I was surprised to find out the modern, orange-glinting, new Residence Inn at NW Ninth and Marshall was the first hotel in Portland’s bustling Pearl District. And I mean brand new—when I stayed a week at the property this summer, I was amongst the first guests, checking in just a couple of weeks post opening day. There’s something undeniably rewarding about sleeping at a brand new hotel—everything is shiny, staff are eager and there’s a palatable buzz around the property. Even Portland locals/Pearl District hipsters were keen to pop in and check it out.
The Residence Inn brand by Marriott is all designed around longer stays. Sure, you can rent your room overnight, but you’d probably miss out on taking advantage of your sparkling new (and quiet) guest room, full kitchen, grocery shopping concierge service, spacious bedroom suite, landscaped outdoor courtyard with fire pits and indoor pool and fitness center. I took full advantage of all the amenities—plus the fresh complimentary breakfast buffet and far too-convenient evening bar.
The six-story, 223-room hotel was designed by Portland architecture firm SERA and built sustainably towards LEED Silver certification. Lines are sleek, the feel is airy and bright and the colors—orange and stainless steel dominant—feel fresh and modern.
All this aside (and it’s a lot), the top draw for me was location. The street car and MAX rail are mere minutes by foot, the Willamette River is a couple of blocks over, Jamison Square is four minutes away and the Portland Art Museum is just under one mile from the hotel. And the food/drink/shopping scene in the Pearl? Omnipresent.
Well suited for both business travelers and families alike, it’s not a surprise to hear this property has become a gleaming highlight of the Residence Inn family—and no, it’s not just because of all the bright orange.
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