More about McMenamins Kennedy School
cute, as long as you have ear plugs and a car
by TripAdvisor Member CBinNY
We chose the Kennedy School because of the rave reviews on this website, and the positive impression from a previous visit just to see a movie.
The endearing novelty of the place is enough to sustain interest until you can hear the toilet flush next door -- and then realize that the wall doesn't quite reach the ceiling, meaning that you can hear your neighbour turning the pages of his newspaper.
We enjoyed the bars, and you can't beat the price, but we also didn't realize that a car was absolutely vital to doing anything else in town.
An Original Gem!!
by A TripAdvisor Member
This place is something special- we never want to stay at a "normal" hotel again. The preservation of the property's history within the numerous murals and other artwork througout is fantastic. The rooms are unique and the absence of television is refreshing. The option to watch a movie with beer in hand is also a plus. Don't miss the soaking pool! All the pubs are fantastic- we just didn't find a downside. Make sure to visit Mcmenamins Edgefield,Grand Lodge, and St. Francis school as well- we have found them all to be wonderful places to visit. We did not care for the Hotel Oregon or Olympic Club as much- the Kennedy School and the others listed above have spoiled us!! We sincerely hope that the plans for a new hotel in an old seminary building near Seattle pan out! Viva Mcmenamins!!!
Very friendly staff
by A TripAdvisor Member
I stayed here recently while visiting my daughter at school. The room was unusual, very comfortable, and very clean. I never slept surrounded by blackboards before! We had lunch and breakfast in the dining room. The food was excellent and the staff could not have been friendlier.
The Perfect Blending of Art, Beer, and History
by TripAdvisor Member vtteach60
This place is magic. As with the Edgefield in Troutdale, McMenamins has preserved a historic treasure. The hallways echo with a sense of time and place. The art and the beer are astounding. Just a pint of Ruby is worth the price of admission. If you've never been to a McMenamins, you have no idea what you're missing.
Like Edgefield, the Kennedy School has psychedelic art evocative of The Grateful Dead and Haight-Ashbury circa 1968, and related to the history of the building, lining the hallways. We spent some time just walking up and down these hallowed halls enjoying the trippy artwork.
Our room contained a large blackboard and a mural relating the fable of the fox and the grapes.
The hotel retains its original architecture: the cafeteria is an excellent restaurant, the gym holds public functions, the auditorium shows nightly movies (while patrons sit on sofas and love seats enjoying popcorn and beer), and one may choose to drink in the honors bar (classical music, non-smoking) or the detention bar (cigars, cigarettes, and whiskey). The soaking pool is a must - and no children allowed in the evening.
Whether you're enjoying a pint of Ruby, the amazing artwork, or soaking in the pool, you'll know at the Kennedy School, school's out for summer, school's out forever.
School daze
by TripAdvisor Member TxStar
It was the night before we flew out of Portland; we'd been kayaking and touring around. What a great last night! Good food, good beer. We didn't make it to a movie, but enjoyed the soaking pool which is really a giant hot tub. You can't tell from the website that it is heated. Ahhhh.
Staff was nice, our room was cute, and pretty comfortable. It seemed scimpy on towels (only two bath towels for the two of us) and soap and shampoo. I guess we could have gotten more, but I don't know how.
Free parking is nice, but we did have to unload our car and then move it WAY in the back due to all the happy hour visitors. No bellmen or even a cart to tote our bags.
Ask for a pool towel at the front desk.
We'll go back and we'll try the other Mc 's too, although shared baths kinda scare me.
If you don't love this place you have no heart!
by TripAdvisor Member ThatNameIsTaken
We stayed here for 2 nights at the end of our 2 week touring holiday. It was the perfect place to finish off on a high!
As previously stated the staff were all very friendly and helpful, our room was huge, clean and comfortable and we didn't experience any problems with it being noisy.
You really shouldn't stay here if all you're looking for is a room to crash in before moving on - the building is so unique it really deserves people with time to appreciate it!
We fully appreciated the Honors Bar,The Courtyard Restaurant, The Movie Theatre and the soaking pool... (the 'Ale Sampler' which allows you to try out six different beers is a particularly good idea) and feel very inclined towards seeking out other McMenamins establishments for 'next time'.
All in all, incredibly good value for money.
Scholl was never so much fun!!
by TripAdvisor Member coono
We spent most of August touring the west coast of America and with that in mind, had decided to book McMenamins Kennedy School hotel in advance from Ireland to get a flavour of American life away from the coast.
Portland(Oregon) itself is a nice enough city but doesn't have enough to occupy tourists for more than a few days-we were lucky in that there was an outdoor Italian Festival taking place in the main plaza, the weekend that we were there plus we went to see Menopause The Musical at a nearby theatre. Powells bookstore(takes up an entire block)is also well worth a visit.
Anyhow, getting back to McMenamins Kennedy School Hotel-what an excellent place to stay and have a totally chilling time.
The hotel is located outside of the city in a really nice and safe residential suburb. The local bus to the City Centre runs about every 20 mins and the bus stop is located directly outside the hotel, which is very handy!
The bus drivers (most of whom were women!) are extremly helpfull and friendly.
In actual fact, if getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life is what you are lookinfg for then this is the hotel to go to.
The bedrooms are converted classrooms and retain many features such as blackboards,bookcases and kids coat hooks whcih adds to the charm of the place.
The ensuite bathrooms with constant hot water and shower cubicles are a modern addition. They dont look out of place as the decor has been suitably blended to match the rooms.
Food,drink and entertainment are all close by down one or other of the fabulous corridors-each of which has really interesting artwork to muse upon.
Basically, log onto the website and what you see there is pretty much what you get. So, if you do decide to go-and I strongly suggest you do at some stage-you will NOT be disappointed.
Had a wonderful time
by TripAdvisor Member foy323
Very cool place to stay. It's not trendy or chic, just unique and original. We arrived around 4 pm and didn't leave until 10 am the next morning. There is no reason to leave there is a movie theater, which you can eat a decent meal and have beer and drinks in the theater, which makes it twice as fun. There are a few bars to enjoy and the outdoor soaking pool. The rooms are big and roomy and a good size bathroom too. The decor is in keeping w/ the old school theme. Truly a unique and fun experience. Thank you Kennedy School. Would stay here everytime I visit Portland.
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