If you like traveling back to a simpler time, this is a unique hotel for you along the Columbia River Gorge. It was a lovely setting and rooms were small, but quite comfortable and gave you an escape from the 21st century (no TV, turn of the century country appeal). A few simple improvements to make guest more comfortable would be to have forks out (no just spoons) for the breakfast and to have coffee out and ready by 6:00 am daily. Many early risers need that first cup before we develop a headache. On a Sunday there was no where to go in Dufur that had coffee, so it was a pretty painful wait to have a coffee pot out at like 7:45 or 8:00 am. Easy to do! Dinner, at Bistro 1907, however, was simple, but lovely, on a peaceful flowered garden patio. I will tell others the Balch is a good place to stay for historic charm. Thank you!