alisa23

My family will be in Portland for four days in June. We are not planning to do much downtown. We will go to Columbia river gorge and will hike somewhere and will see a friend in SE Portland. Where does it make sense to stay? Still downtown for restaurants? Any other good options?

Thank you for your help!

sunbum1944

Check out cut the Edgefield in Troutdale- it's at the beginning of the Gorge. It is a fun place to stay, there are a couple of restaurants, a movie theatre, a brewpub and winery all on site. Sometimes live music. It used to be poor house, then a nursing home and now transformed to a hotel filled with whimsical art.
Easy drive to airport, sights along the Gorge.

Fodorite018

I agree, the Edgefield. It is fun for all ages and is a good location for the gorge and east side.

tomfuller

If you want to stay downtown, check on the Mark Spencer hotel. It is an art deco hotel across the street from Ken & Zukes Deli which is about 2 blocks south of Powell's bookstore.
Why not spend 1 night in Hood River and then return to the city?
Portland has a good public transportation system(TriMet) that uses buses, light rail and streetcars. The fare for unlimited one day use is $5. The Red line end is right outside baggage claim at PDX.

Daniel_Williams

Hi alisa23,

If you want a fun city vibe (with plenty of greenery and charming-looking homes to boot!) and are trying to save $$, I liked the Portland International Guesthouse. In the Alphabet District, I could walk to downtown attractions, the International Rose Test Garden and the Japanese Garden within 15-20 minutes. There's a lively street scene nearby 21st and Glisan, and the Pearl District is not too far away. The inn has a more homey ambiance than a hotel if that appeals to you.

Best wishes Daniel

alisa23

Thank you everybody for the suggestions. Our budget is pretty flexible so we would prefer something more upscale. My worry with downtown is not the price but easiness of getting in and out plus the hassle (and price to some extent) of valet parking. Is downtown easy to get in and out of? What is there for us to do besides restaurants?

I would prefer to stay in one location. We have to relatively small boys and it is easier for us to figure out our sleeping arrangements once

I will check out everything that was suggested, thank you. If anything more upscale comes to mind, please share!

tomfuller

It is a little dependent on when your flight gets into PDX whether you want to rent the car there to go out to see the waterfalls and the Columbia Gorge. The weather may be a factor in this as well.
If you decide to go into the city first, take the Light Rail (red line) to a stop near your hotel.
Only rent a car for one day and then return it to avoid any parking charges. You can rent a car either downtown (cheaper) or at the airport (more convenient to go to the gorge).
If you are looking for a nice hotel close to the airport, I like the Embassy Suites. There is also an Embassy Suites in the Rose Quarter which is east of the Willamette River.

alisa23

We were planning to have a car at all times. We would be there in the beginning of June.

DebitNM

While I have not stayed at any of these hotels, I love staying at Kimpton properties. Join their [free] In Touch loyalty program for free wi-fi and other perks. They also have happy wine hour every night.

https://www.kimptonhotels.com/hotels...-portland.aspx

They also have specials a lot of times and they will match lower prices if found on other websites.

alisa23

Kimpton hotels are all downtown.

hetismij2

I agree about the Edgefield. Though we never got to stay there, as it was fully booked, we did eat there twice, and would choose it if we ever get back to Portland.

You can get a bus into the city centre from right by it too. Much easier than taking a car in.

sunbum1944

The traffic getting in and out of downtown area can be pretty congested depending on time of day. If your main activities are going to be in the Gorge, I would still recommend the Edgefield for a location- especially if your family includes children.

However, if you are looking for high end, check out the Columbia River Gorge Hotel in Hood River.

You can also check out the Travel Portland website where you can search available hotels and most come with a free breakfast and parking and some coupons for shopping and dining

alisa23

Thank you.
Would two adults and two children be able to sleep in a suite at Edgefield? I doubt it somehow.

eroz

The Nines right downtown PDX. Off Pioneer square, middle of everything, valet parking, great restaurants. Also on public transit by max line, streetcar and buses. Depending on where you live, traffic in Portland is pretty easy compared to most cities. I'm not an Edgefield fan unless you are there to party or for a concert. McMenamins owns Edgefield and while the concept is great,the food is not. I also like the idea of a night or two in Hood River, really cute kid friendly town, though you'd have to pack up.

alisa23

Thank you. Maybe we will do one night by the airport and two nights in Hood River after all. Will have to think about it.

The only place that currently appeals to me downtown is Riverplace. Would we have any restaurant options besides the hotel's restaurant if we stayed there?

sunbum1944

If you stay at Riverplace there are a lot of restaurants within walking distance- or a short drive

I have never stayed there so cannot comment on that.

Another place to check out in Hood River area is the Resort at the Mountain

http://www.theresort.com

alisa23

Thank you for all the suggestions. Everything is making more sense now

I think I have to change my initial plan and either plan a mostly car-free vacation staying downtown or just go to Hood River.

If we stay downtown and won't have a car, will we be able to do any type of hikes in the forest? Or will it be too difficult to get to places with trails?

sunbum1944

Portland has Forest Hills Park with many trails, none that compare to the Columbia River Gorge- they are just trails in the woods. You can get there by public transportation.

I personally think it would be a mistake to hang around downtown Portland and miss the Gorge.

How old are the children- guess a lot would depend on their interests.

alisa23

The children will be 6 and almost 8 in June. They don't particularly need kid-type of entertainment. And they do hike with us all the time. At the same time they would be entertained by public transportation and other things they are not exposed to in Southern California.

How reliable is the weather in June? I am assuming it could easily be raining?

I think my main problem is that I only have three nights in the area

tomfuller

Hike up the paved path/steps to the top of Multnomah Falls.
The view of the Columbia Gorge is great from up there.
If you stay in Hood River when you leave go south on Rt. 35 on the east side of Mt. Hood. You can take a mountain hike from the parking lot of the Timberline Lodge. Come back into Sandy on US 26 Through Zigzag.