While we’re on the subject of weather, which I’m afraid will be a regular one around here for awhile, here’s another idea: the Planetarium at OMSI. I joined a girlfriend and her son there recently, and though it’s not especially warm and cozy in outer space, at least it’s not raining out there. If nothing else it reminds you that your problems with wet socks or rain-speckled glasses are pretty miniscule.

Though if you watch the “Cosmic Collisions” show as we did, you do get to enjoy narration by Robert Redford, which did actually warm me up a bit… *sigh*

See ya,

Emily

Well, fall has fallen. And it can land pretty heavily in Portland. Those of us who grew up here have developed techniques for managing the dark, soggy tunnel that is fall-winter. Some even take a certain delight in it. I’m not one of them.

If you’re like me, you need a bit of warming up this time of year. Here are some ideas:

1. Salsa dancing at Andrea’s Cha Cha

OK, I’ve only been there once. For a bachelorette party. But there’s nothing like a good rumba to your blood moving.

2. Dinner at Lemongrass

The dishes at this Thai restaurant are guaranteed to get you sweating. I say guaranteed because they have a spiciness scale of one to 20!

3. Massage at Portland Spa & Boutique

Come on, isn’t a massage the right thing no matter the weather?

Ta ta,

Emily

You like us, you really like us… At Hotel deLuxe we love it when we’re recognized for the work we do to make guests happy. But it definitely means the most when that recognition comes from guests themselves.

Last week we received a heaping two-scoop sundae of tasty accolades that really put a spring in our step. What’s especially cool is that one is local and the other national.

The first is The Driftwood Room was voted Best Hotel Bar by Citysearch. If you’ve been, or if you’re my Mom, you know why. If you haven’t, come on by for the Rat Pack ambiance, and stay for the first-rate mixology skills and delicious food.

The second is Hotel deLuxe was included in the Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Awards for 2007. We share the list with powerhouses like the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago, the Mandarin Oriental in New York and the Bel-Air in L.A. Not bad, eh?

Ta ta till later,

Emily

This is a posting directed to you native Portlanders out there. Lately, I’ve met a number of you who’ve come to stay at the hotel for a night in some cases, in others the whole weekend. To you I want to offer up a hearty “Bravo”!

Too often we miss the delights of our own hometown. We’re too busy. But just think, with the money you save on airfare, you can really live it up. Hotel deLuxe even offers a few different packages for guests. You could save on a meal at Gracie’s while you’re at it.

So rather than fight traffic out to the coast or spend another night watching reruns of “CSI: Miami,” why not get to know your downtown a little bit?

As one guest recently told me, “What’s the point of living in one of the most livable cities in the U.S. when we never get out and actually see it?” Good point.

See ya,

Emily

It’s Saturday night. What to do? You don’t want to go to a movie. You don’t feel like a bar. And one visit to karaoke a year is enough, and you did that last weekend. So?

Answer: ComedySportz. If you’ve ever watched “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” you’ve got the drift. It’s teams of crazy improvisers competing against each other in playing out wacky scenes and going against each other in hilarious challenges that you just have to see.

The results are nothing you’re going to see on a normal Saturday night (unless you go to different clubs than I do…). Plus, it’s all clean material, so it’s perfect for the family, too, which is nice (unless you go to the late night show, then they recommend 18+).

By the way, ComedySportz is right near some of the best Portland shopping and restaurants. Laughter’s good for the digestion.

Have fun,

Zach

Oh, hey! Emily, you didn’t mention my favorite package at Hotel deLuxe. It’s called Twisted Love. And we seriously have to be the only place that offers this kind of deal.

With this particular package you get champagne, massage oil and what we call an “intimacy kit”. You may not need a kit, but hey it can’t hurt. Who knows what you might find in there? But get this, it also comes with a game of Twister! No joke.

The fun part is deciding which order you’re going to unpack the package, let’s say. Champagne first? Or Twister first? Or maybe the massage oil and Twister at the same time? You can’t lose really. And it beats a complimentary newspaper any day.

Later,

Lance

I have to say, one of the cooler things we offer at Hotel deLuxe is the personalized iPod for your room. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that — what we call an amenity — anywhere else. A lot of people go positively mental when I tell them about it.

So what am I talking about it? What’s so blasted cool? Here’s how it works. Step 1: You check in. Step 2: I ask you if you want an iPod, pre-programmed with selections of your favorite musical genres. Step 3: You go positively mental.

Then all you do is plug it into the docking station found in every room, and voila!, you have your own radio, minus the ads, for your stay. To me that’s just cool, plain and simple.

Rock on,
Emily

I appreciate the advancements in transportation and dentistry, I’m not going to lie. But a visit to the Pittock Mansion might convince you there was an elegance to the 20^th century that we’ve lost.

Just up the hill a ways from Hotel deLuxe is the grand former home of Oregonian founder and general Oregon mover and shaker, Henry Pittock and his family. Built in 1914, the incredible house is now a museum, and gives you an up close look at the good life turn of the century style.

The place is an interesting mix of English, Turkish and French design, and is richly decorated and full of family artifacts. But the best thing about the house, and its grounds, which are worth exploring, may be the location: Pittock Mansion offers one of the best views of Portland you’ll find.

Cheerio,

Emily

I am a chef at heart so I love to cook and have been doing it since I was a kid. I think I mentioned before that I studied at the Western Culinary Institute. I learned a lot when I was there about how to prepare food and different approaches to cooking. And even though I don’t cook for a living, I love trying new stuff out at home.

I think there are a lot of closet chefs out there. So if you’re looking to learn something new, polish up some of those old maybe rusty skills or just want to plan a special meal for home, In Good Taste has different kinds of one-night classes every month you can take.

The list changes all the time, but can include everything from Indian curries (which looks interesting to me) to sushi. Anyway, can you think of another class where you get to eat your homework?

Later,

Zach

I’ve just run across a notice for something called Portland Open Studios 2007. I wanted to pass it on here because it sounds like such a fascinating event. Apparently, on Oct. 13-14 and again on Oct. 20-21, various Portland artists are inviting people into their studios.

Studio tours I’ve heard of, but I don’t know if I’ve heard of anyone organizing anything quite like this before. If so, I unfortunately missed it.

The deal is not only do they invite you in, the artists, which include painters, sculptors, potters, photographers, etc., will also talk about what they do, and how they do it. The materials, the tools, the techniques. I just love the idea.

So if you love art, either making it or just admiring it, it seems worth a visit. And kids are free. Nice.

Have fun,

Emily