fall06

Hi Fodorites!

Next Sunday I'm going to be traveling up from Roseburg to spend the night Portland. I have a 7:45am flight out on Monday morning, so I think I better stay near the airport.

I cannot bear to miss watching The Sopranos on Sunday night, so I need a hotel with reliable HBO. It would also be nice to either pick up some food and wine on the way to eat in the hotel or have a decent restaurant nearby. It seems a real shame to be in Oregon and eat in Hooters or Elmer's.

Any suggestions? I get the impression some areas near the airport are nicer and safer than others. For such an early flight, could I risk staying outside the airport area and driving to PDX at 5:30 am?

I plan to drive up the coast from Roseburg. How long does that take?

And most importantly, what time does The Sopranos air on Sundays in Portland?

Thanks so much!

Fodorite018

The aiport is not far from downtown, and personally I would much prefer to stay in downtown. It is an easy trip to the airport even at that hour, especially as you are going against the rush hour traffic. You can also take MAX out to the airport which is easy. Staying in downtown also allows you many more choices for dining. Too many actually, lol!

As far as watching the Sopranos, I have no idea. Hopefully someone who watches it can help you out.

Driving from Roseburg...are you wanting to drive from Roseburg to the coast all the way up then cut over to Portland? If so, the driving time alone will be about 7 1/2 hours. That is assumming no accidents, etc to delay even further. If you really want to drive on the coast, I would suggest doing it only partway. Drive up I-5 to Albany or so and then cut over. Drive up the coast to Cannon Beach, then cut back over for Portland from there. It all depends on what your preferences.

fall06

Thanks for those tips, mms! They're great.

Can you recommend some hotels with parking in Portland. (I don't do Priceline)

Also, if I take your tip on driving up the coast but cutting in at Albany, how long does that drive take?

Fodorite018

It would cut off about 2 hours, so would allow for some stopping to see the sights.

As far as hotel in Portland go, since I live here I haven't stayed at many. But, I do really like the Monaco. It is a Kimpton hotel and we have stayed there several times. They just did a remodel of sorts and were formerly known as the 5th Avenue Suites. Lots of reviews on here of it. Anyway, the location is great as it is so central and within easy walking distance of pretty much anything in downtown/NW parts of town. Perfect location for a short stay. Their valet parking is underground, which is nice in case it is rainy. The Red Star is the onsite restaurant and it is very good.

Gardyloo

The Red Lion on the river at Jantzen Beach (near the airport) has free parking and HBO. Yes, Sunday nights.

fall06

Thanks for these replies.

I'll check the rates (plus parking) for the Monaco, but if the coastal drive takes that long, I think our best best in the land of cheese, nuts and berries will be to pick up some wine and eats-to-go somewhere along the way and eat in front of the TV at our hotel -- for which the Red Lion with HBO sounds like it might do. I'll check out the reviews on Tripadvisor.

I forgot it rains out there!

Andrew

The Holiday Inn in NE Portland has free parking, too, and you might find a deal on it via www.travelportland.com . From there it's a quick shot to the airport. Just need to call them to see if they have HBO...

fall06

Gardyloo,

How long a drive is it from Jantzen Beach to the airport?

Alas, the Monaco doesn't have HBO and neither does the other Red Lion right at the airport.

Has anyone ever stayed at the Marriott Courtyard near the airport? It has HBO I think.

Gardyloo

Drive is 10 minutes maybe.

fall06

Thanks Gardyloo. It's looking pretty good. Have you ever eaten at the restaurant there?

bbqboy

nick's tip sheet:
http://www.extramsg.com/uploaded_mis..._tipsheet.html

fall06

Thanks for the tip sheet, but I can't find Shenanigan's on it. Is it there? I don't know Portland well enough to tell if there are recommended restauants on the list that are close to Jantzen Beach.

Although I'm sure I would enjoy it (I did the last time), I'm not going to Portland to spend any time there. I'm going there because the airport is there. I'll be driving out early in the morning to points south of Portland and driving back late in the day. It would be nice to have a good meal, and I'm hoping Shenanigan's can oblige, although it is pricey.

Anybody got a fave Jantzen Beach resto?

beachbum

Shenanigan's wouldn't be on Nick's radar. I'd never heard of it until your post, and am pretty sure it doesn't show up on lists of Portland favorites. Doesn't mean it's not good though. We've got a lot of great restaurants in town. If you don't mind a 10 minute drive from Jantzen Beach, you could get to any number of the more noted ones.

fall06

Thanks, beachbum, but I will have just driven up from Roseburg. I think I'd rather pick up food and wine en route to eat at the hotel or eat in a restaurant that I can walk to. Besides, I want to get back in time for the Sopranos.

Since I'm talking to a beach bum, is there anything equivalent to the Ecola Seafood Market on the coast south of Portland? It doesn't have to be seafood, but what would be great is a market with great take-out next with a wine store nearby.

Or else it's the unfortuanately named "Shenanigan's"

beachbum

Tough to beat Ecola Seafood Market..... anywhere! This may not sound appealing to you, but your best bet might be the Whole Foods across from Bridgeport Village, just west off I-5's exit 290. Huge selection of prepared foods there, and a wine section bigger than some wine shops I've been in. Probably about 20-25 minutes from there to Jantzen Beach.

fall06

Yikes! No! Whole Foods is my neighborhood supermarket. I'm there almost every day. I'd sooner try Hooters for a change of pace!

Thanks, though, for suggesting anything. I suspect Shenanigan's will be fine, or else we'll just luck into something on the way up, spotting a farmer's market, a cheese place and a wine shop, and a bakery for bread and some marionberry pies.

BoatEscape

There are a bunch of Hotels just across I-205 from the airport that have shuttles to and from the airport. Very convenient. We just stayed at the Clarion, whcih has great rooms, HBO and pretty darn good rates, The Marriott Courtyard is good, also.

If you stay in Jantzen Beach, whip over the bridge into WA and eat at Who Song and Larry's (Mexican with a lot of fun)and you can eat out on the deck along the river if the weather's nice. I think there is also a Chart House there, whcih is always good.

Andrew

That Chart House in Vancouver is long gone - it's now Joe's Crab Shack...

fall06

Thanks agaih for the responses. I've already booked the Red Lion on Jantzen beach (special thanks to Gardyloo!) which assures me my room will have a room with an HBO connection where I can watch the penultimate episode of The Sopranos.

I looked up Who Song & Larry's, and I'm probably too old for it! But if I get to the area early enough, I may indeed go over the bridge -- or somewhere on the river -- for a microbrew.

I have one more question, but I think I'll start another thread to ask it. Thanks to everybody for their suggestions! I appreciate it.

dallasdeb

There's a brew pub not far from the Jantzen Beach Hotel. (like 1/2 mile) It's in the same area as the seafood restaurant that I'm blanking on (a chain, but good) and the Mongolian Grill. it's a brew pub and pizza place but they have other food. I found the beer good. Ask at the hotel.