Looking for a family-friendly base to explore Eugene, Oregon? The newly renovated Valley River Inn, which reopened in 2024 after a stunning transformation, offers spacious rooms, river views, and plenty of amenities that both parents and kids will love. The Valley River Inn has been a local landmark since 1973. The property closed in February 2023 after a fire damaged part of the roof. Eugene only has one other restaurant with comparable river views, and there’s a pizza place in neighboring Springfield that has comparable river views, so losing Sweet Waters was sad!
Now though, the hotel is revamped and reopened and it’s even better than before. The hotel enjoyed the first phase partial reopening in August, and now is open for dining. Sweet Waters on the River is also now offering breakfast and brunch as well as dinner.
The spacious sitting room of the Executive Suite at Valley River Inn in Eugene, Oregon.
This historic property (fun fact: Elvis once stayed here! Read the 1976 Register-Guard article about Elvis’s visit and concert) sits right along the peaceful Willamette River, making it the only riverfront hotel in Eugene. What makes it especially great for families is its location on the Ruth Bascom Riverbank Path System — a scenic trail perfect for family bike rides, walks, or wildlife spotting. The hotel even offers complimentary bikes for guests to borrow during their stay.
The rooms are spacious and come equipped with all the conveniences modern families need. We stayed in the riverfront Executive Suite, and while we are far from executives, the extra space and the views, with TVs in both the bedroom and the sitting room, meant that everyone was happy. Each room includes a mini-refrigerator, microwave, and USB charging ports.
The spacious and comfortable bedroom of Valley River Inn in Eugene, Oregon.
I really appreciated the reading lights by each side of the bed. I often like to stay up reading later than my husband does, and the lights mean that he can still get a good night’s sleep. Many rooms feature private balconies or patios overlooking either the river. Other rooms have views of the seasonal outdoor pool, or the courtyard.
The reading lights on each side of the bed were a nice detail.
The on-site restaurant, Sweet Waters on the River, is a nice place family dining. It’s casual enough for anyone, but also nice enough to bring guests or relatives here if you want to take them somewhere nice. Again, you can’t beat the river view! Because of the way the Willamette River in Eugene is closed off to a lot of businesses, there just are not many places to go where you can get restaurant service and a great view of the water. The restaurant offers stunning river views through floor-to-ceiling windows and serves breakfast, brunch (weekends), and dinner. The breakfast menu includes kid-friendly favorites like pancakses alongside more sophisticated options for parents like Dungeness crab eggs benedict or avocado toast. We ordered a side of of potatoes with our wild mushroom and Boursin omelet (so good!) and we were delighted to get tender baby potatoes that were gently smashed and roasted until crispy, a delicious departure from standard hash browns or cubed potatoes.
Dungeness Benny from Sweet Waters on the River at Valley River Center. Photo courtesy of Valley River Inn.
Your kids will love the seasonal outdoor swimming pool. If you’re pushing a stroller or you just want to go for a jog, this hotel offers easy access to riverside bike paths (with free bike rentals). You can enjoy close proximity to family attractions like the University of Oregon campus, plus it’s very near the Valley River Center shopping area.
Beyond the hotel itself, Valley River Inn serves as an excellent base for family activities in Eugene. It’s conveniently located near the University of Oregon for Duck football games. The entire McKenzie River area is great for outdoor adventures. The Willamette Valley in Lane County has a lot of family-friendly wineries. Plus, this hotel is a great place to book if you or people you know are in town for local events like the Oregon Country Fair or the Bach Festival.
Room rates start at $189 and vary seasonally, with special event pricing in effect during peak times. For families wanting extra space, the hotel offers suite options, and the recently completed renovation ensures everything feels fresh and modern while maintaining the property’s historic charm.
The dining room of Sweet Waters on the River at Valley River Inn in Eugene, Oregon., has a wall of windows for river views from every table.
Location: 1000 Valley River Way, Eugene, OR 97401 Reservations: Available through the hotel website or directly for dining through OpenTable.
For families looking to explore Eugene while enjoying comfortable, spacious accommodations with river views and easy access to outdoor activities, the newly renovated Valley River Inn offers an ideal combination of location, amenities, and family-friendly features.
My husband enjoying the patio view of the Willamette River and riverfront bike trail at Valley River Inn in Eugene, Oregon. This photo was taken in December so it looks bare, but it’s such a gorgeous view in the summer time!
