My sister & I (both of us in our early 50's)will be meeting in Portland, Oregon for 4 days at the end of April. Any recommendations about hotels or bed & breakfasts would be appreciated. We're not particularly interested in a chain hotel. We're looking for someplace that's nice and within walking distance of at least some tourist attractions, although we plan to rent a car. Thanks for any ideas.

We were very impressed with Fifth Avenue Suites. I liked that you drive your car into the hotel, down a ramp and they take it there -- not out on the street. Rooms were very nice and huge. Friendly staff. Interesting wine tastings and other events daily in the lobby.
The location couldn't be better.

We like the Four Points, right downtown with off-street parking, and on the riverfront park. We have stayed there a number of times and always go back.

The Governor is a historic hotel convenient to the center of town and the Pearl District, where you'll find some of Portland's hottest restaurants.

We have been to both the Fifth Avenue Suites and The Hotel Vintage Plaza several times. We enjoy them both. They are both well located. Fifth Avenue Suites rooms are larger as they are the suites. Hotel Vintage Plaza is usually a tad cheaper if you don't need the extra space.

The Westin is wonderful, top notch, friendly staff. 4points Sheraton is also fabulous and a bargain.
I was not pleased with the Governor, service was bad, room service worse although do walk into the lobby, it is beautiful.

I recently stayed at the Inn at Northrup Station located close to the 23rd St shops and restaurants. Its very "retro" and considered a boutique hotel. Our room had a kitchenette which was convenient- there was free parking, and its right across the street from one of the best restaurants in Portland, the Wildwood. You can easily walk to the shops and restaurants in the 23rd st area and you are also close to trolley so you could take downtown instead of driving if you chose.
I would definately stay there again.
One of the fun things we did was to take an Epicurian Walking Tour of the Pearl district. Its a little pricey but we thought it was fun and would recommend it-

Inn at Northrup Station is also very close to Paley's Place, which is a fantastic restaurant, right across the street from Wildwood.
We like the Riverplace Hotel, down by the riverfront. It is a luxury hotel with many nice amenities, including access to the Riverplace Athletic Club. They also have a private jacuzzi-steam room where you can make an appt. at the front desk. Have a great time in Portland! ***kim***

sunbum, we go by the Inn @Northrup almost every day on our jaunts around here, did you find it quiet there on the streetcar line and all?
You were in the Pearl and did not say hello?? LOL

Tell about the Tasting! where did you go, which ones were good to you

IllionisLibrarian..
We stay at the 5th Ave Suites. We were here for the 1st time last in Sept 04 for 10 days, back in July last year for 10 days and then 5 days in Aug when we moved here. My friends stay there when they visit.
It is a great hotel. Why pay for a nice but not so big hotel room when you can get a big suite for the same price?
They have all sorts of deals, go to their online site..they are a Kimpton Hotel.
They are also IN town as are all the others mentioned , except for Riverplace which is over along the river. .. where a huge amount of construction is going on, which anyone who has been here in the past 6 months knows.

Scarlett- our room at the Inn was quiet although I must confess didnt spend much time in it and we only spent 1 night there. Sorry we didnt come to see you- it was at Christmas, picked up daughter from airport late- 11PM and the next day she had an agenda of where she wanted to go and what she wanted to do. Next time OK.

Next time

Thanks so much for the hotel recommendations in Portland. We're looking forward to our visit.

If you'll have a car and enjoy the offbeat (and good value) then I'd have a look at McMenamin's Kennedy School. www.mcmenamins.com.