If you asked us in 2019 where we would go for our 20th anniversary, we likely would have replied with somewhere in Asia, or perhaps the Pacific. Fast forward to 2021, and we did end up along the Pacific!

This was our first flight in 18 months (!!) and we weren’t up for the potential hassles of international rule changes, so we stayed within the borders of the US, and decided on Oregon. We always enjoy our trips (2008, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), plus we are members of several wineries, so it was a fairly easy choice.

Our week in Oregon had us staying near the Portland airport on arrival and the night before we left, with four nights in the Willamette Valley in between. Altogether we got to try out some new-to-us spots in Portland, drive another section of the coast, and enjoy some good food and leisurely wine tasting as well.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Portland Airport

This hotel is fairly new, and it was a fine enough place to crash after a long 10+ hours masked up in airports and planes. The window glazing isn’t perfect, but we slept well the one night we stayed. Breakfast options were quite limited, but we planned on breakfast at a local diner anyway.

La Bastide B&B, Dundee

This trip marked our third time at this charming B&B, and it was a great choice for our anniversary. Breakfast menus are now delivered by app the day before, you just choose what you want and when and where you want to sit (inside or out) and the delicious breakfast is delivered in a friendly and efficient manner.

Our room (Loire) was also quite spacious and comfortable, and this time we had a small fireplace.

Aloft Portland Airport

A return to this hotel as well, and we used another of our accumulated free night certificates. This Aloft is pretty convenient for the airport, and they’ve got handy carts to help with boxes in the foyer. Our room was relatively quiet and parking was easy.