Hotel Recommendations for Portland Brewery Trip

Is your goal to walk / use public transit primarily?

The hotels downtown or in Lloyd Center are the most central (but sometimes pricy although March might not be too bad).

Assuming you're reasonably fit, you can walk from Downtown to Bailey's, Deschutes, Bridgeport, Henry's, Hair of the Dog, Cascade, Green Dragon, maybe The Commons, Beermongers, and Apex too.

Upright is in the Lloyd Center district, and from there you are a short bus or MAX ride into downtown or SE to hit everything listed previously.

If you wanted to look for something cheaper, but still rely on public transit, you might look for something near the airport where you can take the Red line MAX in, or north along the Yellow line. Either option is only ~15 minutes from downtown.

 

I've stayed at the Park Lane Inn & Suites when visiting family in Portland. It's not super fancy, but it's clean and adequate, especially if you are not going to be spending much time in your hotel. It's near Burnside and SW King Ave. Public transportation in Portland is very easy to use, so getting around shouldn't be a problem.

Definitely visit HotD, Cascade, Laurelwood, Amnesia, Horse Brass Pub, Belmont Station, Rogue Public House, etc., etc.

 

www.airbnb.com

We've used airbnb for Seattle trips and it is a great website. Depending on your comfort level, there's everything from dirty flophouses to nice private condos.

 

I would second the recommendation of airbnb, having just done the reverse of your trip. I flew out from Portland and spent four days in San Antonio, followed by four days in Austin. Stayed in two converted garage apartments, for less than $80 per night. Beats a hotel any time. Portland is small enough that you can easily get to the majority of the good brewpubs using leg power or public transportation

 

Another option for budget-conscious folks is the Banfield Motel on NE Sandy and 37th ave. It's not fancy, but it's only 5 blocks from the Hollywood Transit Center on 42nd and Halsey. From the HTC you can take an easy MAX, bus, and/or streetcar ride to just about anything worth visiting.

 

I also say airbnb

and with the new Streetcar line you can get from upright, to cascade, hair of the dog, commons and within about 10 blocks of apex and beermongers, all on the east side.

 

Just spent 4 nights at the Hotel Monaco. They've got great rates, and free valet parking if you're a AAA member. Also a rental car was only $15 per day out here. Fantastic trip.

 

Does anyone know about the Kennedy School? Was planning on making a trip up there on the fly, curious if its fun and how far/close you are to the breweries?

 

I live around the corner from Kennedy School... it is a very fun place (hotel, several bars, a restaurant, movie theater - great old building, too). The brewery on-site is just ok (don't make that alone a destination), but the experience as a whole is worth the effort.

The best brewery in the vicinity is Breakside (about 1-1/2 miles west on NE Dekum); it's a terrific 'neighborhood pub with about 8-10 house beers, some standards & some rotating/seasonal & good food, too. Also in the area, brewery-wise, is Alameda (a place I like and always has solid beers & a cheap happy hour) and, if you're desperate for another choice, The Mash Tun (very disappointing to me that this place doesn't make more & better beers, such a good location mid way on Alberta St). Finally, 1 block from Kennedy School is Concordia Ale House, a place that was once among the top couple of taprooms in Portland 6-7 years ago IMO - now others have caught up & passed it. CAH is still worth a visit, however, if you do go to KS.

http://goo.gl/maps/YELJd

Cheers,
Brian

 

Cool thanks for the info. How far from there is hotd, deschutes, rogue, cascade? Public transportation work or will we need to drive

 

Thanks for reminding me of this, John! My dad & brother are visiting us this weekend and I'd forgotten to ask for a quiet room for them (we don't have enough guest space in our house). Just called a minute ago and talked to 'Cynthia', who set them up in a 'quieter' Jessup St side room - she was super-friendly & helpful. By the way (for MykelJH), I learned that the room rate at KS includes access to the movie theater and the soaking pool, but no restaurant or drink credits anymore. Still $125/nt isn't too bad...

 

May need to drive... but maybe not. There are 2 bus lines (the #70 and #72) nearby. #70 runs N-S on NE 33rd, past Lloyd Center and along SE 11th/12th. It would drop you within about 2 blocks of Cascade and the walk is kinda reasonable from there to HotD. #72 takes you west and connects with MAX Yellow Line, which would bring you to downtown.
http://trimet.org/schedules/r070.htm
http://trimet.org/schedules/r072.htm

http://goo.gl/maps/avwGX
http://goo.gl/maps/rp0Fj

For Rogue and Deschutes (both are in Downtown/Pearl District), you'd need to catch another bus (#15) if heading over from HotD or Cascade).
http://goo.gl/maps/XhBjP
(Rogue is about 4 blocks from Deschutes, at NW 14th & Flanders)

 

It depends on your dedication to the cause, but you'll probably want to drive to/from the Kennedy School.

 

You guys have been more than helpful. Thanks! I think if we do end up coming we will be there for Zwanze day if not ill be here in Oakland. If anyone is interested in some plinys just message me and I can haul some up if I do end up coming there. Still joy sure though but if I do I have no problem bringing them

 

If Zwanze Day is your goal, then Kennedy School is a great choice; you can hop on that #72 bus and be at The Hop & Vine in about 20 minutes, no transfers required. http://goo.gl/maps/uVQOq

Also, that first weekend of December is Holiday Ale Fest at Pioneer Courthouse Square, one of the BEST fests of the year. The Yellow line MAX (if going from H&V) drops you in downtown at Pioneer Place, 1 block from HAF.