By Anne Taylor Hartzell, on December 19, 2014

Best Northwest wine tasting hotels

One of the best things ab out living in the Northwest: easy access to some really great wine. In just more than an hour from the urban centers of Portland (https://www.expedia.com/Portland.d178299.Destination-Travel-Guides), Oregon, and Seattle, you can be sipping wine amid the vineyards and tasting rooms of countless wineries, rubbing elbows with top chefs, and chatting with local winemakers. This wine culture extends to the hotels and restaurants of the urban centers of the Northwest.

Downtown Portland hotels (https://www.expedia.com/Portland-Hotels.d178299.Travel-Guide-Hotels) frequently host nearby Willamette Valley vintners to pour and stock hotel restaurants with some of the country’s best Pinot Noir. In downtown Seattle, hotels are bustling with visitors seeking the latest vintages from the nearby Yakima Valley and Walla Walla Valley wine regions. As a result, wine lists at these Seattle hotel restaurants are a feast for the eyes and the taste buds.

All told, these Northwest hotels and restaurants are a fun home-base for any culinary or wine enthusiasts. If you’re looking for an urban wine adventure in the city and want to know which Portland and Seattle hotels are pouring good juice, here are just a few of our favorite urban wine hotels in the region.

Viewfinder Tip: A great wine-tasting hotel will have an incredible wine list; take a peek at the hotel’s wine list before you book.

Hotel Vintage Plaza, Portland

One of the signature perks of staying at a Kimpton Hotel is the afternoon hosted wine-themed happy hour for hotel guests. The Hotel Vintage Plaza, a Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants property (now, technically, an IHG property) in the heart of downtown Portland near the Pearl District, hosts afternoon wine hours in the lobby from 5-6 p.m., daily. The hotel frequently features local vintages from Oregon Wine Country, along with winemaker events, and wine-themed stay packages. The hotel’s signature Italian restaurant, Pazzo Ristorante, is one of the top Italian restaurants in the city, and is a perfect place to pair a big bowl of pasta with a big glass of vino. The hotel also is just an hour or so away from Willamette wineries. It is a perfect place for those who are looking to wine-taste by day and enjoy downtown Portland by night.

The Allison Inn and Spa, Newberg, Oregon

The Allison Inn and Spa, located in Newberg, Oregon, is located just about 45 minutes outside of downtown Portland, and if you are looking for a luxury retreat to immerse yourself in the culture and terroir of Oregon Wine Country, this is your hotel. The Allison caters to wine enthusiasts from around the country and the world, and has received many awards for its shining performance as a destination for wine lovers. The Allison provides access to great wineries, and members of the staff and culinary team are so knowledgeable about the local wine region and winemakers that you will also gain an education about the region’s best wines. Don’t forget to make reservations at the hotel’s restaurant, JORY, named after the rich, fertile soil of the Willamette Valley. Spend the day wine-tasting and enjoy a late afternoon at the spa, stopping for a dip in The Allison’s indoor heated pool.

Sipping vino in the lobby wine bar at Hotel Vintage

Hotel Vintage, Seattle

If the hotel’s hip name doesn’t get your attention—get it, Hotel VINTAGE?—the vibe of this downtown Seattle property certainly will. Part of the Kimpton Hotel family, the Vintage is a special spot; company leaders describe as an “urban haven celebrating the bounty of Washington Wine Country.” The hotel has a daily wine hour, in-room minibars stocked with Washington wine, and an award-winning Italian restaurant downstairs, Tulio Ristorante, which is recognized as having some of the best Italian food in the state.

The Willows Lodge & Spa, Woodinville, Washington

If you are ready to take your wine-tasting hotel stay to another level, you won’t want to miss a night at The Willows Lodge & Spa in Woodinville, Washington, just a 40-minute drive outside Seattle. Willows Lodge is located near countless tasting rooms from Woodinville wineries and wineries from the Yakima, Columbia, and Walla Walla Valley wine regions. On-site restaurants, The Barking Frog and The Herbfarm, are renowned for epic wine programs and wine lists.

No matter what kind of wine you like to drink, these four hotels will satisfy your palate and provide access to great wineries, events, and restaurants—making them perfect for a girlfriend getaway, couples wine-tasting trip, or romantic weekend away.

What is your favorite urban hotel to sip and savor great new wines?