The FINCH - Walla Walla
If you’re an avid wine lover and seeker of adventure and travel, Walla Walla, Washington is the perfect destination… and yes, they have more than apples, wheat, and onions. This town may be small, but it is bursting with flavor in every which way. Homegrown restaurants, walkable wine tasting rooms, and easy-access shops scatter downtown. If you want to stay in the center of it all, the FINCH is an excellent choice. Great walkability, funky fresh rooms, and an adventure-driven design give the FINCH a new take on Walla Walla (a place I once thought was very classic and collegiate based on its full history and college-town vibes).
The hotel is a complete renovation of an old Red Lion, but I get the feeling it just gave the designer a challenge to make the new building more dynamic… and it did. All of the room’s front doors face the inside of the property but open to the outside (perfect for maximum cleanliness when we are in a COVID world. It feels secluded even though you are in the middle of the city.
There’s a wood fired fireplace and sweet little atrium if you want to hang, have a conversation over coffee, or get work done. If you want to borrow a bike and ride around town, just check one out!
The FINCH has new architecture, but a retro feel inside the rooms and see themselves as a basecamp to every adventure in Walla Walla. They partner with local businesses to provide a unique experience, but support the locals. One example is their monthly wine program. Each month, a different winery is featured and poured upon guests’ arrival. It’s a great way to welcome the guests. The front desk is friendly and the team seems to be focused on really getting to know you. A stand out feature is that you can use your phone to get in touch with the front desk via text (cool, huh?). They have a great coffee and loose leaf tea selection in the lobby.
If you’re looking for a fresh, funky, modern hotel with a vintage twist. You’ve met your match with the FINCH.
The FINCH was first built as the Howard Johnson Hotel back in 1969. It was one of the first hotels in Walla Walla, and it has since been called many other names, but The FINCH was the first one to actually renovate the existing property. They removed a whole building in the process, giving us the courtyard and food truck space. The FINCH has two “sister birds” a.k.a. other properties, The LARK in Bozeman and (opening soon),The WREN in Missoula Montana. If you want to venture out in the morning for coffee and snack, you can hit Walla Walla Bread Co (get the avocado toast with an egg). The Patisserie, or Coffee Perk. You can even bring your lap top and get some work done!
As far as wine, these are my favorite places to stop:
Vineyards & Wine Tasting
The Walls - 1015 W Pine St, Walla Walla, WA 99362 | New, chic layout, bright wines
Grosgrain - 2158 Half Acre Ln, Walla Walla, WA 99362 | Stand out Chardonnay, affordable and fun
Valdemar Estates - 3808 Rolling Hills Lane, Walla Walla, WA 99362 | Remarkable food and views, Spanish wines
Bledsoe Family Winery - 229 E Main St, Walla Walla, WA 99362 | Great array of whites and reds that won’t take you down with tannin
Walla Walla Vitners - 225 Vineyard Ln, Walla Walla, WA 99362 | Revered, on the top of every list for WW wines.
Saviah Cellars - 1979 J B George Rd, Walla Walla, WA 99362 | Lots of shade, sunflowers, and stunning flavors.
Sleight of Hand - 1959 J B George Rd, Walla Walla, WA 99362 | Different, fun, music-inspired and original.
Pepper Bridge - 1704 J B George Rd, Walla Walla, WA 99362 | Luxury vibes, gorgeous views, kind and knowledgeable staff.
Lagana Cellars - 16 N 2nd Ave, Walla Walla, WA 99362 | Downtown, hometown boutique vibes.
Basel Cellars Estate Winery - 2901 Old Milton Hwy, Walla Walla, WA 99362 | Breathtaking chateau you can “rent out” for ~$3800 a night.
Va Piano - 1793 J B George Rd, Walla Walla, WA 99362 | Tuscan inspired villa, intentional wines, and a lovely staff.
Dining
Hattaway's on Alder - 125 W Alder St Walla Walla, WA 99362 | Busy, perfect sized portions.
Brasserie Four - 4 E Main St Walla Walla, WA 99362 | Favorite. Oysters and mouth-watering champagne cocktails.
TMACS - 80 N Colville St, Walla Walla, WA 99362 | High end, worth it, smaller menu but good cuisine
