Vancouverscape, a Vancouver based blog covering travel, tech, and lifestyle

The following feature was written and photographed by travel contributor Rachel Cavanaugh.

Portland may seem like an unlikely setting for a five-star luxury hotel, but at the city’s first Ritz-Carlton, which opened in late 2023, the Rose City’s easygoing creative energy finds its match in sophisticated design, sweeping city views, and thoughtful local touches.

Guests can savour refined dining at Bellpine Restaurant and Meadowrue Bar, or pop downstairs for casual bites and local flavour at the buzz-worthy Flock Food Hall — a vibrant, chef-driven market that captures Portland’s love for street-style eats.

As a born-and-raised Portlander, I booked a staycation in March and was delighted to discover that this glossy new arrival blends local spirit seamlessly into world-class luxury.

From the moment you approach, the towering building catches your eye with its clean, contemporary lines. Rising above Southwest 9th Avenue, its shimmering silhouette mirrors the shifting Oregon sky, hinting at the modern, nature-inspired retreat inside — one deeply rooted in the textures and landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.

Step inside and you’re greeted by serene, forest-inspired tones, branch-like lighting overhead, and warm wood accents. The lobby feels more like a tranquil art gallery than a traditional hotel entrance, inviting you to pause and soak in the carefully curated ambience before discovering the rest of the property.

In the adjoining lounge area, the hotel’s design soars to new heights — literally. A dramatic multi-story chandelier drips with delicate bulbs and cascades of greenery, evoking a forest canopy brought indoors. Soft, curved seating entices guests to linger over a cocktail or local Pinot Noir while expansive windows filter the city’s glow. The atmosphere feels at once grand and inviting, a modern “living room” for downtown Portland.

Next to the lounge, a regal staircase, with its waterfall-inspired glass railing, leads gracefully up to the 17,000+ square feet of meeting rooms and venue spaces upstairs. According to Kimi Knops, Director of Sales & Marketing, it’s a favorite spot for influencers who love the sprawling design and photogenic angles. 

At the base of the staircase, Meadowrue Bar feels like a lush urban oasis. Overseen by veteran bar manager Jason Marshall, whose resumé includes developing bar concepts for Marriott and leading the program at Multnomah Whiskey Library, the space fuses inventive, story-driven cocktails with a design that channels Portland’s experimental spirit. 

I happened to visit during Portland’s annual Bloom Tour when Meadowrue showcased floral-inspired drinks like the After A While Chamomile (a citrusy scotch-based sour paired with chamomile lemon cream cake) and the Kireina Hana (a gin and tonic served with jasmine and matcha petit fours).

The latter (pictured above) features Marshall’s striking floral ice spheres which are created using a special directional freezing technique that slowly melt to reveal delicate blooms suspended inside.

Upstairs, the guest rooms continue the nature-forward story with soft, neutral tones reminiscent of Oregon’s foggy mornings and river stones. Plush textures and intentional details invite you to sink in and unwind as towering windows frame the city skyline.

The beautifully designed bathroom is fresh and luxurious with creamy stone tiles and a spacious glass-enclosed rain shower that begs for long, steamy soaks. The double vanity is outfitted with deep sinks and ample counter space while the show-stopping soaking tub by the window offers a stunning city view.

The signature Ritz-Carlton bed, with its soft yet supportive pillow-top mattress (designed to reduce motion transfer and encourage deep sleep), offers a blissfully restful night. Crisp, smooth linens and an airy down duvet add a layer of quiet luxury while the soft lighting, elegant nightstands, and cloud-like mural above the headboard create a calming cocoon high above the city.

A colourful welcome tray awaited me on the table featuring fresh berries, grapes, and other fruit alongside sparkling mineral water and still spring water. A chic gift bag offered a fragrant room spray and small keepsake pouch, adding an extra layer of personalized hospitality that carried through the entire stay.

The cozy sitting area, with a sleek curved sofa and sculptural mirror, offers a perfect nook for enjoying takeout from Flock Food Hall downstairs or ordering room service. Soft drapery adds a sense of intimacy and gentle separation from the rest of the room.

In the corner, a cushioned armchair with a matching ottoman makes an inviting spot to curl up with a book or sip morning coffee as the city wakes up below. At sunset, warm golden light spills through the tall windows, wrapping the entire room in a soft, tranquil glow.

A well-appointed refreshment station offers a Nespresso coffee machine, ceramic cups and saucers, and elegant glassware for enjoying a nightcap or a glass of local wine. To the left, a smart fridge keeps beverages chilled and snacks ready while the dresser provides space to unpack and store clothes. Its leather drawer pulls, inspired by vintage luggage trunks, nod to the Oregon Trail pioneers.

Fluffy white towels and a plush Ritz-Carlton robe help transition into full relaxation mode following a soak. A smooth glass cart nearby provides extra storage for spa essentials or personal items.

The deep soaking tub, perched next to a giant floor-to-ceiling window, is easily the room’s crown jewel. As evening settled in, I spoiled myself with a long, indulgent soak and watched the city lights flicker to life across the skyline — an utterly cinematic experience that left me blissfully relaxed as I crawled into the big, comfy bed. 

[Fitness Center; photo courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Portland]

The fitness center, part of the Ritz-Carlton’s 4,000-square-foot wellness floor, offers sweeping city panoramas and a fantastic head-on view of Mt. Hood, along with Technogym equipment, Peloton bikes, rowing machines, free weights, and a well-lit movement studio — all open 24 hours a day for in-house guests.

The modern infinity-edge pool and adjacent hot tub is one of the property’s standout features, offering beautiful views of downtown Portland and beyond. Framed by soaring windows, the space allows hotel guests to enjoy tranquil luxury high above the city.

Located on the 20th floor, Bellpine is the hotel’s signature restaurant, balancing refinement with a sense of place steeped in Oregon’s lush scenery and unique culinary traditions. Stepping past the artful wine showcase at the entrance, guests are welcomed into a dining room inspired by tide pools and coastal rock formations, anchored by a ceiling cutout shaped like a wild mushroom.

The dining room feels airy and elegantly sculpted with soft curves and earthy tones. At the helm is Executive Chef Pedro Almeida, who brings both technical mastery and a genuine love for local ingredients.

Having led Michelin-starred kitchens in Portugal, his approach is refined yet grounded, celebrating the Pacific Northwest’s bounty: hazelnuts, beets, foraged mushrooms, and pristine seafood, all presented with delicate, artful precision. Each plate feels carefully considered, fusing international finesse with a distinctly Oregonian soul.

I was treated to a special menu sampling; among the most memorable bites was the beef tataki, sliced paper-thin and accented with sweet soy and wasabi. I also enjoyed the albacore and Wagyu beef tartare which was placed inside a split bone cradled on a bed of moss, perfectly paired with a glass of Willamette Valley Sangiovese.

As a plant-based counterpoint, the beetroot tartare showcased Oregon’s long standing love of vegetables. Tucked under crisp potato pillows and delicate green garnish, it had an earthy sweetness and silky texture that was deliciously satisfying. 

For dessert, the pastry team surprised me with a beautiful custom-made gluten-free creation: A pavlova-like meringue topped with ripe local berries and edible flowers. It was a fresh, celebratory finale that underscored the kitchen’s warmth and flexibility.

I also managed to enjoy brunch at Bellpine one morning, which included fluffy gluten-free French toast with fresh fruit and maple syrup, alongside a velvety latte.

Guests seeking an extra layer of exclusivity can opt for access to the Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, a serene private oasis with warm, artful interiors and expansive city views. It’s a fantastic place to unwind between adventures, enjoy a quiet moment, or savour one of five daily complimentary culinary presentations, from buffet-style breakfasts to evening hors d’oeuvres.

For those mixing business with pleasure, the Ritz-Carlton offers sleek, light-filled meeting spaces, including this modern boardroom complete with a large conference table, whiteboard, and city views to inspire big ideas.

Just down the hall from the fitness center and pool, Ritz-Carlton’s spa offers a restorative haven, thoughtfully designed to calm the mind and rejuvenate the body. Guests can browse a reception area stocked with silky creams, aromatic oils, candles, and other wellness products before slipping away to treatments like body scrubs, facials, and a comprehensive menu of massage options, from tension-melting deep tissue work to gentle CBD-infused or rose quartz crystal packages. 

I had the pleasure of indulging in an utterly decadent massage that left me floating for hours. My skilled practitioner listened closely to my preferences, tailoring the pressure accordingly and incorporating both a sound bath and aromatic oils for a multi-sensory experience. The soothing scents and intuitive touch created a calming reset for body and mind.

Another great perk of staying at Portland’s Ritz-Carlton is that it shares a building with Flock, a vibrant new food hall just downstairs that’s already been getting local buzz, bringing together some of Portland’s most exciting culinary talent under one roof.
 
The lively market offers a dynamic lineup of diverse vendors, serving everything from Southern Thai specialties (ZabPinto Thai) and crispy Korean fried chicken (bb.q chicken) to Mediterranean-inspired plates (Queen Mama’s Kitchen), rich Mexican birria (Birrieria La Plaza), delicate Cantonese dim sum (HK Bistro), craft beer with wings (Prime Taphouse), and elegant pastries and cakes (Tous les Jours).

I ate at Pan Roast, the latest venture from chef-owner Ryan Moy, previously known for the sushi burrito concept Rollin’ Fresh.

[Chef/Owner Ryan Moy of Pan Roast]

Inspired by the seafood bisques he shared with his father, Moy’s menu centers on a comforting, tomato-and-clam-based pan roast finished with Cajun spices and citrus, offered with a variety of shellfish. Being gluten-free, I opted for a plate of seared ahi while my dinner-mate happily dove into the creamy clam chowder bread bowl, which she raved about.
 

My seared ahi tuna (pictured above) was a standout: A clean, bright dish of delicately sliced sesame-crusted tuna paired with buttery avocado and a tangy, savoury dipping sauce. In addition to being GF, it offered a fresh, lighter alternative to the richer bowls Pan Roast is known for.

All told, my visit to Portland’s Ritz-Carlton offered a memorable and luxurious retreat that proved world-class sophistication and Portland’s earthy, laid-back spirit are not mutually exclusive.

The Ritz-Carlton is located at 900 SW Washington Street in downtown Portland, Oregon.

I was hosted by the Ritz-Carlton Portland for the purpose of this feature. Opinions, as always, remain my own. Top image courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Portland.