The iconic Marcus Whitman Hotel in Walla Walla, Washington is the perfect location for wine lovers to explore the charming downtown area and venture into the Columbia Valley AVA. When I entered the lobby for the first time it was as if I had stepped into a time tunnel and emerged in the jazz age. The hotel has recently undergone a multi-million dollar renovation and it is stunning. I love Art Deco and the interior of the hotel is filled with examples of this luxurious style. I stayed here for two nights and loved how convenient it was to everything.
My visit to the Marcus Whitman Hotel was a press trip and hosted by the hotel.
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Renovations at The Marcus Whitman
During renovations great care was taken to keep original features. Photo credit: Marguerite “Peggy” Cleveland
“The Marcus Whitman Hotel has long been a point of pride in our community. The renovation under Columbia Hospitality management continues the work begun by Kyle Mussman (former owner and current investor) to restore the Grand Dame of Walla Walla to her original glory. The luxurious fabrics, lighting, artwork and finishing touches were all chosen to compliment the 1920’s architecture and to highlight the original features like the original chandeliers and woodwork in the lobby, that make the Marcus Whitman such a unique destination,” Emily Brown Senior Sales Manager.
Why The Marcus Whitman Is Perfect For Wine Lovers
A cozy spot to sip a glass of wine. Photo credit: Marguerite “Peggy” Cleveland
I am passionate about Washington Wine and I love to write about it. Walla Walla is such a great wine destination because it has the infrastructure to support visitors to the area with luxurious hotels like the Marchus Whitman and local restaurants that highlight Washington wines and locally sourced ingredients.
Daily afternoon wine tasting
Four wine tasting rooms on site
Chef’s Table with wine pairing
Walking distance to over 30 wine tasting rooms in downtown Walla Walla
The large king bedroom in the Tower Suite. Photo Credit: Marguerite “Peggy” Cleveland
The Marcus Whitman Hotel has 133 guest rooms in two different locations.
The Historic Hotel Tower has luxurious suites and classic rooms all newly renovated.
Views abound of downtown Walla Walla and the distant Blue Mountains.
The West Wing is located near the conference center and is perfect if you have a pet.
The first floor rooms have doors to an outdoor yard and the parking lot.
All rooms in the hotel have large desks and wi-fi for business travelers.
I stayed on the 7th floor in a Tower Suite and it was the epitome of luxury. The color scheme was soothing with shades of gray, blues, and gold. I loved the bathroom with its vintage vibe with a pedestal sink and subway tiles. Unlike most vintage bathrooms in historic hotels it was huge with both a walk in shower and a separate bathtub. The pedestal sink was large with room for toiletries on either side of the sink. My suite had a separate king bedroom and a parlor living room. I felt like I was a guest at an opulent mansion.
Restaurants At The Marcus WhitmanSalmon Course during the Chef’s Table at The Marc. Photo credit: Marguerite “Peggy” Cleveland
The dining program at the Marcus Whitman is headed by Executive Chef Eric H. Koepsell. He draws inspiration from the local farmers, purveyors, and winemakers in the region that provide fresh ingredients for the restaurant. His culinary experience is vast with not only kitchen time at famed restaurants such as Art of the Table in Seattle but also as a farmer. HIs connection to the land brings his passion for fresh, seasonal ingredients to the forefront at The Marc and to the special events hosted year-round at the Marcus Whitman.
Koepsell’s right hand man is Nigel Blair, the Executive Sous Chef. He trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Portland, Oregon. He has a passion for butchery and charcuterie as well as Spanish cuisine. He brings his unique experiences working in both Laos and Japan to The Marc.
The Marc
The Marc is the hotel’s main restaurant and serves breakfast and dinner each day. The decor is similar to the lobby with an Art Deco flair but what is unique is the collage on the wall with stalks of wheat. Each place setting has a piece of wheat decorating the napkins. It is such a nice touch and highlights the heritage of wheat in the fields surrounding Walla Walla.
I dined at The Marc for breakfast and found it a leisurely experience. The breakfast menu is small but offers both savory and sweet items. I had a substantial breakfast sandwich which was served on thick pieces of toast. The breakfast potatoes were so good. Melt in your mouth, crispy Yukon potatoes were sprinkled with feta and fresh herbs. The menus change seasonally.
The Chef’s Table
Wow, this was one amazing meal! During the renovations a room was constructed open to the kitchen for the Chef’s Table. The table seats 8 comfortably and the experience is tailored for your party. The group I was with experienced a six course meal that started with an amuse-bouche and ended with dessert. Each course was expertly paired with wine. I loved that each course had fresh, local ingredients from local farms. For our meal many ingredients were sourced from the Frog Hollow Farm which I was able to visit the next day. It was so interesting to see where my food came from and the creativity exhibited by Executive Sous Chef Nigel Blair in the dishes he served us.
The Marc Bar and The Marc Cafe
The Marc Bar is located off the lobby and is a cozy space with a separate fireplace room. This elegant space is the perfect spot to enjoy a craft cocktail or wine flight. The bar menu has light bites as well as full meals for a less formal dining experience.
The Marc Cafe is available in the lobby when the hotel has heavy bookings. It allows the hotel to expand the restaurant. It also serves as a spot to eat for those with pets. Well behaved dogs are welcome to dine in the lobby with their owners.
Four Tasting Rooms At The Marcus WhitmanNine Hats Wines Tasting Room in the Marchus Whitman. Photo Credit: Marguerite “Peggy” Cleveland
The Marcus Whitman offers four tasting rooms onsite. Each is individually owned with easy access from the hotel lobby.
Nine Hats Wines
The tasting room for Nine Hats Wines is a bright modern space. The company is known for its approachable wines and vibrant community that supports them. These are wines you can drink everyday whether with a nice meal or after mowing the lawn. Make sure to try the Red Wine, a nice red blend.
Beekeeper by Abeja, Downtown
Abeja means “bee” in Spanish and is a symbol for the company’s commitment to the environment. Beekeeper by Abeja, Downtown offers the Beekeeper collection of wines. This boutique collection of wines is only available to wine club members or to guests of the tasting rooms. Try a tasting flight or enjoy a glass of your favorite.
Lodmell Cellars
The distinctive snake on the label of a bottle of Lodmell Cellars wine is a symbol for the estate vineyard which is located on the lower Snake River. This family owned business is known for its Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines are hand crafted and small lots are aged in barrels. Buy the award winning 2016 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.
L’Ecole No. 41, Heritage Wine Bar
This third generation family owned business is located in historic Frenchtown in the 1915 original schoolhouse which is featured on the wine labels. These are premium, distinctive wines. L’Ecole No 41, has been recognized by Wine & Spirits Magazine as a Top 100 Winery of the Year seventeen times. Buy a selection from their premium Vineyard Collection, which is wines from a single vineyard and hank picked from the oldest and most distinguished blocks.
The Marcus Whitman Is Walkable To All Downtown Walla Walla Has To Offer
Annette Bergevin at the Bergevin Tasting Room in the Showroom at Colville. It is just a short walk from the Marcus Whitman. Photo Credit: Marguerite “Peggy” Cleveland
One of the features I loved most about a stay at the Marcus Whitman was its close proximity to the restaurants, wine tasting rooms, and shops located in downtown Walla Walla. Everything is just a short walk. Downtown is lovely with public art works and wide sidewalks. Heritage Square with its dramatic “Windows of the Past” art installation is a great spot to relax downtown. Events take place throughout the year and in warmer months the summer concert series is very popular. Wine lovers will enjoy the tasting rooms and wine focused restaurants.
I’m Marguerite Cleveland, an experienced travel writer but all my friends call me Peggy. My domain name was inspired by my friends asking, “Peggy, where should I go?” and then when I share tips they ask “How do you know this?” Well, because I really am a travel expert and I also have a super power. People love to talk to me and share their stories with me. It also leads to great travel tips which I can share with you.
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