The Mark Spencer Hotel - Portland's Hotel to the Arts

This is the 3rd time I've stay at the Mark Spencer. Whenever I visit Portland I consider it my home base. Great atmosphere (reminds me of Europe), the BEST location, staff is friendly and helpful...Thanks for all you do.

Once again we enjoyed our room immensely. A friends staying at a Marriott was envious of our spacious room, the kitchenette, the charm. the room assigned us was next to the elevator--we have had bad experiences in the past, in other hotels, so we asked for a room change. The clerk, Ben, was immediately helpful and considerate. I asked for and was promptly given coffeee filters for the coffee pat, thanks. The room we got was on the 11th Street side, a bit noisy, but a great room. I loved getting a Sat. NY Times.
Oh, okay, I guess we'll stay there again!

Quaint and well-located. *Posted: 26-Feb-08

The Mark Spencer has an old European feel. Parking, $16 a night, is difficult in the tiny underground garage, and our room was surprising small but cozy. The big advantage is location. Powell’s City of Books is a block away, and the place is surrounded by fabulous restaurants, great architecture and terrific shopping.

Good value in downtown Portland! Pricewise this hotel is the best buy in the downtown area. Even though the property is old it still is in good enough condition that one can overlook some of the rough edges. The service staff were pleasant, the morning complimentary breakfast nicely presented and the coffee hot and strong. Location-wise it is in the center of everything and only 5 minutes walk from the pearl district and right in front of the free streetcar line. For the money its one of the best options if your looking for a good rate in the city.

Superb downtown location!

Great location and breakfast! I enjoyed a specialty cereal made in Oregon, that they served each morning, very tasty! Tea time was a nice way to get some caffeine without spending more money. For the price, the rooms were a bit outdated and we could hear everything in the halls and next door. But they were clean...and that makes a difference!

I had a four day class to take for work, and wanted to bring my wife and baby with me. I chose this hotel because it had junior suites with kitchenettes for half of the price of anything in the core of downtown. Baby could sleep in the bedroom while my wife read or watched TV in the sitting room. Very nice for all of us! The location was WAY better than I expected. I mapped this to be about 12 blocks from class. Portland is very walkable, and you could fit three Portland city blocks into one Seattle city block. So don’t let the location on the map fool you. I was able to walk to class in 10 minutes or less. The hotel was very family friendly. We never felt like we weren’t welcome with our baby. The only thing I can say bad about the place is the room smelled funny. My wife bought some Fabreeze, and that made a world of difference. I think part of it is because the hotel is old (which is part of the charm), but I think people also cook some strange stuff in their rooms. One night a neighbor must have been pan frying fish. Thank you Fabreeze! The room was very clean, though. The carpets in the room must have been new. Hallway and elevator carpets were worn, but nothing so bad to make the place seem like a bad choice. Overall, I recommend this hotel, just bring your Fabreeze

Thanks for making our week long stay in Portland so comfortable, with my husband's dialysis needs the Jr Suite was perfect! Also the location and the kitchen facilities were so helpful and conducive to visitng with our Portland family. We were in 303 and the "pink" chair in the living room area with the lamp behind it reminded me of my Mom's house, so we felt really at home1 Thanks so much - the hotel, the ambiance, and the fodd were great.

Everything about this hotel was satisfactory or better. The staff was helpful, the room was comfortable and clean, and the hotel is in an excellent location for shopping, sightseeing, and use of public transportation.

This was a great hotel. It was right in the middle of everything, very convenient and nice. We will be staying there again.

You can’t beat the price and location of this great old hotel. In addition to the location, it is just a block away from access to the street car and several very good restruants, this means no rental car needed if doing business in downtown Portland.

The Mark Spencer is located in a great location in downtown Portland. Within walking distance of great restaurants, bars and attractions. And close to all major public transportation. The hotel staff was very friendly and helpful. The room was clean and tidy. The small kithcen was great. We did not use the stove, but having a fridge was convenient for keeping cold water in stock and for leftovers. The free continental breakfast was one of the better ones I’ve seen: croissants, muffins, hot and cold cereal, fresh fruit, coffee and oj. We really liked the Mark Spencer and will stay there again when we return!

Very comfortable and well appointed. Only thing I didn’t like was that our rooms looked out on a building with an ugly mural painted on it. Being so close to the other building made the rooms a bit dark and dreary. The staff told me all of the suites were on that side of the building. I would stay there again, but would get a room rather than a suite to hopefully have a view. (We were on the 4th floor - maybe suites on the top few floor were above the building next door?) The hotel was well located, the restaurant was terrific, and the service was excellent.

This hotel is really well situated for travelers who want to walk to tourist destinations in Downtown Portland. Lots of great restaurants within 2 block radius. Very comfortable bed, clean, even had a kitchenette! Not the best bathroom for women. Tiny shelf above tiny sink. Except for that, I would say this hotel is a very good value for the price. Staff were friendly and courteous.

An older hotel, but nicely maintained and with friendly, courteous and helpful staff. Lobby is small, but adjacent public areas can be used for relaxing and serve as the venue for the continental breakfast. Public use PC is nice also. And a NY Times delivered to your door each morning. Certainly a very nice haven in the Pearl district.

Only one block from the famous Powell’s Bookstore. Also, a nice P.F. Chang restaurant is within easy walking distance.

The hotel was a great place to stay.It’s in an area the is near a Jaegar and Volvo dealerships. The room and service was super. The comp. breakfast was good as well as the afternoon tea. My wife and I would stay there again. Thanks, Jim

The one thing that we did while we were there was to take a ride on a tricycle type vehicle with a canopy through downtown. That was great the drivers name was Joe very knowledgable about the different areas of Portland.

The NY Times newspaper was at my door when I woke up. Phone calls are 50cents. Continental breakfast has a variety of baked goods, as well as cold cereals and bananas and juice. It’s ample. There is a computer for your use on the table in the lobby. Staff behind the desk warm and helpful beyond the call of duty.

Unlike the city I’m from, Portland restaurants have Happy Hours that provide excellent food value. Drinks are the same price as in my town, but little plates are generally $1.50 to $3.00 and have great, creative food. You can happily make a meal of these.

Never have i stayed in such a wonderful, friendly, hands on hotel. well maintained, great rate, responsive and friendly staff, perfect location. and a kitchen! i'll certainly be back. you guys have hit this nail on the head. i was seeking a relaxing 5 day escape to portland and found just that. wow.

Thank you so much for a wonderful stay in Portland! We spent three nights at the Mark Spencer Hotel, and we think the overall experience was fabulous-- comfortable room, friendly staff, and perfect location, given that we stayed downtown without a car. We chose the Mark Spencer Hotel based on the recommendation by Elizabeth and Mark Morris in the Moon Handbook - Oregon: http://www.moon.com/catalog2/oregon.html. Great advice! Thanks again for a great stay in Portland.

Thanks for two great stays...excellent front desk staff....special kudos to Dave and Scott for helping with local information. Housekeeping was top notch and everyone was warm and friendly. As a former Ritz-Carlton Hotel Director of Catering....I was very impressed. Only glitch was that I left my bicycle at the desk for DHL pick-up, and second shift was not informed of the scheduled pick-up...so they turned the driver away....this is an opportunity for you to work out a SOP for package pick-up so it does not happen in the future. This was a minor incident, all was rectified. Many thanks.

�� *Posted: 18-Jul-07
So comfortable. The NY Times newspaper was at my door when I woke up. Phone calls are 50cents. Continental breakfast has a variety of baked goods, as well as cold cereals and bananas and juice. It’s ample. There is a computer for your use on the table in the lobby. Staff behind the desk warm and helpful beyond the call of duty.

As soon as I saw the New York Times at my door, I knew I had come to the right hotel. Thanks. Good breakfast, too.

I recently stayed at The Mark Spencer Hotel with my wife and son. We stayed overnight and enjoyed the hotel and the location, near to Powell's Books as well as the water and some interesting fountains. Quick excellent tourism.

I'm writing though to thank you profusely. I left my nice leather jacket in the hotel room closet. When I called two days later, it had been located rather than misplaced. And, today, it arrived in the mail.

It's nice to know that there are good people in the people business. We'll be sure to tell others of our excellent stay and good follow-up luck when asked about places to lodge in Portland. Thanks again

I really like the Mark Spencer. The staff is friendly, the rooms have everything you need, and the location is perfect (only one block from Powells!). Several times I have stayed for a week, to take advantage of the weekly rate. You also have a weekly rate for internet access, but you don't have a weekly rate for parking. At $16.00/day, it gets pretty expensive. In fact, I've checked into nearby parking lots and have found that the monthly rate is comparable to a week of the Mark Spencer's parking. Could you look into a weekly rate for parking? See you in September.

(Guets pay a maximum of ten days on weekly stays - monthly rates are made available for longer stays)

*Posted: 6-Jun-07
I stay here often when in Portland. Good location downtown - easy walking to restaurants and other sites. Nice continental breakfast. Staff is extremely helpful. Powell’s books within walking distance. So many great restaurants, it’s hard to choose. It’s so easy to walk around Portland’s downtown. You get exercise without realizing it.

*Posted: 5-Jun-07
The hotel and the rooms are a little dated. The furniture is 70’s style. However everything was neat and clean. The staff was helpful and friendly. Room price was very reasonable and having a small kitchen in the room helps cut down on food costs. I would put this hotel in the best value category for Portland.

My comments on our stay at the M S May 22 - May 25 2007: Location is everything and your hotel is there. The staff: house keeping were most obliging, the desk staff did everything to help our stay run smoothly - to cabs and information and the breakfast in the morning and tea in the afternoon was appreciated. This was our 2nd time at the M S and we will becoming again. We have also told all our friends of the great service. Thank you for making our stay a very good experience! Carol

I stayed at the Mark Spencer twice now. The rates are very competive,and the rooms are larger than expected. Both of the rooms I’ve stayed in have had kitchenettes, comlete with pots, pans, and utensels. The location is the best part. Right in downtown Portland one block from the streetcar.

This is an older hotel, but the rooms are very nice (certainly well-equipped) and the location is hard to beat. The Mark Spencer is a great place "home base" which to explore Portland. Bring breakfast (and lunch?) to eat in - our room had a kitchenette complete with small range and oven, dishes, a couple of pots and pans, toaster, etc. Step out the door, walk a couple of blocks and you’re at Powell’s Bookstore and the rest of the Pearl District. The trolley line runs right nearby, ready to take you anywhere in the city. Note that as a downtown hotel, there is some noise from the street and local nightlife - music and voices from clubs, cars, etc. Just a part of being in the city, right? We asked for a room on an upper floor, and we weren’t disturbed in the least. We’ll be back, and we recommend it highly! This place isn’t a secret anymore, so do reserve in advance.

Hotel staff were very helpful, courteous and professional. Continental breakfast was good. The steps to the reception desk are difficult with four pieces of luggage. The mini kitchen was outstanding. Location on the tram line and close to good restaurants were excellent features.

Just returned from a busy weekend trip to Portland, where we stayed overnight at the Mark Spencer hotel. Found the room to be very clean, relatively quiet [until 4:30 am., when our next-door neighbor decided to take a shower, with all the trimmings], and reasonably priced. We were treated well by the people at the front desk. A room was available at 3:30 pm., on the 3rd floor, overlooking Stark St.. Most of our visit to Portland was by foot, streetcar [very convenient, as it runs on 10th and 11th Avenues, on either side of the hotel], and bus. The Portland Big Deal pkg., was how we booked the room, along with tickets to the Portland Art Museum included. It cost $99 for the room, [double occupancy], $44 for the museum tickets and tax was $12.38. Happy with the stay, we returned home. A shock occurred when we checked our bank balance the next day. We had been charged an extra $25.00! Called to straighten it out, and the matter was resolved. Apparently, there is a sort of "incidentals" charge of $25 which is applied at check-in, which comes off when the bill is paid at check-out (if you haven't used things like the phone etc.) This was my only negative experience there. The afternoon tea, coffee and cookies were a welcome touch, and hit the spot. Breakfast was also fine, by me. The hotel staff were friendly, the lobby was pleasant, and worth another visit. Location is hard to beat, being central to the downtown area, the Pearl district, Cultural district, Old Town and Chinatown. And it is only 2 blocks from Powell's Bookstore! Great for travellers coming in by train, as we did. You can be car-free.

The Mark Spencer is a great value. It appears to be an old apartment building converted to a hotel. The rooms include a kitchen area (stove, refrigerator). The bathrooms are functional. If you are looking for the lap of luxury, this is not your hotel. If you are looking for the best value in downtown Portland plus a few surprise amenities (NY Times at your door, tea time from 4-6 pm), go for it. Best rates found under hotel specials on southwest.com.