"Set the scene for us. A few blocks west of the bustling downtown core, this glamorous Goose Hollow hotel has double glass doors that open into the bygone Golden Age of Hollywood. At the top of the stairs, on a floor-to-ceiling black-and-white screen, Cary Grant whispers sweet nothings to a swooning Deborah Kerr in a still pulled from An Affair to Remember, while sparkling crystal chandeliers drip from the ornate gilt-edged ceilings and cushy pale-gold chairs invite you to kick off your kitten heels, mix a Sidecar, and stay awhile. What’s the crowd like?Young lovey-dovey couples, wedding parties, and Baby Boomers who can name every scene that flashes across the black-and-white movie screen. How was check in? Check-in is easy-breezy, and it doesn’t take long to get the lay of the land at this intimate inn. Straight ahead: citrus-infused spa water. To the right: the gorgeous Screening Room, where you can catch a famous old-timey flick if the night is right. To the left: the hotel’s impossibly elegant restaurant, Gracie’s, and, more importantly, the Driftwood Room, a small, sultry, retro hole-in-the-wall bar, local legend, and destination all its own. Fancy a creme de violette Champagne cocktail named after Elizabeth Taylor? Coming right up. And how are the rooms?The glamorous Old Hollywood theme extends into the guestrooms, but not all are created equal—some bathrooms are big enough to dance a waltz in, others require you to keep your elbows tucked. Book a corner Studio Suite where the high-backed wraparound leather headboards, muted color palette with turquoise pops, flowing curtains, and glass cube lamps make for a plush retreat. (Of course, if you simply must have a circular bed and velvet-cushioned settee, opt for the Dietrich Suite). How about the little details, like the mini bar?The honor bar is one of the best around, a locavore’s cheat sheet to all the best brands in Portland—there’s locally distilled Burnside Bourbon and King Estate Pinot Noir, Xocolatl de David bars by esteemed chef-turned-chocolatier David Briggs, and jars of BeeLocal honey (which, come bath time, also makes an appearance in the Lather Modern Apothecary mint-and-lavender exfoliating honey bar). Where should we plan on eating?Your best dinner options lie outside the hotel; walk to Greg and Gabrielle Denton’s Bistro Agnes for classic French, slurp well-priced homemade pastas at Grassa, or hone your chopstick chops at sushi swami Bamboo. Still, it’d be a shame not to spend some time onsite in Gracie’s gorgeous, glamorous dining room, so either book the traditional Afternoon Tea (featuring custom blends by Portland’s own Smith Teamaker), or battle your Champagne hangover with a smoked salmon hash and German pancake brunch. Bar-wise, Driftwood Room has the sultry charms of Lauren Bacall, with a dozen or so signature cocktails and a late-night happy hour that’s as popular with locals as it is with guests. Try the house Sazerac, with Smith Teamaker’s hibiscus-tea simple syrup, and the gorgonzola cheesecake, with whole roasted garlic, chutney, and balsamic glaze." - Jen Stevenson
