Hilton HHonors - Embassy Suites Hotel Portland-Downtown Trip Reports and Reviews

Excellent and exceptional. This Hotel is well written about in FT. I just want to add it is all true. We were in PDX this past weekend with friends. They were also impressed. We all agreed on one thing- now we have set ourselves up to be disappointed with other ES.

Glad you liked it. It's my favorite place to stay in Portland.

...and stumbling distance to the brewers festival http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kokonutz:
...and stumbling distance to the brewers festival http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif</font>


Don't tease me like that! I miss Portland... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Me too! But at least I'm a little closer than duxfan! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

It's SUCH a nice hotel. So much character both in the gorgeous lobby and rooms... I love it.

My fiancée and I stayed at the Embassy Suites Portland-Downtown (http://www.embassysuites.com/en/es/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=5J5131DRNV15QCSGBIXMVCQKIYF CVUUC?ctyhocn=PDXPSES) during the weekend (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/008849.html) when we flew out to PDX as part of a mileage run, dinner with friends and shopping.

Thanks to the collective knowledge and suggestions to the group here, I booked the Embassy Suites and opted for the Scobby Suite retreat (http://www.embassysuites.com/en/es/promotions/es_fsr_fall03/index.jhtml?adId=ESFSRFall03,Banner) promo, as I'm sure one of our nephews or nieces would want the toy, if not for ourselves! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

We took the MAX Red Line at PDX and got off at the Oak Street/SW 1st Avenue stop by the Saturday market, and walked over the few blocks to the hotel. The lobby of the hotel was quite impressive, and as we were checking in, the manager began telling us the story of the historical aspects of the hotel (formerly known as the Multnomah) and the two incidents of bi-planes landing and taking off at the rooftop! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

As a HH Gold, we were upgraded to a corner suite on the 4th floor and to my fiancée's surprise, he gave us two of the Scooby toys! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif When we walked in the door to our suite, my jaw almost dropped. There was a huge conference/dining table (with 10 chairs?) in the living room. Two TVs (one in the bedroom and the other in the living room) and a king-size bed. On the table top, was a coffee table book on the history of the Multnomah hotel and another on PDX's highlights and attractions.

There was no water provided in the hotel room but later in the evening, an attendant did came up and delivered a "welcome kit" in which there was a card/letter from the manager and in the box, was a bottle of water and various snacks/cookies. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

We did not attend the Manager's reception as we had a dinner appointment with our friends in the PDX area at 7:00 pm but we did stopped by to take a look. Essentially, its an open bar but the food choices were limited to mostly chips, crackers, etc.

As for the breakfast the next morning, even though our departure flight was changed to 9:00 am, we did not had the time to take in the breakfast but we did grab some juice and fruits to go. If the breakfast had opened at say, 6:00 am instead of 7:00 am, we might have had time. Perhaps next time.

Overall, we were very impressed with our first stay at an Embassy Suites. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Got moved up to the Presidential Suite there, totally loved it. I'd let them keep the water if they gave me that room again. It's a very nice place, though it was a bit warm for us to light the fireplace.

Wow -- I just returned from a weekend jaunt to PDX using 50,000 HHonors point for 2 free nights at the Embassy Suites downtown.
Upon check-in, I'm told "We have you in the Presidential Suite, here is your room key." I didn't react as it was still computing in my brain, and I thought maybe all the suites are called Presidential Suites. No, it couldn't be I thought, especially as I recalled the time when I wanted to make a reward reservation at the Caribe Hilton and was told in so many words that I'd probably get the worst room in the house.

Sure enough, I get off the elevator on the 8th (top--a good sign) floor, and next to the directional sign with the room numbers, is another sign "Presidential Suite -->"
Ok, clearly not all the suites are Presidential.

I felt sort of like Samantha Brown on Travel Channel's Great Hotels as I opened the door (no "Housekeeping agreed to let me take a peek" this time). While the room certainly was impressive, I'm guessing it really wasn't that different from a typical one-bedroom suite at a normal 4- or 5-star hotel. Certainly not like any of the Presidential Suites Samantha has toured. There were three exposures, a gas-operated fireplace, a dining room table and a canopy bed, but other than that I can't imagine it being that much different from the other suites in the hotel, perhaps a bit larger.

Anyway, it was still pretty cool, and I felt like a bad-a55 every time I entered the suite (the big Presidential Suite sign was right outside the door too) so it was certainly good for my ego (even though there was never anyone else in the hallway!).

So, I'm guessing I was the only HHonors elite in the hotel that weekend (maybe the other one got the "Royal Suite") -- why else would they give that room out on a reward stay?

Congratulations! It's pretty hard to get any upgrades at an all suite hotel.

As an upgrade in Orlando when I gave the clerk my Gold HH card, was a corner suite on the HH floor, that had bi-directional windows.

Wow -- I just returned from a weekend jaunt to PDX using 50,000 HHonors point for 2 free nights at the Embassy Suites downtown.
Upon check-in, I'm told "We have you in the Presidential Suite, here is your room key." I didn't react as it was still computing in my brain, and I thought maybe all the suites are called Presidential Suites. No, it couldn't be I thought, especially as I recalled the time when I wanted to make a reward reservation at the Caribe Hilton and was told in so many words that I'd probably get the worst room in the house.

Sure enough, I get off the elevator on the 8th (top--a good sign) floor, and next to the directional sign with the room numbers, is another sign "Presidential Suite -->"
Ok, clearly not all the suites are Presidential.

I felt sort of like Samantha Brown on Travel Channel's Great Hotels as I opened the door (no "Housekeeping agreed to let me take a peek" this time). While the room certainly was impressive, I'm guessing it really wasn't that different from a typical one-bedroom suite at a normal 4- or 5-star hotel. Certainly not like any of the Presidential Suites Samantha has toured. There were three exposures, a gas-operated fireplace, a dining room table and a canopy bed, but other than that I can't imagine it being that much different from the other suites in the hotel, perhaps a bit larger.

Anyway, it was still pretty cool, and I felt like a bad-a55 every time I entered the suite (the big Presidential Suite sign was right outside the door too) so it was certainly good for my ego (even though there was never anyone else in the hallway!).

So, I'm guessing I was the only HHonors elite in the hotel that weekend (maybe the other one got the "Royal Suite") -- why else would they give that room out on a reward stay?

We also were upgraded at the same hotel in April on a reward stay. We "only" got upgraded to a corner suite, but it seemed to be beyond the standard suites in the hotel.

I've been upgraded twice during my last 4 or 5 stays as a HH Gold. This is not a cookie cutter ES. It's a conversion of an old historic hotel. My suite upgrades were on the second floor or mezzanine level. I've had the US Bancorp and the Nike suites.

Unlike some hotels that let their big suites lay empty, this hotel puts them to good use.

That was our room this weekend last year for the Rose Festival, is that why you were there? We had reservations, but had other things come up and couldn't make it and canceled last month. I believe you took our room. :p

Coolest room I've ever had at an Embassy, to be sure. I love that hotel for just the chance of having that room again for another weekend stay.

Next time you're in New York try the Embassy Suites (downtown).

On a reward stay, I was upgraded to an Executive Corner Suite. The thing was huge (for NY). No canopy bed, but a VCR, stereo system, DR table, bar, etc.

And I still can't get over how big it was. Much bigger than the standard suites, and way, way bigger than the standard Waldorf rooms.

Maybe 1,000 square feet? (Don't quote me on that figure.) I wanted to throw a party. :)

I arrived very late (near midnight) at the ES south of there, and it was very full - but I was greeted and told they had kept the Presidential Suite for me. It was very nice... but I couldn't take much advantage of the large sitting room, two separate bedrooms, etc. etc. as I had to drive off for a work engagement the next morning.

I woudl have been happy they didn't walk me - this was outstanding!

That was our room this weekend last year for the Rose Festival, is that why you were there? We had reservations, but had other things come up and couldn't make it and canceled last month. I believe you took our room. :p

Coolest room I've ever had at an Embassy, to be sure. I love that hotel for just the chance of having that room again for another weekend stay.

Actually, I never heard of the Rose Festival until I checked in Friday night and was told if I needed my car between 9am and 2pm the next day I'd be S.O.L.! I was actually just taking a quick trip for a mileage run on CO and to do some whitewater rafting. I had to leave before 9am anyway, so it was no big deal. But it was funny seeing all the people camping out for good seats to the parade! I don't think anyone does that in New York...

But my other question about this hotel, is given the "HH" layout, I would guess that some 2/3rds of the rooms have "interior" views of other rooms, so I guess any room with a view would be considered an upgrade, and a room with 3 views (ok, one exposure was of the room across the way) is a super upgrade!

But it was funny seeing all the people camping out for good seats to the parade! I don't think anyone does that in New York...



It is easily one of the funniest things we have ever seen, on Wednesday and Thursday people hit the streets with their duct tape, mark off their space, leave their lawn furniture chained to a lamp post, then on Saturday come back and enjoy the parade.

No, that doesn't happen in New York. You would be killed when you were putting down the duct tape, run over by delivery people on bikes. The Homeless would take your tape to build a new cardboard home, and you would have your furniture taken from you and sold on the street.

We have been out there four or five times now, and it never ceases to amaze us you can reserve space like that. We always joke we should try that for the Macy's Thanksgiving parade.

I've stayed there before and had the same room. WOW!!

Tubeman :cool:

Just got back from 3 nights at the Embassy Suites in Old Town Portland, OR. Used to be the Multnomah Hotel, and a beautiful property, right in the middle of things (although a long, long hike to the Pearl District). Couple of things upset me, though. I've been Diamond status for many years, and their was no recognition at all upon check-in. I asked for an upgrade when I booked the room, and again upon check-in, but no room was available. I'm paying and not using points. The front desk said that they could upgrade me the next day, just not the first night, to which I agreed. We re-packed the next morning and left our bags in the room. When I stopped by the front desk to remind them of the room change, they said sorry, no upgrades available. "Based on the rate you paid, if you would pay for the upgrade, we could do that". Granted, they said the hotel was full, but the minute $$$ came into the conversation, I didn't exactly feel the love anymore. I told them that I stay 50+ nights in Hilton properties, and under no circumstances will be paying for an upgrade, so we kept our room. This is on top of getting gaffed $23/night for valet parking ($16/night for self-parking with no in/out priveledges!!) and not even getting a free bottle of water for Diamond recognition ("we see that you chose points and not a welcome package, so...."). I'd rather have the points, but come on, is there absolutely zero recognition anymore for Diamonds? Manager's reception and breakfast are both fine, I've seen some better, and some worse. I just seem to be on a string of stays where there is no upgrade and no thank you; hopefully that string will change with my very next visit!

I stayed here two weeks ago and was upgraded to an executive suite (105, the PacifiCorp Suite; very nice corner suite and quiet despite being on the mezzanine) and had my two bottles of water and bag o' chips waiting in the room for me even though I have points down as a preference. There have been quite a few threads recently that suggest Hilton is operating more strictly regards points vs. amenities, though.

I stayed at the Downtown Portland Embassy Suites in early May and loved it. I thought the renovation of the old Multnomah Hotel was well done. As a Gold, I was upgraded to a larger corner suite, and water and fruit was brought to my room, per my preference. I also thought the manager's reception and breakfast were fine--better than most. I'll definitely be back.

not even getting a free bottle of water for Diamond recognition ("we see that you chose points and not a welcome package, so...."). I'd rather have the points, but come on, is there absolutely zero recognition anymore for Diamonds?

You chose the points. You waived the upgrade [and the water]. A member who made gold status (and hasn't opted for the points) for the very first time the day beforehand is "entitled" to an upgrade ahead of you. Those are the rules; now you know they are being enforced.

As has been posted elsewhere, opting for the points waives all elite recognition, not just some snacks.

I stayed at this property once, a year or so ago (as a gold), and was upgraded to a corner suite. The snacks were delivered later, at turn-down time. The ES breakfast was rather a zoo, and the manager's reception was okay, but nothing special. Moreover, it is consistently priced higher than the nearby Hilton, where I've never failed to be upgraded (with breakfast coupon).

I used to stay at this hotel a lot several years ago and really liked it. As a gold, I was regularly upgraded to one of the large suites on the mezzanine level. Sounds like others are getting upgrades still when they are not full.

I've been a gold in the HH program for the past 5 or 6 years. I used to get upgraded quite often, but lately upgraded rooms haven't been coming my way. I'd be hard pressed to think of a single room upgrade during the past 2 years.

My profile says that I prefer rooms to be "away from elevator". Guess what, I have been given rooms directly across from the elevator several times. Perhaps they see the word elevator and think I want to be near one. I may remove that from my profile and see if things improve.

As a result of my recent experiences, I don't expect fancy rooms and don't ask for upgrades. My disappointment level remains low. Granted, I'm only a lowly gold.

What keeps me loyal to the program is the free breakfast and the speed at which I can earn points towards my next reward stay.