Portland Rock N Roll: Where to Stay

I started doing Rock N Roll races in 2009, and have since done several a year. The races are held in some of America's greatest cities, and in addition to taking in the sites and sounds of the city over 13.1 miles, I love experiencing the culture and character of the cities during my stay. 

Although I have spent quite a bit of time here, one of my favorite cities and places to run is Portland:

One thing I love about staying downtown Portland {and also a necessity when booking a hotel} is being able to park my car for the weekend, and walk & take public transportation everywhere.          And of course, being close walking distance to my all time favorite Starbucks is always a plus:

Here are my three favorite places to stay downtown:

 The Nines photographs courtesy of From Home To Roam

Perhaps my favorite hotel in Portland, The Nines is perfectly located for all of your downtown Portland needs.  Near shopping and the MAX light rail, kitty-corner to Pioneer Place and Nordstrom, and .5 miles from the start of the race. 

While staying at The Nines, make sure to enjoy a meal at their main restaurant, Urban Farmer.   In my opinion, they have the best breakfast in town. 

"Our menus reflect an emphasis on Northwest, sustainable ingredients and simple, straightforward preparations. We offer a range of beef options including grass-fed Oregon beef, pasture-raised, grain-finished beef, as well as corn-fed beef. Our beverage program extends the theme of local and sustainable with a 350-bottle wine list, beer selections from the Portland city limits and cocktails made with Oregon spirits. Focusing on sustainable practices, Urban Farmer creates a connection between the diner and our local farmers, ranchers, distillers and winemakers"

Located right on the waterfront, and just blocks from the start is the Riverplace Hotel:

Their pillow top beds are beyond amazing and their customer service is exceptional.  One of my favorite traditions of staying at the Riverplace, which I highly recommend, is ordering room service milk and cookies. Oh my! The cookies are warm and gooey, and make the perfect late night {or anytime} snack.  

The Westin, a boutique hotel, is located in the heart of downtown Portland {.6 miles from the start} with beautiful rooms, great views, comfy beds, and a huge bathroom with a "rain" shower {if you're all about a nice bathroom, this is the place to stay :) }

If you are not within walking distance, I highly recommend taking the Max light rail to start of the race...convenient and avoids the hassle of finding parking downtown. I use the PDX Bus app for schedules, etc. 

If you haven't already registered for the Portland Rock N Roll, use discount code "HOLLYROCKS" and save $10