# Credit Crunch Lodging Collapses Historic Landmark Pacific Northwest Hotel Closes Doors By Katie Cordrey | Published 2009-02-14 | World Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/credit-crunch-lodging-collapses-historic-landmark-pacific-northwest-hotel-c References: [oregonlive](http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/landmark_columbia_gorge_hotel.html) Though fully booked for Valentine’s Day, the Columbia Gorge Hotel, one of Oregon’s landmark hotels, has closed its doors due to financial woes. A dozen wedding parties will be frantically seeking new event venues. The 39-room hotel has hosted presidents and film stars. It was built in 1921 as the “Waldorf of the West” by a timber tycoon. It sits above the spectacular Columbia River at the top of a 208’ waterfall. Current owners are hopeful that someone will purchase the property and reopen in the near future. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 27% | Activity: 75% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/world) > [Hip Hotels](https://www.trendhunter.com/hiphotels) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Historic Hotel Preservation:** Preserving and restoring historic hotels can create unique and desirable lodging experiences for tourists. - **Sustainable Hospitality:** Sustainability-focused renovations and operations can attract eco-conscious travelers and reduce long-term costs for hotels. - **Alternative Event Venues:** Repurposing historic buildings and spaces as event venues can offer unique backdrops for weddings, conferences, and other events. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Hospitality:** The hospitality industry can explore opportunities to repurpose and renovate historic hotels while incorporating sustainable practices. - **Tourism:** Tourism boards and operators can promote the preservation of historic landmarks and unique lodging experiences as part of their offerings. - **Event Planning:** Event planners can seek out and promote alternative event venues, such as historic hotels, to differentiate their services and offer unique experiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Restored Waterfront Hotel Properties](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/claramount-club.md) - [Nature-Inspired Brick Properties](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/populus-seattle.md) - [Luxuriously Immersive Spooky Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fairmont-hotel-vancouver.md) - [Nature-Inspired Hotel Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/outbound-hotels.md) - [Rugged Charming Hotel Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-longfellow-hotel.md) - [Local Material-Elevated Californian Hotels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lodge-at-marconi.md) - [Restored 1900s Cabin Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dawn-ranch.md) - [Bohemian Heritage Beach Hotels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casa-loma-beach-hotel.md) - [Restored Historic Cliffside Hotels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/borgo-santandrea.md)