McMenamins Kennedy School

Cool atmosphere in an old elementary school. Great vibe, adequate food, wonderful drinks.
I got lost looking for a bathroom, wandered by a working library and a hot swimming pool of happy people laughing and jumping around. Very cool grounds for walking and getting lost in.

Was there for the food only. Great cider and great beer choices. Again, food adequate but not the reason to go.

Service: 5

That French Toast 🤤 is a wonderful different take on my all-time favorite breakfast food...
It's definitely a must-have!

Located in a safe neighborhood, on-site parking with other great amenities. Many small bars and nooks to explore. The steak street tacos are fantastic. Enjoyed buttermilk pancakes, definitely go with the short stack, which is two very I'm are pancakes. More than enough.

Service: 4

Can't go wrong with tots and a soak

Service: 4

What a fun experience to stay at this hotel! Great food and service. Beds are comfortable, a quaint room!

Noteworthy details: Great restaurant, movie theatre and outdoor pool.

Service: 4

Every mcmenamins hotel is worth visiting, including this one. Delicious food and drinks, and so many interesting things to look at. This is one of the few locations I've found that has artichoke dip- sooooo good!

Service: 4

It’s been awhile since I stayed here but I never forgot the unique experience. I loved the idea of transforming the school into a hotel, theatre, restaurant, art exhibit and more. I recall there was a garden space in the rear of the hotel. I recall a jazz musician was scheduled to perform. Very interesting and a rich educational experience. Service was excellent.

Service: 5

Just went for dinner. Nice bar/restaurant with friendly, helpful service. We arrived to a long line but they got us a table in short order. The fish and chips dominated our table but the Rubin was a very good choice . The sliders had a very light very pleasant sauce and are also worth trying.

Noteworthy details: Parking was full this night so we had to park on the neighborhood streets.

The food is still fairly bad, not inedible, but generally earthy and not great value. The service seems to have improved, but given the actual legendary reputation for terrible service here, set expectations to low. You go here for the 1 of a kind experience, the fascinating and diverse bars and restaurants under one roof. Although "kid friendly", really this is a place where others are not going to appreciate you bringing them. This is much better as an adults and quiet mature teens maybe place. More for warm and romantic or gathering of friends; just one loud child is going to quickly shatter the atmosphere, which is frankly the only reason to be here. So just know, death glares will be bored into the back of your head. There are appropriate places for your kids and dogs, this just isn't one of them - and I don't care what management says, (they want the revenue and fear the backlash), the overwhelming majority may be afraid to say anything, but it is not appreciated.

Service: 3

Had no idea this was a hotel too. Great way to spend the afternoon. The main restaurant had blah service, but the small bars on the sides were great. Busy though.

Food and drinks: Expensive, but the old fashion was amazing. Food was ok.

Noteworthy details: Lots of people there, but it was a Saturday. So much to walk and see. Great little bars throughout, a band in the gym, and a movie in the theatre room. Staff was nice enough to show us a room, very unique.

Service: 4

I stayed at the Kennedy School March 18 - 20 for a business conference. The atmosphere of the location was really artistic and unique, as it reflected strongly the former life of the hotel as an elementary school. Room was comfortable if slightly shopworn, with amazing art renderings on the headboard and wall reflecting the vibe of the place. Conference facility was fine, food was fresh and palatable across the board. Best aspect was the customer service provided. The front desk, manned 24/7 was quickly responsive to every question and need, never more so than when I left my prescription glasses behind on departure for the airport. Not only did the front desk respond quickly when I called, they called me back when they found my glasses and offered to mail them to my home address gratis. I was very, very impressed by their staff. Definitely would recommend for anyone who wants to stay someplace with real character and charm and great service.

Service: 5

overall everyone was extremely loud during the movie and a lot of people and servers going up and down in their seats, people on phones or letting children fight with siblings and run around, i was next to a child with light up shoes. i understand it’s not the staffs children but there is some form of manner anymore no?

Service: 4

This review is in regards to my recent stay at The Kennedy School. As an avid traveler, I’ve stayed in many places- good and bad. However, I generally know what to expect and set my expectations accordingly. On a pacific NW trip with my (18 year old) daughter, we opted to stay at the Kennedy school during our stop in Portland. It was sadly one of my all around worst experiences in a very long time. Starting from check in, and beyond check out.

We knew there would be no TVs in the room and were ok with it since we were told there would be theater access, WiFi, and of course plenty of things to do in the hotel itself. However, the day we arrived there was an event we were not aware of (we should have been told in advance) and could not utilize the theater.
Additionally, the WiFi never worked for us, so utilizing our own devices was impossible.
I had booked a breakfast package - was told they couldn’t honor that, (don’t know why) and I’d receive a credit for it.
We attempted dinner, but were not allowed inside all but one restaurant because my daughter wasn’t 21. Ate in the hotel, but had to eat outside because there were no tables and we couldn’t be in the bar area.
We never got to use the (small) salt water pool as it was consistently overcrowded with drunks- apparently anyone can use it and you don’t have to be a hotel guest.

No problem... it is what it is.

Until we see our very underwhelming room, with a shower no bigger than what’s inside an rv, a toilet that sounds like a tsunami when flushed, and a stained bed (see photo).

But the kicker, was receiving an email from management stating that I’d be charged an extra $200 because they “found evidence” of smoking in my room. I don’t smoke, so I emailed back that they must have the wrong guests, and never received a response. Bad business from a place that in my opinion, should have been more forthcoming on what to expect.
I filed a dispute with my credit card, but lost. And the reason- they sent photos after they dug through my trash!! and found items I discarded from my car, including someone’s cigarette pack and cigarettes.

I didn’t expect the four seasons, but I didn’t expect any of what we walked into either. It was disappointing to say the least. Staff was mostly unfriendly, (with the exception of some bar staff and the gentleman in the gift shop).

I emailed corporate and never received a response. I wouldn’t have taken the time to leave this review if they had addressed some of these issues, but they apparently couldn’t be bothered.

Huge waste of money- overpriced for the sh*tty room you get, and only good if your 22 and just need a place to crash after partying all night.

I’m truly surprised and disappointed in the entire experience and everything that occurred from start to finish.

Service: 1

It was unique and a fun place to be on Valentines Day but the general attitude of most staff was dark and not very inviting. I wouldn't stay there if I wanted common hotel amenities. 4 stars because rooms were clean and ours was quiet.

Classic charm, I went for a seminar there