First Time in Portland - Need Good Inexpensive Hotel

I%26#39;d appreciate input on choosing hotels. We (me, husband, 1yr %26amp; 3 yr old) are driving to Portland from Vancouver Canada sometime in early October and staying 3 nights. I%26#39;ve been just about going crazy reading reviews etc on hotels. Since we are driving and have small children I think free breakfast and free parking are definites. I don%26#39;t want to spend a fortune so I%26#39;m looking under $100. I%26#39;ve seen a few airport hotels that appear highly reviewed (La Quinta Airport, Country Inn %26amp; Suites by Carlson) but is the area ok? We%26#39;d like downtown but realize budget is small. Therefore I guess driving is a given so is Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, WA good or La Quinta Wilsonville too far? The tourism site has a good deal on the Red Lion Hotel at the Quay? I%26#39;m really starting to overthink this so if someone could suggest a clean, decent, reasonably priced hotel with breakfast and parking I%26#39;d really be thrilled! I guess I should mention that our time will probably be spent at the zoo, childrens museum, shopping and if time permits checking out local areas like Pearl %26amp; Nob Hill. thanks!!

First Time in Portland - Need Good Inexpensive Hotel

Since there isn%26#39;t much going on here in October, I would suggest calling hotels and see what rates you can negotiate. You should be able to get a nice hotel, right in downtown, for around $100 or less. Priceline is an option as well, but with the kids it could be tough because you cannot guarantee two beds. Some people like to use the POVA website since parking and breakfast are included in their great rates, but with it being low season you can usually negotiate the same thing directly with the hotel.

Wilsonville is too far, IMO. If you decide to stay out of the city, then I would suggest Lake Oswego. There are several hotels right at the Kruse Way/ I-5 area and so it is very easy freeway access. Plus a few restaurants nearby that are good with young children.

Good plan with the zoo and museum. The Pearl might be a bit boring for the kids, but you can always stop for gelato or hot cocoa to keep them going:) The NW 23rd area (what tourists call Nob Hill) is nice, but again not a huge draw for little ones. But lots of little places to stop for a drink/snack to keep them going. The 3 yr old would enjoy parts of OMSI. Very interesting place, for both kids and adults.

First Time in Portland - Need Good Inexpensive Hotel

Check out the Inn at Northrup Station in Nob Hill. They have a nice little rooftop area with a BBQ for families and tables set up. When we looked through the place, there was a family there with a couple of small children having a great time.

I have seen rooms on the website for $99/night there. Candy is set out in the lobby that the kids would like and it is very colorful. Have fun! :)

The Inn@Northrup has small kitchens in some of their rooms, or at least a fridge .. I read that they give you tickets for the Streetcar..which runs right past the hotel.

Parking is a pain in Portland, all the hotels charge around $23-25 a night..there are SmartPark lots everywhere and that will be a bit better.

www.northrupstation.com

It is also in the NW area of town, also known as Nob Hill.

I really don%26#39;t know of any hotels in town that are that price though..with breakfast included .

Vancouver, Wilsonville are too far in my opinion..for the time you want to be there and dragging two babies back and forth, you really want the hotel close enough to take breaks during the day.

www.pova.com look for packages and specials.

syrahgirl, you have obviously not visited Portland in October.

Not a lot of opportunities to BBQ in the rain lol and it is a bit on the chilly side.

That BBQ is for summer guests.

I think the best deal for location, price, and experience is the Four Points by Sheraton. Located downtown and I know you%26#39;ll get good rates come Oct.

Here%26#39;s the link: starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints/鈥?/a>

Another more trendy, less family oriented is the Jupiter:

http://www.jupiterhotel.com/

I have not been to the Jupiter Hotel myself, but reading reviews and from hearsay, it would not be my choice for a family. It is located adjacent to a bar that is geared toward the younger crowd, and gets very noisy. Several people who work for my husband frequent this bar and the stories we hear is that it gets pretty wild.

kizzles, the Jupiter is a interesting hotel/motel but westcoastgirrl will be traveling with a 1 and 3 year old..In my experience, that age just has no appreciation for Cool LOL

westcoastgirrl...There is a Holiday Inn Express at 2333 Nw Vaughn Street...a bit out of the way, but not downtown prices. I think that might be something you can check on..

Hello,

The Silver Cloud is also a good choice. It%26#39;s about a block away from the Holiday Inn Express on Vaughn. We stayed there when our son was still a baby (now 6 with a 4yo sister). The motels are across the street from what my husband calls warehouses but I think of them as thriving businesses. Once we went for a walk just south of Vaughn and found ourselves in a wonderful residential area. It is quite a walk to get to the Pearl/Nob Hill district from here but with a double stroller it makes for good exercise. We also like the Courtyard by Marriott farther south of Portland in Tigard. This is not a central location but its inexpensive and in a nice area and it has an indoor swimming pool. Free parking at both places listed. Don%26#39;t mess with going to the Cool motels. Those are for people without kids and are without a care in the world. Bring an extra set of clothes for the Children%26#39;s museum (and OMSI if you go there). Both have water play areas where kids can experiment with making dams and play with plastic fish. Took my daughter there when she was just past walking age and she went through a couple of clothing changes. They have plastic aprons but that doesn%26#39;t help much with an adventurous toddler. Sounds like you will have fun.

Hi Julauf, living in the Pearl, calling the buildings warehouses pretty much describes the whole neighborhood lol..

I have heard the Silver Cloud recommended on another site..

That area you were in might have been near Forest Park, at the top of Vaughn? Large old homes on the sides of the hills ? We have been there a couple of times, househunting and going to the park for a walk..amazing views from up there!

Thurman is 7 blocks from Marshal where you can get on a streetcar and have access to most of downtown Portland. If it is fairly dry, it probably won%26#39;t be too chilly, you can get around pretty well ..

OK, when I said ';nice residential area'; I meant there were cute little townhouses just around the block from Vaughn. But it is pretty industrial. I just happen to appreciate the type of industry over in that part of town. Anywho, we%26#39;ve thought of staying near the airport due to its cheapness in order to spend a couple of days in Portland doing the same family stuff, the zoo, childrens%26#39; museum and OMSI. We decided to stay at the Tigard location because we could just hop onto I-5 then 217 to 26 and the zoo. Now, just a warning that traveling during the commuting hours can sometimes feel like you%26#39;re in a parking lot. The airport places are not in bad neighborhoods but it takes forever to get across town and the stress and confusion could cause some strain on a marriage. Across the freeway from the Courtyard/Marriott in Tigard is family friendly Chevy%26#39;s, fresh-mex. and there is a Trader Joes for cheap snacks with a little organic flair. I would only suggest Wilsonville if your husband is a hardcore electronics fanatic - Fry%26#39;s is a gi-normous store in Wilsonville packed with computers, TVs, music, movies, cable modems, motherboards, washers and dryers,, cameras, blah, blah , blah. Have a fantastic trip.