And by the way, most of the complaints in trip advisor about 5th Avenue suites come from people who assumed that all the rooms are suites. Some are suites, some are just rooms. Ask when you book.

I spent one day and night in Portland this spring and had a really fun time! I did not stay at any of the properties listed here but I did see the 5th Avenue Suites and it seems to be in a good location.

I wanted to comment about downtown Portland in general. They have a special, "walking around" downtown with a terrific map of streets and shops that I'm sure every hotel hands out to its guests upon their arrival. It was a luxury to have Nordstroms, Teuscher Chocolates and a local coffee house (can't remember the name) a stones throw apart. Lots of good shopping and restaurants to try. You've gotten some great recommendations here on this thread... I would follow just about any travel advice that Patick gives and if you read his last trip report about Portland, you'll know why!

Portland has a small rail system that looked like a lot of fun, but I didn't use it during my short stay. To me Portland looked like a nice place for a girls weekend, a few nights away with my DH or for a family weekend with the kids.

I can't imagine anyone NOT finding good things to say about downtown Portland and I hope you find the perfect meal!

Here are some other breakfast recommendations:

Bridges Cafe & Catering - a tiny (I mean tiny) little cafe in NE Portland about two miles from downtown Portland, at Martin Luther King Blvd and NE Knott Street (right on the corner, can't miss it). They use organic ingredients and have a good local reputation. If you go on a Sat or Sun morning expect a long wait. They recently started opening for dinner on weekends.

Zell's, An American Cafe - SE 13th and Morrison. In an old drugstore, unusual specials on a chalkboard plus all the traditional breakfast foods, great scones. No one I've ever taken to Zell's has been disappointed.

Andrew

Oh yes, that parking at Fifth Avenue Suites. Somebody finally got it right. I always hate driving up to a downtown hotel on a busy street where the "loading area" is always full and I stick out in traffic with people honking at me. Then when you finally move up in place, you take your life in your hands getting out into the traffic.

At Fifth Avenue Suites the "motor lobby" is actually inside the building, down to the first level of the parking garage. You pull all the way to there where you calmly and safely are helped with unloading the car, get into an elevator right there and can go right up to the main lobby. So civilized.

Just wanted to chime in agreement with moneygirl about the quality of travel advice from Patrick and a couple other recent visitors to Portland who've posted on this thread. I think we locals seemingly are sometimes wearing blinders, and they've helped me see the place I live in a new way.

Glad you enjoyed Portland, moneygirl! Didn't you stay at the Paramount? Love that location, steps from Nordstroms. Did you ever make it to Higgins for dinner? ***kim*** ((l))

Such great MO's...ignore and change the subject, lol!

Would you expect anything else, mms?

I'm thinking JimF might be on to something. Why would anyone "tour" a hotel that they had no plans to stay in? I'm betting the "tour" is just of the rooms shown on the hotel's internet site. As many have observed, it fits the MO.

I did stay at the Paramount and I Liked the location. The service staff at the hotel was very friendly and helpful with directions and they were quick to bring my rental car around! a(didn't mention before because OP has already decided on 5th Avenue Suites. I grabbed food every so often but had no real "meals" while I was there on a quick business trip so I have no more to report!

Well, hopefully you can come back when you can spend more time in Portland, moneygirl. Many of our "visits" to Portland pertain to business also when we're in the area. You'll have to go over to the coast sometime and check it out over there. I sure enjoyed being on the beach almost every afternoon of the summer. :)

Back to routine now of school, water polo, etc.etc. We do have a four day trip planned to Carmel soon and we're looking forward to that! ***kim*** ((#))

Faina, Be careful what you wish for!!

***Yap***, ***Yap****, ***Yap***
Translation=
"It's always all about me"
EEEEWWWWWWWW

R5

Anybody for Get-To-Gether in Carmel? I can call in sick any day!

LOL R5!!! :D

The tripadvisor board is pretty funny with all the same stuff. Pretty funny how today one of the "local experts" agreed with another poster on a ***certain posters*** credibility, and so that ***certain poster*** took a jab at him shortly thereafter. Some things just never change:D

Care to post a link to that mms?!? You guys stirring up trouble again ;)

STW--Whooooo ME???? :D



I will see if I can do a link.

Carmel Faina? Why not Fresno? Better yet, Clovis. I'm sure we could get suggestions for some great places to stay there.

The ****STAR**** of this show is going there.

Oh, wait, I should be careful what I wish for :)

Beachbum--You are right, we probably would get recommendations...but they would be from "tours", not personal experience:D

Back to shopping-if you are a book lover you won't want to miss Powell's City of Books on Burnside.

I also love to browse through the Saturday Market. The crafts are fun, there is usually live music and food vendors with an international flair. It is a great place to watch people.

The Original Mother Goose has some beautifully made art glassware, pottery, furniture etc.

And remember you won't have to pay sales tax in OR.