Man, it’s cold out there these days. I moved to Oregon to get away from this weather! I apologize to all the guests I’ve given a cold handshake to lately. Not my fault.

But it has made the city even more beautiful than usual I got to admit. Especially the snow. Just love that buzzing sound when it’s so quiet.

The real point is I just want to echo what Emily said and offer my Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone. It’s been a total blast this year, and it’s been great getting a chance to meet so many of you. That’s one of the bonuses of my job. So have a happy one and stay warm.

Later,
Keith

I can’t quite believe it but it’s almost over!  Anyway, I just wanted to express a very warm and happy holidays to everyone from all of us here at Hotel deLuxe.

It’s been another great year and we have all of our guests to thank. So pretending I had a nice pinot from the Driftwood with me right now, I raise my glass to all our guests, my fellow employees and all our blog readers. Cheers, everyone.

And to all of you who’ve not yet made it to see us ― what are you waiting for?

See ya,
Emily

Where do we live anyway, Minnesota? What is it with this weather? Blizzards? I thought the globe was supposed to be warming. Anyway, if you’re like me and you’ve still got shopping to do, may I remind you about NW 23rd.

If you’ve stayed at Hotel deLuxe before you’ve no doubt wandered around NW 23rd, but I’d say it’s probably the best shopping in the city if you’re looking for a special, one-of-a-kind something.

It’s outside, but you can warm up in all the boutiques while you search for everything from shoes to accessories to lingerie to beauty items. OK, there are a few chain stores, too (Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Urban Outfitters).

I recommend some spicy Thai for lunch.

Stay warm,
Emily

This holiday, I want to ask where are the jazz shows? Does all Christmas music require a French horn? Where’s the soprano sax or the standing bass?

Here’s my recommendation, get yourself a couple of tix to Portland’s big-time Jazz Fest in February. This is up there with the Brewers’ Fest. If you dig jazz it’s the end all be all in Portland. This year has Terrence Blanchard, John Scofield, McCoy Tyner and Bobby Hutcherson, and others.

Hotel deLuxe is even offering a special Big Deal rate if you get tix. It includes a double room, free parking and a free continental breakfast for two.  Get your jazz on!

Later,
Keith

I want to make it as simple as possible for family and friends this Christmas. All I’m looking for is lift tickets. Easy. I don’t even care if it’s to Timberline or Meadows or whatever. I’m not picky.

If you just don’t feel like you could sleep if all you got me was a season pass to Meadows, then I could use the following items from the following locations. Again, trying to make it as simple as possible. No need to thank me. It’s my pleasure.

Snowboard bindings – Try REI at NW 14th and Johnson.
A new shell (with a hood) – Maybe Mountain Shop on NE Broadway
Oakley goggles – I’ve seen them at the US Outdoor Store on SW Broadway

Just let me know if you need any more ideas.

Later,
Keith

Christmas ships. And one more time, Christmas ships. Do you like your boats all done up for the holidays in lights like that fire hazard on your crazy neighbor’s house? Well, I’ve got just the flotilla for you.

Every holiday season for the last 53 years up to 60 boat owners get in the yuletide spirit by dreaming up some holiday decoration for their boat. And they can get pretty involved. And then the whole load of them parade down the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.

It can make a nice floor show if you’re sitting at a restaurant with a river view. But book your table now. The parade goes every night from Dec. 10 through Dec. 21. And it’s an all-volunteer effort, which fits with the season. Check their website for parade routes and times.

See ya,
Emily

Well I just have to give big props to the Holiday Ale Festival last week. It wasn’t looking like I was even going to get there. Had all kinds of crap go wrong that day, including my car breaking down. Right on the bridge!

But we persevered. And actually all the problems just made it that much sweeter. No pain, no gain. And if I hadn’t gone, I wouldn’t have discovered my new favorite local brewer, HUB Brewing, and that would’ve been criminal.

They had their Noggin’ Floggin’ Barleywine there, which was my favorite of the day. It was so good I tracked down the HUB brewpub. It’s over on 29th and SW Powell and is a totally kickback spot if you haven’t been there. Just a relaxing place with great beers (try the IPA too) and some good pizza.

Later,
Keith

I think I’d heard about these kazoo guys before but figured it was just kind of a one-time thing. But I guess they’re actually a band. Who knew? They call themselves the It’s a Kazoo Christmas Group. Hard not to love something like that. I’ve always said Christmas needed more kazoos.

If you’re as curious as I am about what the heck A Kazoo Christmas might sound like, they’re blowing it out at Bridgeport Village on Dec. 13 from 2-4 p.m. Word is you can even pick up your own kazoo for $5. Maybe they’ll let you join in the joyful noise.

Oh, and Emily tells me that Bridgeport Village, which is actually a few minutes south of the city, is a good outdoor mall. So there you go. You can do some Christmas shopping too.

Later,
Keith

Just ran across this post on OurPDX about our own Driftwood. Glad to hear you found it, Capricious. Welcome.

I don’t want to talk any smack about other hotel bars, but the rest are not places you’d go if they weren’t just an elevator ride from your bedroom. The Driftwood is a great bar, plain and simple.

We always have a few interesting beer selections but their real deal, like you said, is the cocktail. So if you like your booze stirred or shaken, you’ve got to drop in. I’ll have to try the Vesper. I love the Coburn, which is first rate.

And thanks for telling people about the “Bartender’s Call.” I don’t think we’ve even mentioned it here. It’s a great way to find new things to try. I’m going to do it next time myself.

Cheers,
Keith

As holiday traditions go in Portland this one has to compete for one of the top spots. They’ve been doing the Singing Christmas Tree for-ev-er. (I just looked it up and this year will be the 46th annual.)

We used to go when I was a kid because my uncle was in the group and we always got free tickets. Or that’s how I remember it. I just recall that as a kid it seemed so huge and … glamorous.

We stopped going awhile back, I don’t really remember why. The free tickets probably stopped. But every year I think, “I should go this year.” I’ve said it again this year. If you’ve never been, it really is a spectacle worth seeing at least once.

It runs till Dec. 6 at the Keller.

See ya,
Emily