We stayed at the Vineyard in April (pre meth lab bust!). It was much like bopambo described: very basic, but clean and convenient. No one would ever mistake it for a swanky hotel! But there was plenty of hot water with good water pressure, at least in our room. The "continental breakfast" wasn't worth bothering with. Like bopambo, I especially liked being within walking distance of the campus and downtown. To me, the least desireable feature of the motel was that the row of rooms opens onto a back alley that had several overflowing garbage cans.
Wondering if the person busted was the manager who checked us in!
Took my S for a visit to Whitman last year and stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. It is a short drive to the campus but the hotel is clean and comfortable and perfectly adequate for a short stay.
Wondering if anyone RECENTLY has stayed at the Vinyard Inn or Travel Lodge and could comment on your experience? I put the emphasis on recently since I understand there have been wide swings in the upkeep and overall quality of these motels over the years, depending on current management. Also heard the Vinyard underwent a big remodeling since its famous, uh, meth lab incident. Was wondering which of these two campus-side motels currently has the edge?
sunmachine, after the meth lab incident we started staying at the America's Best Value Inn. It's about 5 blocks from Whitman's Reid Campus Center walking down Main Street to get to campus, a plus because I can stop for coffee on our way. Can't report on the the two you asked about, but the America"s Best Value is clean, close and very reasonably priced. I love the walk through downtown. We don't need too many amenities since we actually spend very little time in our room, prefer to walk, and pinch every penny twice, it's worked out very well.
I've also stayed at ABVI, and I can agree that it's a pleasant walk away from downtown--though it's a bit further all the way to Reid. If you can, ask for the rooms in "the back" part of the inn, they're newer and cleaner.
The Best Western, on East Oak Street, is suppose to be nice and good for walking to downtown Walla Walla and campus. It gets booked quickly and I tried a couple times to make reservations, but I've just been too slow.
There are many VCBO (vacation by owner) . com rentals near the college. We stayed in a lovely big house for graduation but there are smaller homes and less expensive weekends. A house may be cheaper than a hotel. Plus many are walking distance to campus and downtown compared to hotels. The Downtown Safeway is great. Deli, coffee.
Then explore the fun funky town.
Have a driver for winery trips...
There's nothing better in Walla Walla than the Marcus Whitman. A bit more expensive, to be sure, but worth it. The breakfast buffet, included with your room rate, is excellent and your S or D will love to join you there.
dragonmom, with graduation coming up, and relatives wanting to join us, we took your advice about vacation rentals (VRBO® is Vacation Rentals By Owner). I had no idea there were so many great places right around campus, but was horrified to find out that 5 days before classes started in the Fall was almost too late to find a place for graduation in May. We found a nice condo within walking distance of everything we want, but we'll have to put someone on the couch and draw straws for shower time. So this is a cautionary tale: there are real gems out there for short term vacation rentals, but if you're going for graduation weekend start even earlier than we did! End of junior year wouldn't be too soon.
I just made our my first trip to Whitman on Parent Orientation last weekend (D had gone with a family friend for visit and interview). We stayed at the Travelodge and were basically satisfied. The plumbing was a bit slow (the sink drained fine sometimes and very slow at others) and the view was a parking lot behind the building. However, it was very reasonably priced (important since Whitman has much of our money now) and I loved the one block walk to campus and to downtown. It did have a flat screen TV, but not great picture quality. We ate breakfast out (great options next door - Bacon and Eggs - and right across the street - Clarettes) The location was by far the biggest advantage and the staff was friendly (South Asian I believe). If you are looking for any luxury, this isn't the place. But across the street walkable and good price made it a win for me (at least this time).
I made reservations at the Vineyard Inn (of meth lab fame) for Family Weekend coming up. I just got an email reminding me about my upcoming stay at the "Red Lion Inn and Suites"....After a little googling, I found that Red Lion has purchased the property and states the following: "The future Red Lion Inn & Suites Walla Walla, located at 325 E. Main St, has 80 rooms and is currently undergoing a complete renovation that includes a new breakfast room and lobby, updated guest rooms, a fitness center and a new whirlpool spa. The hotel is walking distance from the Whitman College campus." The release was dated September 17, so hopefully they have made progress and are not in the middle of everything (they probably are given the great price we got). But it does seem that this motel will be a better option going forward.
Replies to: Where to stay?
Wondering if the person busted was the manager who checked us in!
Then explore the fun funky town.
Have a driver for winery trips...