge and monument are national treasures. Oregon's Timberline Lodge and Crater Lake Lodge are hallmarks of great lodge architecture, and they deserve that status. But the Chateau is a delight. For a time, Timberline Lodge, Crater Lake Lodge and Oregon Caves Chateau were packaged in an advertising campaign to get more notice to what was the step-sister of the great lodges. In 2008, a group of Chateau admirers formed Friends of the Oregon Caves and Chateau. Lots has happened since then including the production of forthcoming documentaries, "The Marble Halls of Oregon" and "The Chateau at Oregon Caves," airing on PBS stations in southern Oregon and northern California at the end of June. (Oregon Caves Chateau was featured in both of my books, Great Lodges of the West, 1997, and Great Lodges of the National Parks, 2002 and the subsequent nationally televised PBS series.)
   Years ago, the Chateau was open in the winter, but visitorship during the chilly months was usually low. The 2011 season runs from May 6 through October 16.
   This lodge qualifies as a "little" albeit "great" lodge with only 23 rooms, each a bit different. I love the attic rooms each filled with the highly collectible Monterey furniture with its metal strapping, painted details and distressed wood. The main lounge is anchored by a two-sided stone fireplace, and again, plenty of Monterey furniture from sofas to writing desks along a bank of windows. The recently restored split stairway off the lounge looks out at a pond with the dining room and coffee shop in the lower level, where a small water feature gurgles through the dining room, and guest rooms off the main and on the upper levels.
   A major renovation of the Chateau is planned for 2015, but some work has already taken place. The guest room photo here is a blueprint for renovation of all of the guest rooms created with funds from the National Trust for Historic Preservation garnered by the friends organization.
   This organic, authentically charming little lodge is a not to be missed summer stop for anyone on a road trip of the Pacific Northwest. There are some terrific Spring rates being offered now, so don't miss out.