As a brand, I love Embassy Suites. We always find tremendous value for the money here. The Embassy Suites Portland Downtown is no exception. While there are many great lodging options in downtown Portland (check our Portland hotel review listings), including several with perhaps more character and historical interest, we’ve yet to find a Portland hotel that offers more kid-friendly amenities amid luxury in the heart of the city. Need a few examples? Embassy Suites Portland Downtown offers true all-suite lodging—with two actual rooms per suite, not just a partition—one of the only on-site indoor pools in the downtown area, free cooked-to-order breakfast, a free evening reception, and a location two blocks from the MAX line and three blocks from the waterfront.
Confession time: free breakfast is very important to us. With three growing kids, we really value this amenity, and while location is our first priority in choosing a hotel, free breakfast is right up there. It saves us time, money, and hassle. During our two night stay at the Embassy Suites, we ate two very happy meals in the lobby breakfast room, where my omelette-loving son was in heaven. Also offered: pancakes, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, oatmeal, grits, danishes and muffins, and cold cereals.
Each day of our Portland stay, we left the car at the hotel and hopped on the MAX line (free in the downtown sector, cheap if venturing further) and went to Washington Park, Pioneer Square, and other stops. Not only was taking the MAX fun for the young kids in our group, we saved on driving and parking stress and expense. Parking at Embassy Suites is $25/day in self park, or $32 in valet (with in and out privileges). To me, valet parking is worth the upgrade.
We opted for two suites at the Embassy for our group of nine, which suited perfectly (is that a pun?). The division (with door) between sleeping area and living area allowed us to put the young kids to bed while the teenagers could stay up later. In the outer (living) room, the pull-out couch slept two, though we found it to sleep one more comfortably. Our bedrooms had two queen-sized beds each. Our rooms had both microwaves and fridges, allowing us to store leftovers from dinners out and keep the necessary snacks and drinks on-hand for the toddlers, without having to hassle with coolers. Of course, you also have a coffee maker. We actually made full toddler-friendly meals in-room.
For entertainment for the early risers, we hit the indoor pool and exercise facility. Located on the lower level, this space is pleasantly large and suited for kids. The exercise room is located above the pool, but does have frosted windows, so it’s not possible to see swimmers from the machines (for better or for worse, you decide). There are two hot tubs on the pool deck, and a decently-sized swimming pool with a fun fountain on one end. The pool is kept pretty cool. Changing rooms are not available on the pool deck, but towels are stacked and ready.
Every evening (usually between 4 and 6) the Evening Reception serves complimentary wine and light appetizers. While this service isn’t as kid-friendly as some (I’m looking at you, Hotel Monaco), it does offer some snacks for the kids. It won’t replace a meal, but works as a nice tide-over before a later dinner out.
Rates:
At the time of our visit, standard suites started at $150/night.
Directions:
Embassy Suites Portland Downtown is located at 319 SW Pine Street in Portland, one block from Burnside and three from Naito Parkway. From I-5, follow signage to downtown/waterfront and take Naito Parkway to Pine.
Photo credit: Amy Whitley and Embassy Suites.
