This grand old lady of Portland, the Multnomah Hotel, has been rescued and refurbished to its past grandeur through the good offices of Embassy Suites. The ornate lobby is worth at least a stroll-through. We were there on an unusually HOT (98 degree) Saturday night, and it was delightful to sit and listen to beautiful piano music and watch the passing show in such an elegant setting. Our room, a King suite, was exceptional--spacious, beautifully decorated, very comfortable. Bottles of cold water were awaiting us in the fridge and some snacks on the counter (sounds like we are easily impressed, but it was a nice gesture). We were particularly taken with the welcome letter addressed to us by name and signed by the manager, especially when we met him personally at the Manager's reception later that evening--the guy does exist! Overall, the staff worked hard to make us feel welcome. The attendant at the desk helped us with dinner suggestions (try Huber's if you want a delectable turkey dinner in an unusual setting--but ask to be seated in the bar area). In the morning, the staff was also very gracious with giving driving directions, too. Embassy Suites' free breakfast was just fine--cereal, omelettes made to order, fresh melon, you name it--anything else one could wish. Kudos to the management and staff, who served large crowds gracefully, yet who made us feel as if we were their only customers. In short, a wonderful stay in a very special place. This is our second time--we will return soon.

The convention that my husband wanted to attend was at the hotel, and they offered an excellent rate. I was very pleased when I saw the room, with separate bedroom and living room. I cannot read in a bed, and the sofa was great. I find it eerie not being able to open a window (the building was constructed in 1912, and the windows would have been large enough to climb out of if accessible) but the air conditioning was very efficient yet quiet so I did not mind. I enjoyed having the electric water kettle/coffee machine right there, even though the hotel put together a very nice continental breakfast every morning. The pancakes were fluffy, the syrup was hot, and the fruit varied and fresh. Eggs available cooked to order or scrambled. Hot oatmeal (wrong time of year for me on that one) came with lots of toppings from raisins to brown sugar. I did not see anybody run out of coffee or milk (half and half, 2% or skim). The front desk staff was very helpful, directing us to a nice restaurant for dinner and letting us know that the hotel has a shuttle to the train station on request. Good location for shopping (both the weekend craft fair and more traditional mall-stores). The food the hotel offered at the reception was very tasty, and I believe was prepared at the restaurant located off the main lobby of the hotel.

Just got back from a stay at the Embassy Suites in downtown Portland with my 13-year-old daughter and we both loved the hotel. The location was great--we easily walked from the hotel to the Chinese Garden to the Pearl District and Powell's bookstore, and later walked to a movie in a mall just a few blocks away. The lobby was lovely, as was our room. I know some reviewers have mentioned street noise, but our room was SILENT. We heard NO street noise nor any noise from other rooms. (And I'm really sensitive to noise. Noise and smoke odors are the two things that will drive me crazy in a hotel.) The suite felt spacious--much more so than the Residence Inn we stayed out a few nights later (when we came back into Portland and the Embassy Suites was full). The room temperature was always comfortable with easy controls in the suite, and the bed was great. Negatives? Just a few, and all very minor: I agree with a previous reviewer that the lighting could have been better. Just a few more lamps in the living room would have been quite helpful. And the bathroom could use some ventilation, since the mirror was foggy for a long time after my shower. Also, the couch in the main room was hard as a rock. It made us laugh every time we sat down on it, but it didn't make for a cozy feeling in that room. We never checked out the pool or exercise room. The breakfast was fine but nothing special. If you like keylime pie, I heartily recommend having some at the restaurant attached to the hotel. It's delish.

This hotel was awful, it was more like a youth hostel than a hotel. The staff only existed to take your credit card, hand you a key and stick a bill through the door before you left. The breakfast experience was really special, not in a good way - imagine a dark and dingy school canteen and you might be close to imagining what this is like. As for the rooms, the mini bar was empty, the lighting was terrible, the air conditioning was so noisy you have to strike a balance between overheating or being deafened all night (we picked the overheating option). Staff never collected guests plates from room service that were left outside peoples rooms (all day). I would never stay here again. We had a look in Hotel Monaco (our other option) before we left Portland and it is so much nicer than the Embassy Suites, if we ever go to Portland again we will certainly be staying there.

This is a renovated old hotel in downtown. Walking distance to most all downtown venues. The hotel was very noisy and they charged for internet service. I never pay for internet service. 'The room was clean and comfortable and the free breakfast was the usual Embassy Suites fare. It just isn't a good Embassy Suites.