Willamette Valley Hotels: Best Western Newberg Review
I’m a little bit of a hotel snob and a slave to elite status, so Best Westerns haven’t really been in my hotel repertoire of late. But I was surprised and extremely pleased when I stayed at the (still being renovated) Best Western Newberg in Willamette Valley last year and again when I revisited a few weekends ago.
Willamette Valley is tough for accommodations. There are a few 5* hotels and B&Bs and there are a handful of 2* hotel chains. Nothing really in the middle and AirBnB properties frequently charge as much or more than hotels for a basic room. So when I was attending the Oregon Chardonnay celebration last year I found myself with very few options. Much as I would love to stay at the Alison Inn & Spa, the $400+ a night for a room wasn’t justifiable. Most other places were sold out by the time I decided to go so it came down to the Holiday Inn Express and the Best Western. Both were in the $100 price range and the Best Western got slightly better reviews so I decided to try it.
It didn’t look like anything special from the outside but I was happy to see that it was still in the process of being renovated which meant everything (finished) would be shiny and new!
The reception area was modern with a TV and a fake fire, and a computer for guest use.
On our first stay we were given a room on the second floor near the front (note: no elevator). The door plaque was still makeshift.
The room had bright pleasant decor and was quite new. We had a small sitting area and a fridge. There aren’t really any views anywhere in the hotel, but ours was of a backyard which wasn’t bad.
I was amused by the internet sign but then wondered if prior to the renovations wi-fi wasn’t available, a problem I experienced in Vegas. The bed and pillows were comfy enough, again it was great everything was so fresh and new.
Bathroom was standard with shampoo and body wash in a dispenser on the wall of the shower.
On the second stay we were assigned a room towards the back of the second floor. No sitting area this time, though enough room to have one. The wi-fi table card was gone and the tray coffee maker had been replaced by a Kuerig.
The biggest difference other than the sitting area was the connecting door. You could hear everything through the connecting door, conversations, coughing in the night, even when smart phone alarm went off a minute after mine in the morning. If you’re a light sleeper, make sure you don’t get a room with a connecting door!
On the first stay I looked at the indoor pool but didn’t bother with the gym or breakfast area. This time I merely sprinted through in my search for morning tea. Several people were in the gym but it seemed to have a nice array of machines, yoga balls, and a few weights. I was impressed by the breakfast. Not only did they have the typical hot options which included a pancake machine, biscuits and gravy, egg, and sausage, but they also had a small refrigerated area with Greek yogurt and microwavable items like Jimmy Dean breakfast croissants and breakfast burritos. 
That was in addition to the usual fruit and cereal options. Not a made to order omelet but a definite upgrade from the weak pastries and cereal I was expecting. Even the tea options were better than Lipton tea bags. That said, there are some great breakfast options nearby, so go to Storrs Smokehouse if you have time.
Best Western has been working on the image over the years and the Best Western Newberg is a good example — a solid value at the price. While I would prefer something a little nicer, I will most likely stay here again and can recommend it if you’re looking for affordable Willamette hotels.
