Quick trip report: Portland and Washington
Apr 27th, 2004, 04:08 PM
#1
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Quick trip report: Portland and Washington
Went on a quick trip to Portland this last week to see my college daughter compete in a crew regatta up north of Seattle. I've been to Portland many times and love this city. This trip was very quick and we didn't do much but eat and sleep.
Using the POVA (Portland Visitors Assn)website, I booked rooms under the "Portland Big Deal", and rented a Jeep Grand Cherokee from Alamo for $169 for the 5 days.
First two nights were at the 5th Avenue Suites on 5th and Alder. $119 including large cont. breakfast and parking. I loved this room! The bed was wonderful, there was coffee and tea in the room and lots of Aveda bath items. The view (from the 9th floor) was not interesting, but didn't look into other buildings and it was quiet. I had lunch in their Red Star Tavern and it was quite good.
Parking is right in the building, so you can drive downstairs yourself, or leave the car out front. The lobby is nice, and the staff all friendly, but not fake. Room service and the included breakfast were very good.
The location is great, in a nice area downtown with easy access to the Morrison bridge and the freeway.
The next two days were spent driving up to Lake Stevens, about a half hour north of Seattle. The drive up to Seattle was easy and fast as everyone goes at 70-80 mph. We lucked out with beautiful weather and nice views of the mountains all the way. Once we got to Seattle though, it was traffic hell. We hit the city at 3pm on Friday and it was bumper to bumper, despite the extra 5 or 6 extra lanes on the express road that runs in between the north and south lanes of I5. took us almost an hour to go 15 miles to Lynnwood. We stayed at the Embassy Suites in Lynwood, right off the freeway.
The hotel was nice by motel standards...had 2 king beds in the bedroom, a bar sink with microwave, coffee maker and refrig, a dining table and a sofa sleeper in the main room. Parking, afternoon snacks, and full breakfast buffet were included, and the batroom was large with big towels and nice shampoo, etc..
Only problem was the number of families and school groups...It was really noisy. To make matters worse, the rooms are built around a big atrium and the noise travelled upwards fast. People talking downstairs, parents leaning over the railings to call down to their kids, and even kids practicing on the grand piano at 8 in the morning on Saturday were problems to us!
Anyway, the next day, we picked up some picnic stuff--which was no problem as Lynnwood seems to be one big strip mall after anouther. I've never seen so many big box stores in one place!We made it up to Lake Stevens in no time.
The lake was beautiful, the town cute, the weather sunny, and my daughter's boat won, so it was a great day.
We left there around 6 pm and made super time back to Portland. This time we went on the Belllvue side and had no traffic at all.
Checked into the Westin on 7th and Alder. Another nice hotel, at $129 including parking and $20/night dining credits. the room usually goes for $189 + $22 parking.
The room was almost identical to the 5th Ave Suites, but had a separate shower & tub, and the shower had the double showerheads.
Basically the location and the staff were also identical to the 5th Ave. I'd probably choose 5th Avenue next time as Westin's room service was a lot more expensive and cars have to be valet parked with 10-15 minute notice needed to pick them up.
As far as meals, we had a great brunch at Bijou Cafe, a wonderful dinner at MisoHapi on 23rd, and another great dinner at a Thai place on 40th and Hawthorne. Really wanted to try Noble Rot, but it was closed on Sundays.
Next time!
Using the POVA (Portland Visitors Assn)website, I booked rooms under the "Portland Big Deal", and rented a Jeep Grand Cherokee from Alamo for $169 for the 5 days.
First two nights were at the 5th Avenue Suites on 5th and Alder. $119 including large cont. breakfast and parking. I loved this room! The bed was wonderful, there was coffee and tea in the room and lots of Aveda bath items. The view (from the 9th floor) was not interesting, but didn't look into other buildings and it was quiet. I had lunch in their Red Star Tavern and it was quite good.
Parking is right in the building, so you can drive downstairs yourself, or leave the car out front. The lobby is nice, and the staff all friendly, but not fake. Room service and the included breakfast were very good.
The location is great, in a nice area downtown with easy access to the Morrison bridge and the freeway.
The next two days were spent driving up to Lake Stevens, about a half hour north of Seattle. The drive up to Seattle was easy and fast as everyone goes at 70-80 mph. We lucked out with beautiful weather and nice views of the mountains all the way. Once we got to Seattle though, it was traffic hell. We hit the city at 3pm on Friday and it was bumper to bumper, despite the extra 5 or 6 extra lanes on the express road that runs in between the north and south lanes of I5. took us almost an hour to go 15 miles to Lynnwood. We stayed at the Embassy Suites in Lynwood, right off the freeway.
The hotel was nice by motel standards...had 2 king beds in the bedroom, a bar sink with microwave, coffee maker and refrig, a dining table and a sofa sleeper in the main room. Parking, afternoon snacks, and full breakfast buffet were included, and the batroom was large with big towels and nice shampoo, etc..
Only problem was the number of families and school groups...It was really noisy. To make matters worse, the rooms are built around a big atrium and the noise travelled upwards fast. People talking downstairs, parents leaning over the railings to call down to their kids, and even kids practicing on the grand piano at 8 in the morning on Saturday were problems to us!
Anyway, the next day, we picked up some picnic stuff--which was no problem as Lynnwood seems to be one big strip mall after anouther. I've never seen so many big box stores in one place!We made it up to Lake Stevens in no time.
The lake was beautiful, the town cute, the weather sunny, and my daughter's boat won, so it was a great day.
We left there around 6 pm and made super time back to Portland. This time we went on the Belllvue side and had no traffic at all.
Checked into the Westin on 7th and Alder. Another nice hotel, at $129 including parking and $20/night dining credits. the room usually goes for $189 + $22 parking.
The room was almost identical to the 5th Ave Suites, but had a separate shower & tub, and the shower had the double showerheads.
Basically the location and the staff were also identical to the 5th Ave. I'd probably choose 5th Avenue next time as Westin's room service was a lot more expensive and cars have to be valet parked with 10-15 minute notice needed to pick them up.
As far as meals, we had a great brunch at Bijou Cafe, a wonderful dinner at MisoHapi on 23rd, and another great dinner at a Thai place on 40th and Hawthorne. Really wanted to try Noble Rot, but it was closed on Sundays.
Next time! 
Apr 27th, 2004, 05:46 PM
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Thanks for the report. We stayed at the 5th Avenue last weekend and sprung for the $139 suite, which was about 550 square feet and very lovely. The only thing I didn't like about the hotel was a bellman who interrogated me about all sorts of stuff when I just wanted to get to my room and have a stiff drink.
Apr 30th, 2004, 08:49 AM
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Sounds like a great time! I'm tempted to try the 5th Ave. Suites on our next visit to Portland, but can't stand the thought of giving up the RiverPlace which we love.
This time I think we'll forego the Romance package and opt for a Jr. Suite to give us some more room. I can't wait to spend a few days in Portland! I'm also anxious to give some of the great new restaurants a try. Clarklewis is at the top of my list.
Want to try Paley's Place and maybe Wildwood also. ***kim***
This time I think we'll forego the Romance package and opt for a Jr. Suite to give us some more room. I can't wait to spend a few days in Portland! I'm also anxious to give some of the great new restaurants a try. Clarklewis is at the top of my list.
Want to try Paley's Place and maybe Wildwood also. ***kim***
Apr 30th, 2004, 10:31 AM
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Isn't it amazing that a city the size of Portland has such an incredible choice of eating places? I also have a list of must eats that I am working thru. Only problem is that new must- eat places keep opening up!!
Apr 30th, 2004, 12:33 PM
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Glad you had a good trip! Yes, traffic in the Seattle area is bad, and your comment about Lynnwood made me giggle...very true! Sorry the hotel wasn't that great...but at least the rest of the trip was good.
We live in a suburb of PDX now and just the other day had lunch at a new restaurant...Henry's 12th Street Tavern. Very good! It is in the building of the old Henry's brewery and has a great "flavor" to it. We had an "in" so got a grand tour of the entire place...really nice!
We also ate at Manzanas (not sure of the spelling) and that was great too. They have a location in downtown as well as Lake Oswego.
We live in a suburb of PDX now and just the other day had lunch at a new restaurant...Henry's 12th Street Tavern. Very good! It is in the building of the old Henry's brewery and has a great "flavor" to it. We had an "in" so got a grand tour of the entire place...really nice!
We also ate at Manzanas (not sure of the spelling) and that was great too. They have a location in downtown as well as Lake Oswego.
Apr 30th, 2004, 01:13 PM
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While going through Portland to Astoria last week, we HAD to stop at the mall in Beaverton. We had been there before in December, but WOW what a place! My DD had to stop on the way there to buy some of those crabs they sell. We ended up having lunch at the food court there, which I really wanted to pass on, but hubby insisted I eat and ordered some of the Mexican food there.
I was very surprised and chowed down the whole plate. Great chicken enchiladas with black beans. Not too bad for food court stuff. We hit the Nordstrom's where I purchased my Evian spritzers for my purse and had a great time there.
On the way back down to Ashland, HAD to stop there again and return the crabs that looked sick and picked out two other healthy ones for friends back home. We just love that Beaverton mall!!! ***kim***
I was very surprised and chowed down the whole plate. Great chicken enchiladas with black beans. Not too bad for food court stuff. We hit the Nordstrom's where I purchased my Evian spritzers for my purse and had a great time there.
On the way back down to Ashland, HAD to stop there again and return the crabs that looked sick and picked out two other healthy ones for friends back home. We just love that Beaverton mall!!! ***kim***
Apr 30th, 2004, 01:30 PM
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Glad you enjoy Portland, Icuy. I continue to beat Noble Rot's drum; for what they do, IMO they're the best around Portland. Hope you get there next time.
mms, it's not coincidental that you liked both Henry's and Manzana Grill. They're owned and operated by the same company (which also owns Stanford's, Newport Bay, and Portland City Grill).
kim, I've not been, but good choice; Clarklewis was just selected as restaurant of the year by the local newspaper's food critic(s). Glad to see you venturing beyond the Harborside and VQ, though Wildwood has never been at the top of my list. Paley's Place is one of my wife's favorites.
mms, it's not coincidental that you liked both Henry's and Manzana Grill. They're owned and operated by the same company (which also owns Stanford's, Newport Bay, and Portland City Grill).
kim, I've not been, but good choice; Clarklewis was just selected as restaurant of the year by the local newspaper's food critic(s). Glad to see you venturing beyond the Harborside and VQ, though Wildwood has never been at the top of my list. Paley's Place is one of my wife's favorites.
Apr 30th, 2004, 01:59 PM
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We've also been to the Newport Bay, down on the waterfront when we stay at the Riverplace Hotel. I believe it is a chain, but they sure made a nice seafood ravioli and the views are really pretty from their small patio in the back. ***kim***
Apr 30th, 2004, 02:01 PM
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Beachbum, yes I knew the restaurants were related We are looking forward to trying all of them, lol!
Kim--Are you talking about the Nordstrom Rack in Beaverton or their regular store in Tigard at Washington Square?
We are looking forward to trying all of them, lol! Kim--Are you talking about the Nordstrom Rack in Beaverton or their regular store in Tigard at Washington Square?
May 1st, 2004, 08:55 AM
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It was definitely not Nordstrom rack, it was the Washington Square, I thought it was in Beaverton, maybe it was Tigard. We also got an awesome chess set there at Christmas at the Latitude Luggage shop. It's that place! ***kim***
May 2nd, 2004, 02:20 PM
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We have always had good meals at the various Nordstrom restaurants. The grills are of course nicer, but the cafes are always fine, and much better than going near a food court
We live nearby so we are lucky. Course I miss the Seattle store...we just moved back down here a couple months ago. Lived here YEARS ago so am checking out all my old favorite spots again and am finding most are still around
We live nearby so we are lucky. Course I miss the Seattle store...we just moved back down here a couple months ago. Lived here YEARS ago so am checking out all my old favorite spots again and am finding most are still around
May 2nd, 2004, 03:59 PM
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We hit the Seattle Nordstom's last August when we stayed for four days. The sales clerk could have been a tour guide, telling us all the hot spots to go to and recommended a ride on the Bainbridge ferry which we loved!!!
It was our first time in Seattle so we were clueless as to what to do. She even had the skirt my daughter wanted sent to our hotel in her size. What service!! ***kim***
It was our first time in Seattle so we were clueless as to what to do. She even had the skirt my daughter wanted sent to our hotel in her size. What service!! ***kim***
May 3rd, 2004, 05:39 AM
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Kim, yes isn't that service great?! The Seattle Store is especially good and we have never been disappointed. When my dh was retiring from the military a few months ago the Seattle store as well as the Lynnwood store really were incredible in getting my dh outfitted for civilian life. When you get back to Seattle go to the Nordstrom Spa for a day...it is really good!
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