Canopy by Hilton Portland Pearl District

The location is great, and overall I had a solid stay at the Hilton Canopy Portland Pearl District. The valet costs $55 a night, but seemed worth it given the reports of break-ins at nearby lots and garages. The system was smooth: text ahead and your car is ready. Be sure to get a printed receipt at checkout, though. My invoice had several errors, and catching them after leaving would've been a headache. The hotel had a clean, modern feel and a nice vibe, with filtered water, an ice machine, and a microwave on every floor. My room was comfortable and modern, with a great bed, although the sheets seemed too small and kept coming untucked. I loved sitting in the chair by the window and watching the city. Check-in was easy. The front desk woman was friendly and full of useful information, and stayed professional and calm even though she was clearly busy. I'll review the on-site restaurant separately, since that experience wasn't great.

We needed an extra night at the last minute for our son's birthday trip to Portland. Wesley, the front desk manager, was incredibly kind. Our son walked into the room and found cookies and a card on the table, and his face lit up. The room was lovely, and we really appreciated all the lighting choices. Some lamps had amber bulbs, which made the space a 10/10 for us since we hate fluorescent light. A small touch, but it made a big difference. The hotel itself was quaint and well maintained, and the staff made the stay enjoyable. Downstairs at Vaux, the smoked salmon bagel at breakfast was surprisingly good, nicely toasted with a soft crunch and just the right toppings. They didn't skimp on the salmon. Our son loved his pancakes, and my husband's bacon and cheese omelette was decent, nothing mind-blowing but good for what it was. We didn't get the cafe staff's names, but the baristas, food runner, and chef were working hard to keep the area clean and get orders out. They were all kind, even with the morning rush. The location made it easy to get to downtown shops and places to eat. Powell's was a short walk. Valet parking is a little pricey, but if you don't mind a short walk, the SpotHero app can find garages with in-and-out privileges for a fraction of the cost. Thanks again, we appreciated the service.

The food is served quick-service style, and the pizza and beer are remarkably cheap. Both taste and value are well above average for Hilton food. The main drawback is the tiny menu: it's all appetizers, with no main courses.

The Pearl District isn't Portland's best neighborhood, but it balances lots of walkability with a peaceful feel. Most major chains like Hilton seem to be either here or downtown, and I'd choose the Pearl District without hesitation. Our room was a little dirty at check-in. When we mentioned it, the front desk asked what we wanted them to do instead of offering a solution, which made us feel like we were being a bother. Aside from that moment, the service was great for the rest of our stay.