Heathman Hotel, Portland: Luxury, with a Few (Good) Surprises

Portland is delightfully quirky. From doughnuts topped with your favorite cereal to massive urban parks and one-of-a-kind shopping experiences, you’ve got all the makings for a stellar getaway. Luckily, the hotel scene is equally as eclectic and colorful. After sorting through an assortment of options, my first night in Portland was spent at the Heathman Hotel.

When I hopped out of my rideshare from the airport, I had a good feeling about the landmark property. Built in 1927, the Heathman Hotel features 151 guestrooms and suites, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Stay in the Center of the City

Check-in was fast and efficient, and in a matter of minutes I was in the elevator headed to my King Guestroom on the 9^th floor. Spacious for city accommodations, the space had a charming feel that made it easy to settle in.  A large window delivered downtown Portland views and filled the room with light.

The king bed was with fitted with white-on-white hotel stripe linens, but fun pops of color could be found throughout the room. There was a blue, faux leather ottoman at the foot of the bed, clusters of vibrant art prints on the wall, and a patterned area rug to get your attention.

Along with the expected bathrobes, slippers, and in-room safe, the room was delightfully equipped with a French press and full tea service. (Stumptown coffee and an impressive selection of Steven Smith Teamaker teas are also offered daily from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the hotel’s Library.)

The bathroom featured a walk-in shower, but was overall a bit tighter on space. Well positioned shelving made all the difference, offering plenty of room to store and easily access toiletries.  

Thoughtful Amenities

The Heathman is the type of hotel that is worth setting aside some time in your schedule to simply explore. The p:ear gallery at the Heathman showcases the work of homeless youth artists. After viewing the current work on display, head down the stairs to the hotel’s stunning library. Home to more than 2,700 books, mostly first editions signed by the author, guests can check out anything in the collection. Some favorites in the repertoire include books by Anthony Bourdain and E.L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey, which includes a number of references to the hotel.

You’ll likely get your steps in while exploring Portland, but the Heathman Hotel also features a 24-hour fitness center. In addition to free weights, a treadmill, and exercise mats, you’ll find Peloton bikes and a workout mirror.

Onsite eatery, The Tavern, offers daily breakfast and dinner service. Azar Indulgences is located at the front of the lobby; the café offers coffee, tea, and artisan chocolate. The hotel’s downtown location makes it an easy walk to a plethora of restaurants as well as a handful of food carts parked two blocks away at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Around Portland

The Heathman Hotel is less than nine miles from Portland International Airport. It’s just a tad more than a half-mile from Powell’s City of Books, and just shy of 2 miles from the International Rose Test Garden at Washington Park.

Rates for a King Guestroom start at $139. There is also a mandatory daily guest amenity fee of $29 that covers bike rentals, Wi-Fi, morning coffee and tea service, and access to the library and fitness center. Valet parking is available for a fee and Tesla charging stations are available for guest use.

The Heathman Hotel is dog-friendly. There is a $25 per day pet fee; along with a pet bed, and bowls for food and water, hotel staff can provide contact information for local groomers, dog walkers, veterinarians, and more.

Check rates at the official website or at Expedia.

Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by Travel Portland, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.