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

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

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

Last year my friends at the Oregon College of Art and Craft gave me a bad time about not letting people know far enough in advance about their holiday sale. So…

So this year I’m giving the shout out nearly weeks early so people can empty their penny jars, liquefy their assets (what’s left after recent Wall Street goings-on) or harvest an organ. Whatever they need to do.

Seriously though, if you have any art-loving people in your circle of friends and family this is the best place to do your shopping. Some incredible student and alumni art is on offer. Or you can point those buying for you to the event.

It takes place at OCAC from Nov. 28-30. But my recommendation is to get there at 7 p.m. on the 28th when the doors open. Happy hunting.

See ya,
Emily

Ha! This month I beat Emily to mentioning the Hotel deLuxe movie for movie night! I told her I would. You’ve got to be on the ball with her, but this month I win. You owe me a mocha. Extra chocolate.

So November’s movie is called “Freedom State” and is directed by Cullen Hoback. It will show on Nov. 16, so you have some time to get ready for it. And tell me it doesn’t sound interesting. It’s a comedy about mental hospital patients who wake up and realize they’ve slept through the apocalypse. I know, right?

It’s a road movie. They get in their short bus and go out and try to find the edge of the world. Come on. What could be better? Combine that with food and drinks from Gracie’s and the Driftwood and you’re set. See details on our Movie Night page.

Later,
Keith

It’s like I’m the town crier with some of these but I wish the hotels I’ve visited in the past gave me some ideas about stuff to do when I was in town. A dusty rack with pamphlets for the local waterpark or wax museum doesn’t cut it.

Anyway, here’s something for Nov. 15.  I sort of hate to send people to Memorial Coliseum, because let’s face it, unless it’s a concert it’s sort of like a giant warehouse. But this is for the NW Food and Wine Festival. Sample enough of the latter and you don’t care where you are.

This year will include some 600 wines as well as about 50 restaurants. It’s a half-day deal so you should have plenty of time to graze and find your favorites. And word is that 50 percent of ticket sales goes to Portland Camp Fire USA.  I’m in.

Cheers,
Emily

I’m here to talk movies today. A week of movies. Though I guess I should say “films.” You’re not likely to see Ashton Kutcher or what’s her name from “Sex in the City” in these (she has too many names; I can never remember.).

This is the NW Film Center’s 35th Annual NW Film and Video Festival, which bills itself as a “showcase of new work by regional media artists.” This year, from Nov. 7-15, it will show 44 feature, short and documentary films made by people from Oregon, Washington, B.C., Montana and Idaho.

Everything is chosen by a panel that in the past has included names like Gus Van Sant, Matt Groening and Todd Haynes. Big hitters. So it should be a tad different than your multiplex fare. But too hip to serve popcorn? Let’s hope not.

See ya,
Emily

I’d heard about Multnomah Village, but I’d always thought, “Village? Isn’t that just a little precious?” But I’m here to tell you it is precious, and I mean that in a good way, not a grandmother’s hard-candy dish way.

The place is adorable. It’s about 10 minutes south of the city proper, but you’d think you were at the coast or on some delightful movie set. The little one-street burg has a great bookstore (Annie Bloom’s), a couple of fine restaurants (O’Conner’s, Thai Herbs), some boutique shops and a couple of great drinking establishments (Journeys, Sip D’Vine).

We’d gone to Journeys for a wine tasting and I can’t wait to go back to that great little place with the stellar wine and beer selection and really warm owners. So there’s my recommendation for the week, people. And now I just learned they have a First Friday, too?!

See ya,
Emily

I’ve got to give a shout out to the owners of the Indian food cart on Yamhill (or Morrison, I can’t remember). That place is just downright spectacularly awesome. It’s my favorite lunch spot around the hotel. It’s the only thing there next to the parking lot. It’s even got some covered seating.

It’s all vegetarian and the portions are absolutely huge. Seriously. I can get two meals out of one order. And they’re only like $5, $7 if you add a mango lassi which I’d highly recommend. Especially on a hot day.

So just go out the door of the Hotel deLuxe, turn left, walk down the street and turn right on Yamhill (or Morrison). Walk over the freeway and just a couple blocks on you’ll see it sitting on the corner. Just an old trailer. But don’t be fooled, it’s the bomb.

Later,
Keith