The Governor Hotel

The finest accommodations we have enjoyed in several years. Upon arrival we were whisked to the reservation desk and in less than five minutes were sitting comfortably in our room. The view was magnificent and the room spotless. There is nothing you could possibly desire that the hotel staff were unable to provide, and do so with a friendly smile and create a feeling that you request is of absolute importance. There are several small quaint eateries close by with every possible food type known to exist. Those we frequented were absolutely wonderful. Access to transportation is fantastic. The street car is directly out the front door and the "metro" train one block away. These rides are free within "Freedom Square" (the majority of everything within a 20 to 30 blocks in every direction). Of course the helpfulness of the people of Portland cannot be overlooked...anytime we had a question or a request for directions they were ready and able to offer friendly advice. The Hotel will also arrange for a rental car, provide brochures for tours (and recommend some of the best spots to visit), and do anything to make your stay memorable. We have visited 20 major cities in the past five or so years and normally choose Hilton, Marriott or such...yet our stay at The Governor has by far been the most memorable. I cannot think of a more enjoyable vacation visit than here. Give yourself a gift, stay a few days at The Governor...you'll love it!

Pros: Access to transportation, staff friendliness and helpfulness, value.

Posted 10/08/08

Well, when people ask how my trip to Portland was? I must reply? it was great once we got to the right hotel.
Several years ago we took advantage of a big deal package at the Governor?s Hotel, it was very pleasant, a nice room with a fireplace, the steam room and pool. So I planned, a couple of months ahead, a get away for my husband?s birthday. When I first looked at the big deal, I did not see any rooms available, so I went to the Governor?s Hotel website and made reservations for the Winter Warmer. A couple of weeks later, I got an email ?s that talked about Portland?s Big Deal, so I checked The Governors Hotel, and they were now available- having such a nice time last time, I called and asked if they were the same deal, but the big deal being just bit less expensive- Oh, yes, they are the same. I commented that I wanted a fireplace room like last time- oh yes that should not be a problem. So I cancelled my winter warmer reservation and made a reservation on the big deal and made a note in the note box- fireplace.
When we arrived our room was on the 2nd floor and about the size of a closet. The hallway was full of restaurant noise, and the ?view? as the desk person called it was of a very dirty and ugly center courtyard. We went down to the desk and complained and told of our last experience and expectations. The gal at the desk told us that rooms were assigned that morning- I do find it interesting that people making reservations over a month in advance get the smallest, noisiest room- I guess it does not pay to plan ahead.

So I called another hotel that came to our rescue and treated us with the greatest of care. I now paid for parking, and paid for a more for a room- both items that I had not planned on- I would have taken the train rather than pay for downtown parking.

As a reply to this note i was told that i was lucky not to have been charged for the same day cancellation.

Posted 03/10/08

My husband and I booked a Jr. Suite in this historic Portland landmark for my 50 BD 2 months in advance. When we called to confirm reservations (the day of arrival) they said they gave us a "complimentry king room upgrade". The "complimentry room upgrade" was anything but that, no fireplace and only a bed not a suite! They tried to put us in a lesser grade room because suposedly another couple decided to stay an extra night and they gave them our reserved room. I've never heard of this of policy, if another person decided to stay another night spur of the moment they should have be given the lesser of the 2 rooms, not someone that booked so far in advance. When asked to speak to a manager, she eventually tried to make up for it by putting us in a Parlor suite. Although, I believe it was worst of all the suites they had. Our view was the roof with the sound of the ventalation system running all night, the room had no way to play music (CD's) yet we were told our clock radio had AM/FM (not!). I guess they tried to make up for it by putting balloons in the room but still I was disappointed we didn't get to stay in the Jr. Suite as planned and reserved. At this point I don't know if I'd stay there again, I'm not the first reviewer that had an "over-booking fiasco". They need to parctice what they preach and stick to the reservations each and every person commits to with that "credit card garantee" otherwise why even bother with any "garantee" from either side.

Pros: Location and Lobby

Cons: Advance reservations mean nothing. They overbook rooms frequently just to keep hotel full

Posted 04/22/07

I must say this is a very nice hotel. It has a very historic feel to it without it being creepy, just elegant. I stayed in the Penthouse Terrace Suite with my girlfriend and it was very memorable and romantic. And don't let the word penthouse and suite scare you. It was a very good value, only $280 which is a steal in any big city for this caliber of hotel. It was on the highest floor in a newly renovated west wing. The room was beautiful, the views amazing, and very comfortable. What really surprised me during my stay was that when I was walking through the lobby a day after I checked in the bellman still knew my name. This is a wonderful place to stay as I felt I was very welcome. Plus it's only a few blocks from all the major shopping and sight seeing in Portland. This hotel made me love Portland even more than before.

Pros: Great Location, Staff and Value....

Cons: It rains to much in Portland!

Posted 03/22/07

We stayed here for 1 night in October 2006. We arrived at 4pm (check-in is at 3pm) and had to wait 45 minutes to get a room. Normally, it wouldn't have been such a pain, however we had to meet some people within the hour. The hotel was nice, room and parking came to $200 for one night (seemed a little high). Overall, I would recommend once they clean up the check-in process.

Pros: Pretty hotel, good resturants

Cons: check-in wait time

Posted 10/30/06

Great staff, really nice customer service. I really felt like I was being taken care of. I got a a penthouse suite for a regular room rate one night. Beautiful balcony views, great jacuzzi tub. My fireplace wasnt working so they sent up a bottle of wine! Great bar downstairs-Jake's grill, they have an excellent happy hour.

Pros: Great location to downtown bars

Posted 10/29/06

I came to Portland for a quick un-planned business trip and was greeted by friendly and helpful valets. Check-in was great, they even offered to have my car waiting for me in the morning, without asking. The room was super, charming but modern. Great reception area in the lobby with free internet, double-sided fireplace and Starbuck's 30 feet away. What's not to like.

Pros: Friendly, Clean, Professional

Cons: Portland airport

Posted 01/03/06

I was the maid of honor in a wedding and I needed to get into the room early, to do all of the usual preparations. Needless to say, I was able to get into the room and get my 4 dozen rose petals on the floor. I even had some left over and the front desk lady, offered to arrange them for me because she was a florist as well.
I was very thankful to the Govenor for helping me make the bride and groom's night more special.

Posted 07/13/05

Having enjoyed the Governor in the past (very nice skylight rooms on the next-to-top floor of the old building), my wife and I booked a special room for our anniversary -- a large view room with a jacuzzi. I can't tell you how the room was, because when we arrived we were informed that they had overbooked it. We ended up in a very ordinary, very small room, which was all that was available. Since we made a reservation for a very specific room, I fail to understand how the hotel couldn't have known that there was more than one reservation for it. They did give us a coupon for a free breakfast (a $25 value -- woohoo!) but the weekend was a big, big disappointment.

Pros: Fancy rooms are nice

Cons: Regular rooms are OK, Reservation problems

Posted 05/17/05

My husband and I bought the romance package for our anniversary. Unfortunately, no one told us that the hotel was under construction. What we thought was going to be a romantic night turned out to be a big disappointment. The staff treated us as if we were staying at a Motel 6. Our waitress spent the night complaining how badly she wanted to be at home with her daughter. The Governor was o.k., but if you are looking for somewhere special I would try somewhere else.

Pros: great food

Cons: bad service, under construction

Posted 03/06/05

This is a wonderful hotel and we would recommend it highly to anyone staying in Portland. Beautifully appointed lobby and rooms, friendly professional staff, comfortable and cozy - from the fireplace in the lobby to the private balcony and view of the City.

Pros: Stylish & classic, Friendly staff, Perfect!

Posted 10/27/02

My girlfriend and I stayed here for our first big anniverseary and it was perfect, from the in room fireplace to the cozyness of the room. The staff was polite curteous and very helpful. When ever you feel right really treating someone, a night here will definately do the trick.

Posted 09/04/02

I have stayed at The Governor on several occasions. I always get at least what I paid and usually more. The staff is always helpful, the rooms are comfortable and the price is reasonable. The late night menu at Jake's is a huge bonus as well.

Pros: Nice rooms, Great staff, Fair price

Cons: Parking

Posted 06/16/02

Great location. We stayed and attended a wedding reception here. Classic and elegant. Rooms nicely decorated and spacious- particularly the bathroom. The hotel smells a bit musty and old but this is made up in its charm.
The service wasn't at all what I would expect from a nastalgic hotel such as this. My husband and I both encountered front desk clerks over the phone that were curt and impatient. The catering employees at the wedding reception in particular needed some serious polish and sensitivity training.

Posted 05/15/02