The Columbia Gorge Hotel was built in 1904 by Hood River pioneer Bobby Rand. The property’s original name was the Wah Gwin Gwin Hotel, which meant “rushing water” in Native American.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Columbia Gorge Hotel achieved a 19th ranking in Travel & Leisure’s 2007 Best in the US & Canada. In those days, captains of incoming ships would whistle the number of passengers they have on board and the hotel’s maids would rush to prepare the required number of beds.

In 1920, Rand sold the property to Simon Benson, who was responsible for the construction of the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway, which many consider as the “most beautiful road” in the world. Under Benson’s management, the hotel had welcomed esteemed guests such as actress Jane Powell and US Presidents Coolidge and Roosevelt.