Soak Away Your Pain at The Society Hotel in Bingen, Washington
The Society Hotel in Bingen, Washington is an exquisite boutique hotel, situated in the midst of the majestic Columbia River Gorge. Constructed in 1905, the hotel has recently been restored beyond its former glory, offering a unique combination of accommodations and a luxurious spa experience. Guests can choose from a range of rooms, including bunk beds and shared rooms, as well as private rooms. Notably, the Society hotel Bingen has a fantastic, Euro- spa thats worth a day trip from the Portland area.
The Gorge
Tucked around the Columbia River Gorge is a plethora of thermal activity. The Gorge houses a wealth of natural and developed hot springs imbued with mineral-rich waters. These thermal waters are renowned for their therapeutic qualities, providing relief from various ailments and acting as a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation. The region offers multiple locations for these restorative soaks, each uniquely nestled in the stunning landscapes of the Columbia River Gorge. The enchanting combination of thermal spa experiences amidst the breathtaking natural beauty of the Gorge has a knack for elevating one’s sense of tranquility and wellness.
BINGEN
The tiny Gorge shore town of Bingen was founded in 1892 by the German settlers. Originally a reference to “Bingen on the Rhine“. The town is situated between bluffs and river on a narrow belt of rich sandy soil. On the outskirts of the town are lush meadows populated by dairy cattle. The river’s irrigation allows for extensive truck farming. The town boasted two sawmills and a fruit company, as well as hotels, pubs, and restaurants. The location of the railroad depot was a source of contention between the town and neighboring White Salmon, resulting in the depot being named after both towns.
The official population of Bingen is only 736 people with 2600 in White Salmon Proper and over 8,000 in Hood River located just across the Columbia River Gorge.
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The Society Hotel and Spa
Just about hour east of Portland, Oregon, across from Hood River, Waechter Architecture has launched their first hospitality project, The Society Hotel and Spa in Bingen, set within the Columbia River Gorge’s dramatic canyons and scenic vistas.
The building houses 10 private rooms, two 24-bunk shared rooms, and a book-lined library, and it’s furnished with former items from the schoolhouse, as well as curated finds.
History of the Property
The Bingen School Complex which is now revamped into Society Hotel and Spa was originally conceptualized by Pacific Northwest Architect Donald J Stewart and constructed in 1937 by Civilian Conservation Corp, a public relief program for the unemployed and unmarried men during the New Deal period ( 1933-1942). The seven-room schoolhouse, measuring seven and a half acres in size, served as the primary educational facility for the city of Bingen and its neighboring town of White Salmon from 1938 to 1970. Subsequently, the building was converted to a hostel in 1988, providing private accommodations in the form of dormitory-style rooms. The building has been operating as a hostel for the past thirty-five years.
Accommodations at Society Hotel and Spa Bingen
The Society hotel Bingen provides a unique accommodation experience, combining the traditional hospitality of a hotel with the modern amenities of a hostel. Guests can choose from a range of accommodation options, including private standard rooms, bunk room accommodations, and a cabin ring of 20 units.
Private standard rooms are ideal for those seeking a full-service hotel experience, while still preserving the sense of community that is associated with traditional lodging houses. These rooms come with a choice of queen or king bed and include a renovated school and vanity as well as a shared bath, which is typical of European boarding houses. (Rates: $65-$133)
Bunk rooms are also available in the main building, and are available in two configurations. These 24-by-24-foot custom-built triple bunk rooms are ideal for travelers who are looking for a budget-friendly accommodation or those who wish to stay in a group.
Each room is equipped with a private curtain, a luxury twin-sized mattress, a power outlet, a storage cubby, and a reading light. (Rates range from $25 – $52)
The ring of newly built 20 cabins at the Society Hotel surrounds the spa complex and allows for the most luxurious, private stay. While small, they each have their own bathroom and kitchenette and share a porch area with a hammock. Think tiny home with an extra helping of tiny. There are single King options as well as double queen. (These rooms are run in the $300-$450 range)
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Society Spa
At The Society Hotel, the Spa is a tranquil oasis of relaxation, offering a limited range of services of spa access and highly detailed facials. The soaking pool is the focus of the entire new wing of the hotel with tiny cabins encircling the spa.
Spa access is limited to one scheduled hour per visit. 1 hour is included in the stay That hour costs $25. We would have found a way to stay longer and maybe soak up the sun in a hammock, but generally speaking, an hour is sufficient. The cycle runs between the three pools, a hot sauna and several lounge areas. The cold plunge is truly truly cold, temped directly at 54 degrees, which is ideal for the health benefits. The warm and hot pools are both salt water pools, so even though they are not natural thermal hot springs they are mineral rich which enhances the healing powers of the hot water.
Warm Pool – 95 degrees
Cold Plunge – 54 degrees
Hot Pool – 104 degrees
Sauna
Lounge
If you’re considering a trip to The Society Hotel and Spa, you’ll need a reservation. The spa is open to the public, but the hotel guests have priority access and reservations for the soaking pool. This will ensure that you have a relaxing and stress-free experience without any crowds or long waits.
While waiting for their spa time, guests can unwind in the hotel’s cozy lobby, which features an extensive library. This isn’t just any run-of-the-mill bookshelf, but a collection of vintage hardbound literature that will provide bibliophiles with some rewarding perusing. These are mostly curated for aesthetics but we found several nice copies of Nathaniel Hawthorne, Flannery O’ Connor, and a few volumes of ancient Japanese folktales.
In addition to its literary attractions, the hotel lobby is home to a charming coffee kiosk that plays the hits and a little more with a small menu of cocktails. The kiosk offers a selection of coffee classics and some nice house recipes such as a really nice lavender latte. Additionally, the kiosk offers a selection of cocktails to relax before or after your spa session.
