Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland

The handsome red-brick and stone corner block now occupied by the Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland dates back to the late 19th century, when it was first opened as the Imperial Hotel (the old name can still be seen carved into the masonry above the Washington Street entrance). A polished steel sign and vintage theater-style bulbs mark the hotel's main entrance that leads into the lobby, an attractive and instantly inviting space characterized by homey lounge furnishings, funky plumbing, pipe light features, and reclaimed oak flooring. The lobby opens up to an atrium that soars upwards through eight floors to a glass ceiling. The hotel underwent a $12 million renovation in 2015, and brought into the Kimpton brand, with the entire building given an artsy and hip style, much of which revolves around the theme of wine. Still, it manages to be tasteful rather than kitschy. The hotel hosts a nightly hour for wine tasting featuring Oregon wines, often accompanied by live music from local bands or artists. The vibe is funky and stylish, appealing to a slightly younger fun-loving, wine-loving crowd looking for something a little different from the norm.

The hotel is is located right on Broadway overlooking a busy junction in a bustling part of Portland's downtown area, just two blocks from central Pioneer Square. It's also within a five- to 15-minute walk of Portland's popular Pearl District depending on the destination, and near plenty of bars and restaurants. The famous Powell's bookstore is only a five-minute walk from here, and there's upmarket shops in literally every direction. Portland's Waterfront Park is just 10 minutes' walk away, while further afield, Forest Park -- 5,000 acres of nature and hiking trails -- is less than a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Portland International Airport is around half an hour away by car or light-rail. 

The hotel has 117 rooms, each bearing the name of a local winery. There are a dizzying 17 different room types and almost 100 different layouts, so few rooms are the same. Decor, however, does tend to follow similar lines, with contemporary earth and wood tones, cork-based and street-style art, and industrial-chic touches. Butcher block desks, distressed-oak headboards, and lipstick-red couches complete the picture In-room tech includes iPod docks and 48-inch flat-screen TVs, and each room comes with a coffeemaker, a minibar, and a bottle of wine from the room's namesake winery. Yoga mats are also provided. The Garden Spa rooms open to terraces with hot tubs, while Loft Sky Rooms feature large windows with excellent views.  Bathrooms are clean and contemporary, and most have shower/tub combos, though some spa rooms have separate tubs and showers. Gilchrist & Soames brand toiletries are provided, and come in wall-mounted dispensers in most rooms. Half of the rooms have interior views, while the other half overlook either Washington Street or Broadway. There have been some complaints about noise on lower-floor, street-facing rooms. 

The hotel's eatery -- Pazzo Restaurant -- is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, cooking up what most guests agree is quality fare; the menu is Italian, with freshly made pasta accompanying grilled meats and seafood, plus an excellent wine list. Breakfast, however, is not included in the rate. Named after the Roman god of wine, the Bacchus Bar offers classic cocktails, craft beers, and local wines, as well as a game room with pool and small shuffle board. There's also a hosted wine hour every evening and local artists play live music three days a week. Guests also have free use of bikes, and there's a 24-hour fitness room with modern cardio and weight equipment available. Various meeting and event rooms are available, some with decor that continues to riff on the hotel's wine theme. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, though access requires signing up for a loyalty program. Parking is available for a fee.