Riverplace would not be a good choice. It is very expensive at $169 minimum and not convenient for walking to fun places.

5th Avenue Suites is much more convenient and I was very impressed with it last week, but is also not a budget hotel at $149+.

Beaverton works in the sense that it has cheaper hotels, but is about 10 minutes drive into Portland.

Try Priceline. As you say you'll be visiting several times, you may discover a gem of your own.

sparklegem, have you actually stayed at Northrup Station? Just curious - I have passed by it many times (I live in Portland).

And by the way...it's actually not a "cablecar" - it's an electric trolley known as the "Portland Streetcar." :-)

Andrew

I used to be into fencing but I kept getting hung up on the barbed wire protion of the competition. #-O

If The Governor is done remodeling, I'd go back in a heartbeat. Historic hotel pretty much smack dab downtown.

I disagree about the RiverPlace not being convenient. After eight hours of being in downtown Portland, as much as I love the horns honking and the hustle and bustle, I could not wait to get over to the coast for some peace and quiet.

When we stayed at the RiverPlace, I loved retreating back to our quiet hotel on the water. Very soothing, very relaxing. ***kim*** :)

Riverplace does have its appeal, but I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. Being on the river is nice, but it's just too far of a walk for most people to the downtown stuff. And there is as of yet no convenient public transit into downtown. However, this is going to change soon when the Portland Streetcar expansion to Riverplace is completed (soon). You'll be able to take the streetcar from Riverplace to Powell's, the Pearl District, and NW Portland! Should be very handy.

Andrew

Sorry, Kal but I don't think the Governor would appeal to a teenager. I'm sure it's very nice for the "older" crowd, but my daughter loved the RiverPlace!!

My nineteen year old son stayed there for two nights this summer and also loved it! Lots of things there that appeal to teens that the older places don't have. ***kim*** :)

kimamom, here's how this board works....

you give an opinion, someone else gives theirs, someone else gives theirs, etc. you seem to feel the need to defend yours to the death (of the thread)... very unattractive....

I'm starting to think kimamom has an ownership interest in the Riverplace. She tries to sell it as the perfect hotel for everyone who comes to Portland. I agree with Andrew. The Riverplace, while nice, is not very conveniently located to most of Portland's attractions.

Catherine, would you like some suggestions on great places to eat? We were just in Portland a few days ago with our teenage daughter. Wherever you decide to stay, enjoy Portland! ***kim*** ((l))

that's another thing, kim....... what qualifies you as the portland dining expert more than those who live and dine there year round?

I also was wondering why ***kim ((L))****** pushes the Riverplace so hard. Even on a post where the person had stayed there and gave a negative review of the hotel, she argued with that person and wouldn't drop it. When there was a link to an Oregonian Article trashing their restaurant, she also argued with that.

Kim, what make you feel you have to convince everyone that the Riverplace is such a delighful hotel despite it location, price and apparent service problems?

And when was the last time you, not your kid, slept there? Have you tried any of the other hotels that others recommend and you dismiss?

Or do you have an interest in it that you are not disclosing?

Catherine, there is a place down on the waterfront called Newport Bay that we really like for seafood. Casual yet very good. I like their seafood ravioli there.

Also on the waterfront is the Harborside for fresh, delicious seafood. A bit prciey, but the views of the water are gorgeous from the three-tiered seating there.

Your DD will enjoy all of the great pizza places around town. I like Pizza Schmizza and there's one in Nob Hill where you watch them toss the dough around.

On our most recent visit a few days ago, we really enjoyed clarklewis down on Water Street. They made a very good egg noodle dish especially for my daughter that was very good. I enjoyed the sea scallops and the endive salad. Menus change daily.

For fine dining, The Bluehour is wonderful. We had eight there the past summer and everyone enjoyed their meal. The potato gnocchi is excellent and very good desserts, also. We were celebrating a recent engagement.

Paley's Place is very good, but save that for a romantic meal. Hurley's is also excellent. Try the Muscovie duck breast with a nice glass of Tori Mor Pinot Noir. My DD loved their garlic cottage fries.

Will you have time to explore the coast at all? When we spent the summer on the coast remodeling our beach cottage, we were regulars at the Bigfoot Pub & Grub in Seaside. Very good ribs, served only on Sun. nights. We dined out 23 consecutive nights in the Portland/OR Coast area, so we hit lots of places in the area.

Take your daughter to Seaside if you get time. She'll love the prom, aquarium and Ter Hars for cool beach stuff. Kalypso is also very good there. I like the pan-fried oysters with a nice glass of Henry Estate Muller-Thargau.

The Columbia River Gorge area is also gorgeous. We like to stay at the Columbia Gorge Hotel when we do this area. Beautiful, historic place.

Astoria is also very fun. Lots of culture and history. We've had a home there for over 20 years so I know this area really well also if you're interested in things to do there. Musesum, theaters, art galleries, restaurants, etc. ***kim*** ((l))

I just checked the Northrup Station website. www.northrupstation.com and it is defintiely fun and funky! I think this might be what you're looking for. Rooms start at $109 which is a great deal!

www.shopthepearl.com is another website you may enjoy! ***kim*** :)

did i miss something? or did catherine ask about where she and her daughter should go for a romantic dinner? and one more thing, kimamom...... how can you recommend a place in which you've never stayed?

If you're looking for a room in which your daughter will say "I feel like a fairy princess"--5th Avenue Suite is the place if you book a suite.

If you want good pizza in Portland, I would recommend Hot Lips (several locations: Portland State University, Pearl District, Hawthorne, even one in Raleigh Hills near where the fencing thing will be). Hot Lips supports local growers and natural products.

The Pizzicato chain is decent too (NW, PSU, etc.) and they have good salads also. Also, Vincente's at SE 20th and Hawthorne is awesome, but it's got a bar (non-smoking) and I'm not sure of the rules for minors.

In NW, Escape From New York on NW 23rd Ave is considered the hip place to go - always busy and the pizza is usually pretty good. But in NW I personally prefer a place called Tributes on NW Kearny between 22nd and 23rd - they have good pizza and steak sandwiches, plus they are nice people.

Andrew

Andrew, did catherine say she wanted a pizza place, LOL!! Jim, I had to chuckle when we were in Portland a few days ago and walked by the 5th Ave. Suites, I told my DH that there is the place everyone raves about on the travel board.

He assured me that he prefers the quietness of the RiverPlace but if I ever get to travel alone or with someone else, maybe I could talk them into the 5th Ave Suites. I tire very easily of all the commotion, tho and prefer to retreat to a quiet place in the evening with water views.

We recently returned from a three day stay in Santa Barbara and I saw that a downtown hotel had received rave reviews. I chose a hotel that was right across from the ocean. We had gorgeous views from our balcony and the hotel was very relaxing being out of the hub hub of downtown. After a day of shopping on State St. I could NOT wait to get back to that hotel and slip into my robe for a soak in the spa and a swim in the pool. Some things that downtown places don't have. ***kim*** :) BTW, is there a pool and spa at the 5th Ave. Suites?

Kim, there is really no need to keep trying to convince us that Riverplace is your favorite hotel. We know your opinion and you are encouraged to express it here.

The bottom line though, is that others have different favorite hotels and you should accept this as well. Please stop trying to find faults with the 5th Ave Suites. Many of us have found it to be a very special hotel- quiet, well run, and perfectly located.

I have slept at both 5th and RiverPlace, and eaten in both, so I am comparing the hotels, not just expressing admiration of one. I personally find it uncomfortable when you seem to question my opinions, rather than simply accepting that ours differ.

Catherine- Sorry that this thread has gotten so far off your question.

Having had kids in sports, I'm sure you're looking for a reasonably priced hotel in a neighborhood where you can spend what little spare time you have just wandering nearby.

I have taken my kids to Portland many, many times. I think you will really find the downtown area or NW 23rd your best bet for being interesting.

I have visited Northrup Station Inn. It is not a bad place. Resonably priced, kind of hip, but a little cold rather than cozy. The area feels isolated at first glance, but you are within walking distance of all the cool places on NW 23rd (although sort of on the far end), and just steps from some of Portland's best dining...Wildwood, Paleys, Lucy's are all on Northrup.

Priceline works really well in Portland due the the fact that if you bid on a "4 star hotel downtown", you will most likely end up in downtown or possibly over by Lloyd Center. Nothing wrong with either area.

If you don't like the uncertainty of Priceline, you can still find nice hotels at a reasonable rate.

Good Luck to your daughter..how great that she can compete like this!

Lucy

In addition, you are right behind a big hospital (Good Sam??). Convenient if your daughter goes against a too-aggressive competitor... C:)

Forgive me for thinking a young lady who is in to fencing may also be in to some Portland history.

I thought maybe a more central location right near the Pioneer Place Mall, Art Museum, street and lite rail, nice gym and 24hr room service would fit but I guess not. (:|

Wow. For a while there I thought I actually had an opinion. Probably just gas. :-]