Balch Hotel

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jul 2026

Eric

I love this property, the staff and the small town remoteness. I recommend for anyone for a destination or a pass through. Inviting, quaint and friendly. The cost is super reasonable. We got a unit with a bathroom this time, very nice. Previously, a shared bathroom, no concern with this. The back patio in the evening, we sat at a table in the low light and drank wine. Very romantic and very recharging of our souls. The staff is super pleasant, meet them, you will be pleased.

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jul 2026

Shannon

Amazing stay at The Balch Hotel.

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jul 2026

ROGER D

A wonderful place imbued with history coupled with a new, caring, personable owner and her staff. The flowered yard and patio seating offer a peaceful place for reading or relaxed conversation. The on-site bistro offers quality food and drink with limited hours. Nearby restaurants and a bakery - with good prices with friendly service - make up the difference. A quick drive to The Dalles provides even more options. I'll return again, and again for the experience and to see first-hand the renovations that'll make The Balch Hotel outstanding!

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jul 2026

Pamela

Christina greeted me as I came in. Helped me carry bags to my room. Supplied me with a fan for my room. Bed was comfortable. My stay was very comfortable and relaxing. Her and her team take hospitality to a new level. There is no elevator and some of the rooms have a shared bathroom at the end of each hall. Everything was stocked well and the light breakfast was perfect. Fresh granola and local honey accompanied with fresh fruit and muffins. My evening cocktail was delicious. The grounds are lovely and relaxing.

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jun 2026

Louis

A classic hotel right out of the great Gatsby. Accommodations were interesting because they were genuine and true to that time. But it is elegant and luxurious in a charming old school way. I highly recommend it!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 May 2026

Joanna

Very clean! Great breakfast! Staff was helpful for our late check in. Thank you!

8/10

Excellent

07 May 2026

Timothy R

Very nice stay.

10/10

Exceptional

29 Apr 2026

L Jane

The manager and staff were very friendly and helpful. The food and drink was very good.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

27 Apr 2026

Paul

The staff were very kind and looked after everyone in our group.

10/10

Exceptional

18 Apr 2026

Tim

A step back in history and lovely host. Great breakfast with local fare well balanced and delicious. The restaurant was great too, even with a limited menu during the mid-week. The rooms are clean and comfortable with bohemian beds and covers quality sheets and towels. Really nice to see restoration and quality in workmanship in this small town in this not to far from the gorge and the Dalles.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Feb 2026

Brett

Such a wonderful weekend! Wonderful food in the bistro and cozy accommodations.

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jan 2026

Craig

Staff was wonderful
vintage 1907 rooms were wonderfully as expected!

10/10

Exceptional

19 Nov 2025

Kenneth

Great place. Worth the drive off the main road

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

22 Oct 2025

Timothy

This is a very old, quaint, hotel. Super cool for history buffs. Staff were most cordial. Bed was comfy, coffee and breakfast were good. Outdoor courtyard was enjoyable.

10/10

Exceptional

16 Oct 2025

Alicia

Beautiful, historic hotel with views of Mt Hood. Tiny town with a living history museum I was able to wander in the evening, but was unable to check out during open hours. A neat looking store/coffee shop down the street that I believe is closed Sundays. Of course, the day we were there. The hotel itself had a nice outdoor seating area, library, lobby and café. Food was great Off the beaten path, but worth the drive!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Oct 2025

Eric

The room had a wonderful view of Mt. Hood. The room was historic and quaint. I had a shared bathroom, but it was clean and well maintained. All areas around the property were in great shape. The breakfast was simple and nutritious. The dining area and outside patio were super welcoming.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Sep 2025

Kenneth

I like this place

10/10

Exceptional

14 Sep 2025

Aimee

This hotel is beautiful! Its Victorian-era splendor is fully intact/lovingly reproduced. All the staff were really nice and helpful. Dinner was great too. I didn't want to leave!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Aug 2025

Jeffrey

awesome!

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

05 Aug 2025

Cade

Very kind staff, beautifully preserved historic building and furnishings. AMAZING FOOD!!!! Bistro 1907 is a GEM! Thank you! We will be back :) views of Mount hood are also incredible.

Business_and_leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jul 2025

Susan

This is such a delightful departure from just a \"hotel or motel\" on one's journey. In fact, despite it's rural location, it is truly a destination. There are not word to describe how lovely this property is and how robust an experience one can enjoy here. Do yourself a favor and do not book a cookie cut-out accommodation, book here and enjoy the kind hospitality, the serene surroundings and the added amenities of spa services. We absolutely loved it and can't wait to go back!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jul 2025

Kenneth

Nice private off the beaten path

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jul 2025

Paul T

This was the surprise stay of our trip. A very quaint classic hotel that takes you back in time. I highly recommend this hotel!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jul 2025

Raymond

Stumbled on this place following a long drive. This place is spectacular. Very nicely restored. Built in 1907. Every detail including the furniture and decor is from the era. Great history! A view of Mt Hood. Breatfast was included. Can't say enough. Would definitely stay there again.

10/10

Exceptional

19 Jul 2025

Jerald

The \"bones\" of Dufur are a 1900 farming community, now close enough to The Dalles to attract a few commuters but not close enough to be the stereotypical bedroom. The downtown, and the Balch Hotel are surrounded by Wheat fields. The best part is the outstanding hospitality of the staff... and of the community generally.

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jul 2025

Danelle

It was a beautiful little hotel. A lot of nice touches that made it super welcoming. The staff were accommodating and it was overall a lovely, easy experience!

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jul 2025

Carissa

This place is charming in every way imaginable. The staff, the room, the architecture, the town. It was a lovely place to stay the night making my way home on a long road roadtrip.

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jul 2025

Duane

History of North, Central Oregon

Wonderful room and service -- in spite of being a 120 year-old property. The history of the region and specifically of the hotel made this a wonderful excursion.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 May 2025

Scott

Very unique. It's a step back in time. Don't expect modern resort but you will get friendly authentic service provided by local people who bend over backwards to fulfill your needs and interests.

Dufur is a very small old rural historical town in, what some would call, the middle of nowhere. If you want seclusion and enjoy country walks or bike rides and meeting really interesting people the Balch Hotel is for you as it was for us.

The people really are fantastic. Debr helped us with a sticky situation because of some booking confusion and I can't say enough about her spirit of problem solving and meeting her customers need

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

17 May 2025

Sarah

Historic with wonderful views. No elevator

8/10

Excellent

03 May 2025

Lawrence

Really liked the atmosphere, such a fun place to stay. The entry and library and outdoor patio were so nice to sit and relax and read a book. Note that many of the bathrooms are shared-luckily the hotel wasn’t full when we were there so no one to share with. They could do a lot better with decorating-getting some time-period/era art on the walls, instead of the tacky amateur art for sale. So much potential they are on a good start

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

30 Mar 2025

Beryl

Great staff and the hotel decoration is amazing. A very big surprise for the journey. I love it here.

10/10

Exceptional

13 Mar 2025

Michael

Wonderful owners and spa experience. And the food in the dining room was also great. Sweet little small town gem.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

23 Dec 2024

Carol U.

Overnight in Durfur, OR

Really enjoyed this historic hotel. Comfortable bed and bedding. Great continental breakfast and coffee. The Durfur Historical buildings are just up the street.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

11 Nov 2024

Cooper

Very cool hotel and nice staff

Business Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Oct 2024

Miesje

Our stay was delightful! The staff was welcoming. We especially enjoy the breakfast; healthy and attractively server in an amazing beautifully restored elegant dining room. The Balch provides a restful elegant non- cookie cutter stay!

10/10

Exceptional

19 Sep 2024

Chandler

Great hotel, beautiful building.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

16 Sep 2024

Mark

A splendid trip back in time. What a beautiful spot for a weekend getaway.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Sep 2024

Christa

The grounds and building are a fantastic surprise in such a small town.Great food and fun vibe. Staff is superb!

4/10

Poor

02 Sep 2024

Robin

Uncomfy but beautiful

Super hard bed, my husband could barely sleep and we woke up early just to get out of it. No AC on 3rd floor with it being 98degrees outside was not very fun. A whole lot of stairs so be prepared for that, shower took a long time to heat up water but at least it was an adorable claw foot tub. Place was a little creepy but that might appeal to you!
Great check in/check out times!

The rooms are adorable but just very uncomfortable honestly. BUT the outside is gorgeous, they have so many places you can sit out and eat and read your bible so that was lovely.
BEAUTIFUL hotel, they've really upgraded the place. The shared bathrooms were fine and super cute. I liked having a sink in the room, was thankful for that.

Walking distance to the store in town so that was convenient and nice.
Breakfast was okay, still hungry afterwards.
My husband still loved the stay even sleep deprived because he grew up in Dufur. I loved it because of its old charm and beautiful decor!

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

11 Aug 2024

Robert

Beautiful historic hotel with dining outside on patio. Food was very good but understaffed.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Aug 2024

anthony

Terrific hotel and great customer service. So peaceful. Beautiful grounds too. Make sure you take time to go see the waterfalls

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

04 Aug 2024

Teri

Super friendly staff! Peaceful surroundings. Amazing architecture and history.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jul 2024

Bruce

It was so nice to be able to step back in time for a couple of days. Very relaxing, safe and awesome staff.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jul 2024

Eric

Balched in 2024

My wife and I love this quaint hotel with great rooms, great decor, incredible common areas and awesome staff. Breakfast is healthy and sustaining, not quite what it used to be but still enjoyable. We love the entire experience.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jul 2024

Dawna

A gem in the tiny town of Dufur Oregon. If you are in the neighborhood and need a place to stay, this one is my recommendation!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jul 2024

Marianne

Clean and very beautiful

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

01 Jul 2024

Amy

If you like traveling back to a simpler time, this is a unique hotel for you along the Columbia River Gorge. It was a lovely setting and rooms were small, but quite comfortable and gave you an escape from the 21st century (no TV, turn of the century country appeal). A few simple improvements to make guest more comfortable would be to have forks out (no just spoons) for the breakfast and to have coffee out and ready by 6:00 am daily. Many early risers need that first cup before we develop a headache. On a Sunday there was no where to go in Dufur that had coffee, so it was a pretty painful wait to have a coffee pot out at like 7:45 or 8:00 am. Easy to do! Dinner, at Bistro 1907, however, was simple, but lovely, on a peaceful flowered garden patio. I will tell others the Balch is a good place to stay for historic charm. Thank you!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jun 2024

Charles

A beautiful space. Staff are super helpful.

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jun 2024

kelly

Give This Place A Try

This place is 110+ years old and really a delight to stay in because they haven't changed things very much. Gives you a snapshot of how hotels operated a century ago.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jun 2024

Joseph

It's a charming hotel with friendly staff. Very historical.

10/10

Exceptional

21 May 2024

Jonathan

A unique historical hotel. Very comfortable. Hope to come back again! Staff was above and beyond the call of duty.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 May 2024

Robert

These are the nicest and most accommodating folks I've met. Thanks!!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

22 Apr 2024

Ron

Liked it

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Apr 2024

Aaftab

A little gem.

Delightful historic hotel. Come for the ambience and the experience of living in a shared space a hundred years ago... no in-room TV (but strong internet, don't worry!). Great staff, nice little packaged breakfast (could've been more food, but adequate). Cute boutique. Beautiful view.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jan 2024

Daniel

As always it's an absolute pleasure to stay here. quiet, romantic. No television beautiful furnishings and a top notch staff who bend over backwards to make your stay a memorable one

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Sep 2023

Marco

Perfekte Unterkunft

Die Leute waren sehr freundlich, die Zimmer waren perfekt eingerichtet, wie das ganze Haus. Wie im Stil der 1907 Jahre. Frühstück war mit Liebe gemacht und lecker.Super Blick auf den Mount Hood hat man auch. Wir haben gleich einen Tag verlängert.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Sep 2023

dan

Second time staying at the Balch.... super friendly staff,super quiet and lovely grounds!! Want a relaxing time? This is the place to visit! Hotel is filled with antiques and furniture... our continental breakfast box had yogurt, granola, hard boiled egg, muffin and fresh nectarine slices! Looking forward to coming back, hopefully for more than one nite!!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Sep 2023

James

Excellent staff and a beautiful property. Great place to get away from it all.

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

31 Aug 2023

Karen

What a charming place and a great location to explore the Gorge and see the wonderful Dalles.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

24 Aug 2023

Paula

a wonderful place to stay!
highly recommend it♥️

10/10

Exceptional

18 Aug 2023

Brian

Charming. Old school. Lovely. Close-knit but welcoming town.

8/10

Excellent

26 May 2023

Faun

Nicely restored historical property.
Lovely, rural town.
Unfortunately, not the right night for great food (chef out) nor the right morning for quiet (car rally in town).
Still, highly recommended!

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

22 May 2023

Samuel

Love it!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

14 May 2023

Merle Leon

It was a treat to stay here. Historic, quaint and wonderful!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 May 2023

Verified traveler

Staff genuinely friendly and hospitable. So many nice touches that make the stay relaxing and comfortable.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 May 2023

lei

Exceptional in every way. What a pleasant surprise in the middle of nowhere. Loved the stay and the food was beautiful as well!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Mar 2023

Susan

This is a unique historical property that has been restored to nearly original condition only with modern upgrades. The staff were friendly and accommodating and the food was good. If you are looking for a beautiful and restful place to get away, the Balch Hotel is it!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

30 Oct 2022

Steven

Great Halloween deecorations and a beautiful old hotel!

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

23 Sep 2022

Michael

Everything with our stay was very nice, we enjoyed the cozy old hotel atmosphere. The room was nice and the bed was comfortable. The lady at the desk was pleasant and told us of everything available in Dufer and surrounding towns.
The only disappointment was the breakfast or the lack there of.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Aug 2022

Ingrid

lovely setting, well appointed rooms, helpful and friendly staff. Really thoughtful touches to make the stay enjoyable. Breakfast provided was just right.

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

18 Jul 2022

daniel l

No tv have to share bath room with other guest.no ac room was quire warm.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jul 2022

JOAN K

Big bathtub

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jun 2022

Shirley

Nostalgic and cozy. Nice stay.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 May 2022

Christie

So beautiful, clean, serene, relaxing, quiet. The staff was so friendly. I will defiantly be back. New favorite place by far.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

16 Oct 2021

NELSON

Historic

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

16 Sep 2021

Greg

Lovely stay

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Aug 2021

Verified traveler

Nice comfortable beds.

Business Partner

8/10

Excellent

01 Aug 2021

Verified traveler

On-site food was very good with Happy Hour, dinner and cute breakfast.
Little critter (unknown, but could hear it) under the bed at 5 AM.

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jul 2021

Verified traveler

The quite solitude for me was just what I anticipated. The staff - courteous, efficient, and a real sense of the application of kindness for all.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jul 2021

Verified traveler

This is a lovely historic hotel. The staff and the guests were delightful and the hotel and surroundings are beautiful.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

19 Jul 2021

Martha

Nice

It’s a nice little historic hotel. Building is old but it is confortable and very clean. The staff is very friendly. It is a grate place to relax.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jul 2021

Verified traveler

This place is cool and unique and a little bit like stepping back in time.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jul 2021

Joshua

Romantic weekend getaway

The Balch Hotel is a quick 13 minute drive from the The Dalles. Super friendly staff. Quiet and peaceful outdoor sitting areas, great for sipping a bottle of wine with someone special. Some rooms have air conditioning and their own bathrooms. Delicious food, beverages and dessert available to purchase. Nostalgic, charming and romantic.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jul 2021

Verified traveler

This is a marvelous hotel. The rooms were lovely.

Business Family

6/10

Pleasant

01 Jun 2021

Chris

Old Style Hotel

Quaint very old style hotel. If you need an on-suite bathroom, ar AC, your in the wrong place.
To-Go breakfast not bad: You get an egg, yoghurt + cake.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 May 2021

Verified traveler

Cutest place for a weekend stay. So nice!

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

11 Apr 2021

Roberto

Durfur, OR The Balch

This is a small rural town in OR that has an ag based economy and is an alternative to The Dalles and a town one can stop off on the way to Madtas or Bend, OR. I am here for a gravel bike race that is starting off in Durfur, OR.

The staff is lovely, very helpful. There is a dinner menu that while limited, is creative and requires culinary know how. The hotel also has an outdoor patio with heat and string lighting. The view of Mt. Hood is spectacular. There is also nice star gazing.

The hotel also offers some unusual services, including tarot card readings, meditation, Reiki Energy Treatment, Chakra Balancing, Gem-Reiki Therapy at the hotel spa.

Last, most rooms do not have a bathroom, given that this hotel was built in 1907. Instead, there are shared bathrooms. In our stay, the people were polite and efficient, so, this was not an issue.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Mar 2021

Cherri D.

Nice place

Sweet

10/10

Exceptional

17 Oct 2020

NancyandRick

So quiet. Got a lot of reading done and the museum next door was terrific.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 Oct 2020

deborah h.

This place is a history lover's dream.

Friendly and efficient staff, wonderful dinner and a quiet room. But this place is so much more! Antiques, nice architecture, a little garden, and did I mention the food? It's a real gem in \"the middle of nowhere\". I appreciate the little touches too. Chocolate and soaps... We had a shared bathroom a couple of doors down, but we never saw any other guests on our floor.

10/10

Exceptional

25 Sep 2020

Alan

Lovely historic building that is extremely well keep with an extraordinarily helpful and friendly staff. Great value. Beautiful grounds. Delightful bar and restaurant. I highly recommend this place to everyone!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Aug 2020

Kay

The Balch Hotel was outstanding. Lovely, inviting and comfortable. Outdoor patio so pleasant along with great food.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

30 Aug 2020

ChickpeaTree

There's really nothing lacking at this place if you're cool with vintage. Excellent service. Excellent continental breakfast. We stayed in August in a room with no AC, so it was slightly warm in the afternoon, but cooled down nicely at night. The shared bathrooms are a bit of a pain because you have to take your room key with you to the potty in the middle of the night. Not all guests will knock before entering a closed door, so always double lock the bathroom! It's not well advertised, but they do NOT allow pets or children. Be aware of this before booking!

Business_and_leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Aug 2020

Scott

Quiet, peaceful weekend in Central Oregon.

Perfect weekend get away with friends. Hiking, biking or anything outdoors. Be ready because that's what the Balch is all about.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

05 Nov 2019

Kitty

Wonderful hotel

Both elegant and comfortable. Delicious breakfast. Welcoming staff. I will stay here again if I'm in the area.

Self

8/10

Excellent

02 Nov 2019

Theadore

The hotel is very quaint and quiet in a beautiful setting. The staff was very friendly and helpful. We loved setting in the library with a glass of wine and visiting with our friends. The only suggestion I might make is that perhaps hand grips or hand bars would be beneficial in the showers.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

03 Oct 2019

Verified traveler

We had a wonderful stat in this oasis. What a peaceful town and historic hotel.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

19 Sep 2019

Verified traveler

What a beautiful old hotel. So nicely decorated and appointed. The owner is very friendly and pleasant.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

23 Aug 2019

Alan

Wild west

Old school hotel in a very quiet town in a spectacular location. It was very comfortable but not close to anything.

Partner