[trip style = urban]
The Ace Portland is a breed of its own with an eclectic mix of old and new, vintage and minimal, organic and man-made. With a well known coffee shop and trendy restaurant bear-hugging the lobby from either side, I could have sipped Stumptown's coffee and ate Clyde Common's deep-fried chick peas all weekend {not together}, but it occurred to me I should leave the urban compound more than once.
10 Things I Love About The Ace Portland
1/ claw-foot tub/shower
2/ pet-friendliness (my dog @mrnachoking had coffee with us in the lobby, enough said)
3/ original art painted onto the walls in the hotel and the deluxe rooms
4/ Clyde Common, the coolest hotel resto/bar in the city
5/ Stumptown Coffee, just off the lobby
6/ brown make-up removal wash cloth
7/ free wifi
8/ in-room turntables in case you want to play "hey Mr. Dj"
9/ huge sectional seating area in the deluxe rooms
10/ mini soap-on-a-rope {most hotels’ soaps are too big for a short stay}
Honorable Mention - Boxing-inspired grey sweatshirt robes {not shown above}
Related
Spotlight :: Portland
Portland :: Part Deux
[photos: @tripstyler & @nate_fri except Clyde Common]
There's something about grand, historical, city hotels that's so inviting and cozy in winter. This holiday season why not sneak away for a night, right in the centre of town? Park your car and walk to the city's best shopping and swanky restaurants. Rates from $129.
If melting away holiday stress in the warmth of the Caribbean sun is something that appeals to you, check out this new and stunning resort. Nestled into a hill overlooking the crystal ocean, a deluxe room with a plunge pool starts at $160. Wow! See you there! To access this offer, you must [
[trip style = staycation]
The newly restored and opened 
After a $1 million restoration, the grand-daddy of tikis, 
[trip style = active & adventure]
Take advantage of Whistler's La Nina (ie - a ton of snow) weather to ski by day and apres by night. One of my fave destinations at Whistler, the Chateau, caters to all ages in style. Details/Cost: Book by November 15th to save 40% on 4-night /3-day package and 3-day lift ticket. Starting from $499 per person per stay. Available on arrivals from November 26 - December 21, 2010. 
[trip style = glamping]
One of the closest and most luxurious glamping options near Vancouver, BC is just a ferry away! From now until March 31st 2011, The Rock Water is offering a 
[trip style = urban]
I experienced the Westin Bellevue last month with my husband and dog 
[trip style = sightseeing]
{We arrived in Venice via overnight train from Paris. This is my husband about to eat the breakfast they brought us on the train: packaged croissants, decent cappuccinos and orange juice. I was impressed by the coffees, and needed the caffeine boost given I didn't sleep so well on the rocking train.}
{After leaving the train, we took the public bus-like boat to our home away from home. Public transport boats are cheap and efficient. Although the gorgeous wood-paneled taxi boats with strapping lads/captains were alluring, the price was not: 75-100 euros one way. After a 15 min ride, we arrived at the 
{We heard the food in Venice was expensive and less flavourful than other parts of Italy--and it was--so we found a grocery store near our hotel to purchase a few essentials: prosecco, red wine in a box, white wine in a plastic bottle, water, cashews, cheese, crackers, choco cookies and strawberry-flavoured gummies.
{The Italian version of to-go coffee, drinking it at the bar.}
{Indulging in a local specialty, squid in ink sauce. My husband said it tasted like tomato sauce, but I did not verify that claim because I couldn't bring myself to sample this charcoal-coloured local dish.}
{This gorgeous hole in the wall, just off St. Mark's Square is rather famous. Harry's Bar is not only known for its bellinis, it's credited with INVENTING them, so, of course, we indulged, 30 euros later... Harry's is a must-see. This high-end bar and eatery is attended to by servers in white coats, the decor has a classy simple feel and the food is rumored to be very good--even for Venice. According to this month's InStyle, Vera Wang could eat a bowl of their spaghetti Bolognese every day.}
{Dining al fresco at a quiet restaurant beside an out of the way canal. As if the atmosphere wasn't already romantic enough, the sweet sounds of singing gondliers passing in the night always came at the right moment.}
{A Venetian garage}
{Drying laundry, Venice style}
{Garbage 
{Ambulance}