Public Fountains are common in Portland 1

The city of Portland, Oregon is the largest city in America's 33rd state, and has a great deal of history, things to see and do, and adventures to be had. In a city with such a rich and cultured past, it is worth every effort to find the right accommodations.

The WorldWeb.com Travel Guide Accommodation Directory provides all the information visitors need to choose the right place to stay in the City of Roses. In this directory visitors will find detailed information on many choices, from hotels and Bed & Breakfasts to Inns and hostels, with links to booking services and even interactive maps displaying the location of lodgings relative to restaurants and attractions.

Useful Accommodation Links for Portland, Oregon

ABOUT PORTLAND
Since Lewis and Clark arrived in the early 1800s, the city has grown substantially. With a population of just over two million by the bicentennial, the largest city in the state is also the 24th largest city in the country. Having been around for so long, Portland has seen many of the nation's highs and lows, and considerable development throughout the Pacific Northwest. Always innovative, its residents have played a prominent role in such diverse industries as lumber, shipping and technology.

Portland has a thriving artistic community, rooted in a common desire to keep the city beautiful and welcoming, giving rise to such world recognized events as the Annual Portland Rose Festival and Art of the Vine, a formal auction of valuable art and fine wines. This focus has also led to the creation of many impressive gardens which continue to draw the crowds, and give the city its nickname.

The city is also popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Portland boasts two major waterways leading to the Pacific Ocean (the Willamette River and the Columbia River), a growing number of parks and even a few extinct volcanic cinder cones such as Mt. Tabor, in a city park of the same name, Rocky Butte in James Wood Hill Park, and Powell Butte in Powell Butte Nature Park. It is also on the northern boundary of the Willamette Valley, a major wine producer and natural paradise.

Downtown
Downtown is perhaps the best location for visitors wanting to explore the city. Both sides of the Willamette River are full of many options, from big name franchises to independent retreats. The Paramount Hotel, for example, offers boutique accommodations with modern amenities. Economic savings are just as easily found in the downtown, with likes of Econo Lodge Convention Center and the Holiday Inn Downtown offering standard amenities and friendly service.

Lions Guard the Entry to Chinatown 2

Chinatown
Chinatown, one of the oldest sections of the city, is constantly growing, and moving. Chinatown is divided in two main sections, one in the northwest (framed by Broadway and Burnside), the other in the southwest (framed by Third Ave and Stark Street). The accommodations are more sparse, but the location is ideal, being close to major districts such as the Pearl, scenic journeys along the river, and important transportation hubs such as Union Station. It is also ripe with opportunity, from unique shopping at the Portland Saturday Market to historic sites such as the infamous Shanghai tunnels. Embassy Suites Downtown offers excellent accommodations with a range of affordable options, and the impressive Grand Heritage Avalon Hotel & Spa is well suited to the luxury vacation, offering the best in premium spa treatments

International Airport Area
The area surrounding the International Airport is an excellent consideration for both business and leisure travellers, as the location is close to the I-5 and I-205, running north and south, and the I-84 crossing the river and joining the east and west sides of the city. Found in the area are many popular, recognizable hotels such as Radisson Hotel Portland Airport and Ramada Inn Portland Airport, but there are also a few surprises, such as McMenamins Kennedy School hotel. This former schoolhouse now offers a variety of unexpected perks, such as movie theater and a brewery.

POPULAR ALTERNATIVES

In the lush Oregon landscape, camping can be an enjoyable alternative, even in the winter months. The forests are deep and seem never-ending, there are rivers and gorges to explore, and an abundance of opportunities to discover the local wildlife. Hundreds of different species hide amongst thousands of varieties of plant life. Around Portland, it is not unusual to encounter something new.

	The Clocktower at Union Station 3

GETTING AROUND

Visitors rarely encounter difficulties when exploring the city. All of the major accommodations, restaurants and attractions are easily accessible, or within a short drive from the major thoroughfares, and many have pleasant scenic surroundings. The Rose Manor Inn Portland, for example, is along the river south of downtown, which makes for wonderful leisure or business vacation opportunities.

Portland is known for efficient and reliable public transit, tracing its history back to a time when streetcars were a new and innovative experience. For visitors without vehicles (or those who prefer to not drive within the city), Portland's extensive transit system is often the best option.

Many buses and modern streetcars operate extensively throughout the city, with regular stops at or near the most popular attractions. The Max Light Rail system runs throughout the city and connects the core with Gresham, Beaverton, Hillsboro and the Portland Airport. Tickets are available at many places, from grocery stores to machines at the transit stations, and can even be purchased on line.

There are also many sources for vehicle rentals, and Portland can accommodate every preference, from fuel efficient economy cars to limousine rentals for those having a big night out.

There are also a few sports retailers that offer bicycle rentals, and Portland has many beautiful parks and pathways that make renting bicycles a fun option. Less expensive to rent and operate, cycling provides a healthy and convenient alternative and allows for those sudden, unexpected stops at any of the local attractions. As with most cities, standard rules of the road apply.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

River Fishing in Portland 4

Staying on the River
Visitors with a penchant for fishing will find Portland well suited to their interests. There are many package trips available that cover the region, and there are ample opportunities within the city along the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. Local sporting goods outfitters can provide up-to-date information on the best places and the best gear to use.

The Willamette River, which runs north and south, is a good source for a variety of Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout, Salmon and Steelhead. On the banks of the Willamette River, River Place Hotel offers luxury surroundings, state of the art amenities, and immediate access to the river south of downtown. A little further along the river, the Terwilliger Vista Bed & Breakfast brings a romantic B&B to the quiet south bend of the Willamette. To the other end, La Quinta Inn and Suites Northwest, north of downtown, presents interesting sporting opportunities, being close to where the Willamette and Columbia rivers meet.

The Columbia River in the north provides some of the best sport fishing in the area. Salmon, Steelhead, Sturgeon and Kokanee are popular catches here. Along the Columbia River, and also close to the international airport, some familiar hotels can be found. Holiday Inn Express Jantzen Beach Portland and Red Lion Hotel on the River Jantzen Beach Portland are close to excellent spots to cast, as well as the Jantzen Beach Super Center for those not interested in a day on the river. Independent hotels such as Rebecca House Bungalow Bed & Breakfast Portland are close to the mall and the river, yet are a little more isolated and well suited for a relaxing vacation.

PHOTOS COURTESY

1. Public Fountain
2. Chinatown
3. Clocktower at Union Station
4. River Fishing