I arrived to Ashland by car and
was immediately taken with the beauty of this town nestled into the evergreen Mount Ashland, like a baby in Mother Nature's warm embrace.
Ashland is located in Southwest Oregon and is part of Jackson County, known for the majestic Cascade and Siskiyou Mountain ranges. It borders California on Interstate 5.
The allure of Ashland was its good air quality, nature, a community that tends toward being well-educated and liberal, and a vibrant arts community that includes the world famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival, running 8 1/2 months out of the year.
I arrived around 6:30 in the evening and needed to grab a quick bite before my first Elizabethan play at Allen Pavilion. Luckily, I discovered Standing Stone Brewing Company a few blocks from The Ashland Springs Hotel, which turned out to be convenient to everything, including one block from the Shakespeare Festival.
Standing Stone Brewing Company offered home made breads and several vegan choices. I sat at the bar and ordered Tempeh Stir Fry, $13, served with a flower on top.
Two friendly locals volunteered that Ashland has approximately 20,000 residents, out of which about 250 are Standford grads. Who knows? But the point is this town prides itself on arts, liberalism, and intellect.
When traveling long distances, I've come to appreciate the value of a good hotel. A great hotel, even better.
Ashland Springs Hotel is a beautifully restored landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This 70-room European-style boutique hotel originally opened in 1925 to great fanfare, and its unique beauty made me realize how much I appreciate the blend of the historic with modern conveniences.
When I entered the lobby, I walked back in time and into a magnificent mansion reminiscent of the famous Empress Hotel in Victoria, B.C. Only the Ashland Springs Hotel has its own distinct charm, combining subtle colors with new and old touches, nature and man-made, elegance and eclectic artifacts.
A stay here is relatively affordable, especially
considering the ample breakfast of oatmeal, cereals, fresh fruits and juices, bagels, and coffee and tea included.
High season rates are currently $179-$269 and they offer AAA and AARP 10% discounts.
A bit of hotel history: A couple from Santa Barbara relocated to Ashland and bought what was once called the Lithia Hotel. In 1925 the hotel was famous for being the tallest and most elegant building between Portland and San Francisco. Today it remains the tallest and most elegant building in Ashland.
More recently, a designer was hired and she made the wise choice to incorporate the feel of Ashland into the hotel.
Nature and intellect now combine in the most interesting of ways.
Check out the nature motif in my room.
Seashells for a lamp post.
Leaves embedded in the shade
.
And the view! (photo top of page)
Breakfast and late evening snacks were served on the second floor where guests sat above the lobby. I made new friends in this open area.
A couple toured Oregon from the Bay Area, considering areas to relocate. Another couple from Lopez Island (I'm headed there too) gave me ideas what to do and where to stay.
The Ashland Springs Hotel is warm and inviting. I'd love to return.
Ashland's air quality has improved over the past ten years due to an EPA law that insists on clean technologies (MACT), which positively impacts nearby Medford industries, and several pulp mills once located in Medford have closed.
Ashland is in the Rogue Valley so when there are fires, I'm sure people with lung issues have their challenges due to both smoke and the fact a valley can trap pollution in an inversion layer.
Overall, I loved Ashland and I will be back.
Helpful air quality resources:
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Maximum Achievable Control Technologies (MACT)
How Jackson County Improved Air Quality
If you'd like to read more about things to do in Ashland and surrounding area, click here.
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