Far more manageable to navigate than San Francisco to the south and Seattle to the north, Portland is an easy city to get around. Traffic is at a minimum and you can always find a place to park. Many families are realizing that you don’t have to stay in the heart of the city to see all the sights. In fact, you can stay at the RiverPlace Hotel on the banks of the Willamette River and only be a five-minute drive from the restaurants and stores downtown, and a 10-minute jaunt to Washington Park, home to the Oregon Zoo, Portland Children’s Museum and the Portland Japanese Garden.

What you get in return is a quiet residential neighborhood, bordered by the Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the bike and jogging path called the Westside Riverwalk, and views of the sailboats bobbing in the water with the Marquam Bridge in the backdrop. An added bonus is free use of the pool and all the fitness facilities at the city’s finest health club, the Oregon Athletic Club, just down the block. Feel like a workout outdoors? Grab one of the complimentary bikes and take a spin on the Riverwalk.

The only lodging overlooking the Willamette River in Portland, the RiverPlace Hotel was acquired by Kimpton Hotels. All rooms have been renovated, including the corner suites with a master bedroom, living room with a pullout sofa and a small pied-a-terre with views of the marina. Expect other Kimpton amenties, such as a daily happy hour, pet-friendly rooms and goldfish to “rent.” The RiverPlace Hotel offers a serene setting with all the major perks of an urban lodging.

For more information, read about Kimpton Hotels.

Suites
The Riverfront Junior Suite features a small pied-a-terre that opened to the river and boats docked in the nearby harbor. Enter a spacious living room with a sofa that converts to a double bed sleeper. Across from the sofa is the first of two flat screen televisions. The closet for both rooms is located across from the bathroom upon entering the suite, and houses a safe, iron and ironing board. The bathroom features rainforest showerheads. Also in the living room is a table with two chairs, binoculars for taking a closer look of the river and available goodies like Patton Valley pinot noir from Oregon's Willamette Valley, almonds, nuts, M&Ms and potato chips. The master bedroom features a king-sized bed, flat-screen television and access to the balcony. The Junior Suite is 410 square feet.

Other room options include the slightly smaller RiverFront Double Double Deluxe Rooms with two double beds, a sitting area, and those same water views. For more space, consider the RiverFront One- or Two-Bedroom Suite located in an adjacent building. The suites also include a full service kitchen with an oven, microwave, refrigerator, silverware and kitchenware. You'll also appreciate the washer and dryer, wood-burning fireplace in the living room, and private balcony with chairs and a table overlooking the Willamette River.

Free Bicycles
Take advantage of RiverPlace Hotel's generous offer to give you complimentary bikes, and ride along the Riverwalk to Portland Saturday Market, the large open-air arts and food market, that takes place every Saturday (and often Sunday) during the summer and early fall months. Lock up the bikes and stroll around to find artists selling jewelry, stained glass, soap, photographs and much more.

Oregon Athletic Club
Return to the RiverPlace for a quick walk over to the Oregon Athletic Club and a dip in its Olympic-size pool -- the perfect way to unwind after a long day of seeing the city.

Three Degrees Restaurant
Dine indoors or alfresco at RiverPlace Hotel's Three Degrees Restaurant. For breakfast, there's breakfast burritos, house-cured salmon with a bagel and cream cheese, Meyer lemon pancakes, buttermilk or buckwheat waffles topped with blueberries, and healthy options, such as mango smoothies or granola and yogurt. For lunch, expect a mix of salads, burgers and sandwiches, like the mole verde chicken. Dinner features chicken wings, popular Northwestern fish (think halibut or black cod), ribeye and grilled chicken.

All About the Extras
Start with the happy hour every afternoon from 5 to 6 p.m. Servers offer Oregon wine for parents, while kids can opt for the sodas or hot chocolate.

Upon request, you can ask for a goldfish in a bowl to accompany you in your room. Complimentary bicycles are available to ride along the Riverwalk. Free passes to the nearby Oregon Athletic Club are easily attained.

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is complimentary is available for Kimpton rewards members and it is free to become a member.

Pet Friendly
The hotel is pet friendly and there is no additional charges or limitations on your pets.

The Art of Smart Timing
The winter months might be more affordable, but you'll pay for it in often-dreary weather. Come to the city from June though September, when you can taste the harvest of the state at restaurants and smell the roses in bloom at Washington Park. Days are long and sunny in summer, so you can take advantage of every moment.

Getting There
The Portland International Airport is located less than 30 minutes away from this hotel.

Getting Around
Portland is a walkable city but a vehicle may be necessary during your visit as well.

For Mom and Dad
Blessed with an abundance of seafood from the nearby Pacific coast and a healthy harvest from the Oregon interior, it's no surprise that Portland is known for its restaurants. Try one of the dining establishments in town, like Imperial at Hotel Lucia. Under the keen eye of James Beard Award-winning chef, Vitaly Paley, everything is delicious, from the grilled black cod to the lamb that comes from Oregon's Imperial Ranch.