I guess I was recommending Portland in part because of some things to do here - restaurants, neighborhoods, etc. - not just for a convenient place to stop off of I-5. Portland is a neat city. There are numerous hotels that are easy to get to on/off from I-5. North Harbour (what you meant by "North Bay") is a really dull area north of downtown near some box stores and a dog racetrack. The hotel is probably fine, but I wouldn't recommend the area to anyone.

Depending on your budget, there are much better places to stay in Portland that we could recommend. There are lots of hotels in NE Portland near the Oregon Convention Center, right off I-5. The Crowne Plaza in NE Portland might be a decent choice - not walkable to much but a very quick drive to most of what you would want to see/do in a short time in Portland. You could get to the Pearl District in about 5 minutes if you want to walk around or dine somewhere there, visit Powell's books (if you read, it's ESSENTIAL - an entire city block of new and used books). if the weather's nice, walking down NW 23rd Ave might be a nice way to unwind after a long day's drive - and get food at a nice restaurant or one of several pubs (a McMenamins perhaps) or even a local pizza joint, if you prefer.

Check www.travelportland.com for hotel deals in Portland. I would normally recommend Priceline.com but with four people, it's iffy because you can't guarantee two beds...

Thanks Andrew that sounds great advice. Love the sound of the book store, each of us will happily spend hours in one. I especially appreciate the advice about the hotel area being dull! That's the sort of thing a website doesn't tell you. And anyone who mentions a walk as entertainment is on our track. We recently spent 15 years in England and got used to wandering everywhere....throw in some decent food and everyone is happy.
I'll check out the Crowne Plaze. Because we need two rooms (unless it's a good size suite as the two boys are 6 foot and our daughter is nearly as tall as me!)that compromises the budget somewhat. About $180/night/room is about as high as I want to go.
Is the Crowne Plaza you mention the Downtown one or Lake Osego? We've had good experiences with Crowne Plaza in the past. Will also check out the travelportland site you suggest.
Thanks again

I agree, Portland is a nice city The travelportland website is good, but when you decide on a hotel I would call them directly. Even though we live here, we have stayed in downtown hotels for special events and always gotten better rates/packages by calling direct.

the NW 21/23rd area of town is nice as Andrew mentioned, but it is also a very easy walk to the Pearl and other core downtown areas. Personally, I prefer these areas to stay vs across the river.

$180/night/room will buy you a nice hotel room in Portland. There are some nice boutique hotels downtown like the Monaco or the Vintage Plaza that you can probably get for that price, right in the heart of downtown Portland. Some people like the Inn at Northrup Station in NW Portland (it's walking distance to NW 23rd Ave, in a nice neighborhood, though I'm not sure about parking).

On the other hand, if you prefer walking by a river, you could consider the Residence Inn Downtown/Riverplace or the Riverplace Hotel; Riverplace is slightly removed from the heart of downtown Portland but right on the Willamette River. You walking from your hotel right out to the river and some shops/restaurants walk more than down the leafy shopping/restaurant street of NW 23rd Ave, perhaps. Without much time in Portland you will probably be driving everywhere anyway, but the Portland Streetcar (into downtown and out to Powell's) is conveniently located to Riverplace, too...

The Crowne Plaza I spoke of is the one advertised as "downtown" (not the one Lake Oswego), though in truth it's not quite downtown; it's really in NE Portland on the east side of the river, near the Rose Garden arena. I mentioned that hotel because it's really right off I-5 and probably cheaper than the other hotels I mention above. You can be anywhere in 10 minutes by car, tops, but you can't walk to anything right outside your hotel.

I haven't paid over $100 a night in Portland using Priceline. Its the only way to go if you are not dead set on one place.I only bid on Downtown and Convention Center Areas.
Never been disappointed with my lodging. Just a thought.
Nate

I have stayed at the Crowne Plaza several times ( stay there when there are concerts at Rose Garden) and have always liked it - there is a restaurant and a bar -

There really is not much within walking distance - but easy drive everywhere

Friends have stayed at the Crowne Plaza too - the hotel was fine, they said. My one visit to the restaurant was awful, though - I wish I'd eaten at McDonalds instead (seriously!). I recommended the hotel because of phidias1's expressed preference for being near the highway, but it wouldn't be my favorite place in town to say.

I have used Priceline dozens of times for hotels (gotten incredible deals) and would never pay full price for the 3-star/4-star hotels I get with it, but I wouldn't recommend Priceline unless someone expresses an interest in saving money, and our original poster seems more interested in convenience.

My expressed desire to be 'near' the highway was really a relative term! I now realize that Portland isn't that big and we can get out and onto the highway when we leave without too much hassle. So would be open to other lodging suggestions.
As we need two rooms, with one sleeping three, I am not happy to use priceline although I have done in the past with great success (most recently got the Renaissance in Hollywood for $112/night).
It would be great to be near Powells (I think that is in the Pearl area?)
Can anyone suggest a good restaurant? We're open to all suggestions but with two large teenage boys, not too expensive! (Maybe $125 for the five of us?)

The ACE hotel is only a few blocks from Powell's. If you stay at the Inn at Northrup Station in NW Portland, you can take the Portland Streetcar directly to Powell's - it stops right out front. Same with the hotels at Riverplace: Streetcar goes directly from there up to Powell's, eventually. But Portland's downtown is so small that it's not an impossible walk to Powell's from several of the downtown hotels - from the Monaco or the Vintage Plaza, for example, it's only maybe 8 blocks.

Others can chime in with good restaurant recommendations - or you can search this forum for "Portland restaurants." (But there's a Henry's Tavern a block from Powell's that people seem to like.) If you want really low key and cheap for one meal, I recommend the Hot Lips Pizza in the Pearl District on 10th Ave - a small local chain that focuses on supporting local farmers and using natural ingredients - and has really good pizza to boot.

The problem with restaurants is that there are so many nearby that are good That said, yes, Henry's is good and is right by Powell's.

I think the Inn at Northrup Station is a good location - fun place to stay , parking included with price, walking distance to lots of shops and restaurants pretty easy access to freeway.

I dont recall the quality of the food at Crowne Plaza but do remember the service wasnt good - except in the bar.

Thanks everyone. I've booked the Inn at Northrup Station. It sounds perfect and I called the hotel as suggested and got a great deal: $149 for the first room (queen/queen) and $109 for the second (king). I am sure the kids will love the trolley (we can never be bothered to join the long lines when we go into San Francisco!. It sounds as if there is a great choice of places to eat so we may just wander and see what takes our fancy. I know if I mention the pizza place that will be the kids' choice and I like the idea of supporting local farmers so we may well end up there!

The restaurant choices along 23rd st are many - there is a Pizza place- I think its California Pizza - also there is a Mexican restaurant and a great Thai restaurant - Typhoon - and a McMenamins with great burgers-so should be something for everyone.

I think you will enjoy that area

Pizzicato (a local pizza/salad chain) is on NW 23rd at Glisan. Rose's Deli will provide a hearty sandwich with Portland roots (838 NW 23rd Ave). And you can stop by Alotto Gelato for a yummy treat (931 NW 23rd Ave).

It is a great walking area with easy access to the Pearl District. I think your family will enjoy it.

For pizza-by-the-slice and Philly cheesesteaks (not a fancy place, very blue collar; the local cops eat there), there's always Tribute's at NW 22nd and Kearney. And of course, Portland's original Pizza-by-the-Slice place, Escape from New York (so small there are only two tables but lots of bar seating) on NW 23rd, which survives more by its reputation than on having good pizza every night anymore.

But Hot Lips Pizza in the Pearl is an easy stop on the way to Powell's off the Streetcar (get off at 11th and Johnson, across Jamison Square to 10th or ask, the restaurant is back inside a building set away from the street a bit). In fact you could walk about eight blocks to Powell's from there if it's a nice night.

The most popular dessert place on NW 23rd (even though it's a full restaurant too) is Papa Hayden at NW 23rd and Hoyt. Great chessecakes, etc.; busy place, sometimes hard to get a table on busy nights. More low-key is Kornblatts, a Jewish-style deli (but not kosher) across the street (next to Escape from New York), where they have fantastic NW-style cheesecake - HUGE slices. There's also Moonstruck Chocolate a few doors down from Escape.

Personally, I am not a fan of Papa Haydens. Very close to your hotel is St. Honore which has lots of goodies. Another good restaurant nearby is Serratto. Most of these places have websites and you can check reviews on TripAdvisor to see what suits you best.