OK, I’ll keep this brief because no one likes a braggart, but I have to congratulate my colleagues and our world’s best guests for helping put Hotel deLuxe on Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List for the Best Places to Stay in the World for the second time.

Anyone that has worked here or stayed with us knows we work hard to make the hotel a real one-of-a-kind spot. So when the rest of the world recognizes it, well, it just kind of puts another splash of gin in our martini.

So if you’ve been with us before, come on back and help celebrate. And if you’ve never been, what, do you have another one of the World’s Best Places to Stay on your agenda?

Ciao,
Emily

I’ve spent many a lazy spring and summer Saturday tasting, sniffing and winding my way through the farmers’ market over on the park blocks. This year, I’m going to head over to NoPo and check out their version. Never been.

The 2009 season kicked off on the first Sunday in May and continues until the end of September. You’ll find booths overflowing with local produce (much of it organic), flowers, plants, cheeses, wines, you name it. Stuff you might be surprised even grows in the Pacific Northwest.

The market is in the King neighborhood at NE 7th and Wygant, near NE Alberta. Which is conveniently located for breakfast at the Tin Shed…

Later,
Keith

I am so excited that my mom is coming to Hotel deLuxe for Mother’s Day; see if you can figure out why. I sent her an email asking her:

How would you like to come stay at the deLuxe on May 9, with a bottle of champagne and chocolate toffee (from the local fab shop, Cacao) waiting in your room? After you’ve settled in a bit, you’ll head to the Aveda Spa for a pedicure. Then you can sidle up to the bar in the Driftwood Room for something from the Happy Hour menu or later for a tasty Bar Menu dinner. The next morning, on Mother’s Day, meet me downstairs in the hotel at Gracie’s Restaurant for a great brunch.

Um, she said yes.

Ciao,
Emily

I’m not one of those guys who gets out to every event on the Portland waterfront, but throw in some great Mexican food, beer and music, and chances are you may spot me, lounging in my serape.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the five-day Cinco de Mayo Festival. It all begins Friday, May 1, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. There are way too many musicians to name, but there’s everything from pop star Graciela Beltrán to mariachi, along with dance performances from local high schools. If you’re going to see just one act, though, come for the amazing Ballet Folklórico — unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

And, if you get a chance, take a minute to Google the history of Cinco de Mayo. You just may be surprised to find that it’s actually not the day the margarita was invented.

¡Hasta la vista!
Keith