My favorite Portland Hotel

I have stayed at the Fifth Avenue Suites, but prefer the Mark Spencer. Why?

Better TV: full cable lineup rather than limited hotel selection.

Full kitchens (and walking distance to Whole Foods).

Interesting guests - less corporate.

Great location - near where locals hang out, again, less corporate.

Free parking when you reserve through (---).

I disagree with the hostel comparison. The Mark Spencer provides traditional services and the NY Times at your door. My suite was clean, although not trendy. At fancy hotels, I feel like a guest; at the Mark Spencer, I feel more at home. Both valid experiences.

It's a fancy hostel

"The Mark Spencer" was nothing more then a fancy hostel!I have stayed at much nicer hotels at the same cost.Don't try to save a few bucks with this one, the rooms stink and it's a very loud location!

This hotel is a Portland gem

I've looked at some of the negative comments below and I wonder if we can be talking about the same hotel. This hotel has many loyal clients. If people mistake glitz for luxury they may not be satisfied, but this is a gracious older style hotel with friendly, competent staff. We've seen the same faces behind the desk year after year. Most, if not all, rooms have cooking facilities. The beds are excellent. Try the junior suites for comfort. There is an ample breakfast in the lobby and tea and cookies are set out there in the afternoon. The location could hardly be better. The Pearl District is very close. Powell's, the world's largest bookstore, is about a block away. Within reasonable walking distance are the downtown, the Classical Chinese Garden, two cathedrals, a major synagogue and many other points of interest. The new Portland Streetcar rolls right by the front door and easy connections can be made to the Max trolley line a few blocks away and all bus lines. (And Max will take you to the door of the Rose Garden as well as practically into the ticket lobby of Portland International Airport.)

Didn't love it.

My husband and I stayed at the Mark Spencer for one night only. We found the hotel staff to be extremely friendly and attentive, and the breakfast and afternoon tea were both good with nice presentation. However, we thought that our room smelled quite funny and that the chosen decor was awful. Just an opinion. The location is good, but I think next time we will find a different hotel in the area.

A great place to hang your hat!

The Mark Spencer is a great "botique hotel" located in the heart of downtown Portland. I will be back soon! The staff is friendly and VERY helpful. The room was clean and the hotel had a lot of character! A great bargin in downtown!

Great Location, good value.

I love the location of this hotel - only 1 block from Powell's books, which is one of the best things about Portland, 3 blocks from the Pearl District and about 4 of Portland's very short 200' blocks from the shopping district. I was able to park my car in a secure garage and the room was clean and spacious and came with a kitchenette. There's also a lovely roof deck to hang out on with a great view (no bar, just a nice patio). I was able to get a great rate (Canadian at par!) -- check the hotel's web site for good deals. Staff were friendly and accomodating. Only down side was that the wireless internet didn't work - but that may have been an issue with my Mac software. Instead they let me use their laptop in the lobby free of charge. Hotel provides both a continental breakfast and afternoon tea - very civilized.

Best Treatment by Staff here

Want a full kitchen with a full size refrigerator, oven and stove, try here. Also found this place extremely clean for an older place. The neighborhood is mixed, so if you find this distastefull, pass. However had no trouble for my wife and myself. Lots of resterants nearby and in walking distance. Right on 11th st were you can easily board the free city transportation system. Staff friendly, helpful, and much better than the Hilton Garden Inn I stayed at recently for much more $$$$.

Great Place!

I cannot say enough good things about this hotel. First of all I was greeted with very friendly and knowledgeable staff at an early checkin time on the busy 4th of July weekend. The lobby and common areas were all very nice and clean --- above average for a typical budget hotel. My room was exactly the same --- clean and efficient with updated furniture and a remodeled bath. Yes, the appliances were dated, but clean and in working order. The roof top patio is very convenient and has GREAT views of the city. Skip the continental breakfast and pick up so snacks at the Whole Foods market around the corner on Burnside (hotel directed me there actually). The location is perfect for all downtown, SW, NW, Pearl, districs. Train stop only 3 blocks away. Perfect place to stay on a budget and will definitely return to The Mark Spencer on my next visit to Portland.

Pass this one by

Made reservations for this hotel 1 month in advance (during slow season). Told that we would be having an early arrival and asked if early check-in would be a problem (was told it wasn't, especially that time of year).

We arrived: lobby smelled like urine, manager on duty was rude and nasty, would not allow tired family of three to check in. Left while other guest entered with a complaint about computer hook up not working. Went to Red Roof Inn, saved over $200.00 and had a great time.

Its all about location

The Marc Spencer is within very easy walking distance to some of Portland's best offerings..ie:Powell's Books, Old Town, The Pearl District, Chinatown, the always entertaining Saturday Market, and many great dining options as well. with the small kitchens you can even visit the delectable World Market and bring back goodies to warm up or prepare in your room. Keep in mind though that because of the location it is very noisy, and the Stark Street side of the hotel is very interesting to watch the activities outside there are two bars (one is 24 hours). So on the weekend nights there are lots of young people loitering along the block. Lots of pigeon chatter outside the windows, its an older hotel, so its not luxury by any means, but its a good price for the location. The staff was friendly, and there is a continental breakfast as an added bonus.