The Society Hotel
"What's the story with this hotel?The four developers of the Society Hotel saw potential in its formerly grand turn-of-the-century buildings. Built in 1881 by the Portland Seamen’s Friend Society, the hotel was first known as The Mariners Building, a boarding home dedicated to keeping Portland’s sailors on the straight and narrow and out of the infamous Shanghai Tunnels. When renovation began in 2013, the upper floors hadn’t been touched since 1945, and the crew unearthed a time capsule of treasures; many of these historical finds are placed around the hotel. Who's staying here?Cost-conscious travelers, history buffs, high-end hostelers, and young adventurers seeking good style and downtown digs on the cheap. What are the rooms like?The snug but bright brick-walled standard rooms have a Scandinavian-style spareness to them, with comfy beds swathed in white linens, a towel and robe rack, and a wall-mounted sink; prepare to share the hall bathrooms, which are spotlessly clean. Suites have a little more wiggle room, plus private bathrooms. On the lower hostel-style bunk room level, the 24 custom-built triple-tall bunks are downright luxurious, with full mattresses, charging stations, reading lights, privacy curtains, and in-bunk storage lockers. And tell us about the little things in the room. There’s not much tech to speak of—the minimalist rooms have nary a chair or television in sight, much less iPad- or Bluetooth-controlled anything, making this a prime place for a mini-digital detox. But Wi-Fi is free and fast, and although you won’t have a coffee maker, the darling lobby cafe serves a mean cup of coffee, brewed with beans from local roasters Heart, Tanager, and Roseline. What are our food and drink options?In the airy high-ceilinged lobby overlooking busy Third Avenue, the hotel’s cafe and lounge serves three simple meals a day starting at 7 a.m. Petite round bistro tables and pretty patterned banquettes line the lofty front windows, inviting guests and passerby alike to sit and stay for an expertly made espresso and avocado toast or a build-your-own grilled cheese. Happy hour runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily; carry your pint of Ecliptic Brewing’s hearty Capella Porter or Rose City Gin & Tonic, a mix of Northwest Portland distillery Freeland Spirits' gin and elderflower tonic, up to the greenery-lined rooftop terrace, which has a birds'-eye view of downtown. Did anything else—service- or amenity-wise—stand out?The staff is always ready to help you find your way around their fair city, and have excellent recommendations for restaurants, bars, live music, late-night eats, food carts, cheap or free to-dos, and clubs (many are within a few blocks). Or, consult the wall board by the front desk, neatly hung with dozens of coasters covered in handwritten suggestions for awesome and unusual things to eat, drink, or do. Before you head home, leave one of your own. So who should book a stay?For the adventurous traveler who’s planning on being out and about and isn’t interested in excessive (and expensive) amenities, this is the ideal downtown home base." - Jen Stevenson
