Michele R.
Yelp
Yin and Yang here. The Inn at the 5th has a lot of cool things going for it. It also has a few drawbacks. In balance, it is worth a visit if this is the price range you're shopping in for a Eugene hotel. (Rack rates roughly $190 for a standard King to $370 for a Jr. Suite.) But for us, this property falls a bit short in delivering the understated, casual elegance of design, accomodations and service of others in the boutique class, as in The Allison in Newberg.
That said, rooms are nicely appointed even if some are odd in layout and decor. Standard appointments include things like good quality linens, fireplaces (in some but not all rooms), HDTV service and Keurig coffee makers in room. (A big "woohoo" for the latter.)
Were the reason for our stay in Eugene and the room rates here to align in the future, we'd go back. But it isn't our first choice right now for Eugene area lodging. The reasons why follow:
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
It is hard to imagine a more convenient location in Eugene. You can walk to Marche next door, explore the shops of the adjacent 5th Street Market and have easy driving distance access to campus, restaurants or other shopping.
The Inn's location also presents some drawbacks. As example, an Amtrak train runs right behind it. Rooms have been sound proofed, but this train is close enough to know it's there. We think that is a charming thing. Some may not find it so when the train runs by in early a.m. hours. You can mitigate the noise by the right room location, so ask about this when you make your reservation.
BOUTIQUE SIZE
The Inn is about a perfect size. Small enough to be a boutique hotel, with the personalized service possible in that genre, but large enough for amenities like room service, car service (see THIS N THAT) and a spa in the building.
SERVICE
If friendly service matters to you, the young staff here gets that right most of the time. Attitudes are great, seems snafus are largely process and systems based. The Inn is "newish" and those kinks should get ironed out with time and management attention.
ROOMS
Rooms are are smallish in size for this price point. Most (but not all) have small outdoor balconies. If you're looking for a larger room, you may want to consider the few that do not have balconies as they have some additional interior space and window seats. But the windows in the non-balcony rooms are non operable which we consider a major drawback to trade off for space. Outside of the Jr. Suite, which was very spacious, even the window seat rooms were not overly large.
Rooms that face inward, around a small courtyard, may offer more insulation from street - and train - noise. The latter doesn't bother us and we prefer the outward orientation. On some summer evenings there is live music planned for the courtyard and so you'll be in the mix of that if you choose a room with that outlook.
Some rooms are "theme" based. As in one that has an umbrella and Lucite rain drops and Wellie rain boots mounted in a cubby behind the king sized bed. In another the theme is African Safari. In another Mid Century "glam" and so on. If that matters to you, be sure to ask about it when making your reservation. We consider these cutesy thems a drawback in decor for a wannabe luxury hotel.
Something we liked about the bathrooms is that they were shower only and shower was spacious.
Not to mention rooms and public spaces are sparkling. One whole star just for that!
PETS POLICY
We consider it a drawback that pets are allowed in all rooms. When we said we wanted a room that was not on the "pets allowed" list we were told all rooms are pet friendly. We love dogs and cats. But we prefer hotel rooms where they have not been occupants. For us, a whole star deduction for this policy.
ROOM SERVICE
Room service is provided by Marche. There is a small butler's cupboard associated with each room, so if you don't want to open the door in whatever attire you may be in (or not in) your order is placed in the cupboard for you to retrieve.
THIS N THAT:
1) ACCESSIBILITY: The 5th Street Market is universally accessible and so seems this Inn. See Heather C's review for her good experience with an accessible room here.
2) CAR SERVICE: A town car and a larger passenger van (both Mercedes) available for free transport within a 4 mile radius of the hotel. Not certain whether car service van option is wheelchair accessible. It should be by Federal ADA rules. It doesn't mean it is. Call to inquire.
3) OREGON ARTISTS: Art of all kinds created by Oregon artists adorns the Inn. As example, in the lobby a glass art fixture on the ceiling by a Sisters (Oregon) artist that is evocative of both the sun and Chihuly's work. Nice.
4) LOBBY: Although smaller than some, it is welcoming and comfortable. Wine service available in lobby.