There’s a reason owners of The FINCH in downtown Walla Walla chose a bird theme for the name of their property: Not only is the hotel a landing pad for guests but it’s also seen as an ideal spot from which visitors can launch into the community.
The independent boutique property is a modern twist on a 1960s-era motor inn on the eastern edge of Main Street’s bustle. Instead of a traditional front desk check-in, the hotel’s lobby is reinterpreted as a sort of base camp where one of its flagship services is curating recommendations of local activities and attractions for guests.
Front-desk employees, referred to as “guides,” are loaded with information about events and sites to help visitors make the most of their excursions and explorations. QR codes posted throughout the venue feature customized maps and tour suggestions for everyone from wine lovers and foodies to cyclists and families. The connection to place and heritage is so tightly woven into the hotel’s identity that its 80 rooms are adorned in artist infographics on topics like the innerworkings of a hot air balloon one might find at the Walla Walla Balloon Stampede, the distinct terroir of Walla Walla’s grape growing region or a tribute to must-see Main Street music store Hot Poop.
The hotel’s signature aesthetic blends essentialism with high design — focusing on critical needs for guests but with artisan furnishings and fixtures. Enjoy a complimentary wine pour at check-in through the hotel’s wine partner of the month, and don’t miss the loft upstairs for an overhead view of the stunning metal chandelier while you work remotely or gather the family for board games.
Six minutes from the Walla Walla Regional Airport and a short walk to tasting rooms, restaurants, public art and live entertainment, the hotel is pet-friendly (check online for fees) and offers free self-serve parking. Start the day with a cup of Livit Coffee or Hummingbird teas in the lobby before breakfast and shopping downtown, a walk through the Whitman College campus or a biking excursion around Bennington Lake.
Rooms at The FINCH reflect a minimalist and modern style with everything needed for maximum comfort. Room options include queens, double queens, kings, master suites and, among the hotel’s many fun surprises, even a double bunkbed guest room that draws families, guests traveling for athletics, and friend groups celebrating special events. Each room is appointed with a mini-fridge, safe, television, cable, free wi-fi, heated bathroom with walk-in shower and pillow-top mattresses.
The campus’s nooks and pockets feature opportunities to recreate — a corner side, outdoor gathering spot around a wood-burning fireplace to roast s’mores or share a bottle of wine; pop-up happy hours on Wine Wednesdays and Thirsty Thursdays; on-site bicycle storage and complimentary use of Allegro Cyclery cruisers; an open-air courtyard for cornhole or giant Jenga games; a gathering space that doubles as a gallery of featured artists.
What the hotel doesn’t have in amenities it gets through an array of community partnerships, including passes to the municipal pool. Kickstand Tours also offers guided eBike pop-up wine tours as an option for guests.
Whether hitting the golf course, exploring the mountains or shopping in downtown’s boutique shops, you’ll find a thoughtfully designed space for coming and going at The FINCH.
Book your stay at The FINCH, 325 E. Main St., here to begin your Walla Walla adventure.