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.
Virtual reality is almost as good as being there.
TripAdvisor
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Great Hotel, Loved It!
I cannot say enough good things. This is just a great place to stay. We had a large room with a king size bed and high ceilings. We included our dog with our booking, you have to book that ahead. It was a great room to just chill in. The Boiler Room bar is just amazing, a must see. And we also checked out the Detention bar and the Courtyard Restaurant for Happy Hour and breakfast. Kennedy School is almost like an all-inclusive where you can just hang out at the hotel as much as you want (except it’s not included). The Concordia neighbourhood is also lovely. We were there at blossom time so we had some wonderful walks around the local streets. And we walked to Alberta Street district. We also drove over to N. Mississippi for dinner and a walkabout. Don’t hesitate to book this hotel.
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Favorite spot no longer
Been coming here since it opened. Used to be funky, friendly, peaceful. Now the soaking pool is boozy and SO LOUD, the lovely young family vibe is gone, it is crowded and pushy. We like the bare-bones rooms, but the price does not match, and the noise all night was intolerable. Feels like the management is trashing a Portland institution.
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Great for sleeping and drinking - not eating.
The school house rooms are huge! I hear other side has small rooms. I rated the highest score because of their customer service. When ever there was anything wrong in the room etc. they made it better. Very friendly staff. Do not eat here. Except for potatoes the breakfasts were horrible. Hotel has such a cool vibe with multiple bars on site. Even watched a new movie in their Theater. The hot tub pool is so relaxing.
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Fun place
This is a very fun place to go to and look for the clues to get the prizes.Food is also very good Tried the pizza here, got the Margarita Pizza, had better, but it was not bad. Others in the group enjoyed the food very much Will go back
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Time for a deep cleaning
We are at the McMenamins Kennedy now, and so disappointing! (We were in the McMenamins Elk lodge just before up in Tacoma which was much better.) Our room is sadly so dirty. The floor molding hasn’t been washed in a long time. Very dusty. Even a cobweb and dust on the ice bucket. Dead flies on windowsill. Floors in closet haven’t been mopped in how long?? Bed is comfortable and clean (tg!). The Courtyard Restaurant is really dirty, and in need of a serious paint job in the booths. Saw a kitchen worker carrying stacks of plates with his long beard literally laying on the top plate. Couldn’t eat our lunch! The neighborhood is super cute and green with lush vegetation, but nothing to do unless you walk about ten minutes to Alberta Street which had some cool little places. Shout out to Kris the bartender at The Cypress Bar (Which is LOVELY!) She is a fun hoot, and was a bright spot! I rarely leave negative reviews but I want to be honest here as cool as the McMenamins transformations are… please update rooms and clean!