Troutdale Hotels

Part of the Kimpton chain, this "fun" Downtowner with a "laid-back atmosphere" "epitomizes Portland" – so feel free to "bring your dog" and/or the kids to relax in the colorful, "electic" rooms (you can even call on a pet psychic for an extra fee); the service is "terrific" and evening wine tastings are "a nice touch", so many can overlook a restaurant they say is "holding it back."

Enthusiasts exclaim the "public areas are drop-dead beautiful" in this historic '20s boutique hotel with "impeccable" service located next to Downtown's Center for the Performing Arts; chef Philippe Boulot's "outstanding" French-Oregonian fusion fare is "to die for" (among "the best in the Northwest"), but guests are less entranced by "disappointing" rooms that are "tiny" and "shabby" "for the price."

"In the center of a culturally vibrant Downtown area" "minutes away from Pioneer Place", this chain outpost with a "pleasant, professional" staff has "perfectly furnished" rooms "for the demanding business traveler"; though gourmets gripe there's "no really good restaurant" and "nothing notable" about the facilities, the "charming neighborhood" with dining options is a plus; N.B. it's slated for renovations in 2009.

"Portland's rainy weather is made more hospitable" by this "gorgeous, gracious" Downtown hotel designed by Candra Scott and Richard Anderson, who also fashioned Houston's Hotel Icon; the "historic" 1909 premises include a "Lewis and Clark–themed lobby, complete with logs crackling in the fireplace", "comfy rooms" and "helpful" employees; P.S. Jake's Grill, with its Pacific NW cuisine, "puts the happy in happy hour."

From the guestrooms named after local vineyards to the vino "tastings in the late afternoon", "wine is the theme" at this "warm and welcoming" boutique hotel, whose "great" Downtown location "allows you to walk almost anywhere"; the "staff is friendly", "but make sure you get a room with a skylight to watch the stars – the others are just average."

The "best hotel in Portalnd" say fans of the "beautiful" rooms with "wonderful" Willamette River views at this close-to-Downtown hotel that nevertheless seems "far from everything"; though the service is "excellent" and the Craftsman-style lobby and library are "wonderful", a few foodies find the "menu needs upgrading"

A renovation of this nonsmoking waterfront chain link means you'll get rooms with "nice big" "flat-screen TVs", "small balconies" and "comfortable beds", plus, in some cases, "great views of the sunset" and Mt. Hood; while little details like "platters of delicious Fuji apples in the lobby" are appreciated, the "unnecessary" "nickel-and-diming" ($10 for WiFi access, $23-per-day for parking) are definitely not.

Hipsters hail the "contemporary face-lift" that's turned a "formerly awful hotel" into a "gem" with "funky" "black-and-white photographs" of politicians and celebrities throughout, a "great" restaurant and cocktail lounge, and "beautifully designed" (although "small") rooms with iPod docks and Aveda products; sure, some say it may be "a bit pretentious for Portland, but that's what makes it fun."

This "solidly upscale" branch of the well-known chain, "in the heart of Downtown Portland" "close to great shopping, theaters and dining", boasts a staff that treats you "like royalty", "a lovely penthouse restaurant with live jazz on the weekends" and "awesome beds" in "compact" but "fabulously clean" quarters (some with fine "city views"); still, a portion are displeased over nonworking in-room amenities and say "after adding the costs of parking, Internet and gym fees", it can get pricey; P.S. the "transit system is right outside" so "you won't need a rental car."