The Nines, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Portland

The Nines is the hotel Portland reaches for when it wants to impress, and it pulls off a rare trick: genuine glamour without losing the city's offbeat sense of humor. It occupies the upper floors of the Meier and Frank Building at 525 SW Morrison, the white terra-cotta department-store landmark that has defined the edge of Pioneer Courthouse Square for more than a century, and the conversion turned the center of the building into a dramatic atrium, with Superior rooms overlooking it from the floors above. There are 331 rooms, including 40 suites, decorated in a playful, eclectic style that mixes antiques, bold color, contemporary art from local artists and plush beds; city-view rooms on higher floors look over the square, the West Hills and, on clear days, the Cascade peaks. Dining is a real draw. Urban Farmer, beneath the atrium, is a modern steakhouse focused on Pacific Northwest, sustainable and farm-to-table ingredients, with a cocktail scene that buzzes on weekend evenings. Departure, on the 15th floor, is a rooftop restaurant and lounge with sweeping skyline views that has long been one of the city's go-to spots for drinks with a view. The hotel is part of Marriott's Luxury Collection, carries LEED Silver certification for its sustainable design, and has extensive meeting and ballroom space, so expect conferences and weddings. The location is as central as Portland gets: steps from MAX light rail, Pioneer Courthouse Square, downtown shopping and the Portland Art Museum, with Powell's City of Books and the Pearl District a short walk away and the airport less than half an hour by car or MAX. The trade-offs are price, parking costs typical of downtown luxury hotels, and some rooms facing the atrium rather than the city.

What makes The Nines memorable is the sense of occasion. The arrival through a ground-floor lobby and elevators up into the hotel's public spaces, the atrium with its light pouring down, the library-like lounges and the art throughout all feel distinctly Portland — a little eccentric, a little theatrical, and never stuffy. Rooms are comfortable and well-equipped, with marble bathrooms, luxurious bedding and excellent soundproofing, and suites add living rooms and city views. Service is polished and friendly, and the concierge team knows the city well.

Staying here puts you at the center of downtown. Mornings can start with coffee on Pioneer Courthouse Square, the city's living room, before catching MAX to Washington Park and its gardens. Afternoons are for shopping, the art museum or a walk to the Pearl District. In the evening, dinner at Urban Farmer and drinks at Departure, high above the city lights, make an easy celebratory night without leaving the building. Downtown can feel quieter on weekends and some blocks have a visible street homelessness presence, so ask the concierge for walking routes after dark.

As a base, The Nines suits couples on a special trip, luxury travelers and first-timers who want to be within walking distance of the main downtown sights and the transit network. Families will find connecting rooms and space, though the scene is more grown-up. Book city-view rooms if the view matters, and reserve Departure in advance for sunset tables on weekends.