Extended Stay America Premier Suites - Portland - North

I’d avoid this place. Ants were everywhere, and the sealant around the floors and cabinets was peeling up. We requested the kitchen package, but most of the items weren’t available. The outside of the doors showed signs of being pried open, and the locks and peephole were broken. The phone didn’t work either. There were even a couple of people putting salt along the doorway to keep the “demons” out. I wish I were exaggerating.

The hotel itself is nice, and the inside is kept very clean. The people there were respectful, and I think it’s sweet that they let a couple of people come in for hot coffee when it’s cold, as long as they don’t cause a ruckus. Outside is another story. It’s right in the middle of the biggest homeless encampment I’ve ever seen. There were orange needle caps and broken crack pipes in the “pet area,” and I wouldn’t let my dogs’ paws touch the ground there. The Chevron next door has security bars all over the building and doors. Going in, you’re sure to be asked for money or to buy drugs. The hotel is really nice, but they need to address the homeless people and drug paraphernalia littered outside.

A violent fight broke out the first night, a weapon was pulled on another guest, and police were called. The first floor seemed to house people living at the hotel nearly full time. It felt basically like a halfway house, surrounded by homeless people and drug addicts.

Police were there every day because homeless people were allowed to camp around and use drugs. Staff also let people park illegally in the handicap spot out front and in the striped space beside it, and employees parked in a nearby area that wasn’t a spot. We couldn’t get the pots and pans because they weren’t ready and clean. An older blonde woman on the night shift said she’d wash them quickly and call our room, but never did. We went to bed without dinner because of the hassle.