Escape to OYO Riverside Inn: John Day's Best-Kept Secret!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the… well, the secret that is OYO Riverside Inn in John Day. Forget sterile travel guides, because I’m serving up the unfiltered truth, the good, the maybe not so good (because let's be real, perfection is a myth and boring), and the hilariously unexpected. This isn't just a review; it's a full-blown experience.
Escape to OYO Riverside Inn: John Day's Best-Kept Secret! – (Is It REALLY a SECRET?)
Right, so the tagline, "Best-Kept Secret"? Hmm. Let's just say John Day isn't exactly teeming with paparazzi. But the secret is…well, it's that this place is surprisingly good, especially considering its location. Think of it as that cozy, slightly quirky aunt's house you always secretly loved visiting.
Accessibility & Safety – The Nitty Gritty (and the Good Stuff)
Okay, first things first, the boring stuff. Accessibility: They do have facilities for disabled guests, an elevator, and a 24-hour front desk. That's a good start. They’ve got fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, CCTV, and 24-hour security, which is comforting. Feeling safe is essential, especially when you're, you know, trying to actually relax. They also have a first aid kit, which, thankfully, I didn’t need.
On to the cleanliness and the pandemic-era precautions: They're REALLY trying. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Yep. Staff trained in safety protocol? Sounds like it. They’re going all out with the individual-wrapped food options and safe dining setups. This is where I confess to a slight paranoia. I am super happy to report they use professional-grade sanitizing services and even have room sanitization opt-out available! This is the stuff that makes me sleep a little better. I still carry around my own wipes, but hey, at least they’re taking it seriously. The rooms, by the way, are sanitized between stays.
Getting to the Good Stuff: Amenities & Ways to Bliss Out (and the Hilarious Downsides)
Alright, let's get to the fun part. This place has a pool with a view. (I’m a sucker for a pool with a view.) They also have a sauna, a spa, and a fitness center. (Okay, full disclosure, I intended to visit the fitness center, but the comfy bed won out. Priorities.) No body scrubs or wraps that I could see, but hey, you can’t have it all, right? They do have a steam room. And a gym/fitness which, as I mentioned, I did not experience, but it looked legit from the window.
The Dining and Drinking Debacle (Mostly Good, but…Let’s Be Real)
Ah, food. The lifeblood of any successful getaway, wouldn't you agree? They have a restaurant. (A la carte, and buffet) and a bar (Happy hour, baby!). They have room service 24-hour. They have a coffee shop and a snack bar. OK, so, here’s the thing. The restaurant has international cuisine, and Western and Asian cuisine, which is a pretty ambitious lineup, especially considering the location. The buffet breakfast…wasn’t bad. Okay, fine, the buffet was pretty darn good. I may have had three pancakes. (Don’t judge.) They also give you a bottle of water.
However, the coffee? It could have been better. It was instant. (I’m a coffee snob, I admit it). Luckily, the coffee from the coffee shop was much better, so crisis averted!
Services & Conveniences: The Stuff That Makes Life Easier (and the Glimmers of Quirks)
They have a concierge, laundry service, daily housekeeping, and a convenience store. The convenience store has essentials, which is fantastic if you’re like me and forget something vital, like, oh, I don’t know, toothpaste. (It totally wasn't me, but I know someone who did!) There's free on-site parking. Cash withdrawal, currency exchange, even a doctor/nurse on call!
And yes, they provide an invoice, you can get food delivery (from somewhere, presumably), and there is a gift shop (okay, maybe not a fancy gift shop, but still).
For the Kids & Families (and the Quiet Moments)
They are definitely family/child-friendly, with kids facilities, so I didn't test a babysitting service.
In-Room Awesomeness (and the Little Annoyances)
Now, the rooms. They’re clean. (Thank goodness!) They have air conditioning, blackout curtains, and a coffee/tea maker. My room had a comfy bed, a desk for working (okay, I tried to work…), and free Wi-Fi (which worked great, by the way). I also had a scale. (Don’t ask. I probably needed a scale.) The bathroom was fine, with a separate shower and bathtub. And a hairdryer. The TV had satellite/cable channels, and on-demand movies. Bonus! There's also an in-room safe box.
The one minor qualm? The view. It was…okay. Nothing spectacular, nothing tragic. Like a slightly blurry postcard. That's the point of escape, right? Getting away from it all.
Getting Around: The Freedom Factor
Airport transfer? Yes, if you need it. They have a car park (free of charge). Taxi service? Available.
The Verdict & The Unforgettable Moment (Spoiler Alert: Pancakes!)
So, is OYO Riverside Inn in John Day a "best-kept secret"? Maybe. The secret has been revealed with the great Wi-Fi, the super safe and clean environment, and the convenience of the on-site restaurant! I’m not going to lie, there are some imperfections. The coffee is not amazing, and the view is nothing to write home about, but this place is a solid choice. Clean, safe, and comfortable.
The Unforgettable Moment: Waking up on the first morning, the sun streaming through the windows, and thinking, "Pancakes. Glorious, fluffy pancakes." THAT, my friends, is the true definition of a getaway.
SEO-Friendly Keywords: OYO Riverside Inn, John Day, hotel review, Oregon, lodging, accommodation, travel, escape, family friendly, accessible hotel, free Wi-Fi, pool, spa, restaurant, comfort, clean, safe, value, John Day River, Eastern Oregon, travel tips
Call to Action (And a Seriously Tempting Offer):
Ready to Escape?
Book your getaway to OYO Riverside Inn in John Day today! And to sweeten the deal, we’re offering:
- 20% off your stay when you book for two nights or more!
- Complimentary breakfast! (Yes, that means ALL THE PANCAKES!)
- Free parking.
- Safe and clean.
- Free Wi-Fi
Don't miss out on this chance to discover John Day's best-kept almost-secret. Click the link below and start planning your escape!
[Insert Booking Link Here]
Escape to Cleveland: Luxury Suites Await at Hampton Inn & Suites!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned travelogue. This is the raw, unfiltered, slightly-hungover truth of my John Day, Oregon adventure, centered around the ever-so-charming OYO Riverside Inn. Prepare for some serious rambling, because honestly, my brain's been doing that ever since I left the house.
John Day: My Own Personal Wild West Rodeo (More Like a Slow, Wobbly Pony Ride)
Day 1: Arrival of Dreams… and Reality Bites (Mostly the Mosquitoes)
- 1:00 PM: Arrived in John Day. Okay, "arrived" is stretching it. More like, limped into John Day. Three hours of relentless driving on roads that may or may not have been paved recently will do that to you. The OYO Riverside Inn? Let's just say the photos on the website were taken years ago. The exterior… well, it's got character. Character that's been through a few… hard knocks.
- 1:30 PM: Check-in. The lady behind the counter was… let's call her "efficient." Not a smile. Not a "Welcome to paradise!" More like a "room key, sign here, don't cause trouble." Felt like I was being initiated into a secret society of tired travelers.
- 2:00 PM: Room Inspection. Okay, I’m not gonna lie, I was bracing myself. It wasn't awful. Think… a motel room that peaked sometime in the 80s, and has been holding steady since. Clean-ish. The air conditioning worked, which was a minor miracle. The view? A parking lot, but hey, at least there's action! (By "action," I mean the occasional tumbleweed and the guy in the beat-up pickup truck.)
- 3:00 PM: Exploring John Day. Okay, this is more of a stroll. The town is small. Really small. One main street. A gas station. A few restaurants that look kinda… questionable. I wandered around, feeling like I'd somehow stumbled into a forgotten corner of the world. Population? Mostly friendly locals and a whole lotta space. The sheer scale!
- 5:00 PM: Mosquito Battle Royale. I stepped outside for, like, two seconds. Two seconds! And I was swarmed. These weren't just any mosquitoes, these were the blood-sucking, dive-bombing, relentless kind. I swear, they were wearing tiny combat boots. Spent the next hour slapping myself. My face looks like a Jackson Pollock painting of itchy red dots.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the local diner. The food? Hearty. The coffee? Strong. The conversations? Intriguing. Met a couple of old-timers who've seen it all. Listened to their stories and I think I'm not even sure what they were talking about but I was entertained. And the pie? Heavenly. Maybe everything in John Day is heavenly because it has to be. It's the only way, right?
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime. Exhausted. It's been a long day of driving and mosquito wars. The OYO Riverside Inn's bed? surprisingly, comfortable. Knocked out almost instantly.
Day 2: The Painted Hills: A Symphony of Earthy Colors (and Existential Dread)
- 7:00 AM: Woke up. The sun rises over John Day in all its glory. Actually felt refreshed! The mosquitoes had apparently taken the night off, too, the little bastards.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at a different place like "Hwy 26 Diner" and it was even better. The scrambled eggs were fluffy. The bacon crispy. The waitress, bless her heart, kept the coffee flowing and had some good stories to tell.
- 9:00 AM: The Painted Hills! Okay, this is what I came for. The pictures didn't lie, and there's something about this place that's just breathtaking. I swear, the hills are literally painted. Reds, oranges, yellows, all swirled together in a geological masterpiece. I walked, I stared, I felt small. Like, really small. Like, insignificant speck in the face of eons of geological time small. It's both humbling and a little terrifying.
- 11:00 AM: The Painted Hills contemplation session. I decided to do some hiking. I think I felt like the movie "Into the Wild" and I imagined my death in the beautiful place. And then I tripped and almost fell into a ravine. This is why I don't hike!
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Back in the town. I had a hamburger and some onion rings. I had to go from "serious" to "basic" at some point, you know?
- 1:00 PM: I felt like I had a ton of free time. What do I do during free time? Well, I'm guessing this is where the alcohol comes in…
- 6:00 PM: The local bar, "The Outpost." Now this is where the real John Day comes alive. And by "alive," I mean the regulars are friendly, the beer is cold, and the stories get progressively wilder. I met a farmer named Earl who told me about raising llamas. Llamas! Who knew?! He said they spit on people.
- 9:00 PM: back in my room at the OYO. Exhausted. The day's awe had worn me down. The OYO is looking better already.
Day 3: Farewell, John Day (and the Mosquitoes!)
- 7:00 AM: Woke up. Actually feeling a bit sad to leave. Strange. You get used to a place. The OYO is a bit of a dump, but it's my home away from home.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast, again at the diner. Said my goodbyes to everyone. The waitress gave me a hug. I think I'm starting to get emotional.
- 9:00 AM: Head out. A final look at John Day in the rearview mirror. I will be back… maybe.
- 1:00 PM: Home.
Quirky Observations and Emotional Reactions:
- The Speed Limit: Seems to be more of a suggestion than a rule in John Day.
- The Locals: Genuine, straight shooters. They'll tell you what they think, but they’ll also help you if you need it.
- The Wi-Fi: Nonexistent. Which, in a strange way, was kind of a blessing. Forced me to disconnect from the world for a bit.
- The Unexpected: Found myself genuinely enjoying the peacefulness. The slow pace of life. The genuine interactions. John Day, despite its imperfections, has a certain charm.
- The OYO Riverside Inn: "Rustic" is an understatement. But, at the end of the day, it provided a roof over my head and a hot shower. And hey, it’s part of the experience, right?
Final Thoughts:
John Day isn't for everyone. It's rough around the edges. It's quiet. It's… well, it's John Day. But it's also beautiful in its own way. If you're looking for a place to escape the noise, to reconnect with nature, and to meet some genuinely interesting people, then John Day might just surprise you. Just remember the bug spray. Trust me on that one. And maybe pack a good book. And a sense of humor. You'll need it.
Escape to Paradise: Stunning Caorle Villa Sleeps 6 w/ Garden, TV & AC
So, what *is* this "Riverside Inn" thing, anyway? Sounds kinda… generic.
Okay, you got me. "Riverside Inn" *does* sound like your average motel on the outskirts of… well, anywhere. BUT! Hold your horses. This isn't just any generic roadside stop. It's tucked away in John Day, Oregon, which, let’s be honest, isn't exactly on the beaten path. It’s kind of the whole *point*. This is where the city-weary go to actually *breathe* again. Think crickets at night (a symphony!), stargazing (mind-blowing!), and a whole lotta *nothing*… which, trust me, is a luxury these days. It's a total antidote to the hustle. Though, on the other hand, the internet's not exactly lightning-fast... but hey, trade-offs, right?
Alright, alright, I'm intrigued. What are the rooms *actually* like? Are we talking "clean but basic," or… something else?
Okay, honesty time. Don't expect the Ritz. The rooms are... *characterful*. Let's go with that. They're definitely clean, but they have a certain... *rustic charm*. Think old-school motel, but with a view that will make you forget about the slightly outdated floral wallpaper. I remember once, I was checking in and the lady at the desk was like, "Oh yeah, room 12, it's got the best view of the river!" And then, honestly the room... well, it was a little dated, and the TV remote was... temperamental. But that view? *Stunning*. Like, "woke up at dawn just to watch the sunrise" stunning. And the *smell* of the fresh air coming in through the window was just... wow. It was everything. Forget about the remote.
Is there a TV? And, you know, *Wi-Fi*? Because I'm not trying to completely *disconnect*...
Yes and no. There is a TV. It works... sometimes. And again, the Wi-Fi is... an experience. It's there, but it's definitely not meant for streaming. Think more like, checking emails and perhaps uploading *one* photo to Instagram before you give up and just... you know... look at the *river*. Seriously, just look at the river. It's a much better use of your time. Trust me on this one. But, if you *absolutely* must have your Netflix fix, download your shows before you go!
Okay, so what's the *best* thing about this place? Give me the real deal.
Okay, buckle up, because here's where I get *real*. The best thing? The sheer, unadulterated *escape*. Remember that aforementioned slow internet? It's forced digital detox at its finest! You're surrounded by nature, peace, and quiet. You can hear the birds, the river, and... well, mostly just the birds and the river. It's glorious. It's like a reset button for your soul. Seriously, I went there last year after a *brutal* work project; I was a walking, talking stress ball. I spent three days doing absolutely nothing – walking along the river (the colors are just... magical, seriously), reading, and just… *existing*. I could have stayed there forever. It was the best thing I've done in *years*. And the price is right. I mean, have you *seen* hotel prices these days? This is a steal.
Is John Day even *interesting*? Like, is there anything to *do* there?
Interesting? Oh, honey, John Day is bursting with charm. It's not about the frenetic pace of a big city. It's about the *slower* pace. Hiking, fishing, exploring the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is a must-do… seriously, it's like stepping back in time. Plus there's the history...gold mining if you're so inclined to go fossicking. The locals are friendly (and they know their stuff). It's a place where you can actually *talk* to people without them all rushing off to their next appointment. The best thing I can describe is... it's just *authentic*.
Food! What about food? Where do I eat?
Okay, this is another area where you need to manage expectations. John Day isn’t exactly a culinary mecca, but the food options are definitely solid. There are a few good diners with hearty, home-style cooking – think big breakfasts, burgers, comfort food etc. Some places have decent steaks. Just don’t expect Michelin-star quality. Think of it as part of the charm. This isn't a place for fussy eaters; this is a place for people who appreciate simple, good food. Plus, there's a grocery store if you want to BYO.
What's the *worst* thing about staying there? Let's get real again.
Alright, the *worst* thing? Let's not sugarcoat it… the drive. If you're coming from a major city, it's a bit of a haul. And sometimes, the weather can be a factor. The wind, the rain, the dust... But you know what? Even with the bad weather, getting there feels like escaping the everyday.
Okay, I'm almost sold. What should I pack?
Pack for the weather! Layers are your friend – it can be sunny one minute, raining the next. Comfortable shoes for walking, hiking boots if you're feeling adventurous. Bug spray (trust me on this one). A book (or several, because you *will* have time to read). A good attitude. And maybe... just maybe... a sense of adventure. You'll need it. But honestly, you'll probably leave feeling a hundred times better.
Is it good for kids?
Hmm, that depends. If your kids need constant screen time; this place is probably not for you. However, if you want them to experience nature, fresh air, and the joys of unstructured play, then absolutely! There's space to run around, the river to explore (under supervision, of course!), and a sense of freedom that kids in big cities just don't experience. My nephew’s first experience catching a worm and laughing his headHotel Search Today
