Our History at The Bard’s Inn Hotel of Ashland, Oregon

Jonathan Warren purchased The Bard’s Inn Hotel in 1986, seeing the potential to offer great dining and accommodations in Ashland. He first opened Jonathan’s Restaurant, a fine-dining establishment in what is now our breakfast room. Jonathan also oversaw major renovations to the hotel, transforming the original 1950s building into The Bard’s Inn London. At the same time, he re-purposed a residential unit on The Bard’s property, opening The Bard’s Inn Juliet in 1987.

Soon after in 1988, he added a third hotel building with larger rooms and a view overlooking downtown Ashland—The Bard’s Inn Sonnet. Recently, the Sonnet has been remodeled a second time, with a sumptuous new design and modern elements.

The Bard’s Inn Verona opened in 1993, which has since become an Ashland landmark. Situated at the entrance to town on North Main Street, the Verona greets visitors to Ashland with a colorful mural of the Bard himself, William Shakespeare. The mural was painted in 2007 by artist Robert Beckman, whose work also graces the U.S. Botanic Gardens in Washington, D.C.

In a city where parking is at a premium, the four Bard’s Inn locations are conveniently located near Ashland’s major attractions: the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the downtown Plaza, Main Street shopping, the Railroad District, and gorgeous Lithia Park.

The Bard’s Inn was also formerly associated with Best Western as the Best Western Bard’s Inn of Ashland. Best Western® is a trademark of Best Western International Inc.

A Brief History of Ashland

Ashland was settled in the 1850s and for many decades the Ashland community thrived on the rail trade, shipping out local produce such as pears, peaches, and apples.

In 1935, Angus Bowmer arranged for three nights of Shakespeare performances as part of the city’s Fourth of July festivities. The plays were an instant commercial success, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival was born. Today, the Festival is an award-winning, internationally renowned Shakespearean company, attracting tens of thousands of visitors every year from around the globe.

Guests of The Bard’s Inn will also find over one hundred local restaurants, world-class shopping, fine art galleries, and a host of outdoor activities in and around our cozy, intimate town.