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Portland: C'mon Ride The Train: New England Drivers Hip to Downeaster
Posted on Jul 22, 2008 06:50 PM

It's hardly shocking that as gas prices rise, more commuters are looking to public transit options they may not have considered earlier. But the Amtrak train leading in gains may surprise you: It's not the soup-to-nuts Northeast Regional or the posh Acela trains, but the Downeaster, the Portland-to-Boston route which picked up 947 extra passengers a day over last year.

We're pleased that we may have reached the tipping point for new public transportation options to be developed nationwide, although the initial result will just be more crowding. (A Midwestern friend of Jaunted says the Milwaukee-Chicago "Hiawatha" service is in dire need of another car per trip, as workers used to driving the 90 miles kick back on the train instead.)

Related Stories:
· Amtrak's Downeaster Ridership up 28 Percent [AP, via Yahoo]
· The Downeaster [Official Site]
· Amtrak coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: herzogbr]

HotelChatter HotelChatter
Portland: The Nines To Open as a Luxury Collection Hotel in Portland
Posted on May 21, 2008 04:17 PM

Department Store Fashionistas, if you aren't brave enough to stay at the Ace Hotel in Portland, Oregon then there might be something a little more your style coming soon.

The Nines is set to open this fall on the top nine floors of the historic 100-year-old Meier & Frank building which now houses the city's Macy's department store. Aha. We see the inspiration for the hotel name: Dressed to the nines.

HotelChatter HotelChatter
Portland: The Ace Hotel in Portland Wants You To See Stephen Malkmus and The Jinks
Posted on Apr 16, 2008 06:01 PM

If you were a big fan of the underground band Pavement back in the day, then you might be interested in this new package from the Ace Hotel Portland.

Former Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus and his new band, The Jicks are playing in Portland at the Wonder Ballroom on May for one night only and it's the band's only stop in the Northwest. That's right, they won't be playing in Seattle.

Thus the Ace Hotel is offering out of town Malkmus fans a special package deal. For $175 you get a basic room, two tickets to the show and free parking. For $200 you get a deluxe room, tickets, parking plus a copy of The Jicks' newest album, Real

HotelChatter HotelChatter
Portland: Cubicle Dreamin': All I Want on Vacation is Books
Posted on Jan 31, 2008 05:01 PM

Cubicle Dreamin' is a feature in which we ask the hotel mavens to take some time out of their busy work day, surf the Internet, and tell us what hotel they wish they could beam themselves to right that very second--all on the slave driving companies dime, of course. Oh, like these people aren't surfing aimlessly anyway--at least now their purposeless clicking will be cobbled together into useful hotel stories--we hope. Have a destination hotel you are just dying to leave your cube for? Send the story our way.

In this episode, Contributing Editor AmandaK has a bookworm getaway. Enjoy.

There's a really, really good reason that I want to stay at the Heathman

Jaunted - The Travel Guide In Real-Time Jaunted - The Travel Guide In Real-Time
Portland: Movie Set Travel: Untraceable
Posted on Jan 25, 2008 04:01 PM

In the world of viral videos, YouTube and all else, this week's movie pick was inevitable. Untraceable focuses on secret service agent Jennifer Marsh (Diane Lane) who gets involved in a cat and mouse game with a serial killer--who commits his murders via an "untraceable" website.

The more people who visit the website, the quicker the victim dies. Yikes. We're not sure about this one just yet--we're hearing it's like a drawn out CSI episode and that Diane Lane's unimpressive--but if you're looking for a weekend scare, this is it.

The cool thing about this flick? It was all shot in Portland, one of our favorite cities! Check out what you shouldn't miss in Portland:

Where To Stay: Heathman Hotel We don't say this often, but this hotel's got it all: an awesome location right downtown, an award-winning restaurant (with a James Beard celebrated chef) and a serious on-site art collection which includes a Galle, Warhol and Pander. You can select from a comfy "bed menu" or grab a book from the well-stocked library to go with afternoon tea.

Where To Eat: Paley's Place Paley's is a true local spot, a cozy bistro serving Pacific Northwest-inspired cuisine like halibut, chilled oysters and a delicious winter squash salad. Think fresh as Gourmet named it one of the country's 10 best farm-to-table restaurants last year. Keep in mind that they're closed for quick kitchen renos from February 18-29.

What to See: The Grotto Even if you're not religious, you'll appreciate this stunning outdoor cathedral among 62 acres of woods. The grotto itself was carved out of the base of a 110-foot cliff that's surrounded by views of the Columbia River and the Cascades. You can imagine what it looks like done up at Christmas. It's a non-profit organization supported solely by donations and sales from the gift shop so be sure to buy something.

Jaunted - The Travel Guide In Real-Time Jaunted - The Travel Guide In Real-Time
Portland: 2007 Awards: Best Domestic Airport
Posted on Dec 31, 2007 04:01 PM

We've spent a lot of time this year digging up airports with free WiFi. And though lots of smaller airports have wireless--and don't get clogged with too many flights--we have to give this year's award to a major airport that's just great: PDX.

Portland International goes so far to let you set up a VPN so you can handle secure data. The airport also has plenty of plugs and seats around; you won't have to set up shop on a dingy patch of floor. Add in the fact that we have fond childhood memories of PDX and that it's so close to great skiing and you've got a winner.

[Photo: web_guy94301]

Jaunted - The Travel Guide In Real-Time Jaunted - The Travel Guide In Real-Time
Portland: Best Raw Bars :: Dan & Louis in Portland
Posted on Nov 08, 2007 10:01 PM

A friend of Jaunted checked in from Portland, where he's been passing a week's vacation among nature. He even got a chance to check out the city's bike scene, which he says is even better than we reported.

But the real reason he got in touch was to tell us about Dan & Louis Oyster Bar, a killer raw bar celebrating its centennial this year. What made it so good?

I got a dozen oysters for $9.95, and threw in a glass of wine and a big tip for a bill that came to $22. Had some Yakima Bays--an East Coast transplant oyster--and Oregon Kumamotos. It's my second time there, and I'm only in town for a week.

Sounds like the kind of place we want on our raw bars map.

Related Stories:
· Dan & Louis Oyster Bar [Official Site]
· Best Raw Bars Map [Jaunted]
· Portland coverage [Jaunted]

Jaunted - The Travel Guide In Real-Time Jaunted - The Travel Guide In Real-Time
Portland: Urban Active Travel: Portland's The Place for Bikes
Posted on Nov 07, 2007 12:01 AM

Looks like Portland, Oregon doesn't want Europe to have all the fun. While cities from Seville to Paris are introducing public bike hire racks, Portland's been friendly toward two-wheelers for decades--and the it's making strides to stay that way.

The city is full of custom bike shops like Veloce Bicycles and Pereira Cycles, where you can get a hand-built ride, provided you don't mind parking yourself on a waiting list. Portland also has a number of rental outlets if you aren't ready to drop four figures on a new bike. Waterfront Bicycle Rentals can hook you up with a city cruiser for a half day for $28.

And if you're not sold on renting a ride for your whole trip, a new system a la Velib could be coming online soon. While Portlanders are still debating whether to charge a fee for the public bikes or suffer advertising, local politicos are bullish on the idea in general. If all goes smoothly, look for the program to start up with 500 bikes next year.

Related Stories:
· Cultivating a Culture of Two Wheels [NYT]
· Waterfront Bicycle Rentals [Official Site]
· Biking coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Stuart Isett for The New York Times]

Jaunted - The Travel Guide In Real-Time Jaunted - The Travel Guide In Real-Time
Portland: Best Sushi in Portland
Posted on Oct 30, 2007 05:01 PM

Unpretentious world class sushi, that is what Mio Sushi in Portland's North West neighborhood is all about. Sonny Kim, a well-known Portland restaurant man and owner of Mio, is the driving force behind this neighborhood haunt.

The sushi pizza and any of rolls are the main draws on the menu, though there are plenty of options to satisfy those scared of raw fish -- bento boxes, noodles, and miso soup.

Prepare to write your name on the chalkboard and wait outside for a table most weekend nights, as this location does get quite full. However, the staff politely moves people in and out and soon enough you will be filling out your order on a paper menu with a pencil.

While Mio has six locations it is the 23rd Ave blue house that serves the best sushi. More good news? The Portland street car can take you to Mio, just ride the car to the Northwest and get off at the stop before Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital.

Mio Sushi menu is posted here.

HotelChatter HotelChatter
Portland: Hotel deLuxe: Instant Classic, Just Add Guests!
Posted on Oct 12, 2007 07:01 PM

Downtown Portland's Hotel deLuxe (formerly the Mallory) opened last year and has quickly established itself as the Portland downtown hotel for business travelers, well-to-do parents visiting their kids in Portland, folks who want to stay downtown, and even locals.

The hotel was completely renovated into an up-to-date, yet old Hollywood style, hotel. What does that mean? The mood, the lighting, and the bar and restaurant all feel as exclusive as we imagine 1940's Hollywood felt, while the hotel itself accommodates the demanding guest of 2007 with iHome for iPods, flat screen HD televisions, super attentive service, and by welcoming pets. So you get to bring your dog, watch Sportscenter or CNN in HD, and