McMenamins Edgefield

In 1985 Mike, Robert and Brian McMenamin opened up a brew pub in the Hillsdale neighborhood of Southwest Portland. Two years later, they would open the mission theater and pub in Northwest Portland. The building was previously a Swedish church and union hall built in 1913. The conversion from church to movie theater & pub would set the table for the McMenamins properties that those in the northwest, and travelers from all around would come to adore. 

In 1990 the McMenamin brothers converted what was previously the Multnomah county poor farm (established in 1911) into a 74 acre Oregon staple for both locals and travelers like. This would be the beginning of a Northwest Empire.

The opening off of McMenamins first resort would lead the way in transforming old buildings and properties into 11 other hotels scattered across Oregon and Washington. In addition to the 12 historic hotels, there are an additional  44 locations that include 9 theater pubs, 24 breweries, 2 distilleries, gardens and winery among other things. Although every McMenamins is unique, and its theming, all are marked by the companies eclectic style and signature artwork. This is certainly the case at Edgefield where the artwork tells the story of the properties past.

“Historic Edgefield is a destination resort in the Pacific Northwest that blends Oregon's natural beauty with McMenamins' signature whimsy. Original buildings have been carefully restored, gardens bloom, great food and drink abound, and entertainment reigns.”

Edgefield is home to numerous drinking holes such as Jerry’s icehouse, the little red shed, and Luckys Stalehlys pool hall among many others. In addition, there are multiple spots to grab food off the classic McMenamin’s pub style menu. 

Book your Edgefield stay: https://expedia.com/affiliates/portland-hotels-mcmenamins-edgefield.S5nVhpY

As if walking around this beautiful property with a cold beer brewed on site wasn’t enough. Edgefield also features a golf course, a first run movie theater, one of the Premier summer concert venues in the northwest and a beautiful soaking pool. McMenamins soaking pools can also be found at other hotel locations such as the Grand Lodge in Forest Grove Oregon, Kennedy school in Southeast Portland, and the crystal hotel in downtown Portland.

You get the idea. McMenamins is simply super cool & Edgefield is sort of the flagship property for McMenamins, and it is definitely a gem worth checking out. 

A few things to note about Edgefield:

-In the summer it can be very hot and the main lodge does not have air conditioning in addition, they do however supply box fans in the rooms

-On and around days where there are concerts it will be bustling with energy, a big crowd and getting a room can beer nearly impossible

-The soaking pool is exclusively available to hotel guests, and minors are not allowed at the pool after 8pm

-Another thing that can put off some travelers is the fact that the majority of the rooms do not have their own bathrooms, but instead share common bathrooms that include separate sinks, toilets, showers, and baths. There are some available upgraded rooms that include their own private bathrooms. 

When my wife and I want to get away for a night or two with the kids, we will often book the family room. Although it does not have a private bathroom, it is a great space for families as it includes a King bed, and two sets of bunkbeds.

Although you can’t use the soaking pool, if you are not a hotel guest, Edgefield is also a great place for a day trip. Or in the summertime, a night of live music. The concert on the lawn series typically features a wired ranging lineup. In the past I’ve seen numerous shows, including Adele, ZZ Top, Third Eye Blind, and Huey Lewis, and the news among others. 

If you are wanting to truly experience the beauty of the Northwest, you are likely wanting some adventure in your itinerary. Location is another selling point for Edgefield as it is located in Troutdale Oregon, which is considered to be the gateway to the Columbia river gorge. The Gorge in my opinion, is one of the most underrated scenic beauties in the country. It’s packed with breathtaking views, endless hiking and mountain bike trails, and over 90 waterfalls, the most famous being Multnomah Falls, which is less than 20 minutes from the Edgefield property. 

McMenamins is likely to be a trend on this blog, I hope to include more in depth content, reviews, and possibly tours down the line. But if you are passing through the Northwest, and want to get a taste of McMenamins (figuratively and literally) there is no better place to start than Edgefield.

Want to explore Edgefield for yourself? Book it for your next adventure: https://expedia.com/affiliates/portland-hotels-mcmenamins-edgefield.S5nVhpY