Hilton HHonors - 2-day family vacation to Portland, OR - Where should I stay?

Hi all -

I'm from Seattle and me and my family would like to drive down to Portland, Oregon for a little two-day getaway in the next month or two. My kids are 2 and 4, so taking bigger trips is not really easy right now, thus the reason we are choosing Portland. We'd like to do family activities while there.

I'm Hilton Gold. I'm looking for recommendations on where to stay with a bunch of points I have. I'd like a place that is 5-10 minutes near downtown (but doesn't have to be IN downtown), would likely upgrade me to a suite, and has a good free breakfast. I want to stay away from convention hotels that would treat a HHonors Gold poorly (because most convention-goers have Gold/Diamond anyway).

Also, since we work from home, we can stay any days (even Sunday/Monday nights) so I'd like recommendations on the best days of the week to stay to have the best chances of getting some decent service/upgrades.

I've looked around, but I really want to hear from some people here at FlyerTalk with recommendations on this one.

Thanks,

Ethan

Embassy Suites downtown and hope for the presidential suite upgrade. They gave us that once, it was a very very nice room. I don't take a lot of hotel room pictures, these are from 2001 I believe, it reminds me why status is worth it sometimes

http://s90570816.onlinehome.us/portland03/slides/P6060018.html
http://s90570816.onlinehome.us/portland03/slides/P6060020.html
http://s90570816.onlinehome.us/portland03/slides/P6060016.html


And if you don't get the upgrade at least you still have a suite.

I stayed here in August and was very impressed with the service and rooms. They have a very nice breakfast and the fitness center has just been upgraded. Highly recommend for travel with family.

Embassy Suites downtown and hope for the presidential suite upgrade. They gave us that once, it was a very very nice room. I don't take a lot of hotel room pictures, these are from 2001 I believe, it reminds me why status is worth it sometimes

http://s90570816.onlinehome.us/portland03/slides/P6060018.html
http://s90570816.onlinehome.us/portland03/slides/P6060020.html
http://s90570816.onlinehome.us/portland03/slides/P6060016.html


And if you don't get the upgrade at least you still have a suite.

Were you Gold or Diamond at the time?

Ethan

My fam loves the ES downtown. It's a classic old hotel, but the rooms are bigger than the average ES.

We've been upgraded to larger rooms (as Gold and then Diamond), but never to the presidential suite.

If your kids swim, the water in the pool is warmer than average - which is good for small ones.

It's an easy walk to MAX - and quick ride to the zoo and children's museum.

I've stayed at the Doubletree Lloyd Center on my own. The ES is superior for kids.

T

Looks like the ES it is then. Thanks for all the recommendations!

A couple more things.... when should I stay there? Which days will be the least busy in a given week, anyone know?

Also, should I say anything special to try and get a nice room upgrade? I've never actually asked before, so I'm curious how to approach it.

Looks like the ES it is then. Thanks for all the recommendations!

A couple more things.... when should I stay there? Which days will be the least busy in a given week, anyone know?

Also, should I say anything special to try and get a nice room upgrade? I've never actually asked before, so I'm curious how to approach it.

Working in dowtown Portland, alot of traffic right now is on the weekdays Monday checkout Friday. I recomend calling in advance to the ES (Which is the best property to stay at IMHO for HHonors) to see what the occupancy is like, they usually chat off that it's very open. Then book for a weekend versus weekday stay.

Stay away from Late April or beyond with the Rose Festival and then every alcohol and waterfront festival clear to July 4th weekend. But March/early April weekends should be pretty open.

As for upgrades, I am sure there are plenty here with different views, but be nice, let them know in comments if online or call it's a special occasion and ask when you check in again for any opportunity to upgrade for said special occasion and you may get lucky.

Since you're Gold, this may not mean much to you, and for points you may like staying right in POrtland proper, but one option may be the Hilton Vancouver. My wife and I made our way down on our honeymoon last summer, and for the POrtland portion of our trip stayed there. It was a 3 minute drive to the MAX station right across the river, and 15-20 minute ride you were right in downtown Portland. No traffic to deal with that way.

It is a newer hotel, and we found it very nice, and the staff was very very helpful, they even set us up for Eugene, OR, a few days later. We weren't there long enough to use the pool, but the hotel and area was quiet when we were there, and there is a very nice park right across the street from the hotel.

May not be exactly what you are looking for, and that's fine. Just thought i would throw it out as an option. Next time my wife and I are in Portland(and we will go back to Portland) we will stay there again no questions asked.

The Doubletree at Lloyd Center is just outside of downtown and right on the MAX line. It will probably have a much better rate than the downtown Embassy Suites.

This will be a points stay, so the rate isn't a factor for me. Thanks for all of the advice!