First reviews:
PDX - Residence Inn Pearl District (Marriott chain):
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/pdxpd-residence-inn-portland-downtown-pearl-district/No photos. (This blog is not off to a great start)... I think all rooms are suites. The room itself was clean and nice with 3 sets of towels. There was a full kitchen with dishes, dishwasher, microwave, large fridge. Unless you are starving, skip the free breakfast unless you also have 10 kids each, in which case you will feel right at home in the cafeteria. The iced coffee was good.
Bathroom amenities: Paul Mitchell soap. Ok, used to be a good brand. The "facial soap" disintegrated if you used it to wash your hands and left a residue. There was still a decent lotion, but for shampoo/conditioner/shower gel, they've moved to some brand named "tea tree" and they were in the large wall dispensers. It wasn't awful, but I hate those eco-dispensers. The good part is I didn't see homeless folks right outside as in some places downtown. Not a scary neighborhood. I stayed on points, and so that was a good deal. (35,000 points Fri/Sat).
Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas (Marriott chain):
http://cosmopolitanlasvegas.comI've stayed here 3 times since December, and the terrace view rooms are great. This place is in the middle of the strip. The Boulevard Tower is closer to the good restaurants and to get outside. There's a Japanese soaking tub, and the room is set out like a suite with a living room area. Bring your own water or pay $10 a Fiji water when you are dehydrated. The best part was the restaurants in the hotel. There is an Alice in Wonderland theme in an understated way. There are a couple speakeasies, and the "food court" had the great PokPok wings. Beauty & Essex is also a hit. Jaleo prix fixe lunch
for $30 was delicious, but you must add the $5 "cone". Small but delicious. My favorite restaurant of all time was the "library" in Rose Rabbit Lie. The "secret" drink (Verbena) at the Chandelier Bar is also kind of cool.
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| The "Verbena" |
I've clubbed at Marquee and I really like it for a club scene. Everything costs $$$$, but if you are foodie and love entertainment, this is the place. Blue Ribbon had great food but the caviar accoutrements weren't as good (toast not blinis) The new "barbershop" had great service and drinks, but I wouldn't pay a cover (they ask men to pay cover).
The bathroom amenities are decent but not memorable, but no need to bring your own. Don't bring your kids here, this is not a kiddie resort. Con: Marriott Golds no longer get the nice VIP check-in area.
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| Drink and app at RRL |
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| The Study at Rose Rabbit Lie, remniscent of Chateau Marmont living room |
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| RRL take on beef wellington |
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| caviar taco app, and other apps at RRL |
Northern Quest Hotel and Casino (Spokane, WA):
https://www.northernquest.com/Great rooms. My dad apparently gambles enough that I get free rooms sometimes. These rooms are awesome. The showers are like a spa with three water nozzles. The rooms are clean. I've only gotten the "airport view" mostly but I doubt any rooms have a great view, so it doesn't matter. This place makes for a good stay-cation. There's a spa, so try to make time for that. Masselow's restaurant has a great breakfast/brunch to use your casino $$ on. The french press coffee setup and breads with 3 types of butter are out of this world. The cigar bar is kinda cool if that's your thing.
Next time I will take more pics!