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Marcus Whitman, Walla Walla, Washington & Wine! 🍷
Join Wayne and me as we discover the historic charm of the Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center in beautiful Walla Walla, Washington! From a warm welcome through a friendship that began in Panama to elegant accommodations, fantastic dining, and delightful wine tastings, this stop was full of surprises!
TRAVEL STORIESAMERICA 250 ROAD TRIP
Tamara Driver
10/30/20266 min read
After our adventures in Boise, Idaho—and yes, I'm still thinking about that famous Idaho potato! Wayne and I packed up and continued our slow-travel journey to Walla Walla, Washington. Now, I must admit, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Walla Walla. But if there's one thing Wayne and I have learned from our travels, it's that the places you know least about sometimes turn out to be the most interesting! And Walla Walla would certainly prove that point.
Our home away from home would be the historic Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center. Little did we know that our stay would bring together history, faith, wonderful hospitality, delicious food, and, of course, a little wine tasting!
🏨 A Historic Hotel With Presidential Connections!
Originally opened in 1928, the Marcus Whitman Hotel has welcomed travelers for nearly a century, including presidents and other notable guests. In fact, President Dwight D. Eisenhower stayed here in 1954! Imagine that!
Wayne and I walked through a hotel where a sitting United States president once stayed! The building itself was impressive, with its historic charm, beautiful architecture, and elegant surroundings. But as fascinating as the hotel's history was, something else caught our attention. For us, it made the visit even more meaningful.
✝️ An Unexpected Connection to Our Christian Faith
As Christians with a heart for service, Wayne and I were particularly interested in discovering the story behind the hotel's name. The Marcus Whitman Hotel was named after Dr. Marcus Whitman, a Christian physician and missionary who traveled to the Pacific Northwest with his wife, Narcissa, in 1836.
Here we were, nearly two centuries later, continuing our own journey of travel, discovery, and service, only to find ourselves staying in a historic hotel named after someone whose life included Christian missionary work. What an unexpected connection!
As we learned more about the Whitmans, we also discovered that their history was complicated, marked by cultural conflict and tragedy. Their mission among the Cayuse people took place during a period of increasing settler migration, disease, and profound changes for Indigenous communities. The story ultimately ended in tragedy in 1847.
As people of faith, we believe we can learn important lessons from both the aspirations and the difficult consequences of missionary history. Humility, compassion, cultural understanding, and respect for the people and communities we serve are essential. For Wayne and me, it was another reminder that traveling isn't simply about seeing beautiful places. It's also about learning, reflecting, and discovering the stories of those who came before us.
🍷 Wait a Minute…There Are HOW MANY Wine-Tasting Rooms?
Now, if you thought our historic discoveries were the only surprises waiting for us at the Marcus Whitman, think again! We soon learned that the hotel also featured several wine-tasting venues. I believe there were approximately three or four! Three or four wine-tasting opportunities without even leaving the property?
Well, now! Wayne and I certainly weren't expecting that! And yes, before you ask, we did eventually explore them all. But don't worry, not in one sitting! 😂 After all, we're slow travelers. We believe in taking our time and enjoying the experience.
❤️ A Special Welcome and a Connection Through Panama!
One of the most memorable parts of our stay began before we even reached our room. Through a connection in Panama, Wayne and I had learned about a gentleman associated with Marcus Whitman's wine-tasting experiences. And wouldn't you know it, he was there to welcome us when we arrived! He was a sommelier who graciously met us and escorted us to our first tasting at Beekeeper, where we enjoyed a wonderful introduction to the wines.
But what made this experience so special wasn't simply the wine. It was the conversation. We had the most delightful time getting to know him, learning about his background, and discovering more about the world of wine. You know, Wayne and I have always believed that some of the greatest treasures we discover while traveling aren't necessarily places or things.
They're people. Those unexpected connections, meaningful conversations, and moments of genuine hospitality are often what we remember long after we've returned home. And this was certainly one of those moments. By the time we finally made our way upstairs, we were already feeling pretty good about our decision to stay at the Marcus Whitman!
🛏️ A Room That Made Us Want to Stay Longer!
Now, let's talk about our accommodations! When Wayne and I opened the door to our room, we were pleasantly surprised.
Spacious? Yes!
Beautiful? Absolutely!
Comfortable beds? Oh, yes indeed!
The room was larger than we expected, beautifully appointed, and so comfortable you'd want to unpack your bags and stay awhile. And for a brief moment, I found myself wishing we had extended our stay. Now, that's saying something!
As slow travelers, Wayne and I have stayed in quite a few hotels, and we've learned that accommodations can make a big difference in how much we enjoy a destination. Sometimes a hotel is simply a place to sleep. Other times, it becomes part of the experience itself. For us, the Marcus Whitman was definitely the latter.
🍽️ The Case of the Disappearing Lamb Shank! 😂
Oh, and did I mention the food? Because, goodness gracious, we need to talk about the food! The hotel's restaurant was absolutely beautiful. The chandeliers alone were something to behold! They added such an elegant touch to the dining room that I couldn't help but admire them. But as lovely as the surroundings were, the food quickly stole the show. Especially the lamb shank.
Now, here's where things got a little interesting. You see, Wayne ordered the lamb shank. Yes, WAYNE ordered it. It was his meal. At least, that was the original plan! 😂 But then I made the mistake—or perhaps the very wise decision—of taking a bite. Oh. My. Goodness!
That lamb shank was absolutely delicious! Tender, flavorful, and so satisfying that I immediately realized I had made a terrible mistake by not ordering it myself. So what did I do? Well, let's just say that Wayne's lamb shank somehow became mine! 😂 Shamelessly, I claimed it!
Now, before you start feeling sorry for Wayne, just know that after all these years of marriage, he's probably used to me sampling his food. But this time, one little taste simply wasn't going to be enough! And yes, I would happily order that lamb shank again.
🍇 A Little Wine, a Little Exploring, and a Lot More to Discover!
As wonderful as our hotel experience had been, we were just getting started. During our stay, Wayne and I kept exploring the wine-tasting venues at the Marcus Whitman and eventually ventured out to discover more wineries and tasting rooms throughout the Walla Walla area. And let me tell you, we were in for some delightful surprises!
Before arriving, I knew that Washington produced wine, but I hadn't fully appreciated just how much the Walla Walla region had to offer. The vineyards, the tasting experiences, the people, and the atmosphere would give us plenty to talk about. And as we explored, a rather interesting question began forming in my mind.
Could Walla Walla actually give California's famous Napa Valley a little competition? 🍷👀
Hmmmm…Now that's a conversation worth having! But we'll save that for our next adventure.
❤️ More Than Just a Hotel Stay
Looking back, our time at the Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center was special for so many reasons. We discovered a fascinating piece of American history, reflected on a connection to our Christian faith, enjoyed beautiful accommodations, met a wonderful new friend, sampled delicious wines, and experienced a meal that was so good I practically stole it from my husband! 😂
What more could we ask for? Well, perhaps a few more nights! But isn't that the beauty of travel? Sometimes the places we visit leave us with more than photographs and memories. They leave us with new perspectives, meaningful connections, and stories we can't wait to share. And for Wayne and me, that's what makes this slow-travel journey so rewarding.
💬 Have You Ever Visited Walla Walla?
Have you ever stayed at the historic Marcus Whitman Hotel or explored Walla Walla, Washington?
Did you know about the hotel's missionary namesake or its presidential connections?
And most importantly, have you discovered a restaurant dish so delicious that you just had to claim it from your spouse?
We'd love to hear about your experiences!
🍷 Coming Up Next: Could Walla Walla Rival Napa Valley?
Now that we've discovered the charm of the Marcus Whitman Hotel, it's time to venture further into Washington wine country! Wayne and I explored some wonderful wineries and tasting rooms, met interesting people, and discovered why Walla Walla has earned a reputation as a wine destination. But here's the BIG question:
Could Walla Walla, Washington, really give Napa Valley, California, a run for its money?
You might be surprised by what we discovered!
Stay tuned for our next adventure!
Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning, and never underestimate the joy of an unexpected connection—or a really good lamb shank! 😂❤️
— International Drivers 🌎❤️