Washington Plaza - Portland

This property offers a unique stay experience, distinguished by its fully equipped kitchenettes in each room, providing a home-away-from-home feel for guests. Its central location in downtown makes it an excellent choice for sightseers and couples looking to explore the city on foot, with many attractions, restaurants, and public transport options within easy reach. The spacious, apartment-style rooms are particularly well-suited for long-term stays and budget-conscious travelers seeking value and convenience. While guests appreciate the overall security of the building and the helpfulness of the staff, a recurring theme is the somewhat confusing off-site check-in process. To ensure a smooth arrival, guests should be aware that check-in occurs at a different hotel nearby, and be prepared for potential street noise, especially from early morning garbage collection.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests frequently highlight the convenience of the fully equipped kitchenettes found in each room, which include refrigerators, microwaves, stoves, ovens, and a range of dishes, pots, pans, and utensils, making it easy to prepare meals. This feature is a significant draw for those seeking self-catering options. The building also provides a laundry room for guest use, adding to the apartment-like convenience. While a fitness center is available, it is noted to be small and located in a separate building. Wi-Fi connectivity is provided, though some guests experienced intermittent issues. The elevator is described as older and occasionally unreliable, and the air conditioning units are typically portable, which some guests found to be noisy or less effective, with exhaust pipes taped to windows.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Feedback on cleanliness and room comfort is mixed, with some guests finding their rooms spotless and well-maintained, while others noted issues such as dust, random hairs, leftover items, or a persistent smoke smell. The rooms are generally described as spacious and apartment-like, featuring comfortable beds and quality linens that contribute to a restful sleep for many. However, some found the beds to be too soft or saggy. The bathrooms are frequently mentioned as being small with tiny showers and often experiencing low water pressure. Other common concerns include leaky sinks, mold in the shower, and a lack of sufficient counter space or outlets. Noise levels are a significant issue for many, with considerable street noise and very loud garbage collection in the early mornings, often exacerbated by older windows or the design of the portable air conditioning units.

Dining & Food Quality
The property does not offer complimentary breakfast, and guests should be aware that breakfast is available at an additional cost, which some found to be a point of confusion upon arrival. While there is a mention of free coffee being offered in the check-in building, some guests found its quality to be unsatisfactory, suggesting it might not be a highlight for coffee enthusiasts. Given the significant advantage of fully equipped kitchenettes in the rooms, many guests opt to prepare their own meals, utilizing the provided appliances and utensils. This feature is highly valued for those looking to save on dining expenses or who prefer the convenience of home-cooked food during their stay. Reviews do not extensively detail other on-site dining options or restaurant experiences, indicating that guests primarily utilize the in-room kitchen facilities or explore the numerous nearby eateries rather than relying on hotel-provided food services.

Location & Accessibility
The property boasts an excellent central location in downtown, making it highly walkable to a wide array of popular attractions, including cultural landmarks, shopping districts, and a vibrant selection of restaurants and bars. Guests appreciate its proximity to public transport options like the tram, light rail, and bus stops, providing convenient access to various parts of the city and the airport. While the building itself is noted for its security with gated entrances and key card access, some guests expressed concerns about the surrounding area, mentioning the presence of homeless individuals and open drug use on the streets, particularly at night. Parking is available but is frequently described as expensive, limited, and located off-site, often requiring a walk to and from the vehicle.

Staff & Service
The staff consistently receives high praise for being exceptionally friendly, helpful, and accommodating, significantly enhancing the guest experience. Guests frequently commend their willingness to assist with various requests, provide local recommendations, and address any issues that arise during the stay. The check-in process, while often described as confusing due to its off-site location at a different hotel, is generally handled efficiently by the staff, who are noted for their politeness and professionalism, guiding guests through the initial steps. Many guests highlight positive interactions, emphasizing the staff's efforts to ensure a comfortable stay, even when faced with operational quirks of the building. Their attentive and responsive approach contributes significantly to a positive guest experience, often making up for some of the property's older aspects and ensuring guests feel valued and supported.

Additional Information
A key piece of additional information for prospective guests is the unique check-in procedure, which requires guests to go to a separate hotel around the corner to obtain their keys before proceeding to the actual apartment building. This can be particularly inconvenient when arriving with luggage or in inclement weather, and some guests found the initial navigation confusing, especially at night, due to unlit keypads. The property operates more like an apartment building with hotel rooms, meaning there is no on-site front desk or direct staff presence within the building itself, which impacts immediate assistance or quick resolution of issues. Guests also noted the need for multiple key cards and codes to access the building and rooms, contributing to a sense of security but also occasional hassle, as these cards sometimes demagnetized or the keypads were old. This setup means guests should be prepared for a less traditional hotel experience.