Perhaps you’ve heard of the term “glamping” — a concept that combines the best qualities of camping and those of a fine hotel experience. The Vintages Trailer Resort (16205 SE Kreder Rd.) takes this idea to the next level with an RV park providing a mixture of new and restored trailers from the 40s, 50s and 60s available for booking in Dayton, Oregon. Therese Straight, The Vintages general manager, says, “The idea was born of necessity,” particularly due to the lack of lodging options in the Yamhill region of the Willamette Valley where the resort is located, a part of the state that is known for its many vineyards.
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Located in the Heart of Oregon’s Wine Country
“We recognized Portlanders love everything vintage — we thought, why not marry the two and offer some sweet vintage trailers as rentals, but with some key modern luxuries?”
Although found approximately an hour’s drive south of Portland, The Vintages is signature Portlandia, boasting a quirky and trendy setup. When you first enter the property, situated inside the 14-acre Willamette Wine Country RV Park, it’s a little like stepping back in time and seeing the rows and rows of pristine-condition throwback trailers, all with period-appropriate-looking bicycles parked in front that are free-to-use for guests.
“We recognized Portlanders love everything vintage — we thought, why not marry the two and offer some sweet vintage trailers as rentals, but with some key modern luxuries?” says Straight.
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Old-School Trailers Brought to Life
Originally starting with eight units, there are now 18, and more are on the way. The company has partnered with Bend, Oregon’s Flyte Camp that scouts out potential additions to the collection as well as assists in the restoration process. The trailers range in size and configuration and sleep anywhere from one or two people comfortably to a small family. There were three of us invited for a stay, splitting the single-bed 1949 Kit Chateau and a two-bed 1965 Avion.
What to Expect Inside the Refurbished Units
While the interiors vary depending which model you choose, all contain things you would expect in a hotel suite: a comfortable mattress, nice linens and towels, terrycloth robes and slippers, ample storage space (hiding a surprise assortment of board games) a couch and dining table, and a small refrigerator and kitchenware. Feeling in a culinary mood? Cook up a meal on the propane grille right outside while you make a cup of pour-over brew using artisan ground coffee supplied by Caravan Coffee.
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The Avion even featured a full bathroom with a toilet and shower. Some of the smaller units, like my Kit Chateau, had only a water closet (toilet), but there are change rooms with shower stalls a quick walk away next to an outdoor pool/hot tub and fitness room. Other amenities include individual driveways, covered patio spaces with furniture, outdoor lawn games, a nearby dog park and cycling paths, and a fully stocked general store in the check-in building.
If you’re looking for things to do in the surrounding areas, take a day trip to McMinnville, about 15 minutes away by car. Restaurants and watering holes line the quaint town’s streets with a population of 33,000. Make sure to stop by the rooftop bar at Hotel Oregon (310 NE Evans St.), where a UFO festival (you read that right) takes place each year in May.
Check out the Vineyards, Too
There are several wine producers in Dayton, and one that deserves a mention is Sokol Blosser (5000 Sokol Blosser Ln.) A family-run business established in the 1970s by couple Bill Blosser and Susan Sokol Blosser, the LEED-certified winery specializes in Pinot Noir, made from hand-sorted grapes harvested using organic practices. Drop by their tasting room any day of the week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to sample pours from a wide selection of offerings while taking in views of the magnificently expansive vineyard.
