Chateau at Oregon Caves opens May 6!

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.

Monterey furniture fills many of the guest rooms as shown
in the "model" room.

Rates, directions and news can be found on the website oregoncaveschateau.com

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Friday, May 6: Opening day
Sunday, May 8: Special Mother's Day brunch

Preview of "The Marble Halls" and The Chateau at Oregon Caves"
The Friends of the Oregon Caves and Chateau together with SOPTV and the National Park Service will host premiere events to showcase the videos. For further information for all venues, call 541-592-3400.
Wednesday, May 18, 7 pm: The Bear Hotel, 2101 Spaulding Ave., East Grants Pass, OR
Saturday, May 21, 8 pm: The Chateau at the Oregon Caves, Cave Junction, OR
Tuesday, May 24, 7 pm: Illinois Valley Senior Center, 520 E. River St., Cave Junction, OR

MY TIPS:

• Remember, there are no room telephones, televisions or internet service at the Chateau. Oh, happy day!
•  Ask for a guest room with Monterey furniture. I like the attic rooms unless it is very hot outside. Rooms run from $99 for an economy room to $180 for a family suite. A photo gallery of various rooms can be found on-line although I could only get the Deluxe Room photos to pop up. Book online or call 541-592-3400 or toll free at 877-245-9022 or email caves@cavesnet.com.
• Free forty-five minute ranger-led tours of the Chateau are available if you're interested in some behind-the-scenes spots and stories.
• The lunch counter in the coffee shop is great fun, and the malted milk shakes are terrific. The cafe is open from 7 am to 5 pm.
• Make dinner reservations. The main dining room is open from 5 to 9 pm. I am not familiar with the chef, but I have had lovely meals in the past along with a nice selection of wines.
• It's 20 miles to Cave Junction, so if you want a picnic, pick up food before driving to the Chateau or try the deli offerings in the gift shop; the sandwiches and salads are made fresh daily. (You'll need your own small cooler.)
• Write some postcards at the beautiful desks while in the lounge. Now that takes you back in time! Don't miss the historic framed photos.
• Ask about any special events going on. Subscribe to the Chateau newsletter to keep up on events.
• Cave tours are on a first come first served basis, so buy your tickets when you arrive.  Make sure to take a warm jacket or sweatshirt for the cave tour no matter how warm it is outside.
• In addition to the cave tour, the monument has four hiking trails through old-growth forests with clearly marked trails ranging from easy to strenuous. Check out the ranger-led events especially for kids.
• And finally, a ghost named Elizabeth is supposed to flit about the Chateau. I hate ghost stories. 

For the complete story of the Chateau, check out Great Lodges of the National Parks (2002) or Great Lodges of the West (out of print, but available used on line). For more on Monterey furniture, buy the marvelous Monterey: Furnishings of California's Spanish Revival edited by Roger Renick. For any of these books, click on the Amazon Searchbox on this blog or go to www.greatlodges.com.