At $85 a night and the promise of the eccentricities that come with a McMeanmins property, I knew it was a educated crapshoot. The hotel is centrally located in a great area of Portland, and if you love live music, the Crystal Ballroom is just next door. That's the problem. You can hear the music way into the wee hours. In fact, you can hear EVERYTHING, from people in the halls to trucks backing up at 3 PM in the morning to the last set of a Grateful Dead tribute band. I guess the invitation to take the earplugs at the front desk should have been my first hint.
I had called ahead to ask a few questions about parking etc, and was a little surprised at the lack of "enthusiasm" I received from the person on the phone. However, upon my arrival and throughout the stay, the front desk folks perked up. Upon finding out I was in the werewolf room, I didn't know what to expect. I entered with mixed feelings as the decor was fashionable, comfortable and cool....I'd call it "safe funky." The lack of light, floor space, TV and closet was a bummer. Not to mention the bathroom, although I knew that going in. I figured I could handle the shared bath but that became a little tiresome.
In the end, I may just not be the right demographic for this hotel. I like what they've done with it, and honestly, if I was visiting Portland from another country, I'd be enchanted. I kind of just left the experience really tired from lack of sleep.
