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All 127 Portland hotels

The Mark Spencer: Traveler Reviews

3.0 of 5
409 SW 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97205 (Downtown)
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Ranked #15 of 127 hotels in Portland
Most recent review
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 23, 2012
codekiller Berkeley, California
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584 reviews from our community

Traveler rating
    276
    222
    45
    23
    18
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Families
90
 
Couples
237
 
Solo
81
 
Business
80
 
Rating summary
  • Sleep Quality
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Location
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Rooms
    4 of 5 stars
  • Service
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Value
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Cleanliness
    4.5 of 5 stars
Date Rating
Berkeley, California
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
“Close to everything, very pet friendly”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 23, 2012

I chose the "make a bid" option on their website and got a junior suite at a great nightly rate. I was visiting Portland for the first time and needed a hotel that would allow my little dog to accompany me (for a nightly fee). The Mark Spencer turned out to be a great spot and it was very comfortable for me and my pup. They welcomed him with biscuits and a few tips on local dog parks. It was raining the entire time we were in Portland, so the pup was able to stay in the room alone while I went out for an hour or two at a time. The hotel itself has some old school charm to it - our room had an old stove and fridge that looked like they were from the 70s. I can't imagine that they're energy efficient whatsoever, but they gave us a homey feel. The free wireless was okay and used 24 hour time period leases and only seemed to work easily for 1 device. As I had 5 devices, I just used my own network. The hotel itself had a smallish garage around the corner that wasn't terribly easy to navigate with tight turns and steep curves. It took me a while to get out when we were leaving. Other than that, the location of the Mark Spencer is amazing. I was within blocks of everything from movie theaters, restaurants, indie bookstores and shops, breweries, and the infamous Voodoo Doughnuts. If I return to Portland with my pup, I'd stay at the Mark Spencer again. If I were without my pup, I might look for something else in the same area. I tend to self cater when I travel, so I would like to use energy efficient appliances whenever possible. The hotel breakfast was perfect - an assortment of fruit, yogurt, toast, bagels, muffins, croissants, with juice, milk, or coffee. I had a cappuccino from their machine and it wasn't half bad. I really appreciated the option and I enjoyed having a good breakfast without venturing into the rain. I will definitely check here again to see if they've done any remodeling or upgrades next time I stop in Portland.

Room Tip: Rooms facing the street may hear the rail car passing at night. Opt for a room facing away from the...
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  • Stayed November 2012, traveled solo
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Great location with great hospitality!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 19, 2012 via mobile

Whenever I come to visit Oregon, I stay at this hotel.
It feels like home and makes feel happy.
Every staffs of the hotel are very nice and the hotel is just like an American classic.

  • Stayed November 2012
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Seattle, Washington
1 review
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Wonderful experience”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 14, 2012

I can think of no other hotel in the US that provides such a warm and caring environment for people who wish to travel with their pets. It really meant a lot to us to have our dogs by our side. Thank you for the special welcome goodie bag . All of the staff were very kind and helpful. The Mark Spencer is one of Portland's best vintage hotel values as you are close to the city's trendy Pearl district and downtown. Be sure to check out the cosmic convergence of food vans two blocks away. I give this hotel five paws.
Nancy B.

  • Stayed November 2012, traveled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Palo Alto, CA
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
“warm and appealing hotel”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 13, 2012

This hotel is right in the heart of Portland, just on the edge of the Pearl District, and two blocks from Powell's, Whole Foods, and many good coffee shops (Stumptown Coffee!) and restaurants. The staff is friendly and helpful, the rooms are clean, and the atmosphere is cheerful. The newer rooms are really lovely, so you might inquire about those; we stayed in one on the first floor, which was very pretty. The older rooms are a bit old-fashioned, and a bit worn, but they're very clean, and it's nice (especially for families with children) to have a little stove where you can make tea, and a fridge to keep yogurts and other items in, for snacks. Right outside the hotel, you can hop onto the trolley taking you up to the Art Museum and wonderful restaurants like South Park.

We will definitely make the Mark Spencer our hotel for our upcoming trips to Portland. It already feels like a home away from home.

Room Tip: Ask for a newer room, or a corner suite.
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  • Stayed November 2012, traveled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Vancouver
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
7 hotel reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Nice but aging”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 12, 2012

This hotel is very nice and in a great location. It's a bit old.. but still nice and well taken care of. The staff was friendly, albeit not the most helpful. They seemed a bit disinterested in helping our group when we asked for recommendations of where to eat in the area. Breakfast was a bit small but loved the complimentary wine and cheese in the afternoons.

  • Stayed November 2012, traveled on business
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Additional Information about The Mark Spencer

Also Known As:
The Mark Spencer Hotel
The Mark Spencer Hotel Portland
Mark Spencer Hotel
Mark Spencer Portland
Mark Spencer
Address: 409 SW 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97205
Phone Number:
Region: United States > Oregon > Portland > Downtown
Amenities:
Business Center Fitness Center Free Breakfast Free High-Speed Internet Kitchenette Pets Allowed Room Service Suites
Hotel Style:
#14 Business Hotels in Portland
#21 Family Hotels in Portland
Price Range: $$
Hotel Class:3 star (3*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
In the world of hospitality, there are a few unexpected places in which timeless European flair, cultured style and Old World courtesy are vibrantly alive. These lasting impressions are also accompanied by a profound respect for another very precious aspect: your comfort. Welcome to The Mark Spencer Hotel, an exceptional value in the hub of the city. ... more   less 
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