HotelChatter

Location
Let's get this out of the way -- Avalon isn't really in Portland. Well, it is, but it is not downtown. The hotel and spa is on the Willamette river in the southernmost part of Portland. While the location is much sleepier than staying on Start Street, sleepy has its advantages. The property is super quiet and you can easily walk or jog along the Willamette. Furthermore the southernmost Portland Streetcar stop is just a five minute walk away, thus you are close enough to enjoy the city.

Checking In
Simple, easy and friendly. Suicide girls and good looking guys all dressed up in dark suits behind the counter. The suits tossed me a key and led me off to room 404, which did not have a river view, but did have the above foresty view.

Room 404
The room was on the large side, but not new side. The television was an old Zenith, but the bed was extremely comfortable, so that was a bonus. Our room was a bit on the cold cavernous side -- note the heavy slam of the door in the video as an example. WiFi works fine, but the in-room ethernet is much faster and more reliable -- both are free.

The Property
With more than 60 health and beauty therapies that nurture your skin, body, and well-being this hotel slash spa is a destination for girls weekends and romantic getaways -- hmm, we were there for neither. The Avalon also sports one of the most complete in-house gyms we have ever seen. Free weights, ellipticle machines, and plenty of room to exercise in -- this isn't one of those tiny two machine gym rooms.

Continental breakfast is also served for free every morning and more importantly, you can get your breakfast on every floor, thus you can bring it back to your room which is sweet.

Town Car
There is a real old fashioned town car that will take you into town at your beck and call. Two caveats. First, schedule your town car ride early and be flexible, it is first come first serve and everyone uses it -- even for Starbucks runs. Second, don't mistake the town car for a drunk bus. After 10 PM the car will not leave the hotel grounds to go and fetch you so you will need to take an $8.00 cab home if you are out much past 10 PM.

Service
Everyone is super friendly and helpful, however, during our two day stay our room was never cleaned, despite the fact that we left our room before 9 AM and did not return until 5 PM.

Bottom Line
Shh, this is a quiet hotel. A relaxing, romantic hotel, but you better not mind being on the outskirts of Portland. If you get a room with a balcony and a view of the Willamette it will be hard to be disappointed with your stay. It is the kind of place you can hole up for a quiet weekend but still dart off to the Pearl district for plenty of nightlife--though their maid service needs to improve.

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· Portland Oregon Hotels [HotelChatter]
· Portland Oregon Travel [Jaunted]