My preference was downtown.. that is where the Streetcar is, no thoughts of where to park and traffic, easy to walk from one neighborhood to the other, safely and without wasting too much of the day.

I also enjoyed the Parks, Gardens and Museum which are located downtown and all those lovely restaurants :)

I also like the downtown hotels more.

Here are some hotels.. tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i892-Sleeping_i…

If you have a rental car, you will pay $20 and up for a night of parking so keep that in mind.

A traveller just reported back that the Double Tree LC was a nice place to stay.

I had relatives just stay at the Marriott Residence Inn at LC and they really liked it!

The DB LC is right on the MAX and the Marriott is maybe 1/2 a mile?

The LC area is perfectly safe but I would advise against walking through the park at night. I don't think it is that dangerous but there may be a drug deal there on occasion.

NE Broadway has so many great restaurants and shops and you can walk to all of them. Shoot across the river on the MAX and you are downtown.

The Embassy Suites in downtown Portland would be my recommendation. Call or check on line for best rates. Easy access from this nice hotel to downtown, The Pearl and multiple other areas either by walking or mass transit. Whatever your choice, have fun and welcome!

Lloyd Center is safe. Just as safe as downtown. It is less traveled later at night, so I wouldn't be out walking around for a stroll. But it is certainly safe from the hotel to the mall and to local restaurants.

I won't comment much on the MAX trains as I, personally, will not ride them and I feel that they are not safe...but then, I do not do public transportation of any type in any city. There's my transportation snob showing LOL!

Downtown is just as safe as the Lloyd district. You just want to be aware of who is around you.

I was downtown one night with friends. We were heading from a horrid dinner (not our choice on the selection of spot...it was a wine event) at Portland City Grill. We were walking to our dessert destination, El Gaucho.

Three young guys started following us. I kept pushing the other ladies purses in front of them....then I turned around and gave the kids (street kids) "the eye". They crossed the street. No doubt in my mind that they were part of a street family and intended on lifting all six purses. Another reason that I carry a little tiny bag that only holds ID and my cell when I need to put it in something.

<<A traveller just reported back that the Double Tree LC was a nice place to stay.>>

I have stayed there and yes, it is very nice. Both times that I have stayed there, I stayed in one of the large suites....the second bedroom is a "standard room". It was quite nice.

I ride the MAX and public transportation in almost every city I travel to in the world and I enjoy it. I travel from the west side to downtown or only as far as the Rose Quarter on the east side and I have never encountered a problem. The street car is also VERY convenient!

I live in SW Portland and love the MAX between my area and downtown! No fighting traffic, no green house emissions coming from my car and plenty comfortable and clean, for the most part.

One time I decided to venture to the "far" east for a birthday bash around 148th. I got off at my stop and I was waiting for a friend to pick me up. I was NOT comfortable with the people around me. Looked to be gang type people that looked ready to rumble. I don't scare easily but I couldn't wait to get out of that area and will never ride that far out again.

Anything, past Gateway, on the MAX line can be sketchy. Other parts of those same streets can be great, just not along Burnside.

For instance, 148th borders Glendoveer Golf Course. nice homes around it, very nice and safe area....go down to 148th and Burnside......lower income apartments/homes with many people that you wouldn't necessarily want to be around.

I drive down Burnside a couple of times a week and feel sorry for the "respectable people" waiting for the train.

Public transit just isn't my "thang", so I don't worry about it. BTW, I have no choice but to drive my car...it's my office. Really hard to sell wine to an entire city on MAX LOL!!!