THE MARK SPENCER HOTEL, Portland

The Mark Spencer Hotel sits one minute's walk from the Pearl District and a two-minute walk from Powell's Books. Downtown restaurants-including Andina, Deschutes Brewery, Bamboo Sushi, QuickFish Poke Bar, and Clyde Common-are within 0.3-0.5 km. Whole Foods Grocery is a couple of blocks away. The MAX Red Line station (10th and Salmon) is less than five minutes on foot, providing direct airport access. A Portland streetcar stop, multiple bus lines, and free bicycle rentals are nearby. Portland Japanese Garden is 3 km away. The immediate area sees a visible homeless population, which some find unsettling-street parking is straightforward overnight, but vehicles left in the unsecured lot have reported break-ins.

Room options include: King Queen, Deluxe King, Deluxe King with Kitchenette, Deluxe Double Queen, Corner King Suite with separate bedroom and living room, and an interior room (no outside window, includes a complimentary continental breakfast, afternoon tea, cookies, and evening wine tasting). Most rooms have a private bathroom, pillow-top beds, 50" flat-screen TVs, iron, hairdryer, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Many units include full kitchenettes with stovetop, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, dishware, and cleaning supplies. Some rooms offer bathtubs (certain Queen, Deluxe King, Deluxe King with Kitchen, and Deluxe Double Queen). Corner King rooms have a separate bedroom with a door. No rooms have balconies. Windows do open. Noise can be a factor: road-facing rooms, proximity to the elevator, trams, and street activity are common sources; higher floors tend to be quieter. Interior rooms and some standard rooms are reported as basic and compact; corner suites are spacious. Some reviews report inconsistent cleanliness, including stained upholstery, mold in showers, and dusty surfaces. The property is older, with worn carpets and dated fixtures in certain units.

Breakfast is not included in the room rate. Room service is provided by Cheryl's on 12th, an American restaurant behind the hotel, delivering food to your room (weekdays 7 am-3 pm, weekends 8 am-4 pm). A daily complimentary wine tasting hour with cheese is held in the lobby from 5 pm-6 pm. A coffee house and snack bar are on site. The property does not have a breakfast buffet or a full restaurant, but the surrounding area offers many cafés and eateries within a short walk-including Stumptown Coffee, Grassa, and several breweries.

The hotel's only dedicated wellness facility is a 24-hour fitness centre. There is no swimming pool, spa, hot tub, or sauna. The rooftop garden is currently not accessible. For outdoor leisure, the Portland Japanese Garden (3 km) and the Pearl District's parks and shopping are easily reachable on foot or by tram.

Internet access is free across all areas. Parking costs $36 per day, first-come-first-served, with an underground garage (6'6" clearance) and an open lot. No airport shuttle. Pets allowed on request for $25+tax per pet per night, housed on the 1st or 2nd floor with pet bowls available. Luggage storage is offered before/after stay. Laundry facilities are coin-operated. No business centre; meeting/banquet facilities are available for an additional charge. Safety features include CCTV, key card access, safety deposit box, smoke alarms, and fire extinguishers. The property has an elevator and is wheelchair accessible (accessible parking, grab rails). Daily housekeeping is not automatic and must be requested at the front desk. No adjoining rooms.