McMenamins Kennedy School

Since its 1915 opening, this historic elementary school has been a beloved fixture of its Northeast Portland neighborhood. McMenamins renovated the once-abandoned scholastic gem and turned it into Portland’s most unique hotel. Here you’ll find 57 comfy guestrooms with private baths and telephones (some fashioned from former classrooms complete with original chalkboards and cloakrooms – others with an author’s theme), a restaurant, multiple small bars, a movie theater, soaking pool, gift shop and a brewery (just wait until the principal hears about this!). Extensive original artwork and historical photographs cover the walls, ceilings, doorways and hallways.

Great Place to Stay

We stayed at Kennedy School for three nights over the Easter weekend. What a fun place! We loved the quirky theme and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. If you are looking for something a little different than a regular hotel, this is a great option. The rooms were large with high ceilings. The chalkboards in the rooms were fun and we loved stopping for a couple drinks in the Boiler Room. We ate at the Courtyard Restaurant our first morning and enjoyed delicious chai. We weren't able to make it to a movie, but loved the fact that there was a theater in the hotel. We also didn't visit the soaking pool and weren't sure why a big hot tub was such a big attraction, but to each his own I guess. We would definitely return and would be interested in trying other McMenamins properties in the future.

Family Favorite

We love staying at the Kennedy School. The soaking pool is excellent. We like that you can get a drink and bring it back to your room. We saw a movie in the theater on both days we were there for free. Only thing that would be awesome would be tiny fridges in the room, or at least an ice machine. If you want ice you have to go to a restaurant or bar which seems to annoy the servers.

A Really Unique Place to Stay

The Kennedy School is more than just an interesting hotel. It is almost a resort. Located in a restored elementary school, it includes a movie theater (in the old auditorium), a soaking tub, a couple of restaurants (one in the original cafeteria) and at least four bars, all continuing the elementary school theme. The walls are decorated with a mix of old photos and the offbeat artwork that characterizes the McMenamin‘s brand, and the entire place has a somewhat funky, stoned atmosphere about it. The room was interesting, and as quirky as the hotel. But this isn’t a Holiday Inn Express, so don’t go there if you expect all of the usual amenities. We stayed in the “English wing,” which is not one of the original classrooms, so I can’t comment on the original accommodations. But our room was small but perfectly adequate, except for an almost total lack of shelf space, especially around the free-standing sink. The hotel is located in Concordia, in the northeast corner of the city, so it is quite removed from downtown. There are a couple of shops in the immediate vicinity, and there is a small shopping district, Alberta Street, which is within about an 8-block walking distance, but it is not extensive: Portland seems to pride itself on its “neighborhoods,” and the Alberta Street area is one of them. Without a car, you are limited to the restaurants and bars in the school or perhaps on Alberta Street. All in all, however, it is a delightful, if not quirky, place to spend a few days. I would definitely go back when I am in Portland.

Fun funky place in great residential area

It’s not for everyone but it’s a fun place to stay with it’s minibars, soaking pools and funky rooms. The classroom rooms are large but with basic bathrooms. This is about being out of your room trying a game of pool, soaking or tasting whisky. Drinks were a bit weak. Decent pub style food. But fun to visit.

McMenamins Kennedy School

Virtual reality is almost as good as being there.

TripAdvisor Ratings & Reviews

Great Place to Stay

Family Favorite

Based on a friends recommendation and good value!

A Really Unique Place to Stay

Fun funky place in great residential area