Hotel Monaco Portland
"Back up, and give us the wide-angle view of this place.If your favorite childhood toy was a kaleidoscope, and you think the Mad Hatter would make an insanely great interior decorator, then this cool, quirky hotel’s gonna be your happy place. After stepping through the royalty-worthy leaded glass double doors, the fun begins in the lobby, a technicolor tableau of low-slung pink and purple velvet loungers, plush fainting sofas, floor-length fuchsia drapes, and stacks of funky-patterned pillows, all of which adds up to just the right amount of over-the-top-ness. Add in a crackling black marble fireplace, an oversized chess board, and the occasional gypsy jazz swing band, and you’ve got the makings of a great party—and it's all before you even reach your equally-eclectic room. Phew! Alright, we can dig it. What’s the crowd like?Fido and family, conference-goers, happy honeymooners, girls' trippers. Got it. Now, onto the good stuff: Tell us about your room.Beautiful inside and out, top floor corner king suites continue the delightfully outrageous decor theme started in the lobby, and raise it a view of snow-capped Mt. Hood. Flocks of birds flit across the wallpaper, bright yellow and purple plaid pillows rested on the high-backed leather headboard, and after a few sun salutations on the in-room yoga mat, you can head downstairs to the adjoining Aveda spa for a deep tissue massage and detoxifying Moor mud wrap. That sounds divine. How about the little things, like the mini bar, or the shower goodies? Anything you want to call attention to?The WiFi’s free and speedy, complimentary organic coffee and tea awaits you in the lobby every morning, and if you've left your iPhone charger at home (the horror!), the extensive “You forgot it, we got it” list includes that, along with 21 other travel amenities, including a humidifier and hair straightener. In love with that zebra-print Turkish cotton bathrobe you’ve decided is totally your style? It's all yours, for a cool $150. There's so much funk—it's fun! Now brief us on the room service and food situation: Worth it?The on-site restaurant, Red Star Tavern, is hit or miss, so put in a little legwork (four blocks worth) and have dinner at Little Bird Bistro (sister restaurant to lauded Le Pigeon) instead; the roasted marrow bones and chicken-fried trout are standouts, the double Brie burger is beefy French-American decadence, and pastry chef Erin Hughes’ chocolate raspberry roulade will delight. Back at the hotel, cash in the nightcap and cookie coupon you got at check-in before retiring for the night. For breakfast, room service can send up smoked pork loin Benedict and blueberry buttermilk pancakes, or it’s a brisk three-block walk to beloved brunch spot Mother’s Bistro. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—tell us what they really did right.Plenty of Portland hotels are dog-friendly, but this one goes beyond. Expect a warm, wet-nosed welcome from the canine concierge, and if you’ve got a doggo in tow, his or her name goes up on the (dog-shaped) chalkboard. Request a dog bed, dog food and water dishes, dog sitter, dog walker (or doody bags if that’s your job); if you ask nicely, the front desk can probably even track down an excellent dog masseur. So cute! Bottom line: worth it, and why?Delightful decor, one the best hotel happy hours in town, superlative service, and a genuine soft spot for your four-legged travel partners make this cozy and colorful downtown den a no-brainer." - Jen Stevenson
