We arrived late in the evening due to a delayed flight, and finding this hotel in a car in the dark was not the easiest bit of navigation I have done - I ended up wishing that I had hired the sat-nav with the car. We only stayed 2 nights, but we had a clean and comfy standard room at a good rate, and the staff could not have been more friendly or helpful. Ellie, behind the front desk, made several phone calls and drew lots of maps to help us get to some specific areas of town. The restaurant won't win any michelin stars, but it was convenient. The location is not the best, but we never felt remotely at risk, and I would stay here again without hesitation.

1. This place is in a fairly tough part of town, which I knew going in.
2. It was the cheapest "nice" hotel close to the convention center which is why I stayed.
3. I got a upgrade to a "suite" because of my GCC status so I don't know how good/bad the "regular" rooms are. My room was fine, nothing fancy and certainly not equal to any Marriott or Hilton property.
4. I paid $136 vs the $199 special rate at the Hyatt for the convention and I though (before getting there) the difference was worth it.
5. One of my fellow conventioneers had their car broken into as well as one other car. He found out that just a few days earlier another car was broken into as well.
6. The parking is outside with no gate or security.
7. When I checked out early I told the front desk I was leaving because of the security and they said "we can't control that WE ARE DOWNTOWN".
8. I think for that high a price for a lowly BW they could afford to have someone watching the lot at night especially in light of the frequent break-ins.
9. The "free" breakfast is nothing more than bagels, juice and waffles.
10. The shuttle to the convention center was $4 and to the airport it was $9. Both are minutes away. I can't remember the last time I paid to use the hotel shuttle and I found it very cheap on the hotels part.
11. Next time I will spend the extra money to keep my car safe.

This was my third stay in two months and I have noticed a continuing trend of upgrades and service. Understand the property is under new management and it really shows. Prices are competitive especially against the downtown megaprops who charge you for standing still in one spot too long. Nice little bar and restaurant on site and easy walking distance to trendy bistros (Portland's a really nice hip restaurant is immediately next door.) Recommend this highly for the seasoned Pheonix road warrior or warriorette.

It seems this hotel hasn't improved since I stayed there a few years ago. Besides experiencing blocked drains and cold showers upon my arrival, I had to request extra towels and refreshments all week as the housemaid catered for only 2 people in a 3 share room.

However beware their accounting practices, especially non-USA residents. Although we each, individually, paid our share of the room upon departure, they deducted the whole amount from my credit card (details of which had been taken upon reservation). I only discovered this error at the end of my travels and by then the dollar had dropped considerably in value. Although they did credit the excess charged, I ended up A$100 out of pocket because of the exchange rate. I wrote serveral letters about this shortfall, finally suggesting compensation on the grounds of illegally withdrawing more than I authorized, but all to no avail. Perhaps their accounting methods have since changed but it doesn't alter the fact that I and others in our convention group were doublebilled, and because of this they have alienated a very large group from my country.