Want to know what it feels like to stay in Sentinel Hotel? Scroll down to read more of my honest review when we stayed there during our Moms-only Trip!
This Sentinel Hotel Review was written by Disneyland travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links. It means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
I was lucky enough to get to go on a Moms-only trip to Portland, Oregon, in March. We try to get away once a year, and we chose Portland because it’s just 3 hours from our homes in the Seattle area.
We all have 3-year-olds, so it’s a comfortable distance. I started researching hotels immediately.
Since one of the moms in our group was super pregnant, we wanted to find somewhere centrally located (where we could walk to stuff) that also offered food options in case we ended up just hanging out at the hotel. And cleanliness was of the highest priority.
After much research and group input, we decided to try Sentinel Hotel. It is ideally located in the heart of downtown Portland, not far from the Pearl District and waterfront.
In 2014, Conde Nast Traveler ranked Sentinel Hotel the #1 Best Hotel in the PNW. Although Sentinel Hotel is a luxury hotel, the alternative spirit of Portland has permeated its walls.
Its extensive list of signature amenities includes a pillow menu, pet services, and locally made Salt & Straw gourmet ice cream. They even have a number of beehives on their rooftop, where BeeLocal produces artisanal, local honey.
Exploring the Amenities of Sentinel Hotel
Out of the three rooms we had, mine was the only one with this menu card in it. Usually, when I get into a hotel room, the first thing I do is look at the binder that has all the hotel information. I like to know what my options are.
It’s cool how streamlined this was, and it really got to the point. I also feel like we should have tried out the Pillow Menu and ordered from Salt & Straw. However, we spent a lot of time out exploring nearby attractions like the Portland Japanese Garden and Jake’s Grill.
Unique Discoveries and Hidden Gems
But it’s definitely worth noting that we found some special items in the mini bar area. In two-thirds of the rooms, there were “Love Kits” featuring personal massagers. This was the first time I’d seen something like that in a hotel mini-bar, and we thought it was hysterical!
Note: While unusual, it’s possible that some rooms had “Love Kits” in the mini bar area.
What’s Awesome About Sentinel Hotel:
- The lobby is gorgeous and offers complimentary Smith Teamaker iced tea and citrus water.
- The rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated.
- They offer make-up remover and bathrobes. I mean, does it get any better than that?
- Earplugs are available at the front desk.
- The beds have extra blankets and comforters, and they are super comfortable.
- They have free Wi-Fi in the room (and you don’t need to enter a password).
- Sentinel has an on-site restaurant and a full Starbucks, where they brew using the Clover machine.
- They also have a nightclub at the hotel. My friends went and said it was great to walk through and remember what it was like to be young and then feel grateful that we are no longer that young 🙂
- The location was ideal for us. It is easy to walk to shopping, a multitude of restaurants, and just steps away from the amazing Comma wine bar + nail salon.
Sentinel Hotel’s Not-So-Great Features:
- Their overnight private parking is $43. I found cheaper parking down the street, but it wasn’t clear if I could park overnight (thankfully, the valet service staff were super helpful.)
- They have a club downstairs, which can be heard throughout the hotel (if you don’t wear earplugs.)
- While the hotel itself was mostly quiet, the birds outside were not. My friend Lisa put it best, “I think someone gets up at 5:00 am every day to feed 7,000,000 birds across the street from the hotel.”
- No pay-per-view movies.
- The room felt a bit dark at night because there were only 2 lamps in the room.
- The glasses didn’t look very clean.
- Their Starbucks was supposed to serve beer, wine, and savory snacks from 4 p.m. on, but they said they were no longer doing that.
Note: It’s best to check with the hotel directly to confirm if the Starbucks location still offers beer, wine, and savory snacks in the evenings.
Nearby Attractions in Sentinel Hotel
Powell’s City of Books
Just a short walk from Sentinel Hotel, Powell’s City of Books is a must-visit for any book lover. This iconic bookstore covers an entire city block and offers an extensive collection of new and used books, making it one of the largest independent bookstores in the world.
Pioneer Courthouse Square
Known as Portland’s living room, Pioneer Courthouse Square is also within walking distance of Sentinel Hotel. It hosts various events throughout the year, from concerts to festivals, making it a vibrant spot to explore.
Lan Su Chinese Garden
Another nearby gem is the Lan Su Chinese Garden, a serene urban oasis in the heart of downtown Portland. This beautiful garden offers a peaceful retreat with its traditional Chinese architecture, lush greenery, and tranquil ponds.
Portland Art Museum
The Portland Art Museum is just a short distance from the Sentinel Hotel. It is home to a diverse collection of art spanning different cultures and eras, making it a great spot to immerse yourself in art and culture during your stay.
Sentinel Hotel Review Wrap-Up
Our Moms-only trip to downtown Portland was made memorable by our stay at the Sentinel Hotel. This historic hotel offered a blend of luxury and the quirky charm that Portland is known for.
The amenities were top-notch, including unique touches like a Pillow Menu and makeup remover in the rooms. While the gorgeous hotel lobby and comfortable rooms were highlights, the valet service and central location were also key.
However, the high cost of private parking and some minor inconveniences did slightly detract from the experience.
Sentinel Hotel 2024 Update
In 2024, the Sentinel Hotel continues to receive positive guest reviews, maintaining its reputation as a top choice in downtown Portland.
Guests appreciate the beautiful rooms, fitness center, and proximity to popular landmarks. However, some reviews mentioned that the hotel staff could improve, particularly the desk people at check-in.
The wine lounge and nearby Domaine Serene also continue to be popular with visitors. For more details, you can check the latest reviews online.
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That sounds like a great place to stay in the Portland area. If I ever make it out that way, I will keep this hotel in mind!
Sounds like a very hip place to stay if you like to party. That little reading nook is very interesting I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that in a hotel room before either .
Wow what a fabulous looking hotel! I will have to check this one out for sure.
It was really beautifully designed!
I’ve never been to Portland but I’d love to take my family there someday. I’m not sure a nightclub in the hotel would be good for a family trip but it sounds perfect for a girl’s weekend. Awesome review!
Portland is a fabulous place for families! They have a lot of cool accommodation options. This is a great location for families, but yes, the nightclub aspect might not be the best fit 🙂
What a fun weekend getaway for you and other moms! And this place looks fab with the amenities! The Starbucks sold me right there! haha!
I’ve never been to that area but the hotel does look nice! I like the decor and set up. The rooms do look a little dim but that could be helpful for sleeping in in the mornings.
The hotel looks like a great place and centrally located. Thank you for the honest pros and cons. I do not think I am going to be in Portland but if ever I am I will remember this.
If you ever head to the West Coast, Portland is seriously a fun stop!
Ah!! The hotel looks so comfortable. Home away from home indeed.
It was super comfy! And the bathroom was actually large enough to move around in!
Haha omg a love kit, a personal massager? That is awesome! I love that there were so many amenities like make up remover it sounds like they had thought of everything! x
We were all cracking up! I thought I’d seen a lot of variety in hotel amenities, but this was a first!
This looks like a lovely hotel! If I am ever out that way I will be sure to check it out. I am actually hoping to make a trip out west soon, so this is good to know.
Please come out west! If you do, let me know and I can give you some suggestions!
The parking is always a killer. It would have been nice to offer it less since you’re already staying in the hotel. It’s not like you’re there to just park your car. The distance is quite nice though.
I think it’s a lovely place to spend the weekend in but it’s not really a place to hang out in. Its location is perfect especially when you want to explore around the town and easily head back when you get tired. It’s not so bad, I just don’t like the idea of the noise and the expensive parking.
It sounds like you had a great time with your mom friends! It’s always nice to get away from all the chores and responsibilities even for a couple of days. This hotel isn’t that bad, I like the rooms! It would have been perfect if there wasn’t any noise at night.
I have always wanted to go to portland! It’s such a struggle to travel out west from TN! Flights are always so crazy expensive!
xx,
Lacey
http://theglittergospelblog.com
Oh that’s a long flight! And I bet quite pricey. That’s why we don’t really go to the East Coast. Crossing my fingers for good travel deals!
I have always wanted to go to Portland. I hope one day I can make it there! The hotel looks beautiful and cozy!
Portland is one of my favorite spots! The food is amazing and everything is so quirky!
I really love the food in Portland, too! The interior design of these rooms is super modern and cool.
Yes, they have so many eclectic restaurants!
What a cool hotel! Always love when a hotel offers free wi-fi too. I’ve never been to Portland but it’s on my bucket list. Pinning this for later.
Free wi-fi is a MUST!
I just took a trip to Austin and I like our hotel had the same bath and body goodies. They smelled so amazing I want to order full size for home.
I love how cozy and inviting this hotel looks! And definitely a bonus on the toiletries they provide!
It looks like a nice hotel. I like the decorations and the room set up too. Vacations are nice and I’d like to take more often. Love hotels and the history of them.
I love historic hotels, too!
My husband and I’ve been wanting to visit Portland for years now, but we haven’t had a chance to visit yet. I’ll have to keep this hotel in mind when we do. Great review!
You should check it out!
I love Portland! I used to live right next to it in Vancouver, WA. I’m always going back to visit. I’d love to check out this hotel! It looks super cute!
I have been thinking of moving to Portland. I think it’s such a cute city! These hotel looks so great, if I visit I will definitely be checking this hotel out.
It’s an awesome place!
This hotel looks really clean and comfortable. Those are things that I definitely look for when I am traveling away from home.
This hotel looks very neat. I am really enjoying your blog posts. I am inspired to travel more with my family!
This looks like a great place! We would love to visit Portland again. We had so much fun there.
I like the attention to detail and the decor in the rooms. I also really like the hidden seated areas, so cool! Thanks for sharing an honest review.
I think honesty is important when it comes to hotel reviews!