Aloft by Marriott Portland Airport at Cascade Station

We used to stay here a lot when our boys were young and spent hours in the pool. It was fairly new then. We hadn’t been back in over 10 years, and it seems to have had a refresh. The lobby looks nice, the rooms are nice but not pristine, and the gym equipment is getting tired. The heater and AC aren’t silent, so keep that in mind if you need quiet. Still, it’s comfortable for a night or two and a good value compared with city prices, especially city parking rates. You do have to pay for parking through an app.

The staff were helpful and pleasant, and the room was modern, comfortable, efficient, and very nice. This Marriott seems to aim for a near-upscale stay while keeping some costs down with more basic amenities, like the usual coffee options. Dinner was nice, though my partner was unhappy to see a good-court-style prepackaged plastic tableware and napkin set. Parking costs extra; my partner put it on the bill, so I don’t know the price. Overall, I think it’s a good approach.

On my last day there was no water at all. Staff said I could get a bottle at the front desk for grooming or brushing my teeth, but there was no water for a shower or toilet either. I checked out after being told a manager would contact me and that an email with Bonvoy points was being sent. Neither happened. The bed was uncomfortable and had no blanket or cover; the room had no proper chairs, just a luggage rack area under the wall TV and a flimsy rolling desk chair. The fridge didn’t work, and after I asked for a replacement, staff installed another broken one. There was no room cleaning service. The staff were friendly enough, but the hotel’s poor quality overwhelmed that. This was my worst hotel stay. I’m very dissatisfied with the Aloft and can’t recommend it or imagine booking it again.

The room was small and nothing special, though being close to shops and restaurants was decent. I was there for a four-day business trip and checked in around 5 pm. The guy at the desk just looked at me without acknowledging me, then was neither polite nor friendly when he finally did. Customer service may not be for you, bud. There was no dresser for my pants and socks, and not enough hangers to make up for it. I wouldn’t recommend staying here.