Portland, Oregon

Where to Stay in Portland 

The Portland Hotel deLuxe

My favorite place to stay, the Hotel Mallory, has changed hands, but my recent stay there has confirmed that it's grand style remains and, in fact, has been significantly enhanced. It is located on the western edge of downtown near the Pearl District and the 23rd Street area where there are many interesting shops, galleries and restaurants. This is was where James Beard liked to stay when visiting Portland.

The theme of the hotel centers around vintage movies and the glamour of those times. In the lobby is a large picture-perfect Hollywood image which changes to reveal another and another. Each floor represents a different genre and the hallways are literally galleries of unique photos from Hollywood archivies. As you exit the elevator on each floor, script on a mirrored wall lights up to reveal the details on the genre you will find highlighted down the halls.

The new Hotel deLuxe, has done a wonderful job of restoring the hotel. The original lobby chandeliers in this 1912 building have been refurbished along with the gold trim on the ceilings. The interior designer, who lived in the hotel for 3 months to get a feel for the space, has created luxurious and delightful rooms. The unique custom buttery-yellow leather couches and headboards are sumptuous and the wall to wall, floor to ceiling sage green silk curtains add a wonderful touch of drama. The lovely glass lamps and ceiling fixtures carry the theme of the lobby chandeliers into the rooms.

All the little extras in the rooms just add to your experience: i-pod docks and an optional i-pod (complete with music of your choice) in case you forgot your's, flat screen TV's, pillow and spiritual menus (get your favorite kind of pillow and religious or spiritual text delivered to your room), very soft bathrobes and dimmers on all the lighting.

The restaurant in the hotel is excellent. The carrot soup is almost good enough for dessert. The lobby bar is still called the Driftwood Room and has been updated with some very fun decor. The hotel is pet-friendly. The staff all seem very happy and are helpful.

Its not an inexpensive place to stay, but it is worth it and I'll be back!

The Heathman Hotel

This is a very nice, upscale downtown hotel in an historic building.

The Benson Hotel

The Benson Hotel is right downtown, very elegant and even if you don't stay here, the brunch or the afternoon teas are wonderful.

They take pets and they have tempurpedic beds too.

The Jupiter Hotel

I just found out about this newly opened hotel in the "Lower Burnside" neighborhood, east of downtown. The interior design is sleek and modern and the rates are great starting @ $89. If you book a room after midnight (hhmmm) they have a special rate of $59! Such a deal. So, make sure they have plenty of rooms available, go out and party, then take your sweetie to the Jupiter.

This hotel is on the Conde Naste Traveler list as one of the best new hotels in the world and ranked by GQ as one of the top 4 new (old) hotels in the US. Very impressive.

Where to Eat 

The Bounty of Oregon Foods

Visit this lens in which I write about all the wonderful Oregon and Northwest foods, including many restaurants in Portland which offer regional cuisine. Check out the Epicurean Walking Tour of Portland. Its great!

Papa Haydn

You know the saying: "Eat dessert first." The sweets here are yummy. I remember going with friends, sitting at a round table, ordering dessert and passing them around like a merry-go-round...round and round they went. That was fun!

Portland Best Eats

Here is another Squidoo page by a lensmaster who lists favorite Portland restaurants and has a link to an interesting Oregon food blog.

Portland Shopping 

Twist

Twist is a fun store full of very high quality artist-made gifts such as jewelry and pottery. The street it is on has many more great places to browse, snack and shop. There is also a Twist in the terminal at the Portland airport.

Nordstrom's

The best department store ever! Great layout and product selection and if you are lucky, the piano player will be doing his or her thing. This links you to the downtown location.

They are known for their service and I know that first hand. I once was visiting in Seattle and wanted to see a particular gallery show. I stopped at the Nordstrom customer service desk downtown and asked how to get to the gallery. I was told that it was quite a walk and that it would be closing soon. They offered to drive me over and they did--in a special Nordstrom's car. I don't remember the gallery show, but I sure remember what they did for me.

Powell's Books

When in Portland, you must see Powell's Books. Go to the original store on Burnside Avenue. Forget Barnes & Noble here (which I LOVE, by the way). In Portland, Powell's is IT. Powell's Books is the largest independent used and new bookstore in the world. They carry an extensive collection of out-of-print, rare, and technical titles as well as many other new and used books in every field.

Portland Saturday Market

Portland Saturday Market is a fun, outdoor, afternoon activity with booths run by more than 300 artists, craftsmen and food vendors and performances by roving entertainers. Open every Saturday and Sunday from March to December 24th. Located in Portland Oregon Old Town Historic district near the Burnside Bridge.

Notes on Powell's Books

This is a link to a detailed lens created by a fellow lensmaster about Powell's Books. Check it out.

News on Powells's Book

Powell's Books, thankfully, will stay in the family as it is passed on to the founder's daughter. Read all about it.

Things to See & Do 

Portland Oregon Old Town/Chinatown Neighborhood

Old Town Chinatown is the original Portland. Read all about this delightful section of downtown Portland. This is a very comprehensive site: galleries, restaurants, shopping, housing,etc. The architectural detailing in old town is very interesting and beautiful.

Pittock Mansion

The Pittock Mansion is located in the hill overlooking Portland. With a beautiful view and stunning interior, this 1914 mansion is a joy to see.

The Rose Gardens

The famous Portland Rose Gardens!

Japanese Garden - Portland, Oregon

I love a walk through the Japanese Garden in Portland. It is beautiful and calming.

Church of Elvis Home Website!! 24 Hour Church of Elvis!!

As suggested by a reader, here is the website for the Church of Elvis. I have heard of it, but never visited. You may want to check it out.

"Home page of the 24 Hour Church of Elvis!! From Your Friend, Stephanie G. Pierce, Artist to the Stars, Portland, Oregon!! Free Elvis I.D. Card!! Free 1 Minute Sermon!! Cash Prize for Repentance after Free Confessional!! Elvis Christmas Cards!! Elvis t-shirts!!"

Curtis Salgado 

Curtis Salgado Official Web Site

Here is the official site for Curtis Salgado. Curtis is hot on the harmonica, but it is his voice that really will move you. Hear some of the cuts from his CDs and read all about his connection to John Belushi and The Blues Brothers.

A Recent Article About Curtis and His Battle With Cancer

Read this article about Curtis which appeared in the Eugene Registar Guard newspaper in his home town. It is inspiring. Make a contribution to the US Bank to help cover his expenses! He had no medical insurance at the time of his diagnosis.

News Release

October 6, 2006 CURTIS SALGADO BAND NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CURTIS SALGADO UNDERGOES SUCCESSFUL LIVER TRANSPLANT SURGERY
Curtis Salgado underwent a successful liver transplant surgery on Saturday September 30, 2006 at The Nebraska Medical Center. Click here to read more.

Portland Resources 

The Oregonian

Portland's daily newspaper, The Oregonian, has a well-organized site for accessing local news and info.

Willamette Week

This weekly newspaper is a great guide to what is happening in Portland. Check it out on-line before your trip.

Portland Ground

A photographic guide to the Portland Metro area in Oregon and Southern Washington State, by Miles Hochstein. This guy goes around taking photographs of Portland, Oregon and the surrounding neighborhoods. Its great! You feel like you are right there. Informative and artistic. It looks like photos are added frequently.

Getting Around the City

VIsit this page for a concise summary of transportation options in Portland.

Portland Picks

Described as, "A free email lifestyle column, in your mailbox each Friday." If you are familiar with the "Daily Candy" e-newsletter from various cities, this is sort of the equivalent for Portland, though it is delivered weekly and is longer. They cover everything from shopping to eating. Its a good resource.

The Surrrounding Area 

Worth a Visit

Timberline Lodge, Mt Hood

Timberline Lodge Ski and Snowboard area on Mt. Hood is a National Historic Landmark offering skiing, snowboarding, hotel accommodations, music festivals, fine dining and more. Not just for winter activities, this is a beautiful building and is worth a visit even, if you cannot get a room (they are hard to come by). It was completed in 1937 by workers of the WPA and includes many hand-crafted details. A pair of St. Bernards are your hosts.

Astoria, Oregon on the Coast

Astoria is at the mouth of the Columbia River on the spectacular North Coast of Oregon. The drive over is about an hour west of Portland.

My Other Oregon Lenses 

Insider Oregon

Read about some of my favorite stops on the way up the McKENZIE RIVER and into CENTRAL and SOUTHEASTERN OREGON.

Eugene, Oregon

My home town for 20 years. You gotta love it.

The Beautiful Oregon Coast

The best section of the Oregon coast is, in my opinion, the central portion. This tells all about my favorite spots on the Central Oregon Coast.

The Bounty of Oregon Foods

Learn about some of the wonderful native foods and regional cuisine of Oregon.