Our kids (40s) say the homeless problem is not as bad as it was, but we had the misfortune several years ago to run into one who threatened our lives when we wouldn't give him anything. Looking back he was a crazy one-off, but it's spooked us from going back for years.

I've never thought of Portland as having any real "tourist attractions" per se right in the city - maybe the Chinese Gardens? Art Museum? Historical Society? We've been to all of them. A lot of the attractions are right outside the city in the big park but you really need a car for that.

The only one of your choices I've stayed at was the Nines, it was "pretty" back when it opened, cool concept being an old Department Store - art work of mannequins, big shoes, that type of thing, but you don't have to stay there to see that, just walk around the upstairs lobby if you're in the area.