Hotel Prairie is a non-smoking hotel offering nine rooms, including a spacious one-bedroom suite. All have private, tile baths. While relaxing in the history inspired ambiance, you can watch cable television or monitor email using the wireless internet provided by the hotel. Relax in the wine/beer lounge after a busy day. Situated about mid-way on the Oregon Scenic Byway 'Journey through time', Prairie City offers many scenic and recreational opportunities. Nearby you can explore the John Day River and Valley, the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, the Kam Wah Chung Museum, and the John Day Fossil Beds and Thomas Condon Interpretive Center. Cyclists love the Old West Scenic Bikeway and many other trails. Located on Front Street means eateries, antique stores, gift shops are close. The hotel features two ADA rooms on the first level and an outdoor garden sitting areas for gatherings or peacful reading. Tesla and EV chargers.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
On a long road trip through beautiful scenic mountains of oregon we stopped for the night here. We were in and out of service on our drive and appreciated the when Reagan called us from the hotel to get an idea of when we would arrive. (i couldn’t pull up our email or the website to get any of our information) After letting them know our travels would take us a little longer, Reagan was on top of it to let me know about their late check-in routine and recommended for us to grab some food in John Day if we were hungry as all the shops in Prairie would have been closed by the time we arrived.
We got to the hotel and into our room with no problem at all. Everything was super clean in our room upstairs. We loved exploring the patio and reading the historic documents surrounding the hotel and the city.
We were quickly off in the morning and the check out process was seamless. The communal kitchen made it easy to toast our bagels. We walked to grab some coffee down the street at a cute shop and hit the road. We would love to visit again to explore the museums and restaurants!
Thank you so much for making our visit a memorable stop in our road trip!
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Donna Merrill, Owner at Hotel Prairie
Responded Sep 8, 2023
O, Hannah, thank you so much for taking the time to provide this wonderful review! We are thrilled that you enjoyed all that the Hotel and town provided; Prairie City is a wonderful place. Safe travels.
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We were driving through the area and needed a place to stay when we happened to see the Historic Prairie Hotel had vacancy. We were so glad we stayed there! Jenny got us all checked in and made us feel so welcome. It was a great value for the money (with today’s crazy inflated hotel costs especially), was clean and they provided everything we needed, (they even have 2 Tesla charging stations), and a communal kitchen with the basics. Since we have all our camping gear with us, we set up our camp stove in the cute patio area out back and made a lovely dinner. Then had a local craft beer in the Juniper Room, which was delicious. The bartender Riley gave us some great info on the area and the history of the hotel. Then we met Amber in the morning and she made our day with her insights and wisdom. The whole team was amazing. A great experience!
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Donna Merrill, Owner at Hotel Prairie
Responded Aug 11, 2021
Thank you for the glowing review and the shout-out to the staff! The local craft beers are new this year; I’m so glad you enjoyed. We hope to welcome you back when you get this way again.
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We enjoyed staying at this elegant, old world hotel that is just steps away from Prairie City’s downtown shops and restaurants. We stayed in Room #8, which has a well stocked kitchen and a center island electric cooktop that made meal prep a breeze. The kitchen is open to the living room and both have views of downtown and the Strawberry Mountains. A doorway separates the living space from the king bedroom, bathroom, and an alcove with a twin sized bed. It’s a wonderful floor plan. The room is on the second floor (no elevator) of this historic hotel. The lobby sitting room has a western themed decor with sturdy and comfortable furnishings. Our room didn’t have a balcony, but there is a private patio with picnic tables and a porch swing in the back of the hotel. It’s a perfect place to have coffee or beer. There is plenty of free parking out front.
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Date of stay: September 2020
Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Donna Merrill, Owner at Hotel Prairie
Responded Oct 7, 2020
Katharine, I’m happy you so enjoyed your visit with us; it’s just what we strive for! Thank you for taking the time to leave this glowing, descriptive review. We look forward to welcoming you back next time you’re in our area.
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My husband and I spent one night here while on a road trip. It sounded like fun to stay in an historic hotel in a small roadside town. Hotel Prairie has lots of character...you notice it right away when you walk in. Parking is on the quiet main street through town, and you walk into a living area with comfortable chairs and antique decor. The office is back in a hallway. Check in was fast and friendly by the one woman working at the time. We had chosen a first floor room, because there is no elevator, and there are many steep stairs to get to the 2nd floor due to the tall ceilings. Our room #4 with queen bed was right next to a kitchen accessible to all guests with coffee maker, fridge, microwave, toaster oven, utensils, etc. Our room was small with one easy chair and the bed. The rug had some spots, and needed a good shampoo. The bathroom was sizeable with a tiny pedestal sink and only a small table top to set toiletries. The shower had a few hairs from the previous guest, and was small, but met our needs. AC and Wifi worked fine, and there was a ceiling fan in the room. The town shuts down early, so there was only one restaurant open at 5:00 and it was Mexican. We found a local market still open and bought some food to tide us over. What was strange was the hotel clerk went home in the evening, leaving us in the hotel by ourselves (as far as I could tell there were no other guests). Now that's trusting! There was a small courtyard in back with seating which was lovely, but it was too hot to sit outside. We enjoyed breakfast the next morning just a short walk down the street at a cafe the locals frequent. This town definitely has a small town flavor. Overall it was an interesting stay, and will appeal to people who enjoy something off the beaten track. I don't know that we would stay here again, but it was an adventure.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Stay first floor if you don't want lots of stairs.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Donna Merrill, Owner at Hotel Prairie
Responded Aug 21, 2023
Dear Colt123, I am happy you found a number of pluses with Hotel Prairie, and I am sorry that we failed to live up to our goal of super clean rooms—especially as hat is routine praise that we receive! I hope you give us another chance to meet all of your expectations.
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An older but very pleasant hotel in a small and declining town. The staff are friendly and helpful as is the common kitchen. Fresh coffee in the morning and a few appliances you can use to make your own meal. The room was comfortable though it could use a small table. The lobby is comfortable for reading or games and there is a very pleasant patio out back off the kitchen. The wifi is decent and there are paces to eat nearby.
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Date of stay: September 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Donna Merrill, Owner at Hotel Prairie
Responded Apr 30, 2022
I am glad that you enjoyed the Hotel and a number of our different amenities! Thank you for staying with us, and we hope to see you again one day.
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The Hotel Prairie is such a sweet place to spend a night. You can tell they've spent a lot of money and energy to update it, and they've done well. Each room features different antique furniture and decor. Our room was very clean, and they did a good job of making us feel safe in a pandemic.
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Date of stay: May 2020
Rooms
Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Donna Merrill, Owner at Hotel Prairie
Responded Jun 29, 2020
I so appreciate you taking the time to write us such a great review! I am glad you felt so comfortable and hope to welcome you back!
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This is a 5 star surprise in the middle of central Oregon. Everything: layout, furniture, bedding, towels, bathroom was over the top excellent. Great staff, .Renovation of this older hotel was top quality. Pleasant afternoon wine service, Spacious and comfortable parlor with good reading materiel and good light. The private bathrooms were across the hallway so they provided luxury robes for the skip across the hall. There was a kitchenette in the back which was fully stocked with all one might need to prepare a meal. BZ Well done Prairie Hotel.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Value
Location
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Donna Merrill, Owner at Hotel Prairie
Responded Jun 12, 2023
So happy you enjoyed your stay with us! I appreciate the feedback. You must have stayed in Room 3–it is the only room with their bathroom across the hall. But those robes are nice, aren’t they?! I hope you’re able to join us again.
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After spending a week backpacking in the area, this hotel was a lovely oasis to happen upon! My room was comfortable and quiet, and I enjoyed spending the afternoon on the back patio, relaxing on the porch swing. As if that weren’t enough to rave about, the staff were all super friendly, welcoming and helpful. 10/10 would stay here again if my path brings me to Prairie City.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip:Â The hotel also has a cute little kitchen for guest use, so I was able to prepare my own meals...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Donna Merrill, Owner at Hotel Prairie
Responded Aug 11, 2021
We hope your path does bring you back here; we’d love to see you again! Thank you for taking time to let others know about your time at Hotel Prairie—10/10 is dang good!!
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Was delighted by this place, even though we showed up without a reservation. Room was lovely. Lobby was great. Wish the bar had been open, but we weren't exactly in tourist season and there was a perfectly good bar down the street and another opening soon. Little kitchen area with everything you would need to make yourself to home--including coffee already made in the morning. Didn't know about the EV charging station but would have used it. Comfy bed and nice fluffy soft towels. Loved the bathroom
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Date of stay: April 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Donna Merrill, Owner at Hotel Prairie
Responded May 25, 2022
Thank you, Susan, for your review. I’m so glad you stayed with us and enjoyed a number of our amenities; we hope to see you again!
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Staying in Prairie City is small town living at its finest.
Staying at Hotel Prairie is like going back in time to a simpler, quieter time.
This historic building is beautiful and comfortable. The rooms are simple, with updates to the bathrooms that match the quality of most any other hotel.
Eating establishments on the block and down the street also fit the bill of friendly small town diners and Dinner Houses and there's a nice coffee shop.
Oh, the views! The Strawberry mountains are impressive! This area is a hidden jem ... the Blue Mountains and the John Day River valley, so much to explore and enjoy. I'm looking forward to more trips or even moving to this area.
Make a plan to stay at Hotel Prairie and enjoy a quiet respite.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Donna Merrill, Owner at Hotel Prairie
Responded Jun 12, 2023
We appreciate you taking the time to write such a lovely review about your experience at the Hotel and in Prairie City. It really is a special place here. We’d love to welcome you back any time!!
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We are certainly open, and I am so sorry you haven't been able to reach us. Our phone is 541-820-4800. I tried to provide you with my, and the Hotel's, email address but that is not allowed on TripAdvisor. Please give us another try; we'd love to have you as a guest!
Best,
Donna (Merrill)
Owner
There are more places to choose from in the Prairie City area.
LOCATION
United StatesOregonPrairie City
NUMBER OF ROOMS
9
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