Eastern Oregon - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 692

Sleeping
La Grande has a lack of interesting lodging in town, but there are a couple of places
within a dozen miles that are atmospheric.
Union Hotel HOTEL$
( 541-562-1200; www.thehistoricunionhotel.com ; 326 N Main St; d $65-119, tent sites $11-16, RV
sites $26-37, tipis $16-22; ) Fifteen miles southeast of La Grande, in the town of
Union, is this very atmospheric old hotel. All 16 rooms are decorated individually, and
none has a TV or telephone, though three come with kitchenette (there are common
rooms with a TV and library). Friendly sheep dog on premises.
Royal Motor Inn MOTEL$
( 541-963-4154; www.royalmotorinn.net ; 1510 Adams Ave; d $59; ) Decent, central
motel with good budget rooms, some with newer pillowtop mattresses.
Catherine Creek State Park CAMPGROUND$
( 800-551-6949; Hwy 203; campsites $9; ) Some 23 miles southeast of La Grande, past
Union, this beautiful state-park campground has a clear fishing creek, though campsites
are primitive.
Hilgard Junction State Park CAMPGROUND$
( 800-551-6949; I-84 exit 252; campsites $9; ) Only 8 miles west of La Grande, this
lovely riverside park is convenient but gets highway noise. Campsites are primitive; boat
launch available.
Hot Lake Springs HOTEL$$$
( 541-963-4685; www.hotlakesprings.com ; 66172 Hwy 203; d from $144; ) Eight miles
southeast of La Grande is this grand, restored hotel in a historic building that was once a
hospital. There's also a spa, restaurant, museum, art gallery, bronze foundry (tours avail-
able) and several hot-spring pools. Each of the 22 big, beautiful suites has its own theme,
and breakfast is included - along with a movie in the hotel's theater. The hotel is closed
from mid-December to February.
Eating
Nells-N-Out AMERICAN$