"What's the big picture?A block up busy Burnside from the rockstar-approved Jupiter Hotel (the adjoining Doug Fir Lounge books some of the most interesting musical acts in town), this six-floor, 67-room LoBu hotel aims for the same edgy style as its sister up the street, just with luxurious details like glass-cube bathrooms, in-room cocktail bars, and digital concierges. Driving east from downtown, you can’t miss it; designed by Portland-based Works Progress Architecture, the imposing black-asphalt-shingled box cuts a stylishly asymmetrical figure across the inner east side skyline. Inside the airy, industrial lobby, an open concrete-and-steel staircase by local metal fabricator Laura Sol of Sol Creations connects the first and second floors, while a low-slung concrete fire pit welcomes wind- and rain-chilled visitors, as does the jungle-themed Hey Love restaurant and bar. What’s the crowd like?Hip, tech-savvy 30-somethings, business people, and return visitors who’ve grown out of the wild-child Jupiter down the street. And how are the rooms?Rooms are bright and modern, with 60-inch flat-screen TVs, high-speed Wi-Fi, and techie creature comforts like Roxy, a voice-activated in-room concierge that tries her best, even though she sometimes confuses things. For maximum wiggle room, book an XL King; it’s got a big living area with convertible sofas and oversized windows with views of downtown Portland. A word of caution: Showers and toilets are separated from the main room by floor-to-ceiling slabs of frosted glass—sink vanities are outside the bathroom—so make sure you’re comfortable with any travel companions. Tell us about the dining options.At Hey Love, the hotel's tropical-themed restaurant and bar, park yourself in one of the curved black leather booths (kudos for the built-in outlets at each end, perfect for resurrecting drained iPhones after a long day of furious photo-taking) for a refreshing cucumber Michelada or rich, rummy CBD caramel–drizzled banana pudding shot. The surrounding neighborhood is thick with outstanding restaurants, all within a five-minute walk—slurp ramen at Mirakutei, queue up at the unceasingly popular chicken-and-rice hole-in-the-wall Nong’s Khao Man Gai, and blow your budget on foie gras profiteroles at James Beard Award-winning chef Gabriel Rucker’s lauded Le Pigeon. Anything stand out about other services and features?Offering a respite from the urban hullabaloo below, the beautiful guests-only open air lounge on the fifth floor is just the spot to watch a West Hills sunset. Why should we book a stay?This short stretch of Burnside is one of the most hip and happening neighborhoods in town, so why not stay in the middle of it all?" - Jen Stevenson
