The Atticus Hotel is a perfect home base for families to explore Oregon’s Wine Country
Oregon’s Wine Country used to be a place where people might visit for a day. Now it’s a destination, a place where visitors want to stay put for awhile.
Oregon’s Willamette Valley is home to more than 500 wineries. The Willamette Valley stretches about a 100 miles north to south from Portland to Eugene. It’s nestled in between the the Coast and Cascade mountain ranges. The climate in this region produces some of the world’s best Pinot Noir.
But it’s not just about the wine in Oregon’s Wine Country, there’s plenty more for families to do here. This area is more casual, affordable and accessible than other West Coast wine country destinations, like Napa, California.
In response to the increase in tourism, more accommodations are available for those staying overnight. A relative newcomer to the hotel scene is the Atticus Hotel. Located in quaint and historic downtown McMinnville, Oregon, the Atticus Hotel opened in 2018. It’s a modern, luxury hotel. It’s all about local, showcasing local artisans, local makers, local products, and of course, local wines in its rooms and restaurant.
Accommodations at the Atticus
The hotel has 36 guest rooms and we’re told that no two rooms are alike. You get that sense from the distinctive gold knockers mounted on the doors, each one a little different than the next.
Rooms are large and well-appointed. There are a variety of room styles, some only accommodating two guests. The best choice for a family is the Studio Luxe. Between the king bed and the pull-out sofa, it sleeps four. Our room was spacious, large enough for an armchair for lounging and a small table for sitting or dining. It also included a faux fireplace that added some ambience to the space.
The rooms are outfitted with iconic Oregon brands – like Pendleton blankets and robes, Schoolhouse Electric light fixtures, and Ann Sacks tile.
You’ll find locally sourced tea and coffee, including a French press. My kids were excited to discover a bowl of walnuts and hazelnuts in the room. They took turns trying the nutcracker, I’m not sure they actually ate any nuts, but they had fun cracking them open. You’ll find a wine fridge, too.
Another clever touch, a selection of books in each room, with titles curated by McMinnville locals.
Activities in McMinnville
A perk of staying at the Atticus is use of its Dutch-style bikes to explore McMinnville, including a tandem bike. We liked its inscribed message “Tandem Acts of Kindness.” Helmets are also available upon request. The hotel doesn’t offer children’s bikes, so this activity is better suited to adults and teenagers.
There’s quite a bit to do within biking and walking distance of the hotel including 35 restaurants, 18 tasting rooms and lots of antique and specialty shops. You’ll enjoy strolling down tree-lined Third Street, full of charm and history.
When looking for recommendations to the best tasting rooms and restaurants, the hotel concierge will help point you in the right direction. If you’re driving, there are 200 wineries within 20-minutes of the hotel. Drive safely, of course. Better yet, the hotel can arrange wine tours and transportation for you so that you can leave the driving to someone else and taste without worry.
What else is there to do around here? Make a visit the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. The original Spruce Goose, the largest wooden airplane ever constructed, is housed here as are other aeronautical marvels. Located right next door is The Wings and Waves Waterpark. The indoor, all-seasons water park, has ten slides, including a slide out of a real Boeing 747. Read our review here. In nearby Newberg, you can catch a drive-in movie. Remember those? The 99W Drive-In is open seasonally, and it’s one of the few drive-in theaters left in the country.
If you’d prefer to get outdoors with the kids, there are plenty of hiking, biking and paddling opportunities nearby. Want to dip your toes in the chilly Pacific Ocean? The Oregon coast is about a one hour from McMinnville.
If you’re looking for something to keep your kids busy in the hotel room, stop by the lobby and borrow a DVD or play some Classic Atari.
Dining options
The Atticus Hotel has a great on-site restaurant. Be sure to grab a meal (or two) at the Red Hills Kitchen.
The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You’ll find one entree on the menu at every meal, the Chicken and Donuts. This is a bucket of fried chicken served with freshly made mini-donuts. After trying the dish we definitely understand the appeal. We’re still thinking about that flaky, crispy chicken and those hot donuts. Many menu items are allergy friendly. I was excited that the Chicken and Donuts were gluten-free! Lots of options are available for vegetarian and vegan diners.
If you don’t feel like sitting at the restaurant to eat, you can order room service from Red Hills Kitchen or get some grab-and-go snacks. Take them along for a picnic at a nearby winery.
While it’s easy to find great eats in McMinnville it can be tough to get a table, especially on weekend evenings. We recommend that you make a dinner reservation at the Red Hills Kitchen or the downtown McMinnville restaurant of your choice. We recommend La Rambla (Spanish tapas), Pura Vida Cocina (casual Latin American) or Nick’s Italian Cafe (honored by the James Beard Foundation).
Hotel perks and quirks
The Atticus offers little extras that will make you feel special. You’ll be served a glass of local bubbly upon check-in. Local wine tastings are available on certain evenings. On-demand espresso is available 24-hours a day. And don’t forget about those free walnuts and hazelnuts. You’ll find bowls of them all over the hotel.
There’s also an elaborate archway made of nuts in the hotel lobby. It’s a replica of one made in 1909 by a man named J.C. Cooper. He traveled around with it, to promote the city of McMinnville. McMinnville was then known as “Walnut City” for its prized crop of walnuts. Today, Oregon is more about the hazelnuts. It’s Oregon’s official state nut and one of Oregon’s largest crops, accounting for 99% of the entire U.S. hazelnut output. Thus, the incorporation of walnuts and hazelnuts around the Atticus Hotel.
Getting to McMinnville
McMinnville, Oregon is located about an hour from Downtown Portland. If coming from out of the area, you’ll want to rent a car to get here, but it’s an easy drive from Downtown or the Portland International Airport.
The Atticus Hotel is located at 375 N.E. Ford Street in McMinnville. Street parking around the hotel is free. There’s also free parking in city lots. Valet parking is $15 per night.
Depending on the day or time of year that you’re booking, room rates range from $250-$450. You might be able to save a little money by booking directly on the hotel website.
The writer received a complimentary stay for the purposes of this review. All opinions are her own.
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