The Hoxton Portland
There are so many things I miss about staying in hotels, especially staying in hotels by myself. I miss that first moment of walking into a hotel lobby, suitcase in tow, taking in the design and the atmosphere. I love being greeted at the front desk, hearing about all of the amenities and on site activities. I long for the feeling of anticipation in the moments before opening the door to my room, always taking pictures before getting too comfortable. I miss checking out the unique details, opening the curtains, and jumping onto the bed. I want to sit in a cozy hotel bed, room quiet as I read a good book or decide what’s next - where to eat or what to do. Man, I miss hotels.
There are likely no hotels in my near future. Which makes me extra thankful for this one last hotel stay. I had a work thing in Portland in early March, possibly the last week that something like this wouldn’t have been cancelled or moved to an online format. It started early Monday, so I drove up Sunday evening. Work trips like this give me the perfect opportunity to look for fun places to stay on a budget. The Hoxton Portland fit the bill exactly and was within walking distance of where my meeting occurred, allowing me to save money on parking.
What initially piqued my interest about The Hoxton was the room options. Divided into categories of Shoebox, Snug, Cosy, and Roomy, the smallest rooms were especially affordable given their location in downtown Portland. I could have probably gotten by with a Shoebox room, but the slightly larger bed of the Snug room was appealing - a queen size bed all to myself? Sign me up! As the name suggests, the room was quite small, but what it lacked in square footage, it made up for in style and substance. No detail was overlooked. There was even a small fridge with water and milk. And the bathroom was surprisingly spacious with a walk in shower. It was the perfect room for a one night stay.
One detail I enjoyed was the breakfast bags - I simply indicated my preferences on the bag before hanging it on the outside of my door and it was returned the following morning filled with a light breakfast. It wouldn’t be ideal for several days in a row, but I appreciated that most of it was easy to stash for a later snack if needed.
Although I didn’t get a chance to check out all of the onsite restaurants and bars during my short stay - I definitely want to return with Brandon to check out the unnamed basement bar that harkens back to Portland’s speakeasy days - I did grab a post dinner cocktail at the rooftop taqueria, Tope. The Tope Margarita was excellent and I enjoyed the design and vibe of the bar.
Speaking of dinner. Given that The Hoxton was located in Chinatown, I wanted to find some authentic Chinese cuisine. It’s not that Americanized Chinese food isn’t good, it’s just that actual Chinese food is so much better. And more complex and diverse. So when I have an opportunity to get the real deal, it’s worth the effort. My initial choice was Red Robe Tea House and Cafe, but they are closed on Sundays. Thankfully, my second choice was delicious and literally across the street from my hotel. Chen’s Good Taste had so many tempting options, but if you have to choose, go for the Super Bowl - a giant, head-sized bowl of deliciousness. Noodles in a flavorful broth, pork wontons, and both roasted duck and pork - this bowl had everything. It was the perfect meal for a cool evening. Or really anytime.
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Portland, I highly recommend The Hoxton. I will definitely be returning there with Brandon in the future.