Charming Boutique Hotel in Hood River offering the Perfect Romantic Getaway
While the name “Thistledown on Oak” might evoke thoughts of the popular TV series “Bridgerton,” our charming boutique hotel in Hood River, Oregon, has a story all its own. The inspiration behind our name is deeply rooted in family history and love for nature, rather than any connection to the fictional Whistledown.
Our hotel, Thistledown on Oak, adorned with 18th- and 19th-century antiques and hand-carved furniture, owes its name to my mother, Carol. With a Scottish heritage, my mother had a particular fondness for the Scottish thistle. Despite the thistle’s reputation as an invasive plant in the U.S., my father, Duane, dedicated a section of our 200-acre farm in the upper Hood River Valley to these thistles, allowing them to flourish for my mother’s enjoyment.
She adored the soft purple flowers and the way they transformed into a white downy fluff, blanketing the ground like snow at the end of the season. She often said, if you look beyond the sharp thorns and ignore their reputation as nasty weeds, you will appreciate their transformation into beautiful purple flowers and soft white down.
When I acquired our two historic buildings in downtown Hood River, I envisioned them restored to their former glory. My mother’s belief in the beauty of thistles inspired me to see beyond the overwhelming development “thorns” and focus on the potential beauty within these Edwardian-era structures. Together with my wife, Sarah, we embarked on creating a 19th-century-themed boutique hotel, blending historical charm with modern amenities, where the allure of yesteryear meets the convenience of today.
At Thistledown on Oak, we aim to offer our guests a romantic, fantasy-filled experience. Each room with its different theme is a unique sanctuary of timeless beauty, featuring authentic furnishings, intricate woodwork, and vintage décor. While our hotel may not be linked to Bridgerton’s Whistledown, we strive to evoke the same romantic atmosphere of a bygone era. We hope that our guests will embrace the journey, “thorns” and all, to discover the “downy” enchantment of Thistledown on Oak, just as my mother found beauty in her Scottish thistles.
