For my 6th birthday, I thought it would be fun to go off the beaten path and explore a small town in Washington called Centralia. Centralia has a perfect name, located centrally between Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington. We found a pretty sweet dog-friendly hotel that I’ve been excited to share with my pups.
McMenamins is a unique chain based out of Oregon that specializes in renovating old historic buildings into charming hotels, brewpubs, venues, and movie theaters. They offer some of the best movie brewpubs in Portland, so we knew they would be a unique place to stay. Plus all of their locations are dog-friendly, which is a major woof in my book.
This particular Mcmenamins hotel, the Olympic Club or Oly club, has a fascinating history. The hotel was built in the early 1900s and was originally a gentlemen’s resort and Old West railroad hotel. The hotel featured a card room, pool room, barbershop, bar, shoeshine stand, and elegant furnishings. The hotel was recognized for hosting high rollers, miners, loggers, and ladies of the night. The hotel became significant after the notorious train robber Roy Gardner was captured in one of the rooms in the 1920s. The hotel has a history of paranormal activity, which includes reports of laughter in empty rooms, mysterious music playing in the halls, candles being mysteriously lit, and ghostly apparitions. Based on the history, I was prepared to protect Mom and Dad throughout the night.
Upon arrival, I was immediately given treats by the front desk lady. She then proceeded to give me a dog bowl, more treats, and poop bags. Win!
We went to explore our hotel room and were surprised by our accommodations. Our room was called the Don Iverson and featured the history of his time working at the Oly club painted all around the room. There were bunk beds! I was so confused by them. The room had well-thought-out, intricate details, and we felt like we were back in the 1900s. I started immediately growling at the ghosts, which terrified Mom and Dad.
This hotel was one of the coolest, most unique hotels we have ever been to. Style-wise, the hotel was absolutely perfect. The beds were actually comfy, even though we had a bunk bed room. I only had two complaints: One, there was a $15 pet fee for accidents, and you know how much we don’t like pet fees; and two, our particular room had no air conditioning, fans, or windows. We all felt very claustrophobic and had to sleep with the covers off because it felt roughly a million degrees. The room had a skylight that was too high to reach and open. Other rooms had windows, and we will definitely spring for a better room next time we stay at a McMenamins hotel.
Ratings:
McMenamins Olympic Club Hotel:
I only gave the hotel one paw up because although the hotel had treats and beautiful accommodations, the pet fee and the hot rooms would deter us from staying here often. We will definitely spring for a nicer room next time. However, McMenamins hotels are unique, and I would recommend staying, eating, or watching a movie there when you have a chance!
Pin this, pups:
Stay tuned for my next blog post, where I tell the interesting story of my birthday trip to Centralia, Washington.
This blog is a member of the #feetdotravel, #weekendwanderlust, and #theweeklypostcard communities on Facebook; join us to share travel stories, get travel advice, or read travel inspiration.
Big Dog Travel Blog 
Sounded like a fun ghostly place to stay for you and your parents. But agree with you Scarlett and folks, a window for sure would be my choice for fresh air. I give it one hand up because they gave you treats and your own bowl.
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Yes, it was definitely worth spending the extra money for a window room. Now we know 🙂
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I appreciate hotels that allow dogs, although sometimes they are not the nicest ones. My dog doesn’t sleep on the bed, she has her own crate, but I love taking her with us whenever we can. #TheWeeklyPostcard
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I agree, there are only a few gems that allow dogs to stay the night. We have found that our favorites are consistently La Quinta Inn and Suites and Kimpton hotels for their dog-friendly atmosphere, quality, and lack of pet fees. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
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I grew up with dogs, but for the last five years of living in Germany, I haven’t had a dog 😦 and I really want to get one! But everyone keeps saying how difficult it is to travel with dogs. I don’t really think so, you just have to search for dog friendly hotels! This one looks like a good one! Thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard!
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I’m not sure how hard it would be to travel with a pup in Germany compared to America. It definitely depends on the size and breed of the dog. We have found it exceedingly difficult to travel because of Scarlett’s size. Thus why we created this blog 🙂 Thanks for reading, I hope you can get a dog and travel with her soon.
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I have a mini (chubby) Sheltie back home in the US, so I’d like to have another here. Small enough to take with us. But I have another travel blogger friend who travels with her large golden retriever.
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I love reading your blog and two paws up for another great read. It made me think again that I need to get out west. Dog friendly hotels are the best! Hotels with windows are a must if they are lacking air conditioning. Looking forward to your next blog ❤️. Happy writing, Kathy
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We would love to see you out here, there is so much adventure to be had 🙂 Miss you, love you! xoxo
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I absolutely love those bunk beds and the most adorable little welcome plate ever!
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Me too, it was the best 🙂
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I like hotels full of history and ghosts (just kidding but I have been to some that are “haunted”). I have been surprised by bunk beds before. Hope the mattresses were that bad. #WeekendWanderlust
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They were super comfy for bunk beds! It was a beautiful night 🙂
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Great Post. I love staying in hotels or bed and breakfasts that are in old, renovated buildings. The fact that dogs travel well is nice. Doesn’t work so well for the cats.
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Yes, we definitely need more kitty-friendly options 🙂
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Happy belated birthday! This is such an interesting hotel, but sorry about the heat! I would love to stay in a haunted hotel someday, but I think if I actually did see/feel something, it’d scare me half to death!
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We’ve stayed in a few with no scares so you should definitely do it one day 🙂
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A really unique hotel in an interesting location – really like railroads so to have one at the back of the hotel is super cool. I usually stay in hostels so bunk beds are really normal to me – hopefully you enjoyed them! Sounds like a really cool stay!
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You would love this one, it was very unique 🙂
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Happy Birthday, Scarlett! This looks like a really cool place to check out. Or, check in, I guess. The ghost thing does kind of creep us out a little bit, but you got treats, soooo… That’s a win, right? We would definitely feel safer with you there. Our Chief Barketing Officer is a lightweight. Seriously. He’s a Chihuahua and weighs less than 10# soaking wet. 🙂
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Thank you!!! I bet your little chihuahua could scare off any potential ghosts. They are protectors 🙂
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When I lived in Seattle, I always heard great things about McMenamin’s, but never made it down there! I love how pet-friendly Washington and Oregon are!
#TheWeeklyPostcard
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I think Oregon and Washington are the best dog-friendly states too 🙂 we are lucky to live here!
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Happy Birthday Scarlett! McMenamins sounds like a cool chain of hotels I would like to stay in, love the theme! Shame about the lack of window and hot room, you really can’t get your bearings when there is no daylight as to what time of day or night that is, so when would you get your treats from Mom & Dad??? Maybe that’s why front desk gave them to you straight away 😀 #feetdotravel
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Thanks, they really are great hotels 🙂 You should check them out one day!
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Happy Birthday, Scarlett! What a ghostly adventure you had at the interesting hotel. Very interesting history and love how the hotel caters to dogs. Not sure about the extra fee for accidents though. Good to now they are dog-friendly but not loving the bunk beds either especially no air con. The ghosts might scare me away! 🙂 #feetdotravel
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Thank you 🙂 I think they were nice ghosts though!
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Growling at the ghosts!?! You are much braver than I am! I would have been confused by the bunk beds too, but I’m glad you got to experience them during your stay here!
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They were cozier than expected 🙂 thanks for reading!
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You growling at the ghosts would have spooked me too! Definitely spring for some air conditioning next time!
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Absolutely, we wish we had known before! Next time 🙂
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Happy Birthday Scarlett! Spooky adventure indeed! Unfortunate about the pet fee. We love playing cards too! What is your favourite card game?
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Thank you! I usually just watch my parents play, but they enjoy gin rummy! 🙂
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It’s good to read about Centralia, I think I skipped it and went over to Mount Rainier. The McMenamins Olympic Club Hotel looks useful when traveling with pets. Its a shame it was so hot but the hotel definitely looks unique. I’d stay there if I brought my Jack Russell.
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It’s an interesting small town! Definitely stay in a room with windows if you do next time you’re in town 🙂
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Love the doggy treat given and that photo of you two in the bunk beds is just gorgeous 🙂
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Thank you, we had a lovely stay 🙂
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You got me all excited when you said the place is known for paranormal activity! I love to read about all of these places. Did your mom and dad experience anything while there? I can imagine how claustrophobic it must have been in a room with no windows and aircon! I have plenty of horror stories of this myself haha! Atleast it’s dog friendly! Thanks for sharing!
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They didn’t see the ghosts, only I could see them! 🙂 Thanks for reading!
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The Oly Club sounds very unique. I like that they painted the history on the walls, but the hot room would have driven me crazy.
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Happy belated birthday! Wow what an adventure you had!ust be cool to stay in a ghostly hotel. Shame for the room without the window! Much better when you can have fresh air 😉 thanks for sharing this article with us 🙂
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Happy Birthday Scarlett, hope you had a great one. The Olympic Club looks really interesting and the history behind it makes it more attractive. I loved the Railroad at the back of the hotel too.
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