When we were planning to visit the whimsical city of Portland, Oregon, we knew we wanted to stay in a hotel that was somewhat eccentric – something that would make me say “wow.”
Well, nestled amid Portland’s trendy downtown, The Royal Sonesta is an affordable hotel that met our demand by matching the city’s vibrant culture … and then some.
More Than a Century of History: Can You Say Vintage Decor?
The building that houses The Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown hotel comes with a history dating back to 1912, when the building opened as the fancy Lipman Wolfe Department Store.
The store, known as an architectural marvel, was transformed into the vintage-styled boutique hotel that it is today. With eye-catching vintage touches from the carpet patterns, wallpaper, fancy plush red furniture, and the matching red walls, The Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown hotel is like a step back into time, but in a good way.
As soon as we placed one foot inside the lobby, we were blown away with a big splash of RED, vintage plush furnishings, an ornate fireplace design that practically went up to the ceiling, tall book-filled bookshelves, a beautiful grand piano – literally too many elegant details to name.
Features Eclectic Design But Offers Modern Amenities
It’s no surprise that The Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown was named Oregon’s most beautiful hotel by Architectural Digest in 2017. It’s an attractive boutique hotel featuring eccentric vintage design in a historic building. But don’t let the fancy motif fool you into thinking the hotel is old. Yes, it may not be a new hotel, but you will appreciate the luxury amenities and refined hospitality that will make your stay much more memorable than a typical hotel.
In addition to the show-stopping lobby, the perfect gathering space for socializing, there is also a fitness center, a spa, the Red Star Tavern, and Fifth on Fitch restaurant. The hotel also offers complimentary morning coffee and tea, as well as a special evening wine service featuring Oregon’s Northwest regional wines in the lobby’s cozy fireside space.
Here’s a full list of hotel amenities:
:: Pet friendly
:: Onsite restaurant/Tavern
:: Complimentary breakfast
:: Complimentary WIFI
:: Daily complimentary tea and coffee
:: Fitness center
: Spa
:: Non-smoking
:: Fireplace in lobby
:: Valet parking (fee)
:: EV charging station
:: Air conditioning
Finch is the hotel’s in-house American-style restaurant serving a variety of dishes from a chicken sandwich or an Angus beef burger to slightly fancier dinners like Seared Ahi Tuna or Honey Glazed Pork Shoulder Chop.
Red Star Tavern is an onsite bar where you can unwind and enjoy a beverage. Be sure to stop by for happy hour.
The spa and wellness center offers a tranquil and relaxing environment, where you can pamper yourself by scheduling a massage for the ultimate relaxation experience.
The 24-Hour Fitness Center is equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and strength training equipment, including a Peloton bike.
Services That Cost Extra: Only Valet parking is available – $55 per night or $65 per night for oversized vehicles. Also, pets are allowed – fee of $75.00 per stay, a maximum of 2 pets only. Pet-friendly rooms are subject to availability.
The Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown Guest Rooms and Suites
Don’t let the fanciness of the hotel’s décor mislead you. The Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown offers affordable room rates for both guest rooms and for a bit of extra space, beautiful suites. So, you can look forward to luxurious accommodations with a unique flair to match the vibrant city of Portland.
I’d say the guests at the hotel were a mix of tourists, like us, and business travelers attending a nearby conference. The hotel offers 221 beautifully-designed rooms, blending fun, eye-catching furnishings and pure comfort for relaxing. It’s not a new hotel, but I was impressed by how spotlessly clean our guest room (and all public rooms) looked. Wait until you see the vintage bird-design wallpaper and playful décor featured in the guest rooms and suites.
Select from the following room types:
:: Deluxe Queen
:: Deluxe King
:: Deluxe King – Corner
:: One Bedroom Suite – King
:: One Bedroom Suite – Two Queens
:: Grand Suite – King
:: Corner rooms and suites available with cool views.
We stayed in a One Bedroom King Suite for four nights and we found it roomy and relaxing. JYou’ll get premium pillow-top bedding, bathrobes, extra pillows and blankets, in-room safe, ice bucket/glasses, bottled water, iron and ironing board, hairdryer, soaps, shampoo, body wash, and other toiletries. Each room features a flat-screen TV, free WI-FI, a lighted make-up mirror, desk area, and some rooms (like our suite) include a coffeemaker. Best of all, the hotel offers full-service housekeeping, and dry cleaning is also available.
Convenient Downtown Location For a True Portland Experience
Stay at The Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown for a classic Portland experience that begins right outside the hotel doors. Just walk outside and see some of the city’s most popular attractions.
Here are some of the fun places we visited and the proximity to the hotel:
:: Powells City of Books 0.3 mile
:: Lan Su Chinese Garden 0.4 mile
:: Portland Saturday Market 0.4 mile
:: Portland Art Museum 0.4 mile
:: Portland State University 0.7 mile
:: Providence Park, 0.7 mile
:: Moda Center 0.9 mile
:: Oregon Health and Sciences University 1 mile
:: Oregon Zoo 1 mile
:: Pittock Mansion 1 mile
We enjoyed strolling the downtown area, bookstores, unique boutiques, lots of dining options (including the famous Portland food trucks). The Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown hotel is near the very cool Broadway Bridge. You can walk across the Broadway Bridge to get to Waterfront Park, a fun walk to the Portland Saturday Market.
Other Can’t Miss Attractions In Portland, Oregon
Portland is known as Oregon’s most vibrant city. But do take advantage of the great outdoor environments in Portland including parks and Oregon’s most scenic wine regions. Check out the lush green landscaping, waterfalls, arboretums, and dinner river cruises. Take leisurely sightseeing strolls or pump up the adventure with hiking, biking, boating, or skiing.
Washington Park is home to the Portland Japanese Garden and the International Rose Test Garden, as well as the World Forestry Center, Hoyt Arboretum and several historical memorials. Portland is also known as the “City of Roses,” thanks to the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park. From May to October, you can see 10,000+ individual rose bushes and 600+ different rose varieties.
Of course, no travel would be complete for us without a visit to see animals. So, while we were in Washington Park, we visited the Oregon Zoo. As you’re strolling through Washington Park, you’ll be enthralled by the many shady tree-lined and covered paths. They’re beautifully decorated with colorful flower displays and many cascading fountains. FYI: The park offers a year-round free shuttle that stops at the park’s major highlights.
Here’s a list of the unique can’t miss Portland attractions:
:: Portland Aerial Tram
:: International Rose Test Garden
:: Portland Japanese Garden
:: Lush forests in Washington Park
:: Photo of the icon Portland Stag sign
:: Photo of the Portland weird mural
:: Voodoo Doughnuts
:: Coffee from Stumptown
:: Visit as many bookstores as possible
:: Portland’s famous food carts
You Must Eat at the Portland Food Cart Pods
If you didn’t know, Portland is known for featuring food carts, but takes it to another level! You see, Portland organizes food carts into “pods” that are like a tiny group of free-standing food establishments nestled in a single location offering convenient seating and other amenities.
Most pods feature from two to ten food carts, so the variety of cuisines is outstanding. This is the most fun way to sample a bit of everything, and we found it to be such a unique dining experience. No offense to the hotel’s onsite restaurant or any of the popular Portland restaurants, but once we experienced the food pods, we had no desire to visit any traditional restaurants. From chicken and pizza to burgers and beer, the food is a memorable part of our Portland visit. A Great Problem: the choices are overwhelming so consider a food-cart tour or use a food cart app finder.
Are You Ready to Experience Portland, Oregon?
With stunning landscapes and breathtaking views, Portland offers both city and country settings, making for a well-rounded and memorable visit. The Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown hotel’s location offered us quick and easy access to many of the popular attractions.
We stayed at the hotel for four wonderful nights, and it was a truly great experience. The hotel is clean, well-maintained, and feels safe as we always appreciate onsite professional security at hotels when staying in a city setting these days. The hotel staff were very friendly from the minute you walked in the door. The cleaning staff does such an outstanding job keeping this hotel, especially our suite, in pristine condition.
I’m truly impressed with how this elegantly decorated hotel provides such a cool Portland vibe, unique in so many ways. The pianist playing the grand piano in the lobby was a special touch. Throughout the hotel, you’ll feel as if you stepped inside a well-curated time machine. That specialness, plus the plush coziness of the furniture, makes it such a warm inviting place to stay and rest your head after a long day of sightseeing. A bit magical, a bit whimsical, and a lot memorable.