Westin Portland, Oregon [Master Thread]

[spellbound2]

We've got an upcoming 7 nights here in May. Is there much to do nearby? My husband has to go to Jantzen Beach some days, so will a car be best or is there a train/bus? Any restaurant or other activities that you recommend? My nephew is graduating from college in Portland, so we want to treat him to something special, but we don't know much about the area. I hope it's not raining too much!

[RTWSTARALLIANCE]

We had a nice two night stay in PDX. We are going back for a one night stay in June 2003. 7 nights would be a bit much but it sounds as if you have some plans to fill the time. You must visit the Japanese Garden at the Park. It is a must. My friend is a Japanese national and considered it one of the most "authentic" she has visited in the States. You may want to take the graduate with you since I believe they give a student discount or AAA. Enjoy.

[bworrell]

I haven't stayed at this hotel for about 9 months, but I used to like this hotel quite a bit.

Once I made Platinum, I was consistently upgraded, although normally you get upgraded to a Jr. Suite. I actually don't like the Jr. Suite a whole lot as it basically is just a large corner room, with lots of "open space". If you're laying in the bed, the TV is way too far away. Once I was upgraded to supposedly their only jacuzzi suite, with an absolutely huge bathroom and nice jacuzzi.

[SLC2002]

Nice hotel--sub par service. I wasn't upgraded during any of my last four stays—twice they didn't post my amenity and once they didn't have my reservation—even though upon the staff calling Starwood it was confirmed. Also, parking will also run you, a steep, $20/night.

If it wasn't for the heavenly beds, I wouldn't stay there.

[kv99]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bworrell:


Once I made Platinum, I was consistently upgraded, although normally you get upgraded to a Jr. Suite. I actually don't like the Jr. Suite a whole lot as it basically is just a large corner room, with lots of "open space". If you're laying in the bed, the TV is way too far away. Once I was upgraded to supposedly their only jacuzzi suite, with an absolutely huge bathroom and nice jacuzzi.</font>

I'm at the hotel tonight and I have a room with a jacuzzi in it.... Beautiful hotel and a beautiful room, not really a suite but a large room, TV a little far from the bed, but ok otherwise.

The bathroom is gorgeous. Sadly I got in at 10 pm tonight and leave at 6:30 tomorrow morning and no one to share it with! Have to come back!

Oh, btw, there's TONS of street parking around and as long as the car is moved by 8, it's totally free.

[This message has been edited by kv99 (edited 04-16-2003).]

[spellbound2]

Sounds like a great room! I hope we get so lucky, but I don't know if we have 7 nights there. Any restaurant suggestions? We will be taking my husband's mom to Mother's Day and we're taking out my nephew to celebrate his college graduation.

[bworrell]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by spellbound2:
Sounds like a great room! I hope we get so lucky, but I don't know if we have 7 nights there. Any restaurant suggestions? We will be taking my husband's mom to Mother's Day and we're taking out my nephew to celebrate his college graduation.</font>

Here's some of my favorite restaurants in Portland:

Caprial's: (25 out of 30 for food according to Zagat)
http://portland.citysearch.com/profile/8454305/

Lucy's Table: (23 out of 30 for food according to Zagat)
http://portland.citysearch.com/profile/8463255/

[ldsant]

Good restaurant for brunch: Mom's

Also, since you're staying there so long you may want to break up your trip by going to Cannon Beach one day, Mt. Hood another, and Bend. All beautiful (my favorite is Cannon Beach just because I'm more of a water person).

Also, FYI. .. Portland has TAX-FREE shopping! woo hoo

[spellbound2]

Mom's? I looked it up but didn't find anything... boy will I feel silly if it's your "mom's" house!

Tax free shopping... I'm there!! We'll try and get over to Cannon Beach, and my husband is originally from Bend, so I can rely on him for the lowdown. Thanks a bunch.

[opushomes]

Mom's, if my geographical memory is accurate, is in the vicinity of S.W. 3rd and Salmon. It sits on the Southwest corner of the two streets. Kind of a meat loaf and potatoes type of place. Bright and popular

Did a search and guess what it is not "Mom's". It is:


MOTHER'S BISTRO & BAR
409 SW 2ND AVE
PORTLAND, OR
(503)464-1122




[This message has been edited by opushomes (edited 04-22-2003).]

[dmendlow]

I work with 10-15 Plats who stay at this hotel EVERY week. As a result, doubt you'll get an upgrade weekdays. Nice property, good downtown location. I'd request a room ending in 03 or 08 as these are corner rooms and away from the elevator. Drink beer in Oregon, it's the best in the country.

[spellbound2]

We had a nice time in Portland, and thank you for recommending Mother's. My mother-in-law really loved it! We also had a really nice time at Caffe Mingo (great homemade ravioli, organic beef), Portland City Grill, Jake's, and Gino's (Sellwood area). We had a large room which was fine with me, and the front desk was very friendly. They didn't do anything for my birthday, but I guess that's why it's better not to expect anything from hotels so if it happens you feel extra special. We loved rollerblading around the waterfront and over the Steel and Hawthorne bridges. The Japanese Garden was so beautiful and peaceful, and Multnomah Falls and all the waterfalls were very pretty. Saturday Market was a fun way to spend the day, too.

[RTWSTARALLIANCE]

Check into the Hotel early. The Hotel had us pre-blocked into a room on 19th floor (highest). It was not ready and offered a immediate room on 9th. Took that room. I was very pleased and surprised to find the room spacious, clean and I believe remodeled. The bathroom had a separate large shower and tub. It was a good size. The room looked to have new carpet and furnishing. Also as stated a good size. Apparently there are a number of junior suites which I was already told the day before were booked. Asked and granted a late check-out until 4:00 PM. The Hotel has a small but comfortable common space. A restaurant/bar on first floor. Meeting rooms on two. A good value given the price. I have stayed at the Embassy Suites and Marriott Downtown in Portland, OR. This looks to be the nicest. I was warned by the front desk that charges are applied for all outgoing calls. The rooms have high speed internet access for a price.

The front desk person was very kind to escort my wife to the room to give it a look. She is staying with her mother shopping.

From PDX you take the MAX light rail. When you leave the secure side veer right. Keep going and down the escalators. The fare into Portland downtown is a great- $1.60. Day pass $4.00. Get off a Pioneer Square. You can see the Hotel with is light green top from the Square. There is a very good Japanese restaurant on the way to the Hotel. It is called Koji Osakaya. My wife a Japanese native loves it. We took her mother there.

BTW the Westin has a frig which is not one of those electronic charge ones. A in room safe, one bathrobe in the 9th floor room, Starbuucks coffee, good size tv and decent that means ok size desk with comfortable chair. I would not hesitate returning which I am sure we will. No sales tax in OR. Regards

[This message has been edited by RTWSTARALLIANCE (edited 09-27-2003).]

[100,000miler]

I too know this hotel but most rooms are small. I was put in a larger room which they called a Jr Suite but in fact it was only a larger room!

This hotel is a good value, good location but I found the ceilings low in the rooms and hallways. It has that new vinal small and feeling to it. It is a new building with the facade of a classic older one.

Nice but not really up to the standards of a Westin!

[SteveinA2]

The Weston Portland ripped me off with a $12.01 bill for a 55 second phone call. They then lied to me about the charge.

The bad taste still lingers.

They gained $12 and lost 2 nights business rate a month for ever