Hot tub available by reservation.
If you have been searching for Winthrop lodging that puts you right on the water and within walking distance of everything downtown, you just found it. Hotel Rio Vista is a family-owned riverside lodge at the confluence of the Methow and Chewuch Rivers, directly on Riverside Avenue in the heart of Winthrop. All 29 rooms open onto private balconies where the rivers meet below and the North Cascades rise in the background. Whether you are looking for North Cascades lodging near the trails or a place to stay in Winthrop where you can walk to dinner and wake up to the sound of the river, this is the spot. The owners purchased the lodge in 2013 and have run it themselves ever since, which is a big part of why most guests come back year after year.
Wake up to the sound of the Methow River below your balcony. Watch eagles work the shallows before your morning coffee gets cold. All 29 rooms face the water, and every one comes with a private balcony looking out over the confluence and the North Cascades beyond. Our rooms include four layouts to match how you travel: single queen for couples, double queen for families or small groups, single king for a more spacious stay, and king deluxe for our largest rooms with the best vantage points over the confluence. All rooms include hand-crafted wood furniture, flat screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and a private balcony. After a full day on the trails, the riverside hot tub is open by reservation for guests who want to soak under the stars.
The Methow Valley does not have an off-season. Winter brings more than 120 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails through the Methow Trails system, plus downhill skiing and tubing at Loup Loup Ski Bowl, fat biking on dedicated snow trails, snowmobiling through open meadows, and ice skating at the Winthrop Rink just across the Spring Creek Suspension Bridge. When the snow melts, the valley opens up for hiking in the North Cascades, fly fishing for cutthroat and rainbow trout on the Methow River, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, golf at Bear Creek, and swimming at Pearrygin Lake State Park. Fall draws hikers chasing the golden larch trees on passes accessible from Highway 20, and spring fills the valley floor with wildflowers, birdwatching, and farmers’ markets in both Winthrop and Twisp. A full list of seasonal recommendations is available on our activities page, and upcoming festivals and community gatherings are posted on our local events calendar.
Downtown Winthrop has no chain restaurants. Every place to eat or drink is locally owned, and nearly all of them are walkable from the lodge. Old Schoolhouse Brewery pours craft beer in a taproom right on the main drag. Lost River Winery offers tastings of wines produced from their family-run vineyard. Sheri’s Sweet Shoppe serves homemade ice cream, waffle cones, and has a mini golf course on the lower level. Jack’s Saloon, one of the most popular dinner spots in town, is a short walk down the street. For a more refined meal, Fainting Goat Restaurant and the dining options at Sun Mountain Lodge are both a short drive. Browse the full list of recommendations on our drink and dine page.
Visitors come back to Hotel Rio Vista year after year, and their reviews tell the story better than we can. Here is what recent guests have shared about their stay.
Browse more photos from the property and guest stays in our gallery.
Browse more photos from the property and guest stays in our gallery.
We are the only lodge in downtown Winthrop with every room overlooking the river. The confluence of the Methow and Chewuch Rivers is directly below the balconies, and the North Cascades are visible from every room. Most other accommodation options in the valley are outside of town or do not sit on the water.
Yes. Hotel Rio Vista is on Riverside Avenue in the heart of downtown Winthrop. Restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, bakeries, gear outfitters, and boutiques are all accessible on foot. You do not need a car once you arrive.
Every season brings something worth the trip. Winter is peak season for cross-country skiing and snow sports. Summer brings hiking, fishing, and river activities. Fall is known for golden larch hikes and scenic drives on the North Cascades Highway before it closes for winter. Spring is the quietest season and a great time for wildflowers and lower rates.
Every room at Hotel Rio Vista has a private balcony overlooking the confluence of the Methow and Chewuch Rivers. Views include the rivers, native wildlife, and the North Cascades mountain range.
From the Seattle area, the most scenic route is Highway 20 (the North Cascades Highway), which is approximately 190 miles and takes about four hours. This highway closes seasonally, typically from November through late May. The year-round route is via I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass or US Highway 2 over Stevens Pass, then north to Winthrop. Full driving details are on our directions page.
