It's Monday and many of you have just gotten back from weekend getaways. We were stuck in rainy Seattle which had us reminiscing about a recent beautiful fall visit to Portland.

If there are travel plans to the Rose City in your future here are a few digs you might want to consider when it's time to rest your weary bones in this final installment of Seattle vs. Portland: Eat, Drink, Sleep.

Sleep

When it comes to resting our heads, Seattle and Portland share the same pillow - thanks to the Provenance Hotels.

If you have friends or family visiting Seattle (or if you just need a night away with your better half - without the kids), you may already be familiar with Hotel Max. Formerly the Vance Hotel, The Max set up shop in the heart of downtown - bringing with it a little rock & roll chic to the urban core. Lobbies and hallways are framed with rockers who have put the Pac Northwest on the map including the ubiquitous grunge icon Kurt Cobain.

Travel a few hours south to Portland and you'll find Hotel Max's brother and sister hotels welcoming you with open arms.

Across from the venerable Benson Hotel and a buskers's shout from the Marriot, Hotel Lucia is a welcomed retreat in the heart of the city. Entering the long, narrow entry you should feel right at home surrounded by art work from Northwest artists including the likes of Seattle-based Fay Jones. Continue down past the check-in and the noise of the city is a distant memory as the lobby in back opens up giving you a chance for a quick respite before heading back out to your next adventure.

Once you are up in the room, which are well appointed for their size, you should have everything you need to get a good (quiet) night's sleep. In fact, if you're looking for some soothing music to lull you to sleep only to discover you've left your Ipod at hone - not to worry. Just call down to the front desk and they'll hook you up with your very own replacement Ipod (well, at least until your stay is over).

If you're prone to waking up in the morning with a nice hot shower you'll find plenty to like with Hotel Lucia's expanded bathrooms. You'll find more than enough room to luxuriate and get yourself ready for another day on the town. Make sure and pad some time into your schedule for the trip down to the lobby. As with all Provenance Hotels, hallways are lined with photos that are always worth a look.

If you are looking for a little more space to spread out during your Portland visit then Hotel deLuxe should fit the bill. Commanding almost an entire city block - this 1920s renovated hotel hastens back to the golden age of filmmaking. Hollywood glam is the name of the game as you enter up the stairs into the grand lobby. Dedicated to the bygone era of iconic stars of the silver screen, the hallways are lined with more than 400 photographs from Hollywood films ranging from the 1930s to the 1950s. Our floor was a nod to the masters Frank Capra, Billy Wilder and George Cukor while other hallways entertained the likes of Gene Kelly, Judy Garland, Ginger Rogers, Frederico Fellini, Ingmar Bergman and the master of suspense himself Alfred Hitchcock.

The rooms at Hotel deLuxe feel as luxurious as the Hollywood royalty framing the walls. The king size bed (one of the most comfortable I've slept on in my travels) is not the only resting place in these spacious rooms. Mix yourself a cocktail from the deco inspired bar cart, kick off your shoes and stretch out on the full length sofa that beckons you from across the room.

If you travel with a lot of stuff (we don't, but I know you're out there) you'll find the large walk in closet has enough space to satisfy the inner hoarder in you. And if you are suddenly overwhelmed by all of the space and feel the need to thank a higher power (regardless of who he, or she may be) Hotel deLuxe has the hook up there as well. Whether you're a Buddhist, Taoist, Catholic or Scientologist you're simply one phone call away from wise and spiritual words delivered directly to your room.

If you're into sprits of a different sort, then head down stairs and belly up to the hotel bar - the Driftwood Lounge. You'll be so transported back in time that you would almost expect to see the likes of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall knocking a few back at the next table.

Enjoy

The comparison/debate between Portland and Seattle will unlikely subside anytime soon. But for me, life is too short to spend time arguing over which city bests the other. Together, Seattle and Portland offer an embarrassment of riches - and fortunately for those of us in the Pacific Northwest the two cities are so close that you can easily enjoy the best of both.

Filed in Food, Miscellaneous and tagged Hotel deLuxe, Hotel Lucia, Hotel Max, Portland, Seattle, Things to do, travel

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