Friday, December 11th, 2009 /
Alice
Guest Room at The Nines
The Nines occupies the upper 9 floors in what was once the Meier and Frank building – a Portland retailer. In renovating the building, the designers retained historical reminders of Meier and Frank’s influence on Portlands retail history. Back in the day, The Georgian Room served up affordable lunchtime elegance for retail staff and Portland locals amid classical styling and linen table clothes. The Georgian Room remains at the Nines with the same classical style and original green and white color palette. Local artist’s works are featured at The Nines including a portrait of one time Meier and Frank tie salesman – Clark Gable.
The Nines offers much in the way of amenities. At lobby level, you will find the Urban Farmer, a modern steak house. There is a library lounge with books to borrow and a pool table to pass the time. At the top on the 15th floor, stylish Departure Restaurant serves modern Asian cuisine with city skyline views. It also serves one of the funnest interiors to be found in restaurant design making you feel you’ve been transported a few hundred years into the future. Purple lit corridors lead you to rooftop patio bars. The Nines provide meeting space, a 24 hour gym, in-room massage, and are pet-friendly.
City View From the Roof-top Patio
Foyer with portrait of Clark Gable
Classic Georgian Room
Futuristic Departure Restaurant
525 SW Morrison
Portland, Oregon 97204
United States
Phone: (877) 229-9995
www.thenines.com
Wednesday, December 02nd, 2009 /
Alice
Courtyard by Marriott Lobby
Courtyard by Marriott – Portland City Center is the first LEED Gold certified hotel in the Pacific Northwest and among only 20 in the nation who are leading the way to an environmentally cleaner future in hospitality design. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green building certification system, providing verification that a building was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and prudent use of building materials. What this means to the environmentally conscious traveler is that – thanks to a 100% nonsmoking policy, use of green cleaning products, non-PVC wall covering, and low VOC paint – they can breathe easy. In addition, the property uses 28 percent less energy than the average of comparable size with energy costs minimized by the use of natural light and compact fluorescent bulbs. Dual flush toilets reduce water consumption. To reduce waste to landfills there are recycle containers in guestrooms. Restaurant kitchen grease is recycled into biodeisel and food waste into compost.
Occupying 16 floors of sleek, contemporary guestrooms, the hotel offers fabulous views of the city. Artwork in the hotel was created by local artists including the guestroom and hallway murals depicting Oregon landmarks. Courtyard by Marriott is perfect for business travel. The hotel features 5,300 square feet of meeting space and seven meeting rooms – perfect for conventions, seminars or conferences. The business-friendly rooms are equipped with complimentary wireless internet. An on-site restaurant, “The Original”, offers diner-style classic American cuisine.
550 S.W. Oak St., Portland, Ore. 97204; 503.505.5000; www.marriott.com/pdxpc.
Guest Room
Hip corner of lounge. Great backdrop.
View from 2nd story lounge.
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 /
Alice
1895 Richardsonian Romanesque historical landmark building
Are you a connoisseur of fine wine? Does your passion run deep for this product of the vine? Even if you fall in a different area of the wine lover’s spectrum you are going to love Hotel Vintage Plaza. It is Portland’s premier wine hotel. Every evening between 5 and 6 is wine hour at Vintage Plaza when guests can indulge in some of Oregon’s finest offerings. Every other Wednesday provides wine sessions where guest winemakers from the Northwest speak, educate, and share their knowledge of this complex and ever evolving drink with hotel guests.
Vintage Plaza is attentive to details and has provided many unexpected touches. Work desks in guest rooms are outfitted with ergonomic desk chairs. You will also find organic and earth-friendly Aveda bath products along with animal print bath robes – a fun and unconventional departure from the traditional white terry robe. The hotel also offers in-room spa options such as massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. Vintage Plaza is pet friendly, but should you leave your furry companion home, you’ll find a temporary replacement nestled on your guest room bed in the form of a stuffed teddy bear. In addition to these fine details, the hotel has partnered with Pazzo Ristorante which combines the seasonal bounty of the Pacific Northwest with the cuisine of Northern Italy. Or for a relaxed breakfast, lunch, or espresso on the go, stop in at Pazzoria Bakery and Cafe.
Located in what was one time the Imperial Hotel, the 1895 Richardsonian Romanesque building is a historical landmark. The Vintage Plaza provides wonderful comfort and impeccable service from their staff including assistance for the visually impaired to help them get from place to place within the hotel. But, unfortunately, due to the buildings historicity, they are unable to reconfigure bathrooms to provide roll-in showers for those who have mobility issues, but do have a number of spacious ADA guest rooms with bathtubs.
The lobby's wine display
Teddy bear nestled in pillows.
Guest Room
HOTEL VINTAGE PLAZA
422 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97205
www.vintageplaza.com
Reservations
800-263-2305
hotel 503-228-1212
fax 503-228-3598
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 /
Alice
In the heart of downtown Portland, style and comfort along with superb service greets you at Hotel Lucia (pronounced Lu-see-a). Lucia’s owner is an art enthusiast. In particular, he is a northwest artists enthusiast and he has used Hotel Lucia as a showcase to share his private collection of works by artists Gregory Grenon, Michael Brophy, and pulitzer prize winning photo journalist David Hume Kennerly, to name only a few. At every turn guests are met up with more art. It’s in the lobby, guestrooms, gym & weight room, computer room, corridors, stairs, and elevators. Even a run for ice becomes a truly enriching experience at Hotel Lucia.
In addition to their fine art collection, other amenities make for a very special stay. These include a pillow menu (soft, medium, firm, extra firm, U-neck, body), luxury linens, plush robes, and Aveda bath products. You can also enjoy 24 hour room service featuring Thai/American cuisine from the famous Typhoon Restaurant.
400 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 225-1717 - Toll Free: 877-225-1717
www.hotellucia.com
Thursday, October 01st, 2009 /
Alice
A great website to find restaurant, bar, coffee house and shop reviews can be found at www.whereslulu.com. Not only do they critique the food and service of area restaurants, but they also critique how well the built environment of the facility serves persons with disabilities. Their mission statement is as follows:
“We want to increase visibility in the disability community and establish higher standards of accessibility for businesses and public places in general. We believe strongly that diversity and equality are integral to a healthy, happy society. We aim to eliminate the stress and frustrations of trying to find accessible, fun venues so you can relax and connect with other people into the same things as you.”
If you are interested in trying a new restaurant please check out www.whereslulu.com. They also want to hear from you and find out what places you have discovered in the Portland area that served you well.
Thursday, October 01st, 2009 /
Alice
Play structure in shape of a giant mastadon rib cage.
Playtime contributes greatly to a child’s physical, mental, emotional and social growth. Until recent years children with disabilities have missed out on this very important aspect of development due to inaccessable parks and playgrounds. Since guidelines for bringing playgrounds into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) were issued in the year 2000, playgrounds have become more than swings and slides. Newly built and altered playgrounds are now accessible to children with disabilities. Playground features are designed to promote imaginative, inclusive and interactive play.
An excellent example can be found at Ibach Park in Tualatin, Oregon. The park includes accessible paths, baseball diamond, tennis courts and a play area that highlights Tualatin’s rich historical past. The prehistoric area features a giant mastadon rib cage where children dig in sand to unearth archeological finds. This area is accessible from a transfer platform to allow the disabled child to play in the sand pit. From the opposite side a child can access from level ground covered with a wheelchair accessible synthetic safety surface. Children can also play with the water feature that is activated by touch sensor. Once activated, a slow trickle of water winds downhill encouraging children to build dams and direct water flow. Children can let imaginations carry them down the Tualatin River in the role of Native Americans as they travel by canoe that can accommodate wheelchair users.
These universally designed playgrounds and parks are being built across the country, allowing children with disabilities to participate in play experiences that are so important to their development. If you have visited these parks please share them with others. I welcome you to post your finds on my MAP-ME interactive map.
Monday, July 06th, 2009 /
Alice
Rooftop Garden
Guest Room Sitting Area
NorthrupStation is a departure from the ordinary. The room interiors are mod with a bold color pallet. The vibe is hip and fun. Get to know the neighborhood with its coffee shops, microbrews, boutiques, and world class restaurants not far from the lobby doors. Or, stroll onto the streetcar that runs out front of Northrup Station and explore a few of Portlands other neighborhoods. Streetcar tokens are free to guests.
Of the seventeen rooms, three are completely accessible and on the ground floor. These spacious rooms each have kitchenettes, office space with computer and wifi, and an inviting living area with comfy sofa and chairs. The ADA bathrooms have plenty of manuevering room and the shower is a roll-in with a 3/4 inch lip. Should you tire of dining out take the elevator to the roof-top garden where the hotel has supplied bbq grills (you supply the steaks) for a more home cooked option.
(503) 224-0543 or 800-224-1180
2025 NW Northrup, Portland, OR 97209
reservations@northrupstation.com
Saturday, June 20th, 2009 /
Alice
The Ace Hotel is located on the MAX-line (part of Portland’s transit system) which means no need to load and unload out of cars. The MAX-train is about the most wheel-friendly gig in town (blog coming soon on MAX). But back to the Ace, it is one of the hippest places to stay. Reclaimed furniture, Photo booth and very large coffee table in the lobby. Community is encouraged here so roll right up to the table and become a part of the conversation. Oh, and did I mention, Gus Van Zandt’s “Drug Store Cowboy” was filmed here? The old medicine cabinets still remain in the rooms.
Roll in showers and plenty of space in rooms. One draw-back is the small elevator. You’ll need to roll in and back out because there is no turning space. But, still worth the stay. The up side is that Ace guests love using the stairs (maybe its the creek of old growth wood). Barely anyone uses the elevator, which means you get it all to yourself.
The Ace Hotel is at the skirts of the Pearl District with it’s galleries, shops, dining, theatres and Powell’s book store.
1022 SW Stark Street
Portland, OR 97205
TEL: 503.228.2277
FAX: 503.228.2297
http://www.acehotel.com/portland
Saturday, June 20th, 2009 /
Alice
Bright and spacious
Corridors replete with artwork and historical photos.
Generous moving space
McMenamin's Kennedy School
Don’t let the front steps deceive you. McMenamin’s Kennedy School is very wheel friendly. There are plenty of ADA parking spaces and entrance in back. Adapted from a grade school and rescued from demolition, McMenamins successfully kept the schools historicity while creating a facility that is almost completely accessible. Out of the 35 rooms, 5 are ADA accessible. Guestrooms have been fashioned from existing classrooms. Each room is half the size of a classroom which means there’s plenty of moving space. Rooms are outfitted with original chalkboards and cloakrooms, and private baths with roll-in showers.
Check-in here and you really will not want to leave. Amenities include a full service restaurant w/courtyard, 5 separate and intimate bars, gymnasium and theatre providing movies, lectures and live music. Did I mention the craft brews are among the most fabulous in the region.
www.mcmenamins.com
Local: (503) 249-3983
Elsewhere: (888) 249-3983
5736 N.E. 33rd Ave.
Portland, OR 97211
