Lately, money has been tight for a lot of people. Maybe you’ve cut back on your daily lattes, or started cooking more meals at home. In some way or another, we’ve all been feeling the economic strain. But don’t we all deserve a little break? I know of a Portland hotel who is making it a lot easier to do just that by offering our modern luxury at a really great price.

This month, get 10% off your room when you reserve a pre-paid room at our best available offer. Want to relax for longer? The deal gets even better. If you choose to stay with us for two or more nights, we bump up the discount to 15% off our best available offer rooms. And hey, while you’re here, indulge in your much-missed latte and even enjoy a meal out at Gracie’s, our renowned restaurant that is situated right here in the hotel. You’ve earned it.

Ciao,

Emily

Wondering what to do for Valentine’s Day this year? Well, we have been busy taking reservations like crazy for our “My Chocolate Valentine” special hotel package, so get it while you still can. Along with your overnight accommodation, you’ll receive gourmet chocolates from the Two Tart Bakery and a bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir upon your arrival.

Intrigued? We’re including, in this fabulous evening, a gift certificate to Cacao for a before-dinner treat. That goes along with a food and drink voucher for our romantic restaurant, Gracie’s. If you want to cuddle up in one of our fantastic comfy beds (with our extra special pillow menu) and get in the mood with a romance, you can check out a movie at the front desk. We’ve got some great old classics to choose from, as well as some modern flicks. In the morning, head back to Gracie’s for complimentary mochas. Yum.

Ciao,

Emily

I always think that, after the excitement and chaos of the holidays, January can seem pretty dull. It’s a great time to travel, everyone’s gotten their ya-yas out flying in November in December, and it’s a perfect time to see Oregon.

If you have a business trip to Portland coming up, or even if you don’t, you should take advantage of the “three nights for the price of two” hotel special. You can spend a day tooling around the city one day— the world-famous Powell’s Books is just a quick stroll from the deLuxe, and there are great restaurants and boutiques in the same ‘hood—and then maybe head out for a cool hike in Forest Park the next day (it’s the country’s largest inner-city park, BTW). Spending a few days, and getting a third night free, is a great way to see a great city, if you ask me.

Have fun,

Brandon

Last month I mentioned how great the Driftwood Room Bar at the Hotel deLuxe is, so I figured I should tell you why. First, a little history: Our hotel was originally the Mallory Hotel, built in 1912, now listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. It was the kind of place that people in the know knew about. A little off the beaten track, but special.

The deLuxe wanted to keep that vibe, and the Driftwood Room is a perfect example. Tucked away in a quiet corner, you feel like you’ve discovered something a little bit secret. It’s cozy, comfortable, and sophisticated, all at the same time. The bartenders are true mixologists, always coming up with amazing new concoctions. And the Driftwood’s bar menu is one of the best around.

Here’s what I’d have… I’d start with a Caesar, followed by Smoked Roasted Chicken Chowder, with a Tiramisu Coffee for dessert. Now, that’s the way to spend a rainy Portland evening.

Ciao,
Emily

There used to be a place on Belmont. Sweetwater’s. It had this excellent Caribbean food. The food was interesting and delicious and the place was perfectly decorated. They existed for a few years and then just disappeared into restaurant oblivion. Which must be quite a busy place.

But there is a spot in Hillsdale, just a bit outside Portland, and it’s sort of the new Sweetwater’s for me. It’s a lot smaller and less urbany, but it reminds me of Sweetwater’s. Maybe it’s because I love to travel and the place is all about travel. It’s called Salvador Molly’s.

The point is it’s just a nice, comfortable place. Caribbean, Mexican, Cuban food. Cuba Libres and Mojitos. And when you order spicy, you get spicy. The have a “wall of flame” for those people willing to eat an entire order of their habanero poppers with habanero salsa. Don’t you want to be a member of the Great Ball of Fire family?

Ciao,
Emily

This is where I should probably just link to Keith’s previous post from last year. I wait for MusicFest NW. I don’t know how many times Keith and I have mentioned it in our posts. I should search to see. That and the Brewer’s Fest. The festival has just gotten better every year. The last couple of years I checked the lineup early and bought a handful of the CDs from the bands I hadn’t heard of, which I also did this year.

Among these acts I’d say I’m most eager to see The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. I really like the CD and it seems like a sound that would be great live. The same with Portual. The Man. But maybe the worst name for a band ever, or least since The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.

There are something like 18 venues participating this year. I don’t know if that’s the most but it just seems like an incredible number. How many other performance venues can there be in Portland?

For $60 you get a wristband that gets you into every show for three days at all those venues. It’s like a larger, real-life version of what you do on iTunes anyway.

Ciao,
Emily

How many 150th birthday parties have you been to? None. Well, here’s your chance. We’re having a big one going on at Hotel deLuxe. We’re not 150. It’s Oregon’s 150th. And in honor we’ve got a special offer, of course. That’s how we roll.

The details are that you get a limited-edition Pendleton wool blanket. (If you don’t know about Pendleton blankets, you don’t know about warm. A great combination of art and utility.) There are also two commemorative stainless steel water bottles and Friends of Trees will plant six native trees in your name. I don’t know if they’re in your name or bear your name. That part’s unclear. But it’s six trees either way.

Oh, and you also get a room, and unlimited in-and-out valet parking at our really cool, but not 150-year-old (but pretty historic), hotel.

Ciao,
Emily

As the name may suggest, it’s art, and it’s in the Pearl. How is it different from the plethora of other art festivals around town? Here’s how: First… OK, it’s really not that different, but art festivals are fun, and what’s wrong with that?

The thing that is so great about these events, in my opinion, is that there’s so much to see. I’m not much into carnival rides or petting zoos these days, so give me a little painting, a little sculpture, something new and a “why didn’t I think of that?” and I’m a happy woman.
The event takes place on Labor Day weekend in the Northwest Park Blocks: food, music, theater, hands-on activities for kids and adults in the Education Pavilion, and a whole lot of art. And what’s wrong with that?

Ciao,
Emily

It’s tough these days, when Portland is growing so quickly and attracting more visitors than ever, for any one hotel to be distinctive. I can honestly say, though, that having done a bit of traveling myself, I think our hotel is one of the most interesting you’re likely to find — even our meeting rooms.

Most of your bigger hotels provide spaces for big parties, events, and meetings. But, if you’ve ever spent a day in one, eating stale muffins and drinking weak coffee, or sitting through a slew of wedding toasts, I’ll bet you can’t remember anything unique or distinctive about them. Not so at the deLuxe.

The beautiful historic architecture and unique décor practically guarantee that. If you end up at a wedding, bar mitzvah, or even a dental conference here, you won’t soon forget it. And here’s a recommendation if you’re the planner and are searching for the right place for your event: Try our Screening Room. And no stale muffins.

Ciao,
Emily

We’ve been over this. This is hands-down my favorite event Portland has to offer. It’s the one that brings beer aficionados (and, OK, a lot of people who just love to drink beer, any beer) from around the world to Tom McCall Waterfront park every July (this year July 23-26). And, I’m not exaggerating. Last year I met guys from Chile, Germany (no surprise there) and Sweden.

This year again offers over 80 beers from all over the country, everything from lagers to stouts. There’s live music all four days, and booths featuring folks who make beer, grow beer-making plants, write about beer, and collect all things beer-related.

As always, the venue is chock-a-block with fantastic food vendors. Don’t forget to grab a little snack between beer samples. Somebody’s gotta drive…

Cheers,
Keith