5736 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, Oregon, United States | (727) 241-5756
Housed in a converted schoolhouse, it's a short walk to the trendy Alberta Arts District
Some guest rooms are in what were the classrooms, with original chalkboards
Courtyard with large heated saltwater soaking pool
Movie theater in converted auditorium with food, beer, and wine service
Multiple bars and restaurants on-site serving microbrews and pub food
Event spaces that can host weddings
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Free on-site parking
Soaking pool is open to the public, and can get crowded
No fitness center
Parking lot can fill up during events
For those who ever harbored childhood fantasies of spending the night in their school, after all the teachers have gone home, then a night or two at this converted 1915 schoolhouse may very well be a dream come true. Many of the 57 guest rooms are in converted classrooms and retain their original features, such as the chalkboards and cloakrooms. The rest are in the English Wing -- these newer rooms are inspired by famous novels, primarily by British and American writers, with a few masterpieces of global literature thrown in. There's also a courtyard with a saltwater soaking pool, though it can get crowded with Portlanders eager for a dip. Other features include an auditorium that's been converted into a movie theater (complete with its own pub for showtime dining), and a number of restaurants, bars, and event spaces. Wi-Fi and parking are both free, but spaces can be scarce if big events are taking place at the property. Note that the hotel is in Northeast Portland; for a similarly quirky McMenamins experience in the city center, check out the Crystal Hotel -- but be warned that most of its rooms share bathrooms.
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Scene
Century-old schoolhouse converted into a hotel and restaurant complex
The building that houses the Kennedy School was opened in 1915, although classes had been held on the land for a couple of years. It served the Northeast Portland community for decades until the mid 1970s, when Portland Public Schools closed the old building down. The McMennamin family quickly bought up the condemned property and reopened it in 1977 as the McMennamins Kennedy School. Ever since, it has served as a popular gathering place for Portlanders, and it hosts plenty of weddings, conferences, and concerts throughout the year. It looks just like an Art Deco-style elementary school from the outside, with large archways that create rain cover over a triple set of doors. Inside, the hallways retain their old schoolhouse feel, but the lockers are gone, replaced by potted plants, warm drapes, and murals and trim that make them feel anything but institutional. Guests are a mix of leisure travelers, people in town to visit friends and family, and Portlanders on a funky staycation.
Location
Near Northeast Portland's Alberta Arts District, and a 15-minute drive to the airport and downtown
The Kennedy School is located in Northeast Portland, just off Killingsworth Street and a few blocks from a large natural foods supermarket and a branch of Portland's beloved Hot Lips Pizza. It's a 10-minute walk to the eastern end of the Alberta Arts District, a stretch of Northeast Alberta Street known for its numerous bars, restaurants, and boutiques. On the last Thursday of every month in the spring and summertime, the street is taken over by "Last Thursday," a pedestrian-only street fair in which local artists, handicraft vendors, and street performers flood the area to sing, dance, and hawk their wares. Downtown Portland is about a 15-minute drive, or a 40-minute trip on public transportation. Portland International Airport is about a 15-minute drive, or about an hour's ride on public transportation.
Rooms
Mix of converted classrooms and newer literature-themed guest rooms
The 57 rooms at the Kennedy School are spread across two buildings: the main school building, which has classrooms converted into rooms, complete with original chalkboards, and the English Wing, with newer rooms inspired by literature. Rooms in both sections are quaint and simple, with white bedding and most with the colorful onion dome-shaped headboards found throughout McMennamin's properties around Oregon. Headboards in the English Wing Rooms are inspired by books, with themes ranging from "One Hundred Years of Solitude" to "The Secret Life of Bees." Bathrooms are basic, with walk-in showers (some are quite tight) and small pedestal sinks with just a tad of counter space. Hairdryers and toiletries are provided.
Features
Heated outdoor saltwater soaking pool, on-site movie theater, and multiple bars and event spaces
One of the biggest highlights of the property is the lightly chlorinated saltwater soaking pool, which sits in an outdoor courtyard surrounded by greenery. It's heated throughout the year and stays open from morning until late in the evening. It's free for hotel guests and those living in the immediate area. The general public can use it for a fee, and it does get crowded. The Kennedy School's movie theater, housed in what was once the school's auditorium, screens second-run movies and has G- and PG-rated matinees for families. Beer, wine, pizza, and pub fare are served in the space, and there are two daily happy hours in between showtimes. There are also multiple dining options on-site, comprising one restaurant and five bars, all of which serve food. The main Courtyard Restaurant has indoor seating in the school's old cafeteria, as well as some outdoor seating for Portland's coveted sunny days. It offers a menu of pub food, wine, and beer that's standard to most McMennamin's properties, with the company's own microbrews on tap. There are also a number of bars dotted throughout the school, including one in the school's old boiler room. The Detention Bar serves spirits along with its beer and wine selection, and cigar smoking is allowed.A number of indoor and outdoor event spaces are also available for rent, and the Kennedy School gets lots of weddings and meetings, especially in the summer months. Wi-Fi is free to all guests, and there's a fair amount of parking in the hotel's on-site lot. It can get crowded during weekend evenings and when events are going on, but the street parking in the neighborhood is free and abundant.
