"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe? Stepping off the busy downtown artery of Alder Street, into the Woodlark’s lush little geometric tiled lobby, you experience an immediate sense of peace and comfort, followed shortly thereafter by a sharp stab of envy—why can’t your living room be this nice? Flanked on one side by the hotel’s excellent restaurant, Bullard, and anchored by a glowing marble-topped craft coffee bar run by popular local roaster Good Coffee, it’s bright with natural light, tropical foliage, and fresh flower arrangements from local floral design studio Colibri, and stuffed with invitingly cushy leather and velvet sofas and armchairs positioned at just the right angles to do some serious people-watching, or working, whichever suits your mood. What's the backstory? The 150-room boutique hotel is actually a combination of two deeply historic downtown Portland buildings—the circa-1908 French Renaissance-style Cornelius Hotel, nicknamed the “House of Welcome” and renowned for its dynamic Ladies Reception Hall, and the 1912-born Woodlark Building, one of the city’s first skyscrapers and home to a thriving drug store and pharmacy beloved for its soda fountain. Well-known women artists’ work is prominently featured throughout the hotel—acclaimed twentieth century Portland photographer Imogen Cunningham’s work can be found hanging in the guestrooms (and inspires the vibrant botanical-print wallpaper as well), while the lobby walls showcase original pieces by self-taught Portland abstract painter Maja Dlugolecki. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book? If you’re feeling swanky, one of the Woodlark Suites is the way to go. Around 600 square feet, with a sumptuous living room decorated in tranquil greys and rich cobalt blues, luxurious Italian linens-wrapped king bed nestled into a glass-walled sleeping nook, generous bathroom sporting a free-standing soaking tub big enough for two, and spectacular corner views of the West Hills and downtown, this is the Portland pied-à-terre you’ve been dreaming of. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? High-speed Wi-fi is covered by the $20 daily guest amenities fee. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at? You won’t want for good food during your stay, starting with the outstanding onsite restaurant, Bullard, a convivial Tex-mex mecca helmed by Texas-born Top Chef finalist Doug Adams and his business partner, restaurateur and hospitality industry veteran Jennifer Quist—together, the two run the restaurant group Holler Hospitality. Quist’s keen design eye is particularly evident in Abigail Hall (named for pioneering local suffragette and writer Abigail Scott Duniway), the striking hotel bar secreted away at the end of the lobby hallway, where you can sip on a shakerful of martinis and take down one of the epic fancy sauce-slathered Abby’s Burgers, while wondering if the exquisite floral walls are hand-painted (they are, by prolific Portland-based artist Michael Paulus). The lobby coffee bar, Good Coffee, sells Adams’ kolaches, baked fresh every morning, to pair with your horchata latte. What type of travelers will you find here? You’re as likely to find boyfriend jeans and beanie-clad locals lounging around on the creamy leather sofas and tapping away on laptops at the window tables as you are out-of-towners, which trend hip, fun, and informed; sit in the lobby long enough and you’ll collect quite a cache of fashion trends, current affairs catch-ups, and travel tips. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene? The hotel sits square in the heart of downtown Portland, steps from the trendy West End area, home to high-end shopping arcade Union Way, indie boutique Frances May, Scandinavian treasure trove Woonwinkel, and noteworthy eateries and coffeehouses like James Beard-nominated chef Peter Cho’s Korean comfort food hotspot Toki, Berliner-focused Fills Donuts, and cheery Never Coffee Lab. Trundle around downtown and the nearby Pearl District, being sure to hit nearby landmarks like Powell’s City of Books and the Portland Art Museum, or hop the MAX train to Washington Park and do some soul-soothing forest bathing at the Portland Japanese Garden. Is there anything you'd change? Maybe you’re a fan of interior-facing rooms (i.e. the kind where your room’s windows look out at walls instead of skies, trees, sidewalks, or parking garages); if so, you’ll be fine if you get one here. Claustrophobic sorts and people/parking garage watchers, pay close attention to exactly what room you’re booking online, or ask the reservations agent to steer you towards a top floor room with wide-angle West Hills views. Any other hotel features worth noting? If you’ve been eyeing the flourishing lobby flora and fauna, wondering how one cultivates such a vividly green thumb, or are just missing your favorite philodendron back home, browse the Bedside Botanical Menu, which lets you borrow a companion plant for your room. And if you need to stash away a few souvenirs for the folks back home, the custom-wrapped, perfectly petite Portland-made Woodblock Chocolate bars in the Honor Bar will be well received. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? If you’re all about covetable design, lots of leafy natural beauty, top-notch dining and drinking within 20 paces of the elevator, a central downtown setting, and savoring a pint of locally-churned Salt & Straw ice cream after an in-room yoga session, look no further." - Jen Stevenson
