Miscelaney

Portland is indeed the cooler, younger sibling of Seattle. You know it, I know it, and they know it. As a whole, they seem to make better more strategic choices for urban growth and development. More thoughtful. More environmental. More authentic. I particularly love how they maintain the essence of the city by keeping the flavor of yesterday (architecture) integrated in with the modernness of today (commerce).

On this last visit, we had the good fortune of stumbling across one of the area’s newer, luxury boutique hotels, The Nines. Well, can’t even call it stumbling. More like the local universe shouting “is something wrong with your mind or something?? If you don’t go to The Nines, you don’t ever deserve to come back.” After asking several of the locals for a good place to spend the 4th of July downtown, every single response was to check out the rooftop lounge atop The Nines. Taking this subtle hint, we decided to take a peek.

It’s important to note that I’m not doing a hotel review here (‘cuz I didn’t actually stay there), but wow, let me just say what a cool space. Located above the landmark Meier & Frank building , it’s modern, artistic, hip, opulent and slightly romantic. All at the same time. And that’s just my impression from lobby-to-elevator-to-rooftop, where the ultra-modern, Asian-infused, cocktail lounge Departure is located. The food is amazing and the scratch cocktails divine, but the bottom line is definitely the views. And the outdoor, rooftop decks. Stunning. Absolutely stunning.

Really feels like SOHO or some other ultra-chic, metropolitan neighborhood. So SOHO-esque in fact, we had to sit and wonder where Seattle’s version was, particularly seeing as Seattle is supposed to be more metropolitan than Portland. And don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Seattle doesn’t have some great boutique hotels, but none that I know of with rooftop lounges and expansive outside decks. And rooftop decks that serve artful cocktails and culinary nibbles with a side of hip and an extra shot of design.

But back to Portland and The Nines. I’m doing you a solid here. Check out The Nines the next time you are in P-town. For a drink, a bite, a place to lay your head, or even for a quick elevator ride, you are going to be a more fulfilled person for it.