Hotel Modera
515 S.W. Clay St., Portland, OR, 877-484-1084,
Rates: As low as $99 a night through the website. A suite goes for as much as $269. Valet parking is $20 each day. Wi-Fi is free.
Stay here if: you want to see where hotels are going. The Modera is a casual, contemporary masterpiece, an old Days Inn recycled into a hip — and affordable — headquarters for a stay in Portland. With its luxe courtyard and laid-back vibe, it has a resort feel, but the emphasis is on value and convenience. They get that the Wi-Fi has to work and the valet has to be waiting if you’re gonna get business done.
The rooms are: slick, with flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, sliding bathroom doors and faux fur throws. You get your stainless steel ice bucket down the hall.
They put all the money into: accessorizing. The Modera is tasteful from top to bottom, with sleek modern furniture and entertaining finishes throughout (wood flooring on the walls? Clever and unpretentious). The art is all original and produced by local artists.
It’s close to: work and play. The Modera is located in the part of Portland’s downtown that houses the tall office buildings, not the part where most of the funky bars and restaurants reside. So it works particularly well for business travelers who want to skip the Marriott. You’ll need to cab the mile or so to the best restaurants and shopping. Or better yet, it’s Portland, so hop on the new streetcar or rent a bike and go.
The bottom line: It’s hard not to love the Modera. The place has charm and tons of style. It’s trendy but there’s no attitude, just swell service and a low-key charm. The outdoor bar is an irresistible spot for a snack or laptopping. The on-site Nel Centro restaurant has dependable food and a likable late-night menu. Ray Mark Rinaldi
