The Old Guard Meets the New

Discover Sentinel Portland

By Jordan Staggs | Photography courtesy of Sentinel

A historic building steeped in storytelling is what travelers will find when they approach the Sentinel in the downtown district of Portland, Oregon, tucked between the Willamette River and Washington Park. The hotel, built in 1909 and a filming location for Gus Van Sant’s My Own Private Idaho, starring Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix, exudes an artistic, edgy, and innovative nature balanced by timeless charm. In 2012, it became known as the Sentinel, named after the robotic sculptures on its rooftop. Architect William Christmas Knighton drew inspiration from Viennese-influenced Early Modern and modified Arts and Crafts styles in his design.

Upon entering the lobby, guests are welcomed by polished stone and plush sofas arranged in a lounge area. Coffee-table books are artfully displayed on low tables, and a complimentary Wine Hour is offered daily from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Intricate crown mouldings complement the contemporary furnishings and decor as guests make their way to the elevators and upstairs, where their rooms await. Along the way, the halls are adorned with large-scale photographs depicting cultural and historical trailblazers, such as Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Coco Chanel, and even Secretariat.

The Domaine Serene Wine Lounge, attached to Sentinel, offers visitors a taste of Oregon wine country.

Rooms are decorated with cozy plaid blankets, perfect for snuggling up after a day of exploring the city. Amenities include local chocolates, flat-screen televisions, a 24/7 virtual concierge, and a state-of-the-art fitness center featuring Peloton bikes. Guests can also enjoy complimentary outdoor bike rentals and pet-friendly perks if traveling with furry companions. The hotel’s meeting rooms and event spaces are perfect for conferences, weddings, and other special occasions.

Art, culture, and dining come together at the strikingly renovated hotel, part of the Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio of independent properties. Located just north of some of Oregon’s best wine country, it’s only fitting that Domaine Serene Wine Lounge beckons guests into its chic HQ within Sentinel so they can get a taste of the vineyards. The casual yet elegant bar offers weekly rotating wine flights, live music, rare and exclusive wines by the glass, and bottles for both on-site and off-site consumption.

Jake’s Grill opened in 1994 and has since become a modern Portland landmark, generating its own colorful tales and history. This American classic is a local go-to spot for steak and seafood, also offering in-room dining for Sentinel guests. Stop by for breakfast and enjoy homemade favorites, including buttermilk pancakes, biscuits and gravy, omelets, oatmeal, and much more. The Steak Frites au Poivre is a chef favorite for lunch, with the menu also boasting an array of oysters and seafood, sandwiches, salads, soups, and filling entrées. Dinner at Jake’s is a staple if you’re staying at the hotel, with chops and seafood to rival any New York steakhouse.

The trendy, relatively new addition to Sentinel’s dining scene is Fortune, a vibrant vegan spot that relocated from its Old Town Chinatown location to the historic building in 2021. During the day and at dinnertime, it serves stunning craft cocktails and mocktails, savory small plates, and delectable plant-based entrées. From falafel to French onion soup, “steak” frites to seasonal veggies, each dish is made with love and beautifully plated. The deep teal dining room, large floral motifs, and glistening cocktail bar invite guests and locals alike to relax, enjoy good company, and come back on the weekends to party with a live DJ!

Touted as an accommodation curated with trailblazers and visionaries in mind, Sentinel Portland is “inspired by the passion that drives people to innovate—to step forward and make a difference, envisioning a brighter future.” Whether celebrating these individuals through its art collection or by inviting artists and bold creative types to stay for a night or a week, the hotel describes itself as celebrating “moments in time when change was made, and the world shifted as a result.” Exploring Downtown Portland’s eclectic mix of boutiques, galleries, theaters, bookstores, cafés, and nightlife brings guests into that world where anything can happen, and the desire to make bold moves can make all the difference between a so-so stay and a truly memorable sojourn. Sentinel provides your base camp for it all.

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Visit SentinelHotel.com or follow @sentinelhotel on Instagram to learn more or book your stay. For more information or to see more Benchmark Resorts & Hotels, visit BenchmarkResortsandHotels.com.