Already a top destination for both business and pleasure, Portland, Oregon, is unveiling its first convention center hotel, making the city an irresistible destination for meeting planners. The Hyatt Regency Portland at Oregon Convention Center opened Dec. 19, 2019. The new 600-room property boasts ample meeting space, eclectic distinguished barbecue restaurant and an inviting lounge, all of which are steps away from the convention center and some of the city’s top attractions.
Connectivity and Convenience
For about two decades, the closest hotel to the Oregon Convention Center was six or seven blocks away, often creating logistical challenges and headaches for attendees. The Hyatt Regency is ushering in a new era for this city and is designed to meet all the needs of today’s meeting planners, with an emphasis on connectivity and convenience. The new hotel will add to the city’s booming hotel room inventory, which is expected to grow by nearly 50% between 2016 and 2021, helping make Portland a more attractive location for large conventions and events.
The Hyatt Regency has 20 event venues that span nearly 40,000 square feet, including the 11,882-sq.-ft. Regency Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 1,200 people. All the meeting spaces are located within steps of one another and feature dramatic natural lighting. The hotel will also have versatile pre-function spaces, such as the Regency Foyer, where floor-to-ceiling windows provide sweeping views of the Willamette River and the city’s iconic skyline. Its modern and impressive setting offers a unique experience different from other nearby hotels.
The Hyatt Regency has 600 rooms for guests to call home for a few days. For spacious luxury, suites range from 621 square feet to the 1,627-sq.-ft Presidential Suite. In this elegant space, you can enjoy city, river and mountain views, as well as separate areas for entertaining and dining, a king bed and work desk. Standard rooms vary from 317 square feet to the spacious 448-sq.-ft. corner rooms, with sweeping views. There’s also the Club Access rooms, which come with access to the exclusive Regency Club, where you can enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drinks, while taking in the stunning view of the Willamette River from the club’s outdoor patio.
The new Hyatt Regency has an innovative design that showcases some of Portland’s most popular and unique qualities. The hotel lobby, restaurant and lounge feature bicycle-inspired chandeliers, live-edge wood sourced from local lumber and impressive array of artwork from Pacific Northwest artists.
The chefs at the hotel’s restaurant, Unity-Q, put a creative spin on classic barbecue flavors. Its menu combines Asian, Latin and American barbecue flavors and concepts, along with an array of house-made specialties and a creative fusion of slaws, vegetables and sauces. For more casual fare and specialty cocktails and locally brewed beer, pull up a stool at the 55-foot granite bar at Spoke & Fork, the hotel’s lobby bar. Or, if you’re in a hurry, The Market offers delicious to-go options made in-house.
Unbeatable Location and Sites
In addition to being across the street from the Oregon Convention Center, the new Hyatt Regency is conveniently located on the Max Light Rail line. The 60-mile network connects the north, northeast and southeast sections of Portland, along with many suburban communities. Max is the quickest and easiest way to get around Portland, which includes direct service to Portland International Airport.
The train also crosses Willamette River into downtown Portland, home to gourmet restaurants, bustling breweries, funky boutiques and cultural venues. And while the Westside is popular, Central Eastside is truly the heart of the city and home to its most iconic and beloved neighborhoods. Plus, most of the award-winning restaurant and breweries are also found in this part of town.
A couple of not-to-miss sites include the Alberta Arts District, which spans 1.5 miles and is home to galleries, adorable restaurants and food carts, the Alberta Rose Theatre, and countless artisans selling their handcrafted wares.
In addition to cultural venues, the area that surrounds The Hyatt Regency Portland is also noted for its microbrewery scene. Create your own mini walking tour and stop by Base Camp Brewing Company, Cascade Brewing Barrel House, Rogue Eastside, Lucky Labrador Brew Pub and more. For a taste of the city’s delectable cuisine, consider a walking tour with organizations like Eat Adventures Food Tours, which has a delicious walking tour of the Alberta Arts District.
To see the city from a new perspective, arrange a kayaking excursion with Portland Kayak on the Willamette River. During the journey, admire the mesmerizing skyline and get an up-close look at scenic Ross Island, where you’re likely to spot blue herons, ospreys and perhaps a bald eagle.
Dynamic District
The Hyatt Regency Portland is located in the heart of the bustling Lloyd District, but there’s plenty to do outside the hotel. Top attractions include the Moda Center, a state-of-the-art arena that hosts sporting events (most notably the Portland Trail Blazers), concerts and theatrical performances. Hockey fans can head to the nearby Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where the Winterhawks play.
For retail therapy visit Lloyd Center, the state’s largest shopping center. It has 200 stores, a 10-screen movie theater and an indoor ice rink. Just north of Lloyd Center, Northeast Broadway is also a great destination for shopping and dining, with clothes and accessories from local designers, independent bookstores, brewpubs and restaurants serving vegan and gluten-free options.
Other nearby attractions include Upright Brewing, a popular watering hole that produces French- and Belgian-inspired farmhouse beers with local ingredients. Sports fans will love Spirit of 77, an expansive bar with multiple TVs, a 12-foot projection screen, pub fare, foosball, darts and indoor bicycle parking.
If you’re in the mood for fresh produce and prepared food, Lloyd Farmers Market is open year-round under the gazebo in the Oregon Square courtyard. Several new mixed-use developments are also emerging, giving the Lloyd District more shopping and dining opportunities. One development, Hassalo on Eighth, will have several popular restaurants, a market specializing in local products and some 50,000 square feet of retail space.
All-in-One
The new Hyatt Regency opens a few months after the Oregon Convention Center’s $40 million renovations. The renovations to the center included numerous upgrades to its public spaces and ballrooms, as well as a reconstruction of the exterior plaza. As part of the makeover to the center, new design touches—inspired by Oregon’s natural beauty—were added such as lichen-like carpets and forest canopy ceilings. Together, the new hotel and renovated convention center provide coordinated and world-class service for today’s meeting and event needs, positioning Portland to be the hottest meeting destination for 2020.
