Portland, OR.

The Mark Spencer Hotel

The Open View

The Mark Spencer Hotel (The), in Portland, is a 2 star budget hotel that caters to business travelers, has historical color, and features great views. The hotel caters to a hip crowd, can, on request, provide baby sitting, was recently renovated, is situated in the "Downtown Portland" area, and provides internet access. Guests found the service "friendly". What travelers said they loved: "the staff". Sleep connoisseurs described the bed as "comfortable" and "great". The hotel is near award winning restaurants, including Montage , Higgins , and Paley's Place . Also nearby: Tears of Joy Theatre , Portland Rock Gym , and Portland Police Historical Museum . Other local places to consider are Best Western Imperial Hotel and Portland Guest House Bed and Breakfast.

Expert Reviews of The Mark Spencer Hotel

Gayot

Sometimes you need a home away from home, or a home when you no longer have a home. That�s where this friendly downtown hotel comes in. It is a favorite for locals who need to ditch the in-laws, escape a...
gayot.com - expert review
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User Reviews of The Mark Spencer Hotel

Yelp.com Review - by Marissa L.

3.0 of 5 stars. A little run down, but the staff was nice, the breakfast decent, and the price right. Also, location is very good -- right off the street car line and very close to Powell's, the Pearl, etc.
yelp.com - user review - 04/10/2009
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Yelp.com Review - by P S.

4.0 of 5 stars. I like this hotel a great deal. It's not the fanciest, but the pricing is reasonable, the staff is helpful, the rooms include a full kitchen and the location is great. It's got great character and...
yelp.com - user review - 12/19/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by pacie f.

5.0 of 5 stars. I cannot say enough good things about the Mark Spencer hotel.I am noise sensitive, which makes me very wary anytime I move into a new apartment or stay into a hotel. I reiterated this to the front...
yelp.com - user review - 12/08/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by mahi m.

3.0 of 5 stars. So, the price is great for the location and the staff are very kind. Somehow, though, their kindness just adds to the sadness of the place. Listening to the club goers queue up on Stark, with my...
yelp.com - user review - 11/22/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Julian H.

3.0 of 5 stars. The rooms were shabby and the bed was really uncomfortable. The room was also very small, as is fitting for an old-timey hotel, and we had an antique refrigerator in our unit. But the price was...
yelp.com - user review - 10/28/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by jf c.

4.0 of 5 stars. Oooh I liked this place. A very solid three-star hotel. I loved the kitchenette in each room, the nicely sized rooms, the location near Powell's and Sip N' Krantz. It was easy to walk everywhere in...
yelp.com - user review - 06/05/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by corey g.

5.0 of 5 stars. I love this hotel. My friend discovered it for us many years ago, and I've been returning here ever since. This hotel is a little old-school, but that's what adds to its luster. I feel like I'm in...
yelp.com - user review - 03/16/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Alicia P.

4.0 of 5 stars. My parents stayed here in November and liked the hotel. The location was good, next to the streetcar. From the outside it looks like sketchy apartment building. My parents liked it, the room was...
yelp.com - user review - 03/01/2008
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Great spot for the price

No complaints here. Superb location for the price. Minutes to Powell's, gay friendly bars / clubs, nearby Whole Foods grocery available and shopping. Housekeeping was punctual and professional. Friendly staff....
citysearch.com - user review - 02/18/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Tammy W.

3.0 of 5 stars. Walk to Powell's for that morning coffee. Or, make it in your room; the kitchenettes are quite handy. The reason I am giving the Mark Spencer three stars is because the whole place could use a bit...
yelp.com - user review - 02/10/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Mi M.

3.0 of 5 stars. Good: used to be apartments before converted to a hotel so they have full size fridge/freezers, stove and kitchen sink along with basic cooking/eating supplies (though no microwave); service;...
yelp.com - user review - 06/08/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by jodes l.

3.0 of 5 stars. Yes, the rates are reasonable and the staff is friendly...but...1) I never took my socks off, the floors were that functified.2) The noise from the street was unbelievable on Friday and Saturday...
yelp.com - user review - 03/12/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Thaddeus G.

2.0 of 5 stars. I feel bad saying anything negative about this hotel for two reasons: 1) the staff is outstanding, so none of the shortcomings of the hotel itself should reflect on them, and 2) it looks like a lot of...
yelp.com - user review - 12/04/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Bob S.

4.0 of 5 stars. No Bullshit. Great rates. Great location. . Free Breakfast. Helpful staff. I wish I had a copy of this hotel in every city. Not for someone who need/wants pampering.I'll agree with Thaddeus G., the...
yelp.com - user review - 12/04/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Baratunde T.

4.0 of 5 stars. The location and staff are amazing, and the rooms are simple but lovely. I don't think there's a better bang for your buck in this town. The history of housing artists is just plain cool.
yelp.com - user review - 11/23/2006
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Ragged around the edges

I wanted the Mark Spencer to be edgy and cool but it ended up being run down and in need of repairs. The entry way is odd and dirty and the carpet on the steps is worn. My room was actually an efficiency...
citysearch.com - user review - 09/11/2006
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"Alternative" Snobs

Maybe it was a bad time for them or a full moon or something but I booked here as an "in-town" anniversary getaway and was sorely disapointed. It didn't seem intended but they managed to somehow screw up every...
citysearch.com - user review - 04/11/2006
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Cool Hotel, Great Location!

Got a room on the ground floor near the lobby. Full bed, super big room... much larger than expected. No problems at all with noise. Staff very friendly and breakfast was good.
citysearch.com - user review - 03/25/2006
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Needs Updates & Little Luxuries

Although our jr. suite was spacious and the kitchenette well-stocked, this room/experience was not worth the price. The decor is hideously outdated, and not in a fun retro way. The towels were small and rough,...
citysearch.com - user review - 02/15/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Gourmet G.

5.0 of 5 stars. Opened as the Nortonia in 1907 in what was then the heart of Portland's theater district, the Mark Spencer (renamed in 1966) combines Old World charm with modern comforts, resulting in one of the...
yelp.com - user review - 07/10/2005
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Noisy night in Portland

we stayed at the Mark Spencer to take advantage of a 2 for 1 special. For the special we got a room opposite the elevator. That coupled with the thin walls subjected us to excessive noise for the whole...
citysearch.com - user review - 03/26/2005
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close to everything!

My stay at the Mark Spencer was fabulous! The price was very affordable, and I was a bit worried that when we arrived we would find out why. To my surprise and pleasure, the staff was friendly and helpful. Our...
citysearch.com - user review - 11/20/2004
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Loewenthal

This was so lovely - great bed, NY Times, nice breakfast, super location, quiet comfortable, pleasant staff, reasonable rates, convenience of kitchen, extra pillow, easy on line reservations, all great! :-)
citysearch.com - user review - 12/01/2003
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Thanks Mark Spencer!!

The Mark Spencer was a perfect choice for us "country hicks" that wanted to see the city without having to drive around. Other than housekeeping, the staff was friendly and extremely patient with our rowdy...
citysearch.com - user review - 01/16/2003
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Most Hospital Hotel in Portland!

I have had a lot of people visiting Portland for various events my arts organization has sponsored, and the Mark Spencer staff has always been extremely gracious, accommodating and hospitable. Our visitors...
citysearch.com - user review - 09/06/2002
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Casually fancy

My family stayed at the Mark Spencer in July 2002. The staff is friendly, the room was very comfortable and the location is unbeatable.....We also loved the fact that it was a block away from Powells Books and...
citysearch.com - user review - 08/24/2002
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GREAT STAY!!

My husband & I wanted a small downtown hotel for our annivarsy this year, after much looking around, we made a GREAT choice with THE MARK SPENCER! Easy acess to all the downtown shops, resturants & a really...
citysearch.com - user review - 08/01/2002
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TripAdvisor

Yikes what a concept...a "boutique roach motel". How novel, with all of the cruddy Hotel rooms hovering...
tripadvisor.com - user review
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Fodor's

Near Portland's gay bar district and Powell's City of Books, the Mark Spencer has one of the best values in town. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and all have full kitchens. Other amenities include free...
fodors.com - user review
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TripAdvisor

"The Mark Spencer" was nothing more then a fancy hostel!I have stayed at much nicer hotels at the same...
tripadvisor.com - user review
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wGuides.com

This charmingly nostalgic hotel sits in the heart of downtown Portland , parallel to the action, and features some of the best rates in the city. You will find a full kitchen in every room. The staff is...
wguides.com - user review
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Yahoo! Travel

I liked that the staff was really patient and very helpfull and courtious. They were very professional. I liked that. The main seating area in the lower half where you first walk in is kind of cluttered...
travel.yahoo.com - user review
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New York Times

Near Portland's gay bar district and Powell's City of Books, the Mark Spencer has one of the best values in town. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and all have full kitchens. Other amenities include free...
nytimes.com - user review
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Hotels.com

Portland Exclusive Arts Hotel Provides European Hospitality And Exceptional Value. All Graciously Appointed Accommodations Are Specially Designed For Leisure And Corporate Daily And Extended Travel. Amenities...
hotels.com - user review
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TripAdvisor

For context: I was coming from the Ritz in Philly and this was my first trip to Portland. This hotel...
tripadvisor.com - user review
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TripAdvisor

Talk about false advertising! Nothing about the Mark Spencer website even remotely resembles what it...
tripadvisor.com - user review
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Travelocity

The Mark Spencer is a good value. While they've clearly upgraded the interior to a comfortable level, and our suite was a nice size, it still felt like an old men's SRO hotel & smelled a bit funky....
travelocity.com - user review
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TripAdvisor

I've looked at some of the negative comments below and I wonder if we can be talking about the same hotel....
tripadvisor.com - user review
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TripAdvisor

I want to be clear right up front - I'm not giving this hotel 5 stars because I believe it is a 5 star...
tripadvisor.com - user review
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Yahoo! Travel

"Find comprehensive hotel information including descriptions, rates & availability, photos, reviews and interactive maps for The Mark Spencer Hotel in Portland, Oregon. Check the weather, and locate additional...
travel.yahoo.com - user review
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TripAdvisor

After reading some of the reviews of this hotel I was a bit concerned about staying there, but I found...
tripadvisor.com - user review
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Travelocity

The Mark Spencer Hotel is located approximately two blocks from the Pearl District and 10 miles from Portland International Airport. This location is also two blocks from Powell's Bookstore, five blocks from...
travelocity.com - user review
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Yahoo! Travel

Location of hotel borders downtown district, and easy access to various neighborhoods is possible through use of nearby TriMet system. Hotel staff is friendly and informative overall. Front Desk...
travel.yahoo.com - user review
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TripAdvisor

This was possibly the most disgusting place I have ever stayed in. I was travelling with my boyfriend...
tripadvisor.com - user review
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TripAdvisor

I have stayed at the Fifth Avenue Suites, but prefer the Mark Spencer. Why?Better TV: full cable lineup...
tripadvisor.com - user review
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Yahoo! Travel

This was great as I was visiting a school and I wanted to be close to the Pearl District. Within walking distance of Portland Breweries and Powell's books. Staff friendly, parking available...
travel.yahoo.com - user review
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TripAdvisor

I stayed at the Mark Spencer while attending a conference and it was great. First, it was cheaper than...
tripadvisor.com - user review
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