OREGON GARDEN RESORT

Located 214 miles from Grants Pass Oregon, the pet friendly Oregon Garden Resort in Silverton Oregon afforded a perfect choice for an overnight stay.  

Oregon Garden Resort

From Grants Pass I drove North on I-5, taking exit 252 Kuebler Blvd. GPS listed the resort address as 895 West Main Street in Silverton, Oregon.  The drive consumed 3.5 hours. 

 

THE RESORT

 

Situated on a hilltop overlooking the Oregon Garden, the Oregon Garden Resort is the brainchild of Dirk Winter.  To say that Mr. Winter has a passion for botanical gardens and boutique properties might be an understatement. 

 

Opening in 2008, Oregon Garden Resort represents the most recent property to be completed by Mr. Winter under the Moonstone Hotel Properties banner.  

Entrance to main lobby

Front door entrance to main lobby

Reception Area

Lobby seating area

The 103 guest rooms are housed throughout several smaller buildings on the complex.  Each room features a fireplace and flat screen television, along with cable programming.   I also liked having a work desk and small refrigerator in addition to a microwave.  I enjoyed the briskness of the morning while sitting on the private patio, sipping a cup of some locally roasted coffee, provided with the in-room coffee maker.  Maid service is also provided daily.  Room offers are either one king or two queen beds.  You will also enjoy the complimentary spa tub and wireless internet access.  I found myself assigned to Building P, room 403 for my one night stay.  A king bedded unit featuring a private balcony.  

Parked in front of Building P

King room

Microwave, Refrigerator, Coffee Maker

Patio seating area

As you stroll through the lobby you will find a reception desk open 24-hours, complimentary newspapers and a business center that houses an ATM.  Take time to browse through one of the books in the garden library.  You will also find plenty of free self-parking.

Business center with ATM

Hallway off main lobby

Looking for a wedding venue?  The Oregon Garden Resort can accommodate up to 450 guests with full catering, offering both indoor and outdoor venues.

Wedding Garden

Wedding Garden area

Wedding Garden area

Just off of the main lobby sits the Fireside Lounge.  The décor focus here is a central fireplace surrounded by seating consisting of tables, chairs and couches.  Patio seating is also available. Open daily from 3-10pm, happy hour runs from 4-7pm daily.   

Inside Fireside Lounge

 

 

 

 

Beer on tap at Fireside Lounge

Fireplace and seating in Fireside Lounge

Patio seating outside Fireside Lounge

I arrived on a Thursday and was delighted to learn that every Thursday is “All Day Happy Hour” so of course I took advantage of that.  Food can be ordered from a special lounge menu and you will find live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday starting at 6:30pm. 

 

Enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast from 7-10am along with complimentary admission to the 80-acre Oregon Garden.

 

As I continued my stroll through the main building I ran across the Moonstone Spa. Offering a holistic approach to massages and facials, I was disappointed that I was unable to take advantage of this service due to my time constraints.  

Moonstone Spa entrance

You will find both lunch and dinner available in the Garden View Restaurant. Seating can be inside or on the patio, offering an elevated and sweeping view of the gardens.  Dinner is available by reservation only.  Lunch reservations are recommended but not required. 

Entrance to Garden View Restaurant

The resort features a seasonal outdoor pool and hot tub but unfortunately it was closed during my visit due to COVID-19.  

Pool Area

Pool and Hot Tub area

I was delighted to learn that the property offered a “Cruise-In” cinema on Thursday evenings during July and August. An unassuming gravel lot during the day is transformed into a classic drive-in theater just before dust. Complete with parking cones and refreshments, gates open at 6:30pm and the movie begins at dusk.  Capacity is 100 cars.  You won’t find those cool speakers that we used to hang on our windows.  Instead, you will tune your FM radio to a given frequency.  Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for kids 5-17.  Under 5 is FREE.  Tickets are not included with your stay so you will have to pre-purchase your tickets before heading to the show.  You can also pre-order refreshments consisting of drinks, popcorn, licorice and M&M’s.  They are distributed to you when you check in.  The family friendly movie lineup for the 2020 summer season includes:

Thursday, July 16: Jurassic Park (PG-13)

Thursday, July 23: The Lego Movie (PG)

Thursday, July 30: 50 First Dates (PG-13)

Thursday, August 6: Wizard of Oz (G)

Thursday, August 13: Dirty Dancing (PG-13)

Thursday, August 20: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (PG-13)

Thursday, August 27: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Last Ark (PG)

"Cruise-in" Cinema parking lot

HOTEL SAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE DUE TO COVID

 

Gap period enforced between guest stays 24 hours
Shield between guests and staff in main contact areas
Contactless check-in/check-out is available
Property confirms they are implementing guest safety measures
Social distancing measures are in place
Staff temperature checks are conducted regularly
Property is cleaned with disinfectant
Guests are provided with free hand sanitizer
Property confirms they are implementing enhanced cleaning measures
Staff wears personal protective equipment
Bed sheets and towels are washed at a temperature of at least 60°C/140°F
No rollaway/extra beds available
Commonly-touched surfaces are cleaned with disinfectant

THE GARDENS

The 80-acre Oregon Garden showcases 20 smaller gardens representing the region’s botanical beauty.  Oregon’s mild climate, warm summers and wet winters ranks it as fifth on the NatureServe database for Plant Diversity. 

 

In 2006, facing financial hardship, the Oregon Garden sought out Dirk Winter and the Moonstone Hotel Properties for assistance.  With a genuine passion for gardening, Mr. Winter rescued the financially strapped gardens with a substantial capital infusion and 2 years later opened the Oregon Garden Resort, which overlooks the botanical garden. 

 

Specialty gardens include the Silverton Market Garden, Children’s Garden, Conifer Garden, Wetlands, Northwest Garden, Rediscovery Forest, Sensory Garden, Oak Grove and A-Mazing Water Garden.  Don’t think that the gardens are just for admiring.  A number of activities happen year around including art, music, wine and food events as well as holiday festivities. There is a small admission fee but your access will be free if you spend one night at the Oregon GardenResort. If you find walking to be an issue, the gardens offer a 30-minute narrated tram tour included with your admission.  Unfortunately, the tram is closed for the 2020 season due to COVID-19. 

 

As you stroll through the pet-friendly gardens be sure to look for “Bobbie the Wonder Dog”, a bronze sculpture by artist Jerry Joslin.  Or stop at “Lupine Fugue”.  Located east of the Rose Petal Fountain.  The two pounded stainless steel lupine totems were created by artist Lee Kelly.  Then there is “Slugfest”.  A unique drinking fountain by artist Ellen Tykeson located near the restrooms outside the Children’s Garden.  Sprinkled throughout the gardens are many more unique pieces of art including “Birds and Waves”, “Max”, “Rondo”, “Squirrelly Fountain” and “Look Me in the Eyes”.  

Lupine Fugue

Slugfest

A yearly highlight is “Christmas in the Garden”.   This event will feature a million lights, ice skating, a vendor market, photos with Santa, a snowless tubing hill, live music, festive food, drinks and much more. 

Christmas in the Gardens photo: public domain

 

 

 

 

 

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