“Put a bird on it.” The design team at this downtown Portland hotel took that directive from a satirical Portlandia sketch very literally. The whimsically decorated and charmingly stylish boutique hotel pays homage to Oregon’s avian wildlife throughout its decor—but especially in the guestrooms’ wallpaper, which is covered in images of the kinds of birds guests will see outside their windows, including hummingbirds, black-bellied plovers, and sharp-tailed sandpipers. Colorful plaids and wingback chairs upholstered in tree-inspired fabrics are paired with duck-footed lamps to further evoke the woodsy, Pacific Northwest theme.
But, fortunately, just like Portlandia, the hotel doesn’t take itself too seriously. A Kimpton hotel, its service is top-notch but unpretentious, with the resident pup acting as the welcoming committee on weekends and tarot card readers popping in during happy hour. The popular restaurant is excellent and doesn’t try to be more than the classic, farm-to-table restaurant it is. This being Portland, there are more than 20 bikes to borrow, so guests can fit right in with the locals as they tool around town; just be sure to wear something bird-patterned.
