Mark Spencer Hotel

Although the hotel’s super central location and large number of room types attracts a range of travelers, the boutique flair skews toward a youngish, hipper clientele. The two-wing, sandy-brick building, constructed in 1907, has charming vintage flavor and touches of Art Deco decor at the best of times, and a dark and somewhat gloomy atmosphere at the worst. Efforts to counteract the latter are impressive and often successful, whether by quirky accessories, like a Buddha-head table, or leopard-print upholstery. Communal activities in the library and lounge also brighten the mood. 

Where the West End meets the Pearl District is one of the liveliest neighborhoods of all Portland, thanks to central location, transportation links, and network of trendy fashion boutiques, innovative restaurants, and music clubs. Portland’s excellent light rail system provides easy access to them all from the hotel, with two street cars and two buses passing by the front door to drop off a block away. But thanks to the compactness of the city and its grid layout, your feet can easily get you to many of the main attractions within 20 minutes. The light rail also runs to and from the airport, about a 38-minute trip.

• Two-minute walk to Powell's City of Books
• Three-minute walk to O'Bryant Square
• Four-minute walk to Portland Center Stage at The Armory
• Eight-minute walk to Pioneer Courthouse Square
• Eight-minute walk to Portland Art Museum
• 10-minute walk to Tom McCall Waterfront Park
• 14-minute walk to Lan Su Chinese Garden
• 16 minutes to Oregon Museum of Science and Industry via public transit
• 18 minutes to USS Blueback Submarine via public transit
• 22 minutes to Portland Aerial Tram via public transit
• 22 minutes to Rose Test Garden via public transit
• 30 minutes to Washington Park via public transit

Portland’s love of all things hip and vintage come through in each of the 101 guest rooms in nine classes. Designer, custom-made furniture mingles with a smoky gray-yellow-and-tan color scheme, funky lamps, and Portland-centric artwork. All rooms have pillow-top queen or king beds, 50-inch flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and growler bottles that can be filled at Fat Head’s Brewery, a five-minute walk away, but they lack kettles and coffeemakers. Higher-end rooms have full kitchens, sleeper sofas, work desks, and design flourishes like exposed natural wood beams and arches. Bathrooms are done with creamy Carrara marble floors, mosaic Italian glass in the showers, and pedestal sinks, and some come with bathtubs. Views depend on whether the room faces the interior courtyard or surrounding streets of downtown Portland. 

Location tops the list of perks at the Mark Spencer Hotel, with so many of Portland’s hippest restaurants, pubs, and attractions within blocks. On-site, the communal spirit continues at wine and cheese tastings every evening and tea and cookies in the afternoon, served in the lobby lounge and library. The hotel lacks a full-service restaurant, but a free, basic continental breakfast of good quality is available. There's also a small gym with up-to-date cardio machines and weights, although the space is drab and windowless. Guests can take advantage of self-service coin-operated laundry and a public computer that's free to use. A few fun and quirky perks round out the list of features -- the hotel allows you to "Bid Your Own Price" via the website, and guests who arrive in hybrids get a discount for parking on-site. Wi-Fi is free throughout.