Nice Place To Stay In Portland That Isn't A Major Hotel Chain?

[Jimmie]

I'm taking my DW to Portland for her bday for a 4 day weekend soon. Starting to look for places to stay. We like to stay in B&Bs and boutique hotels rather than the major hotel chains. It should be in a place that's safe, away from the homeless camps, and not downtown. We plan to visit some wineries in Willamette Valley and explore the Columbia River Valley. Any recommendations on places that are favorites of yours? Thanks in advance!

 

[pacergal]

McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove, neat old place, has a soaking pool, spa, cool funky place, even has a reported "Lady Lavender" ghost. Haven't been there, but have been to other McMenamins, they are all pretty good. Friends recently stayed at Grand Lodge and enjoyed it.

Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River is a nice older hotel, beautiful views of the river, loved this place. We have stayed there twice.

The Benson, The Governor's Hotel and The Sentinel Hotel are all very nice, boutique hotels, but they are downtown Portland. Have spent the night at all, they were older hotels and safe.

 

[audreyh1]

We once stayed and the historic Hood River Hotel. Hood River is a beautiful location and the drive along the Columbia Gorge there from Portland is very scenic plus you can stop at lots of neat sights on the way and back.

That Columbia Gorge Hotel looks very nice and great location.

 

[Scrapr]

If I wanted to be close to "wine country" I would stay in Wine country. I have not stayed here in Dundee but ate recently at the restaraunt in the building.

Home - The Dundee

The Dundee Hotel is located in the heart of the Willamette Valley offering stunning accommodations and a great location to explore Oregon Wine Country

thedundee.com

McMenamins has a hotel in McMinnville and a nice food scene going on. IIRC the rooms look a bit basic.
One Michelin place (I looked earlier this year but it was a bit rich for me) The downtown area has several tasting rooms & we have had fun walking it. (I grew up in McMinnville & it is very different than the 70's when A&W & DQ were the "nice" places!)

Carlton has a couple B&B's. Ken Wright has a nice tasting room there. it's built around the old train station serving Carlton. Fire pits under cover.

If you wanted a downtown Portland place for a night before going to the wine country look at the Nines. I have not stayed but have had Happy Hour there. Downtown Portland is cleaned up a lot recently & easy walking.

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pdxln-the-nines-a-luxury-collection-hotel-portland/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0

I would check on wineries hours as we are kind of in the off season. April-May is sort of opening of the season with Memorial Day the big kick off

 

[Gumby]

We have had very good experiences booking hotels through this site. Historic Hotels of America - Search Results | Historic Travel Experiences

 

[skyking1]

I came in here to post Mcmenamins in general but @pacergal beat me to it

 

[homestead]

We once stayed and the historic Hood River Hotel. Hood River is a beautiful location and the drive along the Columbia Gorge there from Portland is very scenic plus you can stop at lots of neat sights on the way and back.

That Columbia Gorge Hotel looks very nice and great location.

We go through Hood River several times every summer and we like to stop at Bridgeside restaurant for lunch with views of Bridge of the Gods and the Columbia River in Cascade Locks.

 

[homestead]

McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove, neat old place, has a soaking pool, spa, cool funky place, even has a reported "Lady Lavender" ghost. Haven't been there, but have been to other McMenamins, they are all pretty good. Friends recently stayed at Grand Lodge and enjoyed it.

We have been there several times for dinner it is very interesting and very antique.

 

[Goldendoodlebug]

McMenamins is quirky but I wouldn’t call any of their lodging luxurious, as described above, basic.
The Oregon Garden in Silverton is close to Portland and wine country. The garden is beautiful. I haven’t stayed there but the rooms look nice

 

[audreyh1]

One memorable trip near Hood River mid-April. Gorgeous clear and sunny warm spring day. We drove all the way up to the top of Mount Hood. We couldn’t do any hiking because snow shoes were needed! I was hoping to finally see the famous Trillium Lake. At Timberline Lodge it was sunny and 60 degrees with people skiing in jeans and even shorts because there was still a huge snowpack. The lodge had snow up to the second floor and an igloo type entrance. It was just fantastic, and the views!!!

 

[homestead]

One memorable trip near Hood River mid-April. Gorgeous clear and sunny warm spring day. We drove all the way up to the top of Mount Hood. We couldn’t do any hiking because snow shoes were needed! I as hoping to finally see the famous Trillium Lake. At Timberline Lodge it was sunny and 60 degrees with people skiing because there was still a huge snowpack. The lodge had snow up to the second floor and an igloo type entrance. It was just fantastic, and the views!!!

Agree Timberline Lodge is a neat place to visit, love the architecture. We like to camp at Trillium Lake. Here is a picture at the lake looking at Mt Hood.

 

[audreyh1]

Exactly! I wish!

 

[timbervest]

It is in town but I have always been partial to the Kimpton RiverPlace which is not in town but on the Riverwalk. Very good service, nice boutique feel, and good food in the restaurant. Nice to walk along the river.

 

[audreyh1]

It is in town but I have always been partial to the Kimpton RiverPlace which is not in town but on the Riverwalk. Very good service, nice boutique feel, and good food in the restaurant. Nice to walk along the river.

Wow, that looks very nice!

 

[Chapter 3]

I third McMenamins, but yes it is a different vibe. I have stayed at most of them, since I like that vibe.

 

[davidfin]

I'm taking my DW to Portland for her bday for a 4 day weekend soon. Starting to look for places to stay. We like to stay in B&Bs and boutique hotels rather than the major hotel chains. It should be in a place that's safe, away from the homeless camps, and not downtown. We plan to visit some wineries in Willamette Valley and explore the Columbia River Valley. Any recommendations on places that are favorites of yours? Thanks in advance!

So many boutique hotels in and around Portland. Look at the Paramount or The Nines.

 

[pdxgal]

I third McMenamins, but yes it is a different vibe. I have stayed at most of them, since I like that vibe.

*1. Very Portland. The Edgefield is out of town and there’s not much to see or do in the neighboring suburb.

Their Kennedy School property is in Portland proper in a nice residential area and close to lots of interesting places to eat, boutiques, etc. There’s also several eating options in the place itself. And a movie theater with cheap prices (relatively). Plus an outdoor soaking pool. I’d suggest staying there for at least a night, preferably two.

 

[Jimmie]

*1. Very Portland. The Edgefield is out of town and there’s not much to see or do in the neighboring suburb.

Their Kennedy School property is in Portland proper in a nice residential area and close to lots of interesting places to eat, boutiques, etc. There’s also several eating options in the place itself. And a movie theater with cheap prices (relatively). Plus an outdoor soaking pool. I’d suggest staying there for at least a night, preferably two.

This looks very intriguing. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[mountainsoft]

I don't know how close to downtown you are wanting to be, but here are a few of our favorite places we have stayed in the Portland area.

Cabin at Beacon Hill Winery:

The Beacon Hill Cabin — Beacon Hill Winery & Vineyard

Located in Oregon's Yamhill-Carlton AVA in the Willamette Valley, the Beacon Hill Cabin is the ideal overnight getaway to Oregon wine country.

www.beaconhillwinery.com

Camas Boutique Hotel:

Camas Boutique Hotel | The Best Hotel in Camas, WA

Enjoy lavish comfort and historic atmosphere at the affordable Camas Boutique Hotel. You'll love the location and amenities we offer. Book a stay today!

www.camasboutiquehotel.com

Skamania Lodge:

Columbia River Gorge Hotel | Skamania Lodge

Discover the beauty & hospitality of Skamania Lodge, a Columbia River Gorge hotel with great views & cozy accommodations. Book your stay now!

www.skamania.com

Osprey Treehouse in Skamania Coves:

Skamania Coves Vacation Homes

Enjoy luxurious vacation homes at Skamania Coves in Stevenson, WA. Perfect for your next getaway.

www.skamaniacoves.com

Carson Ridge Cabins:

Carson Ridge Luxury Cabins, Columbia River Gorge

TOP-RATED on TripAdvisor Luxury cabins on the Columbia River Gorge. Anniversaries & Romantic Getaways start here!

carsonridgecabins.com

You mentioned you don't care for chain hotels, but the Best Western in Hood River and the one in Cascade Locks are both nice with great views. I don't care for hotels either, but we have stayed at the BW in Hood River many times (top floor executive level with balcony).

There are many more, but these are a few that come to mind at the moment. Of course, a quick search through AirBnb would turn up countless other possibilities.

 

[audreyh1]

Cascade locks reminds me we really enjoyed visiting the Bonneville Dam and locks. Fish ladder, underwater viewing, nice visitor center and grounds, sturgeon in ponds, scenic location. Of course salmon only climb the fish ladder during certain months.