Sentinel – Hotel Review | Condé Nast Traveler
"Give us an overview. Formerly the Governor Hotel, this vintage downtown stunner is an authentic piece of Portland’s past, set inside two historic structures—a grand, Corinthian-column-fronted former Elks Lodge, and the circa-1909 Seward, a boutique hotel designed by prominent Oregon architect William Christmas Knighton; the building’s bold Arts and Crafts and Early Modern architectural styles, glazed terra cotta exterior, and stone rooftop sentinels caused quite a stir at the time. Inside and out, from the breathtakingly ornate Governor Ballroom to the domed stained glass ceilinged Jackknife cocktail bar, the six-story, 100-room hotel retains the charms of yesteryear, while incorporating luxurious touches like Tivoli Bluetooth radios, streaming online workouts, all-local honor bars, and the opulent downstairs Domaine Serene Wine Lounge, which gives you a taste of the Willamette Valley wine country right in downtown Portland. What’s the crowd like? Business travelers, wedding revelers, the regulars who faithfully line the bar at venerable Jake’s Grill. The good stuff: Tell us about your room. A sixth floor Terrace Studio Suite is the way to go; sunlit and spacious, with high-end touches like Pendleton throws and Tivoli bluetooth clock radios, high enough to evade the downtown clamor that can plague light sleepers on lower floors, and opening onto swish private terraces with push-button fire pits and big city views. Perhaps most delightful, they’ve got all-hours access to the Room at the End of the Hall; a Boys Fort boutique-furnished lounge and snack sanctuary ready to scratch that midnight pretzels and popcorn itch. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that worth a mention? Need a little night time inspiration? There’s a spiritual reading menu. Need a fun 2 a.m. workout with a high-energy (virtual) instructor? There are Peloton bikes in the 24-hour fitness center. And if your airport-bound Lyft arrives in five and you just realized you forgot to souvenir shop, raid the in-room honor bar: It’s full of local luxuries like Oregon Olive Mill oils, tins of Jacobsen Salt Co., and Xocolatl de Davíd’s Good Food Award-winning Brown Butter Bar (maybe keep that one for yourself). What's the story with food and drink here? It’s only a few blocks to first-rate local roasters like Courier Coffee, Stumptown, Case Study, and Coava , but if you need caffeine and you need it now, the adjoining Starbucks opens into the lobby. However you feel about the old school surf ‘n turf at Jake’s Grill, there’s no arguing that their happy hour menu is a both a steal and a scene—prop your elbows on the well-worn wooden bar and have an impassioned conversation about downtown development with a West-Hills-ite while downing oyster shooters, Sriracha deviled eggs, and a glass of spendy Goldeneye pinot noir from Mendocino’s Anderson Valley, courtesy of the exclusive Coravin wine preservation system. For dinner, you’re best off exploring the area’s better restaurants—it’s one block to the classically French Bistro Agnes , by chefs Greg and Gabrielle Denton, the James Beard Award-winning duo behind Ox , and a 10-minute walk to Pearl District standouts like lively Mediterranean Exploration Company and longtime Peruvian grande dame Andina. For cocktail connoisseurs ready to experience Portland’s famous craft cocktail scene, if the lobby bar, Jackknife (from the group behind east side cult favorites Bye and Bye, Sweet Hereafter, and Dig A Pony) is a bit too much of a scene, try the marvelous Multnomah Whiskey Library , or its downstairs sister bar, The Green Room. Bottom line: Why are we choosing Sentinel? Perfectly positioned in the heart of downtown, steps from the streetcar line, West End boutiques, and some of the city’s best restaurants and bars , you’ll eat and sleep like a king at this swanky historic stunner." - Jen Stevenson
