ITINERARY LOCATION: CAVE B INN, WINERY AND SPA, Columbia River Gorge, Quincy, WA

EXPERIENCE INSPIRATION

Our first visit was to celebrate our 11-year wedding anniversary and our second visit was simply to “re-charge our batteries,” and the third and fourth were to partake in the winery’s annual October Harvest Festivals.

SETTING

As you drive through the high-desert region of Eastern Washington, you finally arrive and turn into the Cave B Inn Poplar tree-lined driveway flanked by grape vines.  Whenever we visit, an immediate sense of calmness overcomes our stressed-out minds as we are reminded that the scenery is similar to our favorite Chianti region in Italy. The award-winning designed structures of the property all blend into the surrounding landscape and feature floor-to-ceiling views of the jaw-dropping Columbia River Gorge, located just below the inn. One standout is the Cliffside room building that is literally built into a massive piece of stone. It is a marvel to see. The Gorge Amphitheater also sits next door to the Inn, creating a lively environment during summertime concert weekends.

GOOD FOR

Adults who want to unplug and reconnect with their favorite companions over delicious wine, food, spa treatments and canyon hiking. It’s also a fun place to take kids during Gorge concerts and the October Harvest Festival.  

HIGHLIGHTS

If you are the kind of person who likes a good, inspiring back-story, check out this one on the Inn’s website. Once you read it, you appreciate the place that much more. The Bryan family did an exquisite job creating a magical place where wine, food, music and relaxation could all come together. Cave B Inn features a spa, winery and tasting room, restaurant and outdoor pool.

The onsite spa is lovely and features several wine-inspired treatments, and we think it’s a great way to start out a visit to Cave B Inn. On the other end of the spectrum, wine tasting is another fun way to decompress and engage the taste buds. The tasting room has a very cool wine cave that sometimes features live music, so be sure to check with the front desk when you arrive. Considering Cave B Inn is in the middle of a desert, one would not expect really good food, but each time we have gone, the food has been amazing and the service, friendly.

A hiking trail below the Inn offers a great cardio workout and access to the Columbia River (if you go, don’t forget lots of water, proper shoes, and hats; during the summer months, hike before noon when it’s coolest). The stroll to the river really makes you feel like you are in a different place.

When the weather is warm, the pool is dreamy and must be experienced! The lovely design has shaded areas, water features, natural saline water, and poolside attendants who will bring you lunch, wine or beer and iced cold towels during weekends! Did I mention the view? You truly feel like you are in Italy when you are lounging poolside. 

When exceptional service is flawless and approachable and paired with a beautiful lodge, romantic rooms, delicious food and wine and inspiring, calming scenery you can’t ask for much more. Our last 24- hour escape to Cave B Inn felt like it lasted a week! I hope that you too, can experience a 24-hour week soon.

ROOMS

There are three types of rooms at Cave B Inn, all at different price points. The luxury yurt village is charming. It is truly glamping, with luxury linens, electricity and plumbing. The only downside might be for people who are sensitive to noise, because neighborly sounds filter out of the closely spaced tent-like yurts.  

On the other end of the spectrum, the cavern rooms are very private and quiet. The rooms are a sight to see because they are literally built into the stone cliff and feature floor-to-ceiling views of the gorge and outdoor sitting areas.

For large families and couples wanting more space, the cliffhouses might be the way to go. One has a king bed and sitting area with a sofa and the other has an extra queen bed in its own room.  

IF YOU GO

• ABILITY TO UNPLUG RATING: High! The cell coverage is very spotty here (probably because of the topography of the land), which forces one to engage in a full-sensory appreciation of food, wine, mind-blowing scenery and great, face-to-face conversations. 
• Consider going during the winery’s Harvest Festival (book in June). It usually takes place in October and features wine tasting, a grape crushing contest (which my husband won in 2016), live music, BB-Q and kids activities. 
• Make advance reservations for meals in Tendrils restaurant. 
• Double check the Quincy weather before you pack. The high desert climate has more extreme temperatures because it is east of the Cascade Mountain Range.  
• On your drive to Cave B Inn, consider pulling off the highway near Vantage to hike up a trail to experience the steel Wild Horse Monument sculptures, perched on a plateau overlooking the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. You should only hike up the trail if you have shoes with good grips and a bottle of water. 
• They have an electric vehicle charging station
• TRAVEL TIME FROM SEATTLE: Approximately 2 hours