It looks like my 14 year old daughter and I will be travelling to Portland, Oregon from our home in Seattle at least once a month for fencing tournaments. I grabbed a room at the Hilton Garden Suites in Beaverton for last Friday night's stay, as I had no clue where to stay. It's clean and functional but a bit on the boring side. More for a business stay. We'd like someplace fun/funky in a safe area in Portland that won't break the bank. Ideas?

Many thanks,
Catherine

I think you and your 14-year-old daughter would LOVE 5th Avenue Suites.

Check rates that include parking and breakfast at travelportland.com

What about the Mallory? It used to be fun/funky and inexpensive, but that was a few years ago. Anybody have more current info?

I stayed at the Mallory last month. Great place. The rooms were "cozy" but efficient,clean and the staff was fantastic. Nice lounge and decent dining, although I did not eat there, I hear great things. The rate was $80/night which was a bargain as far as I was concerned. Public transit to PDX 1 block away.

Not real funky or exciting, but if you chose Beaverton for location, the Embassy Suites and Phoenix Inn are within walking distance of Washington Square, which is a large mall. Phoenix Inn will be less expensive.

I was also just there (trip report to follow!) and i would second the idea of Embassy Suites if you need to be in Beaverton. If not, McMennamin's (sp?) Kennedy school out on NE33rd and Killingsworth is great fun. My kids loved the dunking pool and funky movie theatre.

If not, you really can't go wrong with Priceline for downtown. ALL the hotels are decent and in good areas, and you can usually get them for about $65- $80 dollars.
If not, check out Pova.com, which is the same as travelportland.com, but easier to spell).
Touche!
Lucy

If it's 70's funky you're looking for, McMenamin's Kennedy School fits the bill. The Mallory is more 40's and 50's funky.

Where are the fencing tournaments held? And, is it important to be located nearby?

The two fencing clubs are Oregon Fencing Alliance on Oleson and NW Fencing Club at Western just off Route 10. I'd like to stay away from Beaverton. Nothing personal, but everything seemed to be strip malls.

The Mallory is not a "fun" place. When you say "break the bank" are you talking less than $100?

You have already received good advice for hotels, so I won't add to that except that I love the McMennamins places also.

As far as Beaverton being strip malls...yes, that pretty much sums it up, lol!

The RiverPlace Hotel is wonderful. Your daughter will love being right on the waterfront. We rode our bikes down to the Saturday Market from the hotel. We had our 14 year old daughter with us and she adored this hotel.

It's a bit pricey, but very much worth it. Enjoy Portland! We just returned from a week in the area. Take her to the Zoo, we had a blast there! ***kim***

I'd stay west of the river to avoid traffic over the bridges (meaning I wouldn't be looking at the Kennedy School or around the Lloyd Ctr). Check out the Silver Cloud Inn on Vaughn St., which is near NW 23rd St. You probably are familiar with that area if you've traveled much to Portland. NW 23rd is way cool. The hotel is a bit to the north, but easily within walking distance. It is easy to get to Beaverton from there, via 26; by NW 23rd which becomes Vista Hills; or through Washington Pk and over Sylvan Hill. I'd guess it would be 15 minutes from your fencing.

Also check out the Portland Marriott Center in downtown. (Or the Fifth Ave Suites) The hotels in the heart of downtown appear to be more expensive, but you can always check on websites for good rates. Beware of pking charges.

I got these ideas from looking at tripadvisor.com. We lived in the Beaverton area for years, so I am familiar with the locations. but not the actual hotels.

I would second the recommendation to use Priceline to get a 4-star hotel downtown, which is very safe and far more interesting than Beaverton. You might be able to get the hotel for about $70/night including tax and fee. Factor in about $22/night for parking however. But that's under $100/night if that's in your budget.

A cheaper alternative would be to bid for NW Portland and bid 2.5 star and hope you get the Silver Cloud Inn or the Holiday Inn Express. Free parking. NW Portland is a great area - NW 23rd Ave is full of trendy shopping.

Andrew

Oops. I think NW 23rd becomes Lavista, rather than Vista Hills. Also, Burnside goes up and over the hills and if you turn left at the right place, you wind up at Sylvan, and are on your way to your fencing.

Orcas suggestion of Burnside is good. It basically parallels hwy 26. I used to take Burnside when 26 was a mess when I was working years ago and lived in Beaverton.

The bridges though I don't think are anything to avoid, IMHO. The traffic here is nothing compared to the Seattle area and even in rush hour it usually isn't a problem.

I think the main problem with the Kennedy School is that it isn't real close to Beaverton. I have only been there once for a party at night. It also didn't seem like there were a lot of activities within walking distance. Am curious about your responses to these two points, as we might have to stay in a hotel ourselves, one day, when we go visit. (We're lucky to generally be able to stay with friends.)

If your daughter likes to swim, you also will have access to the athletic club when you stay at the RiverPlace Hotel. A gorgeous facility with a huge indoor pool and the weight equipment is top notch. There is also a private jacuzzi at the hotel that you can make an appt. to use.

The restaurant at the hotel has received mixed reviews, but I'm sure it would be great for breakfast. We enjoyed many breakfasts there with our stay and the views are always nice. Lots of activity on the riverwalk there. (Andrew has some artwork there that would be fun to see!)

My first choice would be the RiverPlace, but one of the places downtown would also be fun. Be careful being too close to all those great shops with your teen, it could prove hard on your wallet. LOL ***kim***

There's not much of anything around the fencing venues that doesn't look and smell strip mall. The Embassy Suites is an exception, but, though it's nice, it's big, out of place, and definitely caters to a business clientele. If you don't mind the drive from Portland, I think downtown or NW Portland locations are your best bet, especially if you can get Priceline deals.

Another idea to consider is staying in the Free Zone for the Max - which includes downtown and over to Lloyd Center. Then you can come and go without driving, when you aren't going to your tournaments, for free on the Max.

The Residence Inn has been on Priceline for around $37 with free parking and breakfast. Plus the Mall is right there.

Northrup Station is very funky/fun. It is in NW Portland with all of its great restaurants and shops. And it is on the cable car line which is also very funky/fun and goes to the Pearl District and Downtown.