A bit off topic, being about 200 miles and several hours south of
Chez StaMinn, but I feel it would be remiss not to write about the trip
we took down to Ashland over Labor Day week-end.
CAM and I have lived in Oregon now for 6 years, one for every year we've been legally married.
We are so fond of this state, we even honeymooned here.
After realizing a few days in a Seaside fancy suite wasn't going to be enough, we added on some more at a Manzanita vacation home.
After realizing a few days in a Seaside fancy suite wasn't going to be enough, we added on some more at a Manzanita vacation home.
In keeping with that theme of luxury and decadence, a mandate upon
booking accommodations is that it must have a Jacuzzi (tm) tub.
We're
also not repeating locations, which is making our destinations further
away with each passing year and more limited to fulfill this
requirement.
So far we've explored 1.) Belknap Hot Springs 2.) Bend 3.) Waldport 4.) Coos Bay 5.) Hood River/Mt. Hood
My
junk email box frequently fills up with Living Social and Groupon
discounts for Ashland, so that city seemed to be the next logical
choice.
I've heard great things about it over the years and was eager to check it out.
I've heard great things about it over the years and was eager to check it out.
Of
course, none of the offers were valid over the holiday, but that didn't
stop me from my amazing prowess at finding what we needed at a reduced
rate- we don't pay retail!
It also made no sense to go to the World Famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival locale without taking in at least one play.
Celebrating
anniversaries over the long week-end is a double-edged sword in that
though there's more time, it's also very popular with crowds taking
advantage of summer's last hurrah.
Dog is invited to accompany us to pet-friendly places for our birthdays, but is verboten for the anniversary trips.
For the first time, this year we were unable to ditch her with anyone, so we had to make arrangements for her, too.
Ultimately it was decided she'd ride down with us (making a rare exception that she be allowed in the new car) instead of boarding
her locally.
This was two-fold: one, it was much cheaper
and second, she'd be closer if anything went awry and we could retrieve her
faster (this also helped with our guilt.)
Funny, Seattle friends stayed over on their own way down for some culture the week before us, so having their tips and suggestions helped.
Funny, Seattle friends stayed over on their own way down for some culture the week before us, so having their tips and suggestions helped.
I also look into reviews on Yelp and TripAdvisor to get a feel for establishments and points of interest.
Therefore, it seems only fair to return the favor for future travelers, which is why I submit a few of my own afterwards.
I've been pretty busy reporting on Ashland because I'm so taken with it.
So over the next few blog posts I'll be copying those with some of my fabulous photography illustrating the attraction.
You won't be reading anything about the North Pole Kennels, though, because I never left the parking lot.So over the next few blog posts I'll be copying those with some of my fabulous photography illustrating the attraction.
But rather stayed in the car and cried when we dropped off Zabbers, who unwittingly trotted happily to her incarceration.
Her sense of sadness and betrayal was so palpable, we made it up to her with treats and a visit to the local dog park. (Nice human toilets, btw.)
And then I let her ride shotgun.
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Kidding!
Best Western Windsor Inn
Lane County, OR
Contributor
11 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 4 cities 
5 helpful votes
That the hotel is located about >15 minutes from the hub of activity was OK. They offer a shuttle to plays, of which we took advantage (Tip your driver, cheapskates.) And parking in town was easier than we were initially led to believe. It's a good thing the room was booked at a discount rate because it really didn't live up to 'Luxury King Suite' standards: it was just a plain old room, nothing fancy. (And yes, we had a few sugar ants visiting the vanity.) I'm all about being eco-minded, but that strange cooling/heating contraption was hard to figure out and bloody loud! Huge disappointment with the gratis breakfast. Lousy food, wretched coffee and limited selections (even the yogurt wasn't veg friendly.) Pretty grounds and competent front desk staff, just don't expect anything special.
Room Tip: Don't pay full price; book at a discount otherwise it's a rip-off.
AshlandWindsor, Front Office Manager at BEST WESTERN Windsor Inn, responded to this review
October 3, 2013
Dear ORSSS,
Thank you for taking the time to write a review of our property. I am disappointing [sic] to hear that our property did not live up to your expectations. Our staff members are here 24 hours a day and are always willing to help with any issues you have experienced in the room, and make sure that we have you set up in a room you will be comfortable in. We hope you will give us another chance to provide you with an excellent stay in Ashland,
Sincerely,
Brittanie B. Front Office Manager
Thank you for taking the time to write a review of our property. I am disappointing [sic] to hear that our property did not live up to your expectations. Our staff members are here 24 hours a day and are always willing to help with any issues you have experienced in the room, and make sure that we have you set up in a room you will be comfortable in. We hope you will give us another chance to provide you with an excellent stay in Ashland,
Sincerely,
Brittanie B. Front Office Manager
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
R
The few times we've attended Faerieworlds (Mt. Pisgah OR), Oberon's
Traveling Tavern has offered us both refreshments and respite from the
elements in tasty and clever ways. Their mead, in particular, is spot on
with a selection of different flavors to choose from. And the "booth"
always growing into an inviting, fun environment. That's why, while
searching for places to check out during our first visit to Ashland,
when I'd discovered they'd moved into a permanent location, I was over
the moon with anticipation. And we were not disappointed.
Wedged between many vibrant storefronts in the busy plaza, it's easy to miss. But once inside, a different world.
The long space begins with a beautiful and good-sized bar, lots of ambient lighting, wood seating and a riser doubling as a stage for live entertainment.
I was glad for the latter as the projected movie on the brick wall when we arrived seemed out of character and distracting.
(And the animal skin chair covers grossed this vegetarian out.)
A hallway leads past the kitchen to the restrooms and larger dining area which exits onto a small deck outside before dumping you out to the sidewalk below.
We'd only planned for a brief, pre-dinner cocktail, but stayed much longer chatting up clientele and sampling various wares the owner/bartender (with the ever-changing accent) kept offering up. The menu was "in his head", which might have made ordering food difficult had we been interested, but others seemed pleased with their results.
Highly recommend this unique jewel.
Wedged between many vibrant storefronts in the busy plaza, it's easy to miss. But once inside, a different world.
The long space begins with a beautiful and good-sized bar, lots of ambient lighting, wood seating and a riser doubling as a stage for live entertainment.
I was glad for the latter as the projected movie on the brick wall when we arrived seemed out of character and distracting.
(And the animal skin chair covers grossed this vegetarian out.)
A hallway leads past the kitchen to the restrooms and larger dining area which exits onto a small deck outside before dumping you out to the sidewalk below.
We'd only planned for a brief, pre-dinner cocktail, but stayed much longer chatting up clientele and sampling various wares the owner/bartender (with the ever-changing accent) kept offering up. The menu was "in his head", which might have made ordering food difficult had we been interested, but others seemed pleased with their results.
Highly recommend this unique jewel.
Bonsai Teriyaki
A traditional must is an anniversary sushi dinner and despite much
research for something more romantic with atmosphere, defaulted to this.
Catching the neon sign on our way into town from our hotel across I-5
must have been prophetic since this is where we eventually and
accidentally ended up. The places locally weren't impressing with what
they were offering, so while we pondered our choices at Oberon's Tavern,
time got away. Bonsai was our only option, and we barely snuck in there
in time.
Sweet servers were pleasant and efficient. Obviously a family fun business whose owners were decent. And a very competent young sushi chef. Despite assuring us we had all the time in the world to finish our meal (which was massive, as is our way) that they were eager to close up shop for the night was more than obvious. (We requested doggie bags.) In fact, we were still getting into our car after they'd turned off the lights for the night and sped away in theirs.
The menu's quite broad and the environment resembles a diner: charges were on par with product and location. Nothing too fancy, but standard and trustworthy. We probably did ourselves a favor by ending up here and not getting gauged with tourist prices in town.
Random note: having poured many a sake, this was by far the best bottle ever. Not only lovely, but good grip and spout.
Sweet servers were pleasant and efficient. Obviously a family fun business whose owners were decent. And a very competent young sushi chef. Despite assuring us we had all the time in the world to finish our meal (which was massive, as is our way) that they were eager to close up shop for the night was more than obvious. (We requested doggie bags.) In fact, we were still getting into our car after they'd turned off the lights for the night and sped away in theirs.
The menu's quite broad and the environment resembles a diner: charges were on par with product and location. Nothing too fancy, but standard and trustworthy. We probably did ourselves a favor by ending up here and not getting gauged with tourist prices in town.
Random note: having poured many a sake, this was by far the best bottle ever. Not only lovely, but good grip and spout.
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