One night hotel in Portland, Oregon?
May 10th, 2009, 02:03 PM
#61
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
bitter much?
just offering a suggestion that fit a location you were asking for and the budget you want to be in.
i've stayed there. there is NO "sex shop" on site.
yes, there is A condom provided in the room.
you can have it removed before you check in, you can also just be an adult and go "wow, there's a condom. i won't be needing that" and go to sleep.
if you post on a forum asking for advice and someone offers some up, you might think twice before lambasting them for doing so.
"i want to stay downtown! i don't want to pay more than $50!"
i hope perhaps one day you wake up and realize it's not 1956 and that you can't stay in the heart of downtown of a popular city for less than fifty dollars. heck, you can't even stay in a small town rat hole for fifty dollars after tax.
just offering a suggestion that fit a location you were asking for and the budget you want to be in.
i've stayed there. there is NO "sex shop" on site.
yes, there is A condom provided in the room.
you can have it removed before you check in, you can also just be an adult and go "wow, there's a condom. i won't be needing that" and go to sleep.
if you post on a forum asking for advice and someone offers some up, you might think twice before lambasting them for doing so.
"i want to stay downtown! i don't want to pay more than $50!"
i hope perhaps one day you wake up and realize it's not 1956 and that you can't stay in the heart of downtown of a popular city for less than fifty dollars. heck, you can't even stay in a small town rat hole for fifty dollars after tax.
May 10th, 2009, 02:16 PM
#62
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
With Priceline, you can quite realistically stay in downtown Portland for not much more than $50 for a decent hotel. In 2005 I got my folks the Hilton for $45. They got a room in the newer Executive Tower - really nice. Staying near Convention Center (a MAX ride away from downtown, almost same distance from downtown as the the Jupiter) it's probably even easier to get a 3-star hotel in that price range with Priceline - no condom, though...
Sorry, I wouldn't recommend the Jupiter either unless it was a 20-something who loves to party and just needs a place to crash. It has a reputation for being really loud, given the Doug Fir adjacent to it.
Sorry, I wouldn't recommend the Jupiter either unless it was a 20-something who loves to party and just needs a place to crash. It has a reputation for being really loud, given the Doug Fir adjacent to it.
May 10th, 2009, 02:28 PM
#63
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you are doing your booking online, I suppose you can find a downtown room for $50, but good luck getting that rate at such short notice. Hotwire can get you a room on the perimeter, though, for about $30, give or take. The only place worth staying for that rate, though, is the Jup'. Let me tell you why people who book from out of town get all in a huff when it is not what they were expecting:
- It is a party hotel, and the Jupiter makes no apologies or excuses for that fact. Its purpose is essentially to give you a clean, comfortable place to sleep in a modern and fun atmosphere, not offer you a a quiet nook to squirrel away. If you are looking for that, expect a higher price or a less-convenient location. Nonetheless, there IS a quieter section of the hotel, nearly always available upon request, located away from the lounge patio. Complimentary earplugs are also available.
- They expect that the Doug Fir (which is a separate business, like the tattoo parlor and the hair salon, also located on the grounds) ought to provide meal vouchers to Jupiter guests, and/or provide room service 24/7. They'll deliver to your room during business hours, but since they are essentially a free-standing restaurant, they keep regular restaurant/lounge hours. The hair stylists and tattoo artists aren't on-call...
- They didn't know that the Jupiter isn't a super-swank hotel like the big guys downtown, despite the fact that the prices (when compared at actual cost, not on online travel warehouses) are dramatically lower.
I have stayed in nearly every nice/fun/swank hotel in Portland, and I can honestly say that if you know what you are getting into (a little loudness at night -until about 2- and very friendly and accommodating staff), the Jupiter is a great place to stay. Go out, enjoy Portland from your homebase of the very arty-rocker Lower East Burnside neighborhood (like being downtown, but having a place to park), and let the Jup' be the place you lay your head. Don't let the nay-sayers scare you off! I love it there!
- It is a party hotel, and the Jupiter makes no apologies or excuses for that fact. Its purpose is essentially to give you a clean, comfortable place to sleep in a modern and fun atmosphere, not offer you a a quiet nook to squirrel away. If you are looking for that, expect a higher price or a less-convenient location. Nonetheless, there IS a quieter section of the hotel, nearly always available upon request, located away from the lounge patio. Complimentary earplugs are also available.
- They expect that the Doug Fir (which is a separate business, like the tattoo parlor and the hair salon, also located on the grounds) ought to provide meal vouchers to Jupiter guests, and/or provide room service 24/7. They'll deliver to your room during business hours, but since they are essentially a free-standing restaurant, they keep regular restaurant/lounge hours. The hair stylists and tattoo artists aren't on-call...
- They didn't know that the Jupiter isn't a super-swank hotel like the big guys downtown, despite the fact that the prices (when compared at actual cost, not on online travel warehouses) are dramatically lower.
I have stayed in nearly every nice/fun/swank hotel in Portland, and I can honestly say that if you know what you are getting into (a little loudness at night -until about 2- and very friendly and accommodating staff), the Jupiter is a great place to stay. Go out, enjoy Portland from your homebase of the very arty-rocker Lower East Burnside neighborhood (like being downtown, but having a place to park), and let the Jup' be the place you lay your head. Don't let the nay-sayers scare you off! I love it there!
May 10th, 2009, 09:53 PM
#65
I think Steve and Avoid are unfamiliar with this site. Jupiter Hotel is a popular recco on Thorn Tree, but few fodorites are into the all night bar scene or hotels by the hour.
I've been to the Jupiter and would not recommend it to anyone without full tattoo sleeves or black leather baseball hats!
I've been to the Jupiter and would not recommend it to anyone without full tattoo sleeves or black leather baseball hats!
May 10th, 2009, 10:16 PM
#66
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 36,842
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Avoid_Maui, bitter much? Who? Sounds like you are. I copied the comments directly from Trip Advisor from other visitors including the one that lists the sex shop on their "menu" which is in the room.
Clearly any motel that offers what you call "the best deal going" -- an offer to get a room for sex (clearly that IS the idea of an after midnight check in at a motel adjacent to a pick up bar, in case you are so naive that you thought it was something like a deal for business travelers) -- is there primarily for sexual encounters. That's fine. If you're looking for such a place. I'm not.
You day "heck, you can't even stay in a small town rat hole for fifty dollars after tax." No, it sounds like that particular one costs $59.
And by the way, please don't put quotes around something you made up and pretend I said that. Please show me where I actually said, "i want to stay downtown! i don't want to pay more than $50". I merely said that some Priceline hotels were going for $50. And I clearly was looking at a number of hotels in the range of $100 and more a night. What one will pay for a "chance" on Priceline and what one is willing to pay for a specific booked hotel are two totally different things. Perhaps if you can't interpret better than that without misquoting -- you are best ignoring posts on a travel board? Never did I say "I don't want to pay more than $50", so why did you put quotes around it as if I did?
And why do you think it's perfectly fine for YOU to "lambast" other people's suggestions and insult the posters who make them at the same time -- for example your "McMenamins are a joke. Anyone with half a lick of sense will tell you that" -- but then you get violently upset if anyone does the same thing to your suggestions? As you said, "bitter much?"
Clearly any motel that offers what you call "the best deal going" -- an offer to get a room for sex (clearly that IS the idea of an after midnight check in at a motel adjacent to a pick up bar, in case you are so naive that you thought it was something like a deal for business travelers) -- is there primarily for sexual encounters. That's fine. If you're looking for such a place. I'm not.
You day "heck, you can't even stay in a small town rat hole for fifty dollars after tax." No, it sounds like that particular one costs $59.
And by the way, please don't put quotes around something you made up and pretend I said that. Please show me where I actually said, "i want to stay downtown! i don't want to pay more than $50". I merely said that some Priceline hotels were going for $50. And I clearly was looking at a number of hotels in the range of $100 and more a night. What one will pay for a "chance" on Priceline and what one is willing to pay for a specific booked hotel are two totally different things. Perhaps if you can't interpret better than that without misquoting -- you are best ignoring posts on a travel board? Never did I say "I don't want to pay more than $50", so why did you put quotes around it as if I did?
And why do you think it's perfectly fine for YOU to "lambast" other people's suggestions and insult the posters who make them at the same time -- for example your "McMenamins are a joke. Anyone with half a lick of sense will tell you that" -- but then you get violently upset if anyone does the same thing to your suggestions? As you said, "bitter much?"
May 10th, 2009, 10:18 PM
#67
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 36,842
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh, and one really has to chuckle at this expert stevefrench, who came here strictly to register to make his comments on the Jupiter Hotel. Never been to this site before and just happened to stumble upon this thread? Duh. How dumb are we supposed to be?
May 10th, 2009, 11:13 PM
#68
Only dumb if you go to the Jupiter expecting a decent nights sleep!!
I love McMenamin's Kennedy School. Have stayed there 3 or 4 times. Great rooms and better beds. My only complaint is no TV. I love to fall asleep while watching TV when I'm alone traveling! I know, odd....
I also love Hotel Monaco. Have stayed there many times, plus the Avalon, Riverplace, Benson, Heathman, the Marriott, McMenamin's Edgefield, and the Portland Guest house. Have toured the Paramount, Lucia, Jupiter, and Northrop station.
I'd like to try theNines Hotel on my next visit.
I love McMenamin's Kennedy School. Have stayed there 3 or 4 times. Great rooms and better beds. My only complaint is no TV. I love to fall asleep while watching TV when I'm alone traveling! I know, odd....
I also love Hotel Monaco. Have stayed there many times, plus the Avalon, Riverplace, Benson, Heathman, the Marriott, McMenamin's Edgefield, and the Portland Guest house. Have toured the Paramount, Lucia, Jupiter, and Northrop station.
I'd like to try theNines Hotel on my next visit.
May 11th, 2009, 01:48 PM
#69
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Oh, and one really has to chuckle at this expert stevefrench, who came here strictly to register to make his comments on the Jupiter Hotel. Never been to this site before and just happened to stumble upon this thread? Duh. How dumb are we supposed to be?"
My apologies for any confusion, but I am a new user only insofar as my official registration. This thread was listed on the sidebar menu as being recent, and being a native Portlander, I hoped to add to the discussion...only to find a thread full of inaccuracies and misconceptions about one of my favorite mid-range spots here. I'm not much of an active forum-type person, but it is my understanding that all sorts of folks used Fodors for info, including people who might like the nightlife scene at the Jupiter.
I find it a little ridiculous that my contribution to this thread is so easily dismissed, simply because I am new to this particular forum. I didn't poo-poo any other accommodations; rather, I simply wanted to stick up for a place that can be a ton of fun if you aren't caught off-guard by its quirks. I have stayed there a number of times (I can't travel a lot because of work, so I like to stay a night or two at a fun local hotel when I feel like I desperately need a vacation/break from my routine), met folks of all walks from around the world, and have always had a fun time. My only complaints have been about the weird "shag carpet" pillows decorating the beds (I just toss 'em in the corner and forget them) and a bad wireless connection in a couple corner rooms, which seems to be more the result of steel/concrete interfering than anything else, but can be a pain. The solution to that issue, I have found, is to ask when I book that I be in a room that gets good wireless coverage, and I've always been accommodated in that way.
Enough about the Jup', though. If it's not for you, that is fine, but all those rating sites that say there is a "sex shop" and such are not only fallacious, but keep people away who might actually really enjoy it.
My top places to stay in Portland (for me or my out-of-town friends):
- Ace Hotel: Like the Jupiter's sophisticated older brother, the Ace is beautiful, relaxing, and was formerly the historic Clyde Hotel, pre-renovation. Because the Clyde was such a classic in Portland, the Ace has retained a lot of its original "classic" feel, but with necessary and stylish upgrades. On-site is Clyde Common, a wonderful semi-upscale restaurant, and one of Stumptown Coffee Roaster's cafes. It's in a great spot for shopping and dining downtown and in the NW23rd and Pearl districts, and has a beautiful lobby that also serves as seating for the cafe.
- Hotel Deluxe/Lucia: I believe these hotels are run by the same parent company, and it shows. Both are classy, elegant, romantic, and make you never want to leave your room. The beds are delightfully comfortable, the basics and extras are all high-quality and well cared-for, and the staff is professional, though a tad on the chilly side at times. I like to stay here for anniversary weekends and the like, and I imagine they are great for honeymoons and such.
- Kennedy School: McMennamins properties are all renovations of older (usually decrepit or condemned or neglected) estates, and though the execution is excellent, they have started to feel formulaic for a lot of us locals. That being said, I love staying at the Kennedy School! Kennedy k-8 was closed decades ago and stood like a sad old shell for years until the McMennamin brothers snatched it up and gave it new life. For about $170 after taxes, two people can stay in a queen bed room (the rooms are former classrooms!), eat dinner, have a house-brewed beer each, eat breakfast, see a movie, and soak in the soaking pool. It's a fantastic deal, and honestly well worth more than what you pay for. The caveat is that it is not a good place for seeing much else of Portland. The location is not especially convenient to anything, and the all-inclusive package makes it tough to want to leave the grounds for any reason. Since you are traveling through on your way down to Ashland, this is the place I would most recommend. It's nice to just show up and have everything you need right there. They have sort of an annoyingly early check-out at 10am, but if you are up early to eat and get on the road it shouldn't be an issue.
- The Nines: Beautiful hotel built at a time when the hotel industry here took a blow (thanks, recession!), with rooms sometimes on special for about $79 a night (down from $300) to get empty spots filled and drum up a reputation.
My apologies for any confusion, but I am a new user only insofar as my official registration. This thread was listed on the sidebar menu as being recent, and being a native Portlander, I hoped to add to the discussion...only to find a thread full of inaccuracies and misconceptions about one of my favorite mid-range spots here. I'm not much of an active forum-type person, but it is my understanding that all sorts of folks used Fodors for info, including people who might like the nightlife scene at the Jupiter.
I find it a little ridiculous that my contribution to this thread is so easily dismissed, simply because I am new to this particular forum. I didn't poo-poo any other accommodations; rather, I simply wanted to stick up for a place that can be a ton of fun if you aren't caught off-guard by its quirks. I have stayed there a number of times (I can't travel a lot because of work, so I like to stay a night or two at a fun local hotel when I feel like I desperately need a vacation/break from my routine), met folks of all walks from around the world, and have always had a fun time. My only complaints have been about the weird "shag carpet" pillows decorating the beds (I just toss 'em in the corner and forget them) and a bad wireless connection in a couple corner rooms, which seems to be more the result of steel/concrete interfering than anything else, but can be a pain. The solution to that issue, I have found, is to ask when I book that I be in a room that gets good wireless coverage, and I've always been accommodated in that way.
Enough about the Jup', though. If it's not for you, that is fine, but all those rating sites that say there is a "sex shop" and such are not only fallacious, but keep people away who might actually really enjoy it.
My top places to stay in Portland (for me or my out-of-town friends):
- Ace Hotel: Like the Jupiter's sophisticated older brother, the Ace is beautiful, relaxing, and was formerly the historic Clyde Hotel, pre-renovation. Because the Clyde was such a classic in Portland, the Ace has retained a lot of its original "classic" feel, but with necessary and stylish upgrades. On-site is Clyde Common, a wonderful semi-upscale restaurant, and one of Stumptown Coffee Roaster's cafes. It's in a great spot for shopping and dining downtown and in the NW23rd and Pearl districts, and has a beautiful lobby that also serves as seating for the cafe.
- Hotel Deluxe/Lucia: I believe these hotels are run by the same parent company, and it shows. Both are classy, elegant, romantic, and make you never want to leave your room. The beds are delightfully comfortable, the basics and extras are all high-quality and well cared-for, and the staff is professional, though a tad on the chilly side at times. I like to stay here for anniversary weekends and the like, and I imagine they are great for honeymoons and such.
- Kennedy School: McMennamins properties are all renovations of older (usually decrepit or condemned or neglected) estates, and though the execution is excellent, they have started to feel formulaic for a lot of us locals. That being said, I love staying at the Kennedy School! Kennedy k-8 was closed decades ago and stood like a sad old shell for years until the McMennamin brothers snatched it up and gave it new life. For about $170 after taxes, two people can stay in a queen bed room (the rooms are former classrooms!), eat dinner, have a house-brewed beer each, eat breakfast, see a movie, and soak in the soaking pool. It's a fantastic deal, and honestly well worth more than what you pay for. The caveat is that it is not a good place for seeing much else of Portland. The location is not especially convenient to anything, and the all-inclusive package makes it tough to want to leave the grounds for any reason. Since you are traveling through on your way down to Ashland, this is the place I would most recommend. It's nice to just show up and have everything you need right there. They have sort of an annoyingly early check-out at 10am, but if you are up early to eat and get on the road it shouldn't be an issue.
- The Nines: Beautiful hotel built at a time when the hotel industry here took a blow (thanks, recession!), with rooms sometimes on special for about $79 a night (down from $300) to get empty spots filled and drum up a reputation.
May 11th, 2009, 02:05 PM
#70
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 36,842
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
steve, I think the real issue for ME and I was the one originally looking for a place to spend a night (to sleep) between Seattle and Ashland. No, I'm not looking for a party hotel, but even your reference to noise until around 2 seems refuted by dozens of reviews by people who have stayed there and say it goes on until 4 AM or even much later as the activity moves to the firepit in the parking lot.
And while I really want to believe you, it seems odd that you say you've been lurking around here, but this thread alone has been here for three weeks now. It just seemed strange for someone to suddenly register out of the blue to defend this particular hotel. Especially when the one doing the recommending claims also to be a brand new poster, but clearly isn't. And also since you are saying that many other things were inaccurate as well. Has there never been another post you felt you could comment on, even if you were chosing to ignore all the "wrong" comments on this one for three weeks?
And Steve, since you say the Jupiter is being falsely labeled, please tell me why you think it is that they offer half price stays for those who wish to get a room after midnight? If they rented by the hour would you still say that it had nothing to do with being a sex hotel?
And while I really want to believe you, it seems odd that you say you've been lurking around here, but this thread alone has been here for three weeks now. It just seemed strange for someone to suddenly register out of the blue to defend this particular hotel. Especially when the one doing the recommending claims also to be a brand new poster, but clearly isn't. And also since you are saying that many other things were inaccurate as well. Has there never been another post you felt you could comment on, even if you were chosing to ignore all the "wrong" comments on this one for three weeks?
And Steve, since you say the Jupiter is being falsely labeled, please tell me why you think it is that they offer half price stays for those who wish to get a room after midnight? If they rented by the hour would you still say that it had nothing to do with being a sex hotel?
May 11th, 2009, 02:27 PM
#71
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 20,660
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I remember when Patrick went to Reno by Amtrak from Emeryville, there was a poster insisting on Patrick doing everything his way, either staying in a certain hotel, or taking BART versus a shuttle. The style of this poster is so close!
May 11th, 2009, 02:55 PM
#72
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Patrick, I would guess that Jupiter offers a discounted stay after mid-night to attract those who've partied all night and don't want to drive home. Before this thread, I'd never heard that it might be involved in the sex trade.
May 11th, 2009, 04:06 PM
#73
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Patrick -
I don't spend much time on this site; 10 minutes every couple of months...I was on for a different reason and just happened to notice this thread at the top of the "recent activity" and it caught my interest. I don't know how else to say it, so if you don't understand how that could happen...*shrug* I'm new to posting here, but not new to posting messages on an internet forum or travel sites.
Beachbum hit it on the head with the after-midnight deal. The hotel is located in a district full of trendy bars and restaurants, and is bordered nearly on all sides by neighborhoods primarily serving young artistic types. It's a deal that mostly serves locals having some late-night fun who would rather stay over than cab/drive/bike home, and fills empty rooms at a time that is not typical for walk-in room reservations.
I don't spend much time on this site; 10 minutes every couple of months...I was on for a different reason and just happened to notice this thread at the top of the "recent activity" and it caught my interest. I don't know how else to say it, so if you don't understand how that could happen...*shrug* I'm new to posting here, but not new to posting messages on an internet forum or travel sites.
Beachbum hit it on the head with the after-midnight deal. The hotel is located in a district full of trendy bars and restaurants, and is bordered nearly on all sides by neighborhoods primarily serving young artistic types. It's a deal that mostly serves locals having some late-night fun who would rather stay over than cab/drive/bike home, and fills empty rooms at a time that is not typical for walk-in room reservations.
May 11th, 2009, 06:12 PM
#74
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,738
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Patrick ..
Stay at the Monaco.. big fat soft beds, suites are nice but so are regular rooms, complimentary coffee in the mornings and lovely wine tasting each evening.. service is top notch .. Pup gives them a thumbs up or whatever that is that he uses for a thumb.
I remember when we were first visiting Portland and someone advised us Not to go to the Jupiter.. I had read something that made it sound fun... I was told about the noise back then .. I see it has not changed.
I also don't think you would love the Ace ..
I have read on TA Portland about the Nines and the specials because the place is empty !! and that the bargain rooms are over the restaurant/bar and not quiet .. there was a discussion on TA about the Nines, someone who never slept there, defended them .. 2 people who stayed there, talked about the noise.
The Lucia is lovely if you get a good room, they are small, remember that ..
Please remember to go to the Pearl Bakery and have a gilbassier and describe it to me in minute detail as soon as you can .... thank you
Stay at the Monaco.. big fat soft beds, suites are nice but so are regular rooms, complimentary coffee in the mornings and lovely wine tasting each evening.. service is top notch .. Pup gives them a thumbs up or whatever that is that he uses for a thumb.
I remember when we were first visiting Portland and someone advised us Not to go to the Jupiter.. I had read something that made it sound fun... I was told about the noise back then .. I see it has not changed.
I also don't think you would love the Ace ..
I have read on TA Portland about the Nines and the specials because the place is empty !! and that the bargain rooms are over the restaurant/bar and not quiet .. there was a discussion on TA about the Nines, someone who never slept there, defended them .. 2 people who stayed there, talked about the noise.
The Lucia is lovely if you get a good room, they are small, remember that ..
Please remember to go to the Pearl Bakery and have a gilbassier and describe it to me in minute detail as soon as you can .... thank you
May 11th, 2009, 06:17 PM
#75
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,738
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
*ps*
call the Monaco and talk to the desk, you can sometimes get better deals that way with no confusion .. that is what we always did.
It was the 5th Avenue Suites when we went to Portland on a visit and they converted to the Monaco about 3? years ago .. it is basically the same hotel, just different wallpaper
call the Monaco and talk to the desk, you can sometimes get better deals that way with no confusion .. that is what we always did.
It was the 5th Avenue Suites when we went to Portland on a visit and they converted to the Monaco about 3? years ago .. it is basically the same hotel, just different wallpaper
May 11th, 2009, 06:55 PM
#76
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah, the Monaco is just the 5th Ave with a remodel and name change - same (Kimpton) management. But unless Patrick uses Priceline to get them, no way he'll come close to his price goal staying there...
May 11th, 2009, 11:58 PM
#77
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 36,842
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"it is basically the same hotel, just different wallpaper"
oh, then forget it!!! We stayed at the Fifth Avenue Suites last time (mainly due to Scarlet's recommendation as I recall) and the wallpaper was one of my favorite things -- very broad yellow and white strips -- I remember it vividly.
It's interesting how many people mention "great locations" that really mean hopping in a car to get to the Pearl. I'm starting to think maybe I'll just book the LaQuinta downtown north, also a very short drive. They have a special for $55 which includes parking and free wireless. And it sounds like I should be able to find Sunday night free street parking wherever I'd go for dinner.
I did some playing on Priceline a second time before I left for London and I bid up a little over $70 downtown and still didn't get anything. As I originally said -- add $12 for internet, $22 for parking, plus taxes and the extra Priceline fee to that and you're well over $100 and some of the choices I'm not even crazy about.
oh, then forget it!!! We stayed at the Fifth Avenue Suites last time (mainly due to Scarlet's recommendation as I recall) and the wallpaper was one of my favorite things -- very broad yellow and white strips -- I remember it vividly.
It's interesting how many people mention "great locations" that really mean hopping in a car to get to the Pearl. I'm starting to think maybe I'll just book the LaQuinta downtown north, also a very short drive. They have a special for $55 which includes parking and free wireless. And it sounds like I should be able to find Sunday night free street parking wherever I'd go for dinner.
I did some playing on Priceline a second time before I left for London and I bid up a little over $70 downtown and still didn't get anything. As I originally said -- add $12 for internet, $22 for parking, plus taxes and the extra Priceline fee to that and you're well over $100 and some of the choices I'm not even crazy about.
May 12th, 2009, 02:08 AM
#78
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The La Quinta - technically not "downtown," really in NE Portland at the Convention Center - is a block from the free MAX line into downtown and also a block from the free #77 bus that takes you really close to the Pearl, if that helps. But otherwise, yes just a super easy drive to the Pearl. Or walk about eight blocks from the MAX stop at the Old Town/Chinatown stop.
I've walked by the hotel a thousand times, never been inside. Not an exciting area, a Denny's around the corner and lots of fast food, a Red Robin, a Starbucks, etc.
I've walked by the hotel a thousand times, never been inside. Not an exciting area, a Denny's around the corner and lots of fast food, a Red Robin, a Starbucks, etc.
May 12th, 2009, 02:24 AM
#79
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 36,842
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually the La Quinta I was looking at with the special is on the west side of the river, north of downtown, but called the "Downtown" LaQuinta, not the Convention Center One.
And you're right I'm really not concerned with an exciting area. I'll arrive late afternoon, actually coming from Port Townsend, probably go off exploring the Pearl and have dinner, get a good night's sleep, and then go get breakfast in the morning and be on my way to Ashland. Don't really care about the area, except prefer not to have party goers, druggies, and bonfires until 4 in the morning, nor headboard bangers in the next room. LOL
And you're right I'm really not concerned with an exciting area. I'll arrive late afternoon, actually coming from Port Townsend, probably go off exploring the Pearl and have dinner, get a good night's sleep, and then go get breakfast in the morning and be on my way to Ashland. Don't really care about the area, except prefer not to have party goers, druggies, and bonfires until 4 in the morning, nor headboard bangers in the next room. LOL
May 12th, 2009, 10:36 AM
#80
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's tough to find a room in the core of Portland for the price you're looking for, thanks to the 12.5% hotel tax here. I'm glad the LaQuinta is going to meet your needs! I forgot there was even one near downtown, because a lot of the "regular" (i.e. non-boutique) hotels in the core are super grimy or way over-priced for what they offer.
I hope you have a great night in Portland!
I hope you have a great night in Portland!
