4 November 2020

This charming boutique hotel is Oregon’s best kept secret!

McMinnville Oregon

Atticus Hotel | Madewell shirt jacket | White sweatshirt | Readers | Mother denim

We recently made a fun, spontaneous mid-week escape to my sweet hometown of McMinnville, located in the heart of Oregon Wine Country. Since we’ve been working from home, we thought a change of scenery might be nice — and it was everything we’d hoped for! The super chic Atticus Hotel hosted us, and I can’t wait to go back. Who knew this little gem of a place, just an hour from Portland, would be the perfect place to … work-from-hotel? 🙂 We spent one day working in our cozy room, and the other in the gorgeous conference room off the lobby. It was really delightful!

On a happy note, I’m getting better and better at packing; literally threw two jackets, two pairs of jeans and two tees into my CALPAK — and it was exactly what I needed. (Ok there may have been a few extra things in there – hah!) The Rag & Bone blazer I keep going on and on about was perfect for both wine tasting and brunch, and though I took four pairs of shoes (shoes are always the issue), I wore them ALL. Keep reading to find out more about this darling hotel, the outfits I wore, and some of the places we ate.

I was able to get you 20% off any booking through March 2021. Just use discount code SOSUSIE and get ready to relax! 

 

I cannot say enough good things about the Atticus Hotel!

This charming boutique hotel has a great vibe: upscale yet casual, high-end yet comfortable, beautifully designed yet unpretentious. It’s the ideal base from which to work-from-hotel, and then explore the historic town of McMinnville as well as the many wineries nearby. We had such a lovely stay — thank you Team Atticus for the warm welcome!

You instantly feel right at home

As we walked into the gorgeous lobby, we were greeted with a glass of bubbly — so festive! We lounged on the cushy velvet and leather furniture and munched on fresh walnuts and hazelnuts – two of the area’s prized local crops. There are 36 thoughtfully designed rooms, each with locally-sourced artwork and luxury products, like their Maak Lab body lotion and bath salts, both made especially for hotel guests. The distinctive style and incredible location of the Atticus are such a draw, and the Red Hills Kitchen, adjacent to the Atticus’ lobby, is the perfect place to grab a bite from the shop or indulge in a wonderful dinner.

 

The Atticus Hotel Lobby

McMinnville, Oregon

 

What I packed … starting with these jackets

You can likely tell when I really love something because I write about it over and over! These jackets have been on constant repeat. The Rag & Bone blazer is unstructured and feels more like a sweater (for reference, I’m wearing a size 2). The Madewell shirt jacket (shacket) also has an unstructured style and works just as easily with sneakers as it does with boots.

 

Favorite jeans right now

These Mother Brand jeans are THE ONLY ones I’ve worn lately. They’re slim, comfy and an update from the skinnies we’ve all been wearing. And many of my clients love them too! Try on a pair and you’ll see how flattering they are.

 

The simple basics

You can never go wrong with a basic white tee and a good white sneaker. You all know that this ATM tee is my go-to. I know it’s a splurge, but I haven’t found a less expensive version yet. And these Golden Goose sneakers … they’re really perfect. They’re pricey, but so cool, and great with every single outfit. My all-time favorite sunglasses are these Gucci ones, classic and glamorous. You’ll wear them a lot, I promise.

 

Three easy outfits

 

 

Outfit 1: Abercrombie fleece | Mother denim, | Golden Goose sneaker, Outfit 2: Rag & Bone blazer | ATM tee | Mother denim, older similar here, Outfit 3: UGG hoodie | UGG jogger | Steve Madden slipper

 

The suitcase, cosmetic bag and packing cubes I always use

 

 

BB Dakota sweater dress | Marc Fisher boots

 

 

MY FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK IN MCMINNVILLE

I’ve been to every one of these and highly recommend them all! Have fun!

[All of these establishments follow current COVID guidelines for safety]

Morning …

Flag & Wire for delicious local coffee (also offered in-room at the Atticus), roasted and served in a really cool space, just a few blocks from the hotel.

Red Fox Bakery for breakfast specials and baked goods, all made in-house.

Lunch …

Pura Vida — a fairly recent addition to Third Street, this authentic Mexican restaurant has amazing food and cocktails. Go hungry!

Speaking of beer: check out Allegory Brewing to sample different beers, and Bitter Monk if you’d like to sit outside – it’s on a corner and is perfect for people-watching!

Dinner …

Thistle. Small, rustic, cozy. The Thistle wallpaper and the French 75 cocktail are my two favorite things there … oh and the oysters too! Be sure to make a reservation.

Pizza Capo. Not your typical pizzeria, this new addition to McMinnville’s Third Street is sleek and modern. The wood fired pizza was so good — and the salads were delicious too!

Nick’s Italian CafĂ©. This Willamette Valley institution opened in 1977 and has been a “winemaker and foodie hangout” ever since. Nick Peirano used to shoot pool in the back (pre-pandemic), and his daughter Carmen runs the kitchen. Last summer, when I was there waiting for a table, Nick offered for me to sit with him while he poured me a glass of wine. That’s the small town charm of McMinnville!

Evenings …

Fridays:  Elizabeth Chambers Cellar for live music; enjoy the gorgeous courtyard in nicer weather. 

Saturdays: Willamette Valley Vineyards McMinnville Tasting Room for live music. Great vibe, and you’ll find locals and out-of-towners alike sipping wine and enjoying themselves. There’s no food (though they sell “cracker sleeves” for $2), so eat first! 

Shopping …

Third Street Oil and Vinegar. This is a special store that sells the highest quality olive oil in Oregon. My mother purchases all of her olive oil here, and during COVID the owner is personally delivering bottles to local buyers. Definitely a must-go destination.

LaBella Casa. The perfect stop for any kind of gift you can imagine! The cute clothing boutique in the back is a fun place to pick up an inexpensive find. Order lunch-to-go upstairs at the Sage Restaurant, where they still serve their specialty: Broccoli and Cheddar soup (reminds me of my high school days) and the softest, fresh-baked bread you’ll ever eat.

Thank you to The Atticus Hotel for the accommodations, and thank you for reading! xo

I was able to get you 20% off any booking through March 2021. Just use discount code SOSUSIE and get ready to relax! 

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