A restored 1924 Craftsman-style boutique hotel in downtown Astoria, featuring a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the Columbia River.
Hotel Elliott stands as a classic landmark in downtown Astoria, occupying a five-story concrete Craftsman-style building constructed in 1924. Built under the ownership of Charles Niemi during the intense post-fire reconstruction of the city's commercial district, the property was leased to the Elliott family and named for Portland hotelier John Elliott. For decades, it provided a blend of working-class utility and elegant comfort, advertising its "wonderful beds" to weary travelers. By the late twentieth century, however, the building had fallen into deep disrepair, spending nearly thirty-five years operating as a dilapidated flophouse. Its salvation came in 2000, when Astoria native and developer Chester Trabucco purchased the property, embarking on a meticulous two-and-a-half-year, four-million-dollar restoration. Reopening in 2003, the project was so transformative that the State of Oregon recognized it for having the greatest economic impact on a downtown core, helping spark the modern renaissance of Astoria. Ownership eventually transitioned in 2010 to Molly Sanders of Sanders Elliott LLC, who maintained the hotel's boutique standards.
The physical details of the property connect guests directly to the maritime and architectural history of the Columbia River region. Right outside the entrance on 12th Street, the sidewalk is embedded with a historic grid of purple glass vault lights. Originally clear when installed in the 1920s, these glass prisms turned a rich amethyst hue over the decades due to a chemical reaction between sunlight and the manganese in the glass, a design originally adapted from sailing ships to safely direct natural light into the basement vaults below. Inside the lobby, a classic aesthetic prevails, and the marble floor of the original elevator still proudly broadcasts the hotel's vintage "Wonderful Beds" slogan. The building houses thirty-two unique guest rooms and suites, a significant reduction from the original sixty-eight rooms to allow for spacious, modern layouts. Each room retains its original wood door and transom window, paired with upscale additions: heated limestone or tile bathroom floors, cedar-lined closets, handcrafted cabinetry, and original artwork. Select suites feature jetted spa tubs, fireplaces, and custom bedside reading lamps made of handblown glass by local Gearhart artist John Cook.
Beyond the individual rooms, the hotel provides several communal spaces that elevate the coastal experience. Guests can climb to the rooftop terrace, which features a fire pit and offers panoramic, three-hundred-and-sixty-degree views of the Columbia River, the massive Astoria-Megler Bridge, the Astoria Column, and the green hillsides of Washington State across the water. Back on the ground floor, a cozy lobby wine bar opens on Friday and Saturday evenings, serving regional northwest wines and craft beers. Mornings feature a complimentary hot continental breakfast served in a dedicated space adjacent to the lobby. Situated directly across the street from the historic 1925 Liberty Theater, the hotel serves as an ideal base for exploring the town on foot, with the Astoria Riverwalk, local bookstores, galleries, and independent breweries all within a short walk.
Step carefully at the entrance: the sidewalk features a rare grid of historic purple glass vault lights, which turned amethyst over the decades due to a reaction between sunlight and manganese in the glass.
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