Hotel Review: The Porter Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton

Upon walking into my standard double guestroom at The Porter, a member of Hilton’s upscale Curio Collection and one of Portland, Ore.’s newest hotels, my eyes landed on the nightstand. 

A recent copy of Portland Monthly magazine stared back at me, its glossy cover featuring a heaping platter of seafood.

Although known to many as “The City of Roses,” Portland is — as its name implies — all about the water. A former timber seaport, the city is divided by the Willamette River, and the Oregon coast is just a 90-minute drive away.

So, yes, seafood is a thing here. And maybe it was that tantalizing magazine cover (or The Porter’s stellar bird’s-eye view of the Willamette River), but I was inspired to seek out the area’s freshest catches.

Luckily for me, I found some of the town’s best bivalves — plump, juicy mussels bathed in a garlicky lemon sauce and served with crusty bread — just nine flights below my guestroom in Terrane Italian Kitchen + Bar, The Porter’s on-site restaurant. 

During my two-night stay, I was continually wowed by the hotel’s other food and beverage venues, as well. Before dinner at Terrane, I meandered up to the Xport Bar & Lounge, a 16th-floor, rooftop space that serves happy hour with a side of sweeping river views. There was no better place to plan the remainder of my Portland adventure than perched on the outdoor patio at sunset, warmed by a firepit and soothed by a signature Violet Rays — a delicious cocktail made with Rose City vodka, Townshend’s White Rose liqueur, Caperitif fortified wine, lemon, honey and soda. 

Another gem on property (albeit for a completely different kind of beverage) is The Portland Exchange Grocer and Goods, a coffee shop-meets-grocery store combo where rose-flavored lattes are made in-house. Also available is the Chiosco Pizza Window for grab-and-go curbside service.

Similar to other members in Hilton’s Curio collection, The Porter pays homage to its location while providing an upscale accommodation experience. These properties mainly cater to clients seeking local discovery.

As such, the 297-room Porter, which opened in arts-centric downtown Portland in April 2018, has positioned itself in the heart of the city. Just steps away is Tom McCall Waterfront Park, and the property is also a short walk from Keller Auditorium, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland Art Museum and Providence Park.

If guests opt to enjoy The Porter’s social spaces, they will notice a modern lobby with contrasting dark hues and a hip, urban feel; my favorite fixture was the eye-catching, illuminated analog clock directly behind the reception desk. Directly adjacent is the hotel’s Library, complete with a unique book collection, wallpaper made from recycled newspapers and a business center.

The upstairs guestrooms also reflect the locale, with minibars featuring local food offerings. Room artwork ranges from regionally inspired images to maps and abstract works that outline the city’s history.

Guests of The Porter will also find an autographed in-room copy of “Portlandness – a Cultural Atlas,” which features 150 infographic maps detailing the “hidden stories of Portland” through cartography, from its many coffee shops and microbreweries to its street food carts and vegan hot spots.

With seafood checked off my list, I set off on my next quest: eating at the street carts. 

The Details
The Porter Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton
curiocollection3.hilton.com