I have been driven batty like that before..lol...I like that idea actually, day trips are so easy and you are back in town with all those wonderful restaurants for dinner each night..and entertainment.

Have I suggested that you stay at the Monaco Portland? lol

No Scarlett, but I am bust looking up all kind of old posts, and am thinking of trying Priceline. Do you like the Monaco? I saw you liked Inn at Northrup. Any other tips?

Try POVA- http://www.travelportland.com/

They have good rates on hotel rooms and usually it includes breakfast and parking plus they give you a coupon book for some shopping/ dinners -

The Monaco is a great hotel and I like the Inn at Northrup Station too but if this is for a special event I think you will like the Monaco better
The Northrup is in a great area but its kind of retro - green and purple and wild colors- might appeal to a younger crowd- the Monaco is more plush-

Sunburn THANKS for that great link! I am looking at the Holiday Inn covention center, soon to be Crowne Plaza and the Spencer. Any feedback?

We always stayed at the Monaco..since our first 2 week visit to the 2 weeks we were there househunting to the week before we could move into our Portland apt, to the week before we left for BA...

I used to check out hotels for friends visiting and in case we needed one for any reason..

And we were going to stay in a different one before we left Portland but ended up wanting that good experience as our last in town..
The Monaco Portland
www.monaco-portland.com


Inn at Northrup is cute and affordable and in a great neighborhood!
www.northrupstation.com

We looked in at the Heathman and the Benson- stuffy, expensive with smaller not really suites to terribly expensive suites.. the Benson just did not appeal to me at all.

The Westin is typical big hotel but in a good location, the Paramount had a huge construction project going on in front of it..digging an underground parking garage/lot with a park on top..

The Riverplace down by the river is now accesible by streetcar and some people like it..probably affordable for more people.

That is all I can think of now :)

Knowing I will be annoying many people who live on that side of town, I would suggest a hotel on the West side/downtown part of Portland, instead of the Eastside/Convention Center area.

The downtown part of Portland is just easier to get around, streetcars, walking..the parks, gardens, shopping and restaurants..all there.

I agree that staying on the west side of the river is best. Everything is within walking distance, and even at night it is safe to walk around.

So what is your time frame for various towns now?

If you take the ferry from Port Angeles, make a reservation. It is only $15 each direction and beats the heck out of waiting all day to get on a boat. A nice place that we have stayed in Victoria is Abigails.

Port Townsend is a nice town to check out as well. A place we have stayed several times, including for an anniversary, is the Morgan Hill Guest Cottage. Great little cottage, and not expensive at all.

mms, thanks for the feedback...here is our tentative schedule..arrive in Seattle, spend 3 nigts Inn at tHarbor steps(no car),,take ferry to Victoria, stay 2 nights, return to Seattle, pick up rental take a frry and stay in (POrt Townsend, Bremerton, Bainbridge Island, or someplace not too far from Seattle....THEN drive to Portland,,,stay 3 nights in city somewhere, then return to Seattle, stopping at Mt St helens and/or Rainier...spending the night near the airport. How does that sound?

Hotels in Portland that I have stayed at and recommend are:
The Marriott Downtown, The Marriott Waterfront; the Hilton, the Paramount and the Vintage - I would recommmend any of those over the the Convention Center area - not that the Convention Center area is bad but the other other side of the river is better.

So you might take a look at any of those. I have stayed at the Mark Spencer but it was before the remodel so dont really know but its in a pretty good location.

Sounds almost like a repeat of a trip my wife and I did a couple summers ago, including the stay at Harbor Steps!

Are you planning to come to Portland via the coast? Couple nice stops along the way.....

Thnaks sunburn for the feedback again, you are a dear....I am leaning towards the Spencer, because price/value. Beachbum, like minds, yes? Still need the area around the peninsula for 2 dnights after Victoria..or should I just bag it and spend 4 nights in Portland for the gorge and Mt Hood??? WITH 2 nights around Seattle somewhere.

Judy, another Fodorite stayed at the Mark Spencer..she seemed to like it ... I will email her and ask her to post here about it for you...

How about the Oregon coast instead of the Peninsula? We might sound like a broken record (or CD) recommending places like Cannon Beach, but it's not without reason. ;-)

Beachbun, you have peaked my interest in the Coast...what would be the closest coast area for us to visit for 2 nights? Scarlett, I think we may stay at the Heathman...it has rates for 199$ a night with a free cont bkfst and azprking from the Portland web deals..it sounds marvelous!

You must include Butchart gardens in your plans. It is absolutely beautiful! For a real treat have "tea" at the Fairmont Hotel.

Thanks bmeredith, Butchart gardens are the main reason we are going to Victoria...my BF loved it!

Judy, enjoy a late night drink with fries in the Heathman Bar lol... we used to go there after the ballet or whatever at the Schnitzer.

The closest beach area to Portland is Cannon Beach and its wonderful- I dont think you will be disappointed in a stay there.

I have not stayed at the Heathman but its a great location and has a good reputation. Had breakfast there last month - try the NW salmon hash.
Close by is the Hilton - in the evening check out the bar on top- great views and live music ( mostly jazz I believe)

Are you planning to do some hikes? you mentioned that in your first post. There are some great hikes in the gorge

judyrem, your spelling of "piqued" has piqued my interest.

Thanks sunburn Scarlett and all who have contributed to this thread!!!! Yo guys are the BEST! When we leave Seattle to go Canonn beach and route that would be best and most scenic? I have been looking at hotels at CB and they are not inexpensive ;-). Surfsand looks great..any other places that would be special for DH's birthday?