This is a fantastic place to stay if you like things a little quirky or different. For example, no room numbers - just room names based on the artwork inside them, cool weird artwork all along the corridors, wavy carpets in the hallways, every lampshade in the restuarant different from the next, an outdoor soaking pool, a cinema, the 'detention' bar etc... etc... We loved it!

Our room (Mr Toad's) was spacious, very clean and had loads of lovely touches like the original blackboards and coat hooks etc... The rooms didn't have any air con but there was a fan if required. Our room did have an issue with the keycard - basically it didn't like to open without a tussle, but that was the only snag really.

We ate at the restaurant for an evening meal and also for breakfast. Service was polite and attentive without being overwhelming and the food was good, honest, pub style fare. The bars had a lovely atmosphere and the staff were great, happy to answer questions from strange Europeans about the beer etc... There were quite a few locals in the bars as well when we were there which was great, it made it feel less like a hotel.

One thing about the place, it is a long way out from the centre of Portland, so expect to either drive, or take public transport/taxis to get to the downtown area.

Yes, it is an older building, and there are various creaks and noises, keycards requiring door jiggling etc.. to get them to work, but the staff were nice and the place is such an original you have to forgive such things.

I loved everything about our stay except for the hugely disappointing fact that our 13 year old son was not allowed in to a 7:40 movie showing. What's up with that, Kennedy School??!! They explained that it was because people were drinking, but he was allowed into the pub with no problem. What a horrible thing to have to tell your kiddo that he has to go back to the (TV-less) room on his own because for some reason they won't let him into the theatre. Sadly, we won't be back and will not be recommending this place to our friends with their own teenager children.

The Kennedy School is a beautiful hotel. It's nostalgic, lending memories of fall foliage making a cameo appearance for a short duration, the smell of the halls at Victorian-era elementary schools tucked away in a residential neighborhoods, homes adorned with pumpkins on porches and fire glowing leaves on lawns.

This place is insanely busy, and seems to attract many families, and there's a myriad of rugrats wandering the halls at all hours of the night. They run up and down...up and down. Then up and down some more. Remembering to scream and whoop the length of their run. Out of all the McMenamin locations we visited, this was the most expensive in terms of food and drinks. The staff here seemed a HELL of a lot less friendly and warm (except the front desk girl, she was sweet). It's a long bus ride to get to...anywhere. It's smack-dab in the middle of the burbs and if you're avoiding driving, it's a long bus ride + a Max ride to get where you're going. And of course, it's a little pricey if you stay more than a night or two.

However, the bus does (which you can catch a block away) go along NE Alberta through the Arts District where there are several great eateries. The Kennedy does shut children out of the soaking pool after 8pm and the movie theatre after the 2:30pm showing. Yes, they have a movie theatre inside (with lots of comfy couches) where guests are welcomed to enjoy a movie free of charge and the public only pays $3. At least the McMenamins know that certain people need mommy and daddy time and us spinsters and bachelors need "Shut the hell up, kid!" time. The billiards table and the bar in the "Boiler Room," that room was so decorative. It was straight out of a Steam Punk production. The rooms are insanely spacious and you get a free Oregonian paper.

With its restaurant, bars, movie theatre and pool on location, it's easy to become comfortable and never want to leave the perimeter. This is a bad thing. Don't be lazy, just get your tuchus up and take the bus out of the area. Afterthought: I really wish the Brothers McMenamin would hire a young and innovative gourmet chef for some of their establishments, including the restaurant on this site.

Great food, beautiful gardens, friendly staff, amazing artwork - most importantly, great greyhounds with fresh squeezed grapefruits. We loved hitting the outdoor soaking spa with it's waterside bar. This place is a playground...