True story: a buddy and I headed downtown last week to check out a new hot spot. We drove around for over 20 minutes, looking for parking (unwilling to pay a garage—hey, it was after 7pm, when parking is free!). We finally threw up our hands—not literally, I was driving—and headed back across the river. When did our little town grow up? I guess we’re in the big leagues now.

Now I think you can appreciate how great a sweet parking deal at the Hotel deLuxe really is. Sure, other hotels offer free parking occasionally, but this one is for weekend stays. Knowing that you’ll have a place to stow your wheels, and not shelling out a penny to do it, makes a weekend away stress-free. Isn’t that what you were hoping for?

See you around,

Brandon

Spring is in the air, and good deals are as well. This month is a perfect time to take advantage of a really cool thing we’ve got going on at Hotel deLuxe, and all you have to do is be our guest. That’s right, the Be Our Guest deal is a great way to live luxuriously, while saving some serious do-re-mi. We’ll give you our best available rate for two nights, and bonus: stay with us for free on your third night.

You’ll want to celebrate the deal you scored, and a trip to the swanky Driftwood Room will certainly do the trick. Indulging in a signature cocktail, like the Tiramisu (did I mention that this sweet treat has Godiva white chocolate liqueur?) is a must, in my opinion. Could a stay at the deLuxe get any sweeter?

See you around,

Brandon

Every place will be packed. But, you still want to take your honey out for Valentine’s Day, right? Well, this year, go that extra mile. Your girl will think you didn’t plan and you’re just heading downtown to roll the dice at finding a table somewhere, anywhere. But, instead of long lines and frustration, you pull up in front of the Hotel deLuxe.

You start with a signature cocktail in the Driftwood Room (the Hopeless Romantic seems a natural choice). Then step over to Gracie’s for dinner (because you’ve got that $100 credit included in your Valentine’s Day package). Now’s the real surprise: up to your swanky room, all decked out with roses, Pinot Noir, and Two Tarts Bakery double-chocolate chews. Throw in a $10 gift certificate to Cacao, and you’ve just won Guy of the Year honors. Or you could choose that wait-in-line-frustration option.

See you around,

Brandon

OK, maybe you’re an early bird, and are all over the Twitter phenomenon. There’s certainly some chirping going on that’s worth checking out.

From you to us:

hotel deluxe you are my kinda place! Two happy hours, decor = AMAZING and staff that is genius!

Enjoying a little staycation at the @Hotel_Deluxe

SO in love with this place!

Where I am staying in Portland? Hotel deLuxe: best hotel beds ever! Love it!

And from us to you:

What is your favorite Driftwood drink? Nominate it for the top 10 of ’10! on Yelp!

We are setting up a deal for when you check in on Facebook! We will let you know all about it once it’s live! #excited

Want to win a night with our sis @hotel_lucia? Follow @Provenancehotel & tweet with #10days10nights! Winner drawn randomly at 5p.

So, follow us and get into the swing of all things Twitter. You may even find a special deal there every once in awhile.

Coo,

Emily

The best wedding receptions I’ve been to have a few things in common: good food, yummy cocktails, and a beautiful space. But they’ve also had a couple of extras, which turn a great day into an event of a lifetime. For example, I love the slide show of the bride and groom through the years, and I LOVE it when the reception is at a hotel and we all get to stay. You may see where this is headed…

That’s right, folks. The Hotel deLuxe has got it all: a wonderful catering staff, top-notch bartenders, swanky surroundings, a full-size movie screen, and discounted room blocks for wedding guests. Don’t you want to nosh, tip a couple back, see Jack and Suzy’s grammar school pics way larger than life, and then finally cuddle into a plush Hotel deLuxe bed for the night? I do!

Ciao,

Emily

One of my buddies recently asked me to describe the deLuxe to him. Ordinarily, when you go somewhere day after day, you sort of stop seeing it. Not so with the deLuxe. I’m a guy (duh), but even I know it’s special. It’s just elegant. And classy. When I step into the lobby, I really do feel like I’m going back to an earlier era—cool, old Hollywood glamour days. Big mirrors, velvet, those great soft-focus, heavily-retouched black and white photos of Hollywood royalty—it transports you.

A lot of people stay at the same chain hotel, with a name they recognize, no matter where they go. Next time you travel to Portland, check the 2010 Conde Nast list of America’s 100 best hotels. When you see that the Hotel deLuxe has a well-earned spot, go ahead and make a reservation.

Cheers,

Brandon

It may finally be summer in the Pacific Northwest. Shhh… Don’t tell the weather gods. Just hurry on over to the Hotel deLuxe on Thursday nights–while the getting’s still good–to catch a rooftop flick.

The series, put on by the Northwest Film Center, features some great oldies, and weirdies, but goodies. August brings Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains, featuring the amazing and very young Diane Lane; Trafic (the Frenchy, not druggy, one); Son of Frankenstein (the inspiration for one of my faves, Young Frankenstein); and Stunt Rock (a strangely appealing precursor to This is Spinal Tap). Our very own Gracie’s Restaurant and Driftwood Room provide meals, snacks, and cocktails, with more potables provided by Bridgeport Brewing and TAZO Tea. So, grab a blanket or chair and head on down. I mean, up.

Thursday Nights through August

Ciao,

Emily

I’m always happy to be able to recommend a new restaurant within walking distance of the deLuxe. And for those of you locals who are still mourning the closing of the long-time gem, Taste of Bali, on SW Broadway, you may find some consolation with Taste of Jakarta.

It’s just a little hole-in-the-wall, on SW Jefferson and 12th. Still working things out (if you’re turned off by being served on paper plates, this joint is not for you), but reliably turning out very tasty authentic Indonesian fare. I had Mie Ayam Jamure, a sort of marinated chicken and mushroom concoction over noodles, and my mouth is watering in memory of it. They’ve got some great vegetarian and vegan choices, including Gulai—jackfruit—that was not sweet, but savory, and delicious. No alcohol on the menu, so start with a mojito at Cha Cha Cha next door. You can thank me later.

Ciao,

Emily

I’m not sure how many people know that we have the most awesome bartending team in Stumptown. Don’t take my word for it—ask around. Mike Robertson and Kat Hand are making a name for themselves and the Driftwood Room is reaching far beyond our little berg. I recently sat down and chatted with them to get the lowdown. I got enough recon from them to fill a hundred blog posts, so check back for more in this series.

First of all, Mike had just returned from a think tank trip to Seattle for top bartenders around the country. Apparently, the concensus among these in-the-know mixologists was that there are currently three spots in the U.S. known for their innovation when it comes to all things liquor: New York (natch), San Francisco (historically rebellious) and, wait for it, Portland, Oregon. Yep. Spend a couple of hours at the Driftwood, and make sure to ask Mike and Kat for their newest find. It’s a revelation.

Cheers,

Brandon

I’ve been working at the hotel for a while now, long enough to really know what’s what. It’s a great place to work, great coworkers, love the burger on Driftwood’s happy hour menu. But, I think it’s going to mean a lot more coming from, let’s say, more unbiased sources. I went to tripadvisor.com to check out what guests had to say.

First of all, they gave it an overall rating of four out of five stars. Not bad. Here are a few (unbiased) comments:

“I cannot say enough positive things about this hotel and their staff…This property combines classic Hollywood with modern amenities.”

“A super friendly staff greeted us when we arrived and offered plenty of suggestions on what to do and what to see in Portland. We took their recommendations and had a great time.”

“Everything in the room was wonderful; most importantly THE BED! Sooooo comfortable!”

So now it’s your turn to write your own review. But we’re pretty sure how that’s going to turn out.

Later,

Brandon