Andrew

Maw, Portland is typical for its one-way streets that some people might find intimidating to navigate with a car (at least one friend of mine had this complaint anyway, but he was not a city person). But if you are used to driving in a city at all, Portland is easy. Street parking is not bad unless you are trying to park at an impossible time, like First Thursday in the Pearl. I can usually find parking in the Pearl District (near Powell's) within a few blocks when I need to go there, and there are a few lots that offer free Powell's parking at certain hours. There are plenty of parking lots and garages in downtown Portland as well if you can't find a spot on-street, although I personally hate garages.

The more I think about it, if you want an alternative to the Embassy, the more I would recommend the Marriott Residence Inn downtown/Riverplace if you must have the hot tub (plus it would have a full kitchen). Riverplace is a fairly interesting area with boats at the marina and afew restaurants and shops, etc. - not exactly the most hip part of town but not crawling with homeless people, either. Some people would really enjoy being right on the river. And as I said, the streetcar is an easy , clean, and free ride directly to Powell's and the Pearl District.

But the walk from the Embassy Suites to Powell's is just a little seedy at times and while I never get even slightly nervous myself when walking there at night (I'm used to it), I can see how some women not used to the city might feel a bit nervous about it. But it's not bad really, and I'll bet you could manage no problem. Plus Saturday Market is a block away and it would be fun to walk to it or to the river/waterfront park which is also just a few blocks from the Embassy.

maw

Andrew and Scarlett--

THANKS for your thoughtful replies!
(and, Andrew, now you know about the Oxford Suites--on tripadvisor reviews it's rated very highly)

If I can get in at Residence Riverplace or Embassy that would be great--actually the Residence Inn Riverplace may be my #1 choice now after reading up on it! We'll see what happens-will try to book as soon as we get and activate our new card-hopefully it gets here sooner than they say.

sunbum1944

I suggest you try booking your hotel through POVA


http://www.travelportland.com/

They provide some better deals which usually includes parking and a breakfast as well as a coupon book for some shopping and meals in Portland

maw

Yay!

We're headin down to Portland, Powell's, and the Residence Inn Riverplace at the end of March for 3 nights!

Get a good breakfast at the hotel but looking for a few ideas for snack/lunch/bakery/espresso/dessert and dinners--daughters (ages 11 and almost 15) and I like Italian, Thai, American. Looking for friendly extremely CASUAL (jeans and tshirt), comfy, 'cafe' or family type places.

maw

We also like BBQ ribs!

Scarlett

One of the problems with the Riverplace hotel is that it is not as close to the restaurants etc as the downtown hotels, but you can walk and the streetcar comes that way-

Walking distance

Thai- Typhoon on Broadway and there is another on NW 23rd.
Mothers on Stark & 2nd..fabulous breakfasts & comfort food
Red Star Tavern @ the Monaco Hotel .. great breakfsts &comfort food

the Pearl Bakery- I miss their goodies every day- NW 9th & Couch

Mothers (American) and her other restaurant Mama Mia (Italian) are great for dinner..

Whole Foods is just a block away from Powells..you can get Take-away or eat there, their Bakery is fantastic.
(send me some croissants!) thank you.

The Pearl Bakery is just a block in the other direction.
Mio Gelato is across the street on 11th..important stop to make during the day
Hope this helps ... although I realize you will have to extend your stay a few months to try all of the recommendations you will get lol.
One thing you don't have to search hard for is restaurants in Portland lol.

Eugenite

If you want to stay at a place that's a bit different but fun and family-friendly in Portland, try Kennedy School. It also should be congruent with a trip(s) to Powell's.

Andrew

Eugenite: If you want to stay at a place that's a bit different but fun and family-friendly in Portland, try Kennedy School. It also should be congruent with a trip(s) to Powell's.

Well, she wanted a place with a pool/hot tub - and not a " boutique hotel" - that was also close to public transportation and perhaps not a scary walk as she isn't used to the city. While Riverplace isn't exactly Portland's hub of culture, it does seem to fit the bill. Very easy to get to Powell's and a bunch of restaurants by streetcar yet there are some half-decent restaurant choices (even if not people's recommendations) within walking distance from the hotel. And believe it or not, some people actually like Riverplace. Some people enjoy walking down by the Marina and being on the water.

Kennedy School is a long bus ride into downtown on the #33 bus so she'd probably wind up driving into Portland - and I'm not sure it has a conventional hot tub/pool, although it is a neat place.

maw

Andrew, you were spot on about a hotel pick--to be honest we WOULD rather wander around a marina/riverfront area than be 'in the hub of culture' --, how about some food ideas?

And THANKS Scarlett!

maw

Okay, I think my last post scared people off

We love culture just as much as anyone else and do our fair share at museums, live theatre, etc. but this trip is R and R, and Powell's for birthday books. Life's been challenging for our family lately and while we're looking forward to Powell's and a few casual good Portland eats, otherwise it's relaxing at the hotel with new books, enjoying the pool/hot tub-just don't have the energy for much shopping or sightseeing.

Scarlett

The "hub of culture" part confused me but maybe it is just too early in the am for me to make sense out of things

Riverplace is fine. You can grab a streetcar near the hotel and be anywhere in downtown Portland easily..cheaply.
This is the Streetcar site, they have a map so it makes it easy to plot your course, and a time table so you can avoid standing outside waiting longer than you wish..
And it does a big loop of the city so it is a fine way to sightsee without the walking..
http://www.portlandstreetcar.org/

Powells has a cafe, upstairs at the top is a small gallery for local artists..I got lost in books there , often..also on the top floor are the photography books..and then there is the Travel section...sigh..the cards and stationary part is good for gifts..
http://www.powells.com/

Have a great time..say hello to Portland for me

maw

Well, we head down tomorrow, hopefully not in a snowstorm down I-5---GEESH, cannot BELIEVE this weather--we've had snow where we live the past few days!!

A fun snippet is that it just so happens there is movie filming going on around Portland...the young adult fiction book "Twilight" is being made into a movie, it's one of my oldest daughter's and mine favorites so we are all teasing that maybe we'll see one of the actors/actresses, the cast IS staying somewhere in Portland!

I'll check this thread tonight for any last minute helps.

THANKS again!

Scarlett

Oh, I hope the snow behaves the way it did when we lived there, it is gone quickly..

There were so many movies filmed there when we were there! One IN our apt bldg and the film people always stayed in the Pearl in our bldg or one of the other big nice ones.. it is really fun, running into Morgan Freeman lol .. I looked and looked an never did get to see Anthony Hopkins when they were filming some thriller ..
Have a great time, looking forward to the Trip Report

Andrew

The snow in Portland proper this morning was brief - wet and barely sticking for about an hour, then rain again. Not really a road hazard. Higher elevations away from downtown got more I believe.

maw

Thanks Andrew and Scarlett,

it is snowing BIG here in NW WA, we would have been excited a month ago but even my daughters are looking at the calendar and sighing "Mom, this is about the 5th day we've had some kind of snow and it is MARCH 28TH--when is SPRING coming?!"

What sloppy roads..I am not planning on a fast trip at all tomorrow