"How did it strike you on arrival?In the shadow of the impressively long Astoria-Megler bridge (the longest continuous truss bridge in the United States), The Cannery stretches out on a pier along the Columbia River. Clad in brick-red metal siding and looking not too dissimilar from the old cannery it replaced, the hotel doesn’t earn points for curb appeal. But you’ll soon forget that once you walk in and see the comfortable lounge, with its cozy couches, fireplace, and two-story floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the deck and busy river below. Survey the crowd—who's here?If you’ve arrived in time for Wine & Lox, which is served in the lounge from 5 to 6 pm nightly, you’ll likely see the rest of the hotel guests lining up to fill up their glasses. Most will be well-to-do Boomers and well-heeled international tourists, since this is the most luxe hotel in town. How was check in? Check in at the small, simple two-person desk right when you walk through the door. The rooms are analog enough to make it very easy to feel at home. And the rooms?Low-tech rooms feature decor firmly planted in the late 1990s, but they’re plush in their own way. Each has a gas fireplace, view of the river, and balcony where you can sit and watch the container ships and pilot boats go by. You can even watch the river action from the shower and tub, thanks to some pretty smart bathroom design. If you travel with your pup, book a dog-friendly room. If you travel with kids, or maybe your aging parents, book the Pilot House on the fifth floor, which has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchen. Did any details stand out to you?The rooms at the Cannery Pier are all about the Columbia River view, offering a window seat or easy chair, couch, and little balcony so you can sit and enjoy it all day long. If the breeze gets too chilly while you’re outside, wrap yourself in the room’s Pendleton throw. Wifi is free and fast. What's the coffee, food, and drink scene like?The wet bar has a Keurig-style coffee maker and real half-and-half in the mini-fridge instead of the usual gross powdery stuff. There’s no onsite restaurant or bar, but you can partake of the free continental breakfast, which includes hot items like breakfast burritos and waffles. Or just grab one of the pastries, hop on one of the free day-use cruiser bikes, and head to a nearby cafe. If you time it right, you can hop on the Astoria Trolley, which runs along the river. In the evening, the hotel’s driver to take you to one of the restaurants or bars in town; you’ll arrive in style in one of a rotating cast of vintage cars. But before you go, stop by the lounge for free wine, cheese, and smoked salmon from 5 to 6 p.m. nightly. What other features should we know about?A small gym room overlooks the river, which makes fitting in a workout a little less painful. Book a massage, facial or body wrap in the spa, take a dip in the saline hot tub, or warm your bones in the Finnish sauna, a nod to Astoria’s Finnish fishermen heritage. What's the bottom line?You’ve come to Astoria to watch the river, and there’s no better place to do it than here. Add in really comfy beds, fluffy towels and robes, and a gas fireplace, and you've got the coziest perch in town." - Danielle Centoni
