Luxury blooms in the City of Roses with the arrival of this 5-star hotel

An insider's look at the Ritz-Carlton, Portland, and where to discover queer finds throughout the city.

Mark

Jan 20, 2025 - 19:00

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Five-star hotels may not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering Portland, Oregon. Hugged by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Willamette Valley wine country to the north, and Mount Hood (and some of the region’s best skiing) to the east, the City of Roses has earned a reputation for comforting farm-to-table cuisine, Columbia Sportswear, and craft beer. The arrival of The Ritz-Carlton, Portland proves that swanky digs with a quintessential Pacific Northwest vibe are just what we need for the ideal weekend getaway.

The brand’s first property in the US, the Ritz-Carlton, Boston, opened nearly a century ago, offering stately Gilded Age luxury. Over the years, the collection has evolved to stay modern while maintaining its iconic presence. By 1998, LGBTQ+-friendly Marriott International fully acquired the brand, adding it to its portfolio of nearly 9,000 properties. (Collect those Bonvoy points!)

The Ritz-Carlton, Portland opened in October 2023 and has been receiving raves, so we set off to check it out for ourselves.

Pack your bags, we’re going on an adventure

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How The Ritz-Carlton, Portland brings Oregon’s outdoors inside

The 35-story, 251-room hotel is centrally located in downtown Portland, offering views of the city skyline, the Cascade Mountains, and the Willamette River. The property’s interior reflects natural beauty, featuring raw materials like indigenous woods and plants and a cozy library lounge with a glowing fireplace.

Guest rooms and suites feature lush fabrics, leather goods, and homage to historic travel trunks in a soothing palette of cream, grey, and the brand’s signature blue (eat your heart out, Alice Elm!)—part of a multi-sensory experience you can bring home with a bottle of Rose City room spray. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with daily housekeeping.

Level up with a stay at the 20th-floor Ritz Carlton Club, which includes lounge access and a dedicated concierge to assist in booking experiences to make your stay extra special. You may need their help getting a table at one of the city’s hottest restaurants, Kann, helmed by out Top Chef alum Gregory Gourdet.

Global flavors and local ingredients

Scallops at Bellpine, The Ritz-Carlton, Portland — Scallops with mango, wonton crisp, and hazelnuts at Bellpine, The Ritz-Carlton, Portland.

Allow enough time to experience The Ritz-Carlton, Portland’s on-site restaurant Bellpine, by executive chef Pedro Almeida, who led Midori to become the first Japanese restaurant to earn a Michelin star in Portugal.

Chef Almeida leans into the region’s bounty at every turn, from locally distilled spirits, famed wines from the Willamette Valley, and locally sourced ingredients like Pacific Northwest sturgeon, Walla Walla onions, and Pacific king salmon. Open from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. (11 p.m., Thursday-Saturday), there are plenty of options for a light bite, coffee, or cocktail to take in the view.

Speaking of cocktails, the adjacent bar delivers a creative spin on classics, including housemade infusions like saffron vodka and Orange Agrimato olive oil-washed bourbon. Or go for a local beer like the potent Ecliptic Hazy IPA.

Top 5 things to do in Portland for LGBTQ+ travelers

Drag queens at Darcelle XV — Drag brunch at Portland’s Darcelle XV. Photo by Matthew Wexler.

Portland is packed with things to do, with an accessible and friendly LGBTQ+ scene that’ll make you feel like you’re part of its community. But if you must narrow it down, here’s our shortlist:

Darcelle XV — There’s drag, and then there’s Portland drag, which encompasses everything but the kitchen sink, though you could probably find that, too. At its core is the longstanding venue, which dates back more than 50 years and was Oregon’s first business designated a national historic site for its place in LGBTQ+ history. Most recently, local favorite Poison Waters took silver in this year’s Best of GayCities Local Drag Queen.

Portland Japanese Garden — Japan is on trend this year on the heels of last autumn’s LGBTQ+ International Travel Association convention in Osaka, also named one of the New York Times’ 52 places to visit in 2025. But if a long-haul flight isn’t on your radar this year, the Portland Japanese Garden offers an exquisite example of pristine horticulture through a maze of gardens, plantings, and art exhibits. As you stroll among the grounds, let your mind wander or relax at the Umami Café.

Powell’s Books — Wander the aisles of the world’s largest independent bookstore, where you can discover used books at affordable prices and new releases, along with a rotating selection of staff picks, including dozens of LGBTQ+ titles. Check the store’s schedule for author appearances while you’re in town.

food and cockails at Gregory Gourdet's restaurant, Kann, Portland, Oregon — (from left) Akra, Kann cocktail, interior, and chef Gregory Gourdet. Photos by Eva Kosmas Flores.

Kann — It’s a tough (nearly impossible) reservation to get, but with the effort to experience Gregory Gourdet’s homage to the flavors and ingredients of Haiti and the Pacific Northwest. Named Best New Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation in 2023, Kann packs an emotional punch just as much as a culinary one.

From Doctor B, a beachy cocktail showcasing the Haitian spirit clairin (along with a fair splash of rum and mezcal), to griyo twice-cooked pork with avocado and pikliz, Gourdet’s menu offers a transcendent experience that fuses his past with a modern dining experience. Woman-owned architecture and interior design firm Fieldwork created an equally captivating dining room with a gold-toned recessed ceiling, warm lighting, and commissioned abstract artwork by Peter Gronquist.

Bike around Portland — Maximize your time on the ground by hopping on a bike. Around Portland Tours offers plenty of options to suit your interests, whether you’re looking for city highlights or more niche offerings, from a full day exploring Columbia Gorge to a feast by bike where you can explore the city’s legendary food carts.

LGBTQ+ Portland: Tap and go

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