Hey, party people! It’s that time of year again when we make resolutions to lay off the desserts or get back to the gym only so we can forget them by Jan. 15. Hey, if we didn’t, what would do for resolutions next year?

It’s also the time when a few hundred thousand New Yorkers with no sense decide “Hey, let’s go hang out at Times Square in the freezing cold.” Not me. I prefer a less Ryan Seacresty New Year’s here in Portland.

Right now the front runner is the Crystal Ballroom. Why? For the one and only El Debarge! (Think ’80s falsetto.) “All This Love”? “I Like It”? Come on. The year has got to get off to a good start when you ring it in with a bit of funky R&B.

Happy New Year,
Keith

Yo, peoples! OK, so you’ve been through most of your holiday shopping. You’re now a shopping bag tree and have covered more ground than Lewis and Clark. Time to put a Hotel deLuxe package on your list. Or maybe just treat yourself. Here are two:

1. Eat, Sleep and Shop
This overnighter includes a meal — and a martini — and a $50 gift certificate for that last person on your belated shopping list. I say spend it on yourself. No one needs to know.

2. Babes on Broadway
It’s ladies night… Enjoy an overnight stay (including me parking your car for free), a martini for you and a friend, complimentary gift wrapping and a foot treatment from Footbar in the Pearl ($40 gift certificate). And then we coffee you up the next morning to get you back out there.

Happy holidays,
Keith

Hey, Keith, and the rest of you would-be celebrants, don’t forget the party here at Hotel deLuxe. Sorry, I know this is bit of brazen self promotion here, but you have to have all the information to make the best choice for your New Year’s shenanigans.

So, here’s the deal. At the deLuxe we’ll have live music from the Ben Darwish Trio, who play a kind of funky piano-driven jazz that is just right for what ails you. There will also be hors’d oeuvres and the toast’s favorite companion, a bit of bubbly. All catered by our very own Gracie’s and Driftwood.

Then there are the party favors, a restorative midmorning brunch on the 1st and a 2 p.m. late checkout, just in case, you know, you were a little too enthusiastic saying goodbye to 2007.

Happy New Year,
Emily

Stop number three takes you to Pioneer Place, which is really upscale shopping Portland style. It couldn’t be more in the center of downtown (and within easy striking distance of no fewer than four Starbucks).

There are all kinds of stores in Pioneer Place, including familiar spots like Ann Taylor, Victoria’s Secret and Saks. But I want to direct you to two slightly less familiar places; Twist and Moonstruck Chocolates.

Twist is a unique gallery/store that offers a cool array of handmade functional art for your home. Think glassware, dishes, furniture and some incredible jewelry.

Moonstruck Chocolates offers works of art too but of the delectably edible variety. Truffles are always the right gift in my book.

Happy hunting,
Emily

Welcome to the hustle-bustle heart of holiday commerce. That’s right, ’tis the season to be shopping. So this week we’re all about where to go to wield your mighty credit card.

Stop one on your holiday shopping extravaganza has got to be Finnegan’s Toys. It’s the best toy store downtown (and barely a yo yo’s distance from Hotel deLuxe). It tends to focus on classics (Cooties, anyone?) and well-made educational items and games.

Make Powell’s Books stop number two. I know we’ve covered this ground before, but it’s a City of Books, for goodness sake. There’s something for everyone from your Harry Potterhead of a little sister to conspiracy-spouting Uncle Mort.

Check back tomorrow for stop number three…

Have fun,
Emily

Well, thank you kindly, Miss Emily. Like just about everyone else under, say, 40, I have a myspace page, so I’m used to this new-fangled technology stuff. There just isn’t any better way to get it all out there.

So for my first real “You haven’t seen Portland till you’ve seen…” posts, I’ve got to recommend my favorite pub in town. (It’s my second home!) It’s Horse Brass over in S.E. off of Belmont. It’s like spending the afternoon in England with 50 of your favorite beers, and English premier soccer on the big screen TV. Bloody brilliant.

Right now is actually a really good time to go because they’ve got a lot of seasonal winter beers on tap that you don’t get every day. Try Sleighjerker from Amnesia Brewing. It’ll put you in the holiday mood.

Cheers,
Keith

Welcome aboard, Keith. I meant to get in and introduce you, but things have been crazy at the front desk the last few days. I’m off my blogging schedule. Keith is actually too modest to say, but I’ve been trying for awhile to get him to post. He’s a very busy guy, as you’ll see.

Here are a few things he didn’t tell you:

1. He’s getting married this month. And they’re looking for an apartment and a Husky dog. That’s got Disney movie hijinks written all over it.
2. He very entrepreneurial. His plans run the gamut from a Philly-style hoagie shop to raising alpacas.
3. He dressed as something he called a “werebear” for Halloween.

And that’s just the beginning, right Keith?

Ciao,
Emily

Hey gang. Keith here for my first-ever Hotel deLuxe post. Thanks, Emily, for asking me to join the blog party. I’ve been reading it for awhile (even tried The Coburn in the Driftwood because of you…;-) Thumbs up on that by the way.) But it’s cool to be contributing.

Anyway, so who the bleep am I? Well, I’m your friendly neighborhood deLuxe bellman and valet. If you’ve visited us between now and about June 2006, you probably saw me. I got here pretty much right after the hotel reopened after the renovation.

I’m a native Pennsylvanian, but love living here in Portland. There is so much to do out here I had to start a list. I’ve checked some off, like skiing at Mt. Hood and hiking the Gorge, but it’s a long list. The blog will give me a reason to get busy. I’ll keep you, um, posted.

Talk to you later,
Keith

I have found my new favorite Portland restaurant. At least for this week. Hey, with as many choices as we have here it actually benefits you to be a little fickle…

Located on the park blocks in the Pearl, Park Kitchen is apparently quite a big deal with critics. I didn’t know that before I went. It was raining and my friend and I just stepped in for cover. Little did I know. A couple of days later, after blathering on to another friend about my dinner there, she sent me a link to a stellar review in the New York Times of all places.

So now I can enjoy a bit of self congratulation at having obviously superior tastes. And even though I’ve ruined the surprise for you, you don’t have to tell anyone you knew.

Enjoy,
Emily

The Portland Art Museum is on a roll. First was the spring/summer Rembrandt show, which was one of the best exhibits I’ve seen in Portland. If you missed it, that’s a bona fide shame.

And now we jump forward about 400 years for a show devoted to the portraits of painter/printmaker Chuck Close. If you don’t know Chuck Close, Google him. You’ll see what all the fuss is about.

The problem is his work tends to be huge, so you won’t get the full effect in a picture or on your computer. You really need to be in the same room with it. And now, for the first time in Portland, at least as far as I know, you can.

So don’t miss this opportunity to get up close *ha!* and personal with this great artist.

Till later,
Emily