Hotel deLuxe

Hotel deLuxe is the Portland hotel for anyone who loves old movies, good cocktails and a sense of occasion without a luxury price tag. It occupies a historic building at 729 SW 15th Avenue, on the western edge of downtown where it meets the Goose Hollow neighborhood, and its design pays tribute to Hollywood's Golden Age: art deco lines, a glamorous lobby with chandeliers, and black-and-white photographs of classic film stars and studio scenes throughout the halls and guest rooms. Rooms are styled with vintage-inspired furnishings and comfortable modern beds, and they range from cozy entry rooms to larger kings and suites. The hotel's two venues are a big part of its appeal. The Driftwood Room, a 1950s-inspired cocktail lounge that has been mixing drinks since 1954, is one of Portland's most atmospheric bars — dark, curved booths, warm lighting and a menu of classic and house cocktails — and it is popular with locals as well as guests. Gracie's, the restaurant just off the lobby, serves classic American and Pacific Northwest-inspired dishes and brunch daily. The location is handy: Providence Park, home of the Timbers and Thorns, is a few blocks away, the MAX light rail runs nearby along the stadium, Washington Park is a short ride west, and downtown's Pioneer Courthouse Square, the Portland Art Museum and the Pearl District are within a fifteen-to-twenty-minute walk or a quick streetcar ride. The trade-offs: some entry-level rooms are compact, it is on the quieter fringe of downtown rather than in the center, and parking costs extra.

What makes it special is mood. The Driftwood Room at the end of the day — a martini in a curved booth, the soft glow of the bar, a Sinatra-era soundtrack — is the kind of experience that becomes the story of the trip, and brunch at Gracie's the next morning completes the old-Hollywood fantasy. Staff are friendly and helpful, and the hotel feels personal rather than corporate.

As a base, Hotel deLuxe works especially well for sports fans heading to Providence Park, visitors planning a day in Washington Park, and anyone attending events downtown. The streetcar and MAX connect easily to the Pearl District, Powell's City of Books and the east side, and the surrounding Goose Hollow and King's Hill neighborhoods offer pleasant, leafy walks and local restaurants.

The hotel suits couples, film and design lovers, and travelers who want a stylish boutique stay at a moderate price. Families can manage in larger rooms, though the atmosphere is more grown-up. Reserve a table at the Driftwood Room on busy weekend evenings, and request a larger room category if you plan to spend time in it.