OutCity: Portland Venue Reviews

From the Portland city guide in OutCity’s Winter/Spring 2013 issue.

HOTELS

The Ace
Ace Hotel

Ace Hotel: This second hotel of the now four-strong hipster Ace family opened on the southern edge of the Pearl District in 2007, in a building so locally revered that it’s on the National Register of Historic Places, and whose lobby once served as a setting in the movie Drugstrore Cowboy. The modern-meets-bohemian furnishings in the Ace’s 79 rooms are ultra-cool and eco-friendly, offering “simple luxury for cheap.” On site are both Stumptown Coffee and the fantastic Clyde Common restaurant, its name an homage to the site’s original hotel, The Clyde. 1022 SW Stark St., Portland. 503-228-2277. $$

Hotel deLuxe: Old Hollywood in downtown Portland? You bet, at the ritzy Hotel deLuxe, where you can relive a little bit of classic silver screen glamour and romance, without forgoing easy access to the Pearl District, or modern amenities like Aveda products and free Wi-Fi. Adding to the movie-esque mood, the rooftop becomes a cinema in summer, and the swanky Driftwood Room bar serves cocktails like the Elizabeth Taylor (Champagne and Crème de Violette: to die for). Each of the 130 guest rooms is unique; at the top of the line is the Marlene Dietrich Suite, complete with eight-foot circular bed. 729 SW 15th Ave., Portland. 503-219-2094. $$$

Lion and the Rose Victorian B&B: You can’t get much more queenly than this in Portland: graceful gay-owned Victorian splendor, set in a gorgeous and stately Queen Anne mansion from 1906 — both house and neighborhood, Irvington, are even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The seven guest rooms and one private apartment are decked out in lovely period antiques, and all have private baths. If you prefer something on the manlier side, choose the Joseph room, with its dark woods and burgundy velvet. Access to the rest of the city is simple — and to many places, free — via MAX light rail. 1810 NE 15th Ave., Portland. 503-287-9245. $$

Portland International Guesthouse: Set a bit away from the city’s main tourist areas in the western Nob Hill neighborhood, the Portland International Guesthouse is still a great option for the traveler on a budget, within short walking distance of both the Portland Streetcar and MAX light rail. The six clean and bright rooms share three full baths, as well as a sitting room (with fireplace) and a kitchen area. Wi-Fi is free, and so are coffee, tea, juice and cereals. For more substantial (but still low-cost) victuals, Trader Joe’s is just a quarter block away. 2185 NW Flanders St., Portland. 503-224-0500. $

Portland’s White House: A wealthy lumber baron built this Greek Revival mansion as a summer home in 1911, billing it as the most expensive of its day in the tony Irvington neighborhood. Today, 14 columns, circular driveway and fountain still welcome you to the swanky gay-owned White House. Inside, the five guest rooms in the main building and three in the carriage house are mostly on the small side, but all are beautifully appointed (as are the common areas) with gorgeous antiques. And in the morning, even more decadence: bread pudding French toast with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. 1914 NE 22nd Ave., Portland. 503-287-7131. $$

DINING

Hobo’s: The Old Town neighborhood around Hobo’s may be a tad seedy, but inside it’s rather intimate and lovely at this gay restaurant-cum-piano bar, a quarter-century local tradition. While the menu isn’t exactly adventurous (think Prawn Fettuccini and Grilled New York Steak), it’s quite good, and a true cut above normal bar food. For starters, the Baked Brie is a longtime favorite. Wednesdays to Sundays, Hobo’s is also a piano lounge, though sportier types might prefer the two pool tables in the back. 120 NW 3rd Ave., Portland. 503-224-3285. $$

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OutCity: Portland Venue Reviews