The only good thing about the Heathman is its location. The rooms are tiny, parking is very expensive compared to other downtown hotels ($29 per night), and the customer service is mediocre at best. Some reviews on other sites call this hotel "boutique like" - far from it. It's old, cramped, and tired. Putting a few fashionable pillows on the bed doesn't make it "boutique". Internet access is free, but wired only. The TV was ancient and the selection was poor (no HBO, no PPV movies, etc.). When I checked out, I so much wanted the clerk to ask me how my stay was so I could respond "only OK", but alas, like the service in general at the Heathman, she did not ask nor would she have cared. I will never stay here again; Portland's a great city with too many options to waste another night at this overrated hotel.

We arrived a little early and checked our luggage at the desk. Later, when our room was available, we asked the desk clerk if we could have our luggage, she told us they would bring it right up. After waiting for ½ hour we called the front desk, once again, they said they would bring it right up. A few minutes later someone arrived and started unloading the luggage in our room. She asked if we would like some ice, we said “Sure.” We had no idea where to find any ice in the hotel. My husband realized she was unloading the wrong luggage. She apologized and said she would find out what happened to our luggage. We were just getting ready to call again when desk clerk showed up and said “Sorry, I didn’t know you wanted your luggage right away.” We forgot to ask about the ice that was never delivered.

Earlier that day the hotel had called and asked if there was anything they could do to make our stay more pleasurable. We said all we needed was a way to chill some champagne. They said there was a little fridge in the room and they would have it cleaned out before we arrived. When we went to put our champagne away, the fridge was loaded with no room. We called the front desk again and they sent someone up.

We strolled around Portland for awhile and came back to have a glass of wine before dinner. I picked up the corkscrew only to discover it was broken. Once again I called the front desk but there was no answer. I let it ring about 15 times. A little while later there was a knock at the door. Our “luxury getaway” package came with turn down service. The maid said she wanted to turn down our beds. I asked if she could come back and she said no. My husband had just gotten out of the shower so I told her just to forget the turn down service. I asked if I could have a corkscrew and some ice.

We went to dinner at the Heathman Restaurant which was absolutely wonderful. We went back to our room and decided to watch the “free movie” that came with our package. We called the front desk, again no answer. We waited then my husband tried pressing zero and got someone on the line. We told them we would like to watch a movie and they said “Sorry, all of the movie channels are taken, call back in ½ hour”. We decided just to forget about it.

The next morning, I reached for the cotton ball container only to discover a cotton ball with dried blood on it stuck in the jar.

Upon check out, I neglected to go over my bill in detail, when I did look at the receipt I discovered I had been overcharged. I called and they placed me on hold a couple times then offered to call me back. Eventually, they said they would issue a credit for the overcharge. I sent a letter to the hotel with my phone number as of about a month later I have yet to hear anything from them. Not so much as a “Sorry.”

This beautiful, historic hotel transports you back in time and surrounds you with luxury at the same time--you'll feel extremely pampered. It's right next to the performing-arts center, and it also has a lovely dining room.

read full hotel review on IgoUgo.com