My husband and I and our 17 yr old daughter are heading to Portland the first week in July. We hope to see the city and it's gardens but also to take several driving trips out to the attractions around. I was thinking about staying the the Hilton Portland. How is it? How is it's location?

First of all get reservations NOW as crowded around 4th July.
Don't miss Farmers Mkt. on Saturdays under Burnside bridge-lots of crafty stuff-my 16 yr old liked looking for stuff for friends.
Also the biggest bookstore in US.(I think) used books, hard to find books and do have "branches" in other parts of town. ie-Travel books in downtown square-just below coffee shop.Its the square where life size gray statues are standing around.
As for the Hilton--I've only stayed at the Benson, which is a stately older hotel--Historic type. I liked the ambiance but your dau. might find it stodgy!! Also the Mallory which was just refurbished-little north-west of downtown-good service.
IMO staying in "downtown " area is better than out by Convention Center-Lloyd Mall.
If you go to Hilton Hotels web site it will "map" it out for you..

You did not specify the type of accomodations that you are looking for. We have stayed at 2 wonderful B&Bs. The Lion and the Rose, and The Portland White House, both had great rooms, also, heavenly breakfasts - not just fruit, pancakes, coffee, and juice. The properties are outstanding. Both of these areas have unique shops to visit.
Powell's is the most famous book store in Portland, and is known nationwide.
You will enjoy Portland, especially the wonderful scenery on the outskirts.
Try to see The Rose Garden, and very new is the Chinese Garden in downtown Portland.
Any McMennamin's restaurant there will be a great place to eat. There are a few, I do not know the number, in Portland, also, 1 in Troutdale - which is an outlet center- about 20 minutes from Portland. The expressways are good, they seem to drive normally.

The Hilton is great, but I like the Imperial or the Vintage Plaza better. More personality, without sacrificing quality!

The Hilton is in the heart of downtown Portland, on Broadway. It
had a major remodel within the last two years and from the outside it looks very nice. For side trips, you
should drive up the Columbia gorge,
which you can spend two hours or a
full day. Any other questions you
can e-mail me.

We stayed at the Portland guest House in March. I think it was near the corner of 15th and Broadway.Very low key B&B with great breakfast & nice owner. It is about 2 blocks from Lloyd center and across the street from a couple cute shops and Peets coffee. The lion & the rose was a few doors down..we peeked in and thought we might try it next visit. Portland is sucH a compact city...anywhere you stay will be easy and close to everything. We figured out the street grid really fast and had such fun. Lots of art, nature, and alternative life styles, but very clean and safe feeling to the city.

An alternate choice if the downtown hotels are full--the Silver Cloud Inn up in the NW 23rd area. Great neighborhood--lots of restaurants, coffee bars and shopping and close to downtown. The Silver Cloud is clean, comfortable (but not fancy or particularly charming), has covered parking for its guests, and is moderately priced at just about $100 a night. It also has free W/Ds for guests (and they are nearly new WDs, not old beat up ones). The decor is like that of a Red Lion/Doubletree hotel.
BTilke

Me and my mom stayed at the Mallory downtown and it's cute and has a lot of character and its not too expensive.

I take it you are not speaking of Portland, Maine????

You should check out the Marriott. It is in a great location across from River Front Place. There are great shops and restaurants right on the Willamette River. You would also be within walking distance of most all of downtown. Try to get to Washington Park (larger and prettier than Central Pk. N.Y.)There is the wonderful Portland zoo, Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, and Pittock Mansion. The view of the city is great from the park and all the aforementioned places are in the park. Go to 23rd ave. and browse the chic shops and go to the Hawthorne district and stroll Hawthorne Ave. for funky, hippie type stuff, and there is a Powell's bookstore there. Portland is great and as someone else said: be sure to drive east along the Columbia River and see the Columbia Gorge and famous Multnomah Falls. The Gorge and falls trip can be done in about four hrs. roundtrip.Oh, and at the zoo there are wonderful concerts in the evening. Lawn/blanket seating and name entertainment. Enjoy.