Embassy Suites: Portland Downtown

For our trip this past weekend, we decided to stay at the Embassy Suites - Downtown. The location was perfect, as it was a block away from Voodoo Doughnuts, the Saturday Market, Portland Grill, and two tram lines.

The cost was $159 a night for a two room suite. The suite had two beds and a pull out couch, which worked perfected for a group of three guys.

The hotel has an old feel to it. The lobby has the old time grandeur to it.

The reception desk is to your left after entering the front door:

Check-in took less than 5 minutes. Which was very especially nice at 1am and flying in from the east coast. After checking-in, we were off to room 611:

The room was a corner suite and opened directly into the living room.

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The couch turned into a bed (my bed). It had a firm mattress and a soft mattress pad. It wasn't the best bed, but it worked.

This area had a desk:

And a wet bar with a sink and refrigerator:

The main bedroom had two queen beds, a closet, and a very large TV. However, it did not have much light:

Sorry for the dark picture: forgot to take one in daylight

The bathroom was in the hallway leading to the bedroom. It was very large, but nothing special.

The hallways were bright, but tactful 

The hotel had a pool and gym downstairs. The gym is 24 hours and pool operates from 6am to 12pm.

I was unable to get pictures of pool because there were kids in it the 2 times, I went to go take pictures. It look awesome and plenty of places for people to lounge.

The hotel has a restaurant, Portland Prime. It is only open for Lunch and Dinner:

In the basement, there is a large dining room where breakfast is served and manger's reception held:

Also, downstairs is a game room with arcade type games:

 Overall, the hotel was a great place to stay. It had the comforts needed for a quick getaway and was located in walking distance. Also, for $5 we rode the trams all day long to various destinations, never having to wait long for the next one. The cherry on the top of this sundae, was the pull out couch, allowing all of us to have out own "bed"

If a mileage run has me in PDX again, Embassy Suites, here I come.

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I am going on a mattress run!!!

A few days ago, I called Hilton to confirm a few details about my stay in Tokyo. While on the phone, I got an interesting offer. The conversation went something like this:

Hilton Rep: I want to thank you for being a Gold member with us. How have you enjoyed your status?

Me: I have only used it once, but it was nice to get breakfast and a better room.

Hilton Rep: I see that your status is expiring in March 2013.

Me: I think that is correct.

Hilton Rep: Would you like the opportunity to keep it for 2013?

Me: That would be great, but I don't think I can hit the required stays by the end of month.

Hilton Rep: Well....can you complete 4 different stays with us in the next 90 days?

Me: Hmmm...I already have 1 book for Tokyo and a conference in February in Connecticut that is at a 

       Hilton. So, I need to stay 2 more times. I think I can do that. When would my status expire?

Hilton Rep: I you stay 4 more times in 90 days, your status would be renewed until March 2014. You would 

                  need to complete the normal requirements of 16 stays or 36 nights.

Me: Awesome. I accept the challenge. 

One thing you need to know about me is that I never turn down a challenge. So, I needed two additional stays in 90 days. I went back to work and an hour late, it hit me...Hilton is having an amazing 50% off sale...there has to be cheap hotel stays now (go here for the sale page). 

A quick search of hotels in Washington, DC turned up a $39 stay at the DCA Hilton and $45 stay at DCA Doubletree. For about $100 all-in, I will complete the two extra stays I need for my Gold status in 2013.

Before having status, I did not know what the big deal of having status was. Here is what Gold Status gets you at Hilton:

• Quick reservations and check-ins based on your room preferences
• Late check-out*
• Express check-out
• Spouse stays free**
• Complimentary access to fitness centers and health clubs†
• Two complimentary bottles of water per stay 

And....

MY WAY GOLD MEMBERSHIP HOTEL BENEFITS:††

Waldorf Astoria™ Hotels & Resorts

• Space-available upgrade to a preferred room
• 1,000 HHonors Bonus Points per stay or one in-room movie per stay

Conrad® Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton™

• Space-available upgrade to a preferred room
• 1,000 HHonors Bonus Points per stay or a complimentary continental breakfast for you and up to one additional guest registered to the same room each day of your stay

Embassy Suites Hotels™

• 500 HHonors Bonus Points per stay or two snack/refreshment choices per stay

Hilton Garden Inn™

• 750 HHonors Bonus Points per stay or a complimentary Hot Cooked-to-Order Breakfast for you and up to one additional guest registered to the same room each day of your stay

Hampton Inn™, Homewood Suites by Hilton™

• 250 HHonors Bonus Points per stay or choice of snack and bottled water

Home2 Suites by Hilton™

• 100 HHonors Bonus Points per stay or choice of snack and bottled water

Hilton Grand Vacations™

• 1,000 HHonors Bonus Points per stay

Gold Status won't get you an amazing value, but the ability to check-out late will help in Tokyo, because I have a 6pm flight. Also, the breakfast benefit is nice and will save me money.

So...next weekend, I am going on a mattress run. $100 for two nights towards status is to good to pass up.