Portland, the smaller city sibling to the other Pacific Northwest city of Seattle is starting to seriously steal the urban limelight. She’s not trying. She just can’t help her square, sexy self. Portland has it all, from hip to heaving bookstores, movie theaters with full-blown dinner service, an edgy, arty and inspired music scene, a raging culinary culture and a love of all things liquid. Portland’s got something in store and on pour for all folks from the purists to the party people. It’s a truly intoxicating place. Whether you’re a round or square peg, you’re sure to fit in.
The Pacific Northwest with reigning geek God Gates in neighboring Seattle is the epicenter where chic meets geek. It is so hip to be square there. No place is that more prevalent than in Portland’s Ace Hotel. The low-key lobby lounge filled with the overly educated and underpaid, is too cool. You’ll want to write poetry, embrace your inner demons and odd social quirks and go on tour the minute you walk through the door.
The minimalist décor in the room with old trunks for nightstands and army blankets is perfect for the young twenty something’s that stay at The Ace Hotel on their own alone or in a hostel type setting, sharing accommodations because it’s cool, eco chic and cheap. Many well-known bands, New York tech types and film folks that can afford otherwise still choose The Ace, because it’s their bed and their vibe of choice.
The lobby filled with laptop loving, literatti snotties naturally have a hot cup of Joe in hand, but not your average Joe. Au contraire! For a no proof boost they all worship at the Coffee Altar known as Stumptown’s Coffee Masters, which is also steaming up the corroders in Chelsea’s hip downtown market in New York. It’s for the oh so serious coffee connoisseur. This is not your average fat free, flavored blend, latte land. SoCal caffeinators need not apply. Stumptown is all about the bean babe and the staff ain’t bad either. Your heart will gallop as you access your inner cowgirl when you see the Euro looking chic geek brewer with the huge horse tattoo on his neck. Giddy u girls!
