Mark Spencer Hotel

Downtown is an excellent base, with plenty of restaurants and coffee shops within walking distance. I stayed three nights in a suite at Mark Spencer Hotel. The staff were very friendly and patiently answered my questions about extra blankets and breakfast cafes. The suite was spacious and clean when we arrived, and the classic movie pictures made the decor pretty cool. The bed was too soft for me. The air conditioner was awkward to control and aimed right at the bed, so it was noisy and blew air on you when running. Without it, the circulation was terrible. The garage card reader was another hassle: the driver has to get out, scan the room key to open the door, then get back in to drive down. Parking costs $36 per night.

The helpful check-in team and service staff were genuinely lovely. Free coffee and tea are available without limit in the lobby, and the evening regional wine tasting, with 5-6 pours, was a nice extra. The main drawback was noise. You could hear doors, conversations, and movement from the hall and neighboring rooms throughout the night, which made restful sleep difficult. The building shows wear, and my room didn't feel especially clean: there were visible stains on the floors and walls, and the bathroom seemed poorly maintained. The running water had a changed color, which made me a little uncomfortable using it. It's described as boutique and charming, but the age of the building and limited renovations weren't really my thing. A budget option in downtown Portland, though light sleepers should think twice.

The coffee is great and roasted right there, and the location puts you close to attractions and transportation. Our family, including two teens, had plenty of room and stayed comfortable. The rooms are spacious and have lots of amenities. A great stay for a reasonable price, and I'd recommend it.

The beds at Mark Spencer are the most comfortable I've ever slept in. Our room was large, with a handy little kitchenette, a TV in the sitting room and another in the bedroom, plus a huge walk-in shower. I'm trying to find an excuse to visit Portland again so I can stay here.