Guest Comments

Dan and Noelle Herman, San Diego, CA

As a celebration of our 2nd wedding anniversary (and our last before the birth of our first child!) this will certainly be one of the most memorable ones. We felt like royalty, a fairy King and Queen in a magical palace. So beautiful!!

Andrea and Cole Danehower, Northwest Palate Magazine

Thank you to Fulio's, the Cellar on 10th and The Banker's Suite. A fab fest and a dinner in a fabulous room. Elegance and warmth. A toast to Astoria's folk and the vision. Then sink into the softness and the wine. A lovely evening, more softness, more wine and through one heavily-lidded eye you catch a monkey muse and a wagging ball-tail dog pulling you into a fantastical world. You let the hand-maiden turn down the bed ~ in a bank ~ a woodland fairy draws the drapes and your eyes flutter shut to the beat of the soft wings and a distant beat of ancient white cattle driven across the plains by hare and hound. Then too quickly, the moon sets and it's dawn put on the gray flannel and start a new day.

Klaus Lange and Kay Taylor Lange, San Francisco, CA

We would like to thank you so very much for our recent stay at the Bankers Suite. We have stayed in some very fine accommodations around the world, but this one surpasses them all. The creative whimsical decor was a pleasure to explore, each day discovering something new. The spacious layout was full of choices for every mood--allowing one to move from the luxurious bedroom to the gourmet kitchen to the cozy fireplace seating to any one of the seating or dining areas. Fulio's as the caterer for the suite is inspired--their food is always delicious. The magic of the suite helped create a special ambiance for our dinner event, and the guests were thrilled just to be there. You have created an amazing experience with the unique artistry, luxurious comfort and attention to detail--so much more than any kind of hotel room or suite we have ever stayed in.

It was truly a feeling of being king and queen in a fantasy castle. At some point we got up at night and just wandered the halls in amazement. We felt altogether pampered.

Harry & Dianne Hussey, Warrenton, OR

Thank you so much for your graciousness in allowing us to enjoy your beautiful facility. All of the furnishings were one of a kind, comfortable and appealing to the eye. What a wonderful way to end the 2007 wine judging for the Crab Festival with a delicious dinner and a luxury suite to enjoy. It will be such a pleasure to let everyone know what a wonderful new hot spot has sprung up in Astoria!

In The News

Coast River Business Journal

October 2006

Publisher's Note

We addressed growing condo development in the region earlier this year. In this issue, in response to community concern in Astoria over burgeoning condominium development on the waterfront, we take a look at the issues surrounding this relatively new phenomenon. There should be no real surprise at this activity in Astoria. To illustrate, let me tell you about a weekend, not long ago.

On a Saturday in mid-September, I had the pleasure of attending a sort of "grand opening" of the Banker's Suite in Astoria. This 4,500-square-foot luxury suite, located on the top floor of a 1923 Classic American Renaissance style building in downtown Astoria, thrilled local and metro-area partygoers alike with a decor that managed to exude both whimsy and grandeur.

The Suite, to be rented out for corporate retreats and specialty get-togethers, is the brainchild of Seattleites Trish and Walter Bright, who purchased the building in the spring of 2005. The full-service day spa on the ground floor complements the sophistication of the Banker's Suite.

At the gathering, I chatted with some of the Brights' Seattle area friends who were unfamiliar with Astoria's transformation. In seeking dinner plans, we suggested Fulio's, a downtown steak and pasta restaurant around the corner from the Suite. Both its food and ambiance are very pleasing. These visitors were staying at the Hotel Elliott, a recently renovated luxury boutique hotel kitty-corner from the Banker's Suite building. Its management will perform booking services for the Banker's Suite.

When we bumped into these Seattle visitors later in the evening after we had all ended up with tables at Fulio's the glow on their faces from the charm of the evening was evident. Practically gushing, they voiced praised for the pleasures of Astoria's bounty, amazed at the charm and sophistication they found.

Is it any wonder visitors to our town desire to own a home here?

Susan M. Trabucco
Publisher/Editor