McMenamins Kennedy School
Apr 22nd, 2010, 08:42 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
McMenamins Kennedy School
Hi Fodorites. We'd love to stay here for our 2-day visit, however, we won't have a car. Is it walking distance to Pearl and Northwest Districts, things to see and do, or should we select a more central location? Recommendations please.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Apr 22nd, 2010, 08:46 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No, this is not walking distance to the heart of downtown. As much as I love this place, unless you have a car I would pick something more central.
What price range are you looking for and what time of year?
What price range are you looking for and what time of year?
Apr 22nd, 2010, 10:56 AM
#4
The school across the river and out in a mostly residential neighborhood about 5 miles from the pearl district. With a car, its a 10-15 minute drive. There is easy, but slow, bus service but walking would not be practical.
Apr 22nd, 2010, 11:38 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Kennedy School is far from downtown and the Pearl. There isn't even a direct bus to downtown anymore - you have to take either the #72 or the #73 and connect to a MAX train or another bus - you'd be looking at at least a 30 minute ride into downtown. I definitely would not stay there without a car. Even with a car I would almost certainly stay elsewhere in Portland if this was a first visit. Kennedy School is a neat place and worth a visit (if you have a car) but not worth the inconvenience for a first-time visitor.
What happened to your plan for the Inn at Northrup Station in NW Portland?
What happened to your plan for the Inn at Northrup Station in NW Portland?
Apr 22nd, 2010, 02:17 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you everyone; glad I checked w/you. Kennedy School looks so cool though!
Andrew, the Inn looks perfect but some TripAdvisor comments are that it's noisy [exhaust fans, AC/heater, can hear their neighbors]. Don't want to take that chance, unless you have personal knowledge that the noise issue has improved.
mms: price range of up to $200; time of year: July, August or September [up in the air at the moment].
Convenience is key since we won't have a car but can/will use public transport. It's our first visit to Portland so will probably take in the 'major tourist attractions.' Speaking of which, what are the major tourist spots we should check out?
Also, we'll be arriving/departing via Amtrak; think we should stay near the station?
Andrew, the Inn looks perfect but some TripAdvisor comments are that it's noisy [exhaust fans, AC/heater, can hear their neighbors]. Don't want to take that chance, unless you have personal knowledge that the noise issue has improved.
mms: price range of up to $200; time of year: July, August or September [up in the air at the moment].
Convenience is key since we won't have a car but can/will use public transport. It's our first visit to Portland so will probably take in the 'major tourist attractions.' Speaking of which, what are the major tourist spots we should check out?
Also, we'll be arriving/departing via Amtrak; think we should stay near the station?
Apr 22nd, 2010, 02:49 PM
#7
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,889
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you don't stay there, the Kennedy School would still be fun destination for a meal during your stay. You can tour the halls and garden and enjoy all the interesting art in this reclaimed school.
Apr 22nd, 2010, 03:32 PM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
With only two days in Portland using public transit, I myself would not bother taking the long bus connection/trek out to the Kennedy School just for a visit and a meal. If you had a car and/or more time, yes. McMenamins itself is a chain and they have a lot of pubs including some in or near downtown Portland if you want to check out one (yes, I know the school is unique and larger than their typical pubs). In NW Portland for example, the Ram's Head on NW 23rd Ave. With only limited time in Portland, I'd put my time to better uses not spending 1-2hours perhaps just waiting for or riding on a bus up to the Kennedy School and back, when there is so much else to see.
The Vintage Plaza is a nice boutique hotel in the center of Portland; it's sister property is the well-regarded Monaco a few blocks away (both Kimpton Hotels). I had a friend who worked front desk at the Vintage Plaza some years ago; we happened to be there last night in the lobby (they've remodeled since she worked there), checking it out. I've seen the rooms but not actually stayed over, but it's a nice place - 4-star hotel, wine tasting events in the lobby now and then, a place where some NBA teams and celebrities stay when they are in Portland. Very convenient to everything; a few blocks from the MAX stop if taking MAX from Union Station. It would be about a 15 minute walk from Union Station to the Vintage Plaza without the MAX.
I have no knowledge at all of the Inn at Northrup Station other than its location, which I know well. Unlike the Vintage Plaza - truly in the center of downtown - the Inn at Northrup Station is in a nice leafy (but popular) neighborhood. I'm guessing many tourists would prefer being downtown but I myself much prefer the NW Portland neighborhood around the Inn.
I will say that you have to read hotel reviews with a grain of salt. I've stayed at more than one hotel that had such red flags in the reviews and their impressions were either wrong or exaggerated (or didn't apply because they were in one bad room out of many at the hotel). If you see the same comments in more than one review, then I'd be more worried. I will say that when I check in to a hotel now I always now ask for a Quiet Room first and foremost; many people apparently do not and then get a room that may be a bit noisy and just complain about it.
The Vintage Plaza is a nice boutique hotel in the center of Portland; it's sister property is the well-regarded Monaco a few blocks away (both Kimpton Hotels). I had a friend who worked front desk at the Vintage Plaza some years ago; we happened to be there last night in the lobby (they've remodeled since she worked there), checking it out. I've seen the rooms but not actually stayed over, but it's a nice place - 4-star hotel, wine tasting events in the lobby now and then, a place where some NBA teams and celebrities stay when they are in Portland. Very convenient to everything; a few blocks from the MAX stop if taking MAX from Union Station. It would be about a 15 minute walk from Union Station to the Vintage Plaza without the MAX.
I have no knowledge at all of the Inn at Northrup Station other than its location, which I know well. Unlike the Vintage Plaza - truly in the center of downtown - the Inn at Northrup Station is in a nice leafy (but popular) neighborhood. I'm guessing many tourists would prefer being downtown but I myself much prefer the NW Portland neighborhood around the Inn.
I will say that you have to read hotel reviews with a grain of salt. I've stayed at more than one hotel that had such red flags in the reviews and their impressions were either wrong or exaggerated (or didn't apply because they were in one bad room out of many at the hotel). If you see the same comments in more than one review, then I'd be more worried. I will say that when I check in to a hotel now I always now ask for a Quiet Room first and foremost; many people apparently do not and then get a room that may be a bit noisy and just complain about it.
Apr 22nd, 2010, 03:47 PM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Andrew, good point re the trek to Kennedy.
Actually, we would prefer the 'nice leafy' neighborhood instead of downtown; just thought downtown would be more convenient for a base, but if Pearl/NW district works, yay!
There were a few separate comments on the noise issue but yes, never quite know what's legit or not on posted reviews.
Don't need anything upscale, just clean, quiet and convenient.
Thank you.
Actually, we would prefer the 'nice leafy' neighborhood instead of downtown; just thought downtown would be more convenient for a base, but if Pearl/NW district works, yay!
There were a few separate comments on the noise issue but yes, never quite know what's legit or not on posted reviews.
Don't need anything upscale, just clean, quiet and convenient.
Thank you.
Apr 22nd, 2010, 03:54 PM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Let me put it this way: if I had friends visiting Portland for the first time and had only two days, I'd probably recommend they stay at the Vintage Plaza or Monaco (or another nearby hotel), for the convenience. I'm always thinking budget myself - the fact that you don't have a car means you can skip the hefty parking fee at the downtown hotels. Also, travelportland.com tends to have specials on some of these nice hotels.
If friends were coming back for a return visit, I'd be more inclined to recommend the Inn at Northrup Station - a fun neighborhood, not a terrible place to base yourself, but not quite as convenient as downtown. If they expressed interest in the river, I'd think about the Residence Inn down at Riverplace - at the opposite end of the Streetcar from Inn at Northrup station and also has a kitchen, more of an apartment feel. (Also next to the Marquam Bridge and I-5 so hopefully has good soundproofing or faces away from the highway!)
If friends were coming back for a return visit, I'd be more inclined to recommend the Inn at Northrup Station - a fun neighborhood, not a terrible place to base yourself, but not quite as convenient as downtown. If they expressed interest in the river, I'd think about the Residence Inn down at Riverplace - at the opposite end of the Streetcar from Inn at Northrup station and also has a kitchen, more of an apartment feel. (Also next to the Marquam Bridge and I-5 so hopefully has good soundproofing or faces away from the highway!)
Apr 22nd, 2010, 04:20 PM
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Caribcarol--Even though we live here, we like to stay overnight in downtown for special events. Our favorite spot is the Monaco that Andrew mentioned. We have stayed there numerous times and never had any issues. Have also stayed at the Heathman and did have issues and were quite disappointed as it is not what it once was. As Andrew said though, the NW area is quite nice and I definitely would reconsider the Inn at Northrup Station.
Apr 22nd, 2010, 06:47 PM
#14
I have slept at or toured many of Portland's hotels. I would choose Vintage Plaza over Northrup station. NS is a cool & funky place, but the rooms are pretty spare (think nice college dorm) vs the plusher VP. Both neighborhoods have their pros and cons, but again, I'd prefer to be at VP if a first timer. I'd prefer the Hotel Monaco even more. Its my first choice in Portland. If you haven't already, check out http://www.travelportland.com/
This is the portland visitor's bureau web site. Reservations are actually made directly with the hotels, so not a prepaid site wiht no cancelling. Their rates often include breakfast for two and free parking, together worth at least $50 per night.
This is the portland visitor's bureau web site. Reservations are actually made directly with the hotels, so not a prepaid site wiht no cancelling. Their rates often include breakfast for two and free parking, together worth at least $50 per night.
