I live a couple blocks from the Shafer Bailee mansion. It's a beautiful place. It's right by Volunteer Park and a short walk to 15th Ave East, an area with lots of restaurants and a few cute shops. There is excellent public transportation on Metro bus from the neighborhood, it's only 2 miles to downtown. Plus you can park your car for free on the street.

If you want to stay downtown, I like either the Mayflower Park hotel or the Warwick. They are both in your price range.

Even though we live in the Portland area, we stay in downtown for special events and absolutely love the Monaco. It is in a great location and is a very nice hotel. The staff are very friendly and helpful, so if you need anything do not be shy about asking.

For Mac, I really like the Hotel Oregon. The location is great as it is right in the heart of the small downtown, so lots of restaurants/shops/tasting rooms all within walking. The hotel is funky but fun, and has a great rooftop bar.

In Seattle, the Mayflower Park is where we usually stay. They have quite a few rooms that have 2 full bathrooms, which on a girlfriends trip works out great.

I agree with suze and mms.

Shafer Baillie is a beautiful big house in a delightful neighborhood, but a downtown hotel would be a better location for sightseeing, etc.

You mention that while in Portland you will drive to McMinnville.

Have you thought about visiting the Oregon Coast or the Columbia River Gorge--two of Oregon's major attractions?

HTTY

I think staying on Capitol Hill is fine for sightseeing. It's no big deal to catch the #10 on 15th (or one of the routes that runs on Broadway) to go down to Pike Place Market for example. They run every 10-15 mins , cost $2.25-2.50, 20 mins max. You could even get home on a free transfer if you only were downtown a couple hours.

Thanks all for feedback - sounds like we have to decide if a beautiful place is worth the travel.

HTTY - yes, we're looking to plan time at Columbia River Gorge. There's so much to do and see in Portland/Seattle and surroundings that we're piecing together our intinerary (with a list of things that will be on a return trip!). I'm not one for moving hotels every/other night so was trying for a home back thing in the cities for this trip.

Thanks again!

When we did this trip last year, ran into a big drop off charge for picking up the car in Portland/drop off Seattle, so we took Amtrak up. It's reasonable and a really nice ride.

For your last night near the Seattle airport, I highly recommend the Cedarbrook Lodge, it's like no other airport hotel I've stayed in, plus they have a really great restaurant/bar there for a "last" meal.

In Portland we stayed at the Hotel Fifty, it's trendy but fun, good location too.

Things are coming together. Staying at Monaco in Portland, Hotel Oregon in wine country. Seattle is still TBD...Hotel Fifty Mayflower Park sold out. I'm inclinded to stay more downtown (walk everywhere) and not sure if Shafer Baillee is too romantic. So that's still in discussions. Oregon Coast (Cannon Beach) and Columbia River Gorge, San Juan Islands are also on the agenda. Drop off charge was ridiculous so we're going to use some free rental coupons in Portland and then fly to Seattle. Will either do zipcar or just rent from Avis, etc for a day or two in Seattle. Thanks - if you have any other lodging suggestions for Seattle or "must sees", let me know. Appreciate the help.

We just returned from a trip to Portland and Seattle. I rented a car in Portland from Dollar and returned it in Seattle. The drop off fee was $75, which I didn't think was unreasonable.

Romantic? Not really. It's a gorgeous old mansion but I don't see the romance angle myself really.

I enjoy Capitol Hill a lot, it's an historic neighborhood with tree lined streets, old homes, parks, restaurants, shops. It's quiet and calm (especially around 15th and Volunteer Park). Downtown is your typical 'asphalt jungle', noisy, dirty, street people, etc. I don't mind working downtown, but I nearly kiss the ground to get home to my own neighborhood (all of a 2 mile "commute") every night!