Penang to Portland & Austin: Portland and review of Hilton Portland

• Introduction
• Penang to Singapore on Silkair
• Singapore to Portland on United Airlines
• Portland and review of Hilton Portland
• Portland to Austin; First Bump ever
• Short review of Embassy Suites Austin Town Lake
• Heading back home - Austin to Penang on United Airlines

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Portland, Oregon is one of my favorite cities to live or visit at least during the summer months. I missed the long days of summer, amazing scenery, great hiking and wonderful restaurants having lived in Portland for a year a couple of years back. It was good to be back. The weather during this visit however was on the chilly side (~15-20 Celsius) even though it was already July – at least the sun was out and it wasn’t raining.

I also lucked out where the city’s Rose Festival was happening the weekend I was in Portland. It was fun walking around the Saturday market, downtown and the waterfront area.

I stayed in Hilton Portland for this trip. The hotel is located in the heart of downtown right by Pioneer Square. The location was great with a bunch of shopping and restaurants nearby and the further spots were easily accessible via the Max tram which was free in the downtown area.

As a Hilton Honors Gold member, I was upgraded to a room in the Executive Tower. The Executive Tower is opposite the main Hilton building and had its own restaurant, bar and smaller gym. Having never stayed in the main building before, I’m not sure if the rooms in the Executive tower were actually that much better the ones the main building. There is also no executive lounge or clubhouse in this Hotel which was a disappointment – no free alcohol!

Internet and breakfast was also free thanks to my gold status. I was provided vouchers for the breakfast which was good for a continental breakfast buffet or a $14 USD credit to be used to pay for the American breakfast buffet or other ala carte options at the restaurant in the main hotel or the executive tower.