Hotel McMenamins Kennedy School, Portland
More photosExpert reviews
“This former elementary school (built in 1915) has been brought back to life as possibly the most unusual hotel in town. There’s colorful hand-painted art on the walls, a couch-filled movie-theater pub, a brewery, and a saltwater soaking pool outdoors, for starters. Choose from two restaurants, which continue the quirky decorating vibe with paintings and other artwork.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Portland.
“A lot of people associate Portland with adjectives like “quirky,” “unique,” and “weird.” Well, those adjectives are on full display at McMenamins Kennedy School. McMenamins took over the abandoned school property (which was built in 1915) and repurposed it as a hotel, where you can have a pint in a classroom, enjoy an aged whiskey in detention, [or] enjoy a movie in the old auditorium.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Portland.
What guests liked
- Top location
- Great food
- Movie theater
- Historic building
All you need to know
As the name suggests, the theme of this hotel is to remind you of your school days. Remember when you were not allowed to sleep during school hours? Well, now you can sleep in school. Enjoy a drink in your classroom and a movie in the school auditorium.
It was a school back in early 1915 which was abandoned and now is renovated into a great hotel by McMenamins. This school is renovated to give you around 57 comfortable rooms with installed telephones and baths. The renovations are made keeping the school theme intact.
Some new amenities installed are small bars, a theatre, a restaurant, and a pool to add more comfort to the guests. Kennedy school is a well-suited place for business travelers from all across the world. The airport and the shopping sites are all within minutes’ ride from McMenamins Kennedy School, Portland.
Pets are allowed inside the rooms at a minimal charge of $15. You get orange bicycles outside for rent to tour the city. It has an auto-locking feature, which means you can leave the bike for the next person. All the required information about the available bikes is available on a mobile application.
You get a wide range of pubs and restaurants to add more fun to your trip. The old auditoriums are converted into movie halls and theatres. The theatres host music concerts and many other events, especially for the guests. If you are planning your vacation to Portland, McMenamins is at your service.
Hotel deals & lowest price guarantee
We partner with Booking.com and Hotels.com. Both booking websites offer the lowest price guarantee so you can be certain you will always get the best deal for this hotel. If you have seen a better price elsewhere, all you need to do is contact the booking website and they will refund you the difference immediately. You can price match right up until the day before check-in.
Location
Recent guest reviews
26 September 2023
Exceptional
Just about everything offered!
The fact that there is only one comfy chair in the room we stayed in (116). When you have 2 people staying and only one chair, not cool
26 September 2023
Perfect getaway with my daughter, exploring and relaxing all under one roof
beautiful creative design, soaking pool was great, bed was very comfortable
nothing
19 September 2023
We’ve stayed a few times before but not sure we’ll stay again. Hopefully they can clean it up and make it a little nicer
I love the history, the building. It’s unique and very special.
It needs some more upkeep. It feels like their staff is not very experienced. Not the most efficient, but friendly.
12 September 2023
A WOW for History and Art Lovers that Can't be Missed!
McMenamin's is an experience that eveyone should enjoy at least once! The historically preserved property was restored with funky lighting and art that celebrated its history. We spent hours walking up and down the hallways of the old school looking at art and memorabilia. We got in late from a flight and went to the restaurant close to 10 pm and they still served us. The ciders are especially luscious and the warm brownie with caramel and ice cream is to die for! We checked out the theater and were sorry we missed the movie. A wonderful and memorable experience.
The bed was ok but not super comfortable, though the pillows were great. We loved the dark green ceiling in our room!
6 September 2023
Exceptional
Everything was perfect. The attention to detail was amazing. I have the best memories of our stay.
2 September 2023
A very groovy place to check out at least once. Lots of nostalgia and character.
Let me say first that if anyone is blue light or intense light sensitive, this is the place to go. They currently use lighting around the 3300-3500k range which means you can walk around w/out becoming disoriented or having to wear blue block glasses. The staff was very professional. The room was simple and met my needs.
The internet is NOT strong and definitely not above 40-50% reliable. It did not work at all in my room or in the restaurant. Hallway only. I saw the repeaters, but the fact is that the old buildings are not signal-friendly. The walls are also paper thin. And when I say paper thin, I mean I could literally hear the guy in the next room moving around on his bed - Not banging the headboard or anything. Just rolling around in his sleep. There is also no type of environmental in the room. Only one ceiling fan and a window that opens to the outside.
26 August 2023
We enjoyed ourselves!
The school vibe/atmosphere was fun!
Toilet stopped up on first use.
Food was disappointing!
26 August 2023
Fabulous
Staff and decor
The dirt in the eating area, a lot and made shoes very dirty.
19 August 2023
Very good
Nice architecture and decor.Food is also delicious.A diversity of activities here.
11 July 2023
Fun unique hotel! Would stay again.
Fun and fabulous!
Restaurant service was not great.
26 June 2023
Very good
Themed room was adorable. Soaking pool was great. Lots to do on the site.
Price is a bit much, even with all the facilities.
17 June 2023
See abovr
Charming, interesting place.
Mix up at check in - only had one room instead of two as reserved. Found a second room in not main building. To check in staff credit, we were given a discount but still disappointing rooms were not nearby and one room not as nice as the other.
6 June 2023
Exceptional
This was our first time staying at Kennedy School (it was aways sold out before the pandemic) but we have visited other McMennamins venues. It did not disappoint. Same funky art combined with history, movie night in the theatre, dip in the hot pool, fabulous beds and bathrooms. We had breakfast and dinner which were both extraordinary. THank you.
6 June 2023
the line of destination hotels are amazing, the hiccups are minimal compared to the attention to detail.
Decor and memorabilia, destination lodging with dining and activities in house.
My situation wasunique, but we did wish there was access to a refrigerator for medicine and a TV while I was recuperating and unable to walk.
we had several issues with our meal such as items missing, delayed and prepared wrong.
9 May 2023
had a blast hanging with my family
fun place to explore
5 May 2023
excellent
I was so pleased that they let us check into the room so early. My sister became ill and needed to go to bed and they let us in the room at 930 am because it was available... I will certainly stay here again.
Shampoo too small for 2 people but I know they would have brought more if I would have asked. Many people in the pool during day maybe limit it more for the hotel guest... Loved the pool when we used it...
27 April 2023
Very good
food on property
big conventions
7 April 2023
I’ll be back again next year !
I had to leave early to catch a plane so no breakfast
My room service was forgotten . I ordered a salad from the restaurant.
23 March 2023
very fun and nice stay !
loved the variety of things to do, the bed was super comfy and they provided extra pillows! soaking pool was awesome :)
the shower was a little small but that’s no big deal, most of the staff was super friendly but a few were not
24 February 2023
So fun! Perfect place to be snowed in.
we enjoyed all the amenities. The food was great. The staff was terrific.
what was missing was a ‘library’ a place with comfy chairs and couches to read a book and have a coffee that wasn’t a bar.
30 November 2022
It exceeded my expectations.
I had breakfast in my room, it was right on time.
Nothing. The staff was excellent!
2 November 2022
a magical place that is also clean, friendly and quite amazing
so unique and magical
nothing
31 August 2022
eclectic
Food and staff were exceptional, enjoyed the soaking pool.
a coffee maker in the room. having to get cleaned up and dressed before my first cup is a bit of a pain
19 June 2022
Old School Lodgings.
Our room in the old part of the School had lots of character, original 12" ceilings , windows and cloak room. Ceiling fan kept the air moving. Onsite restaurant served great food especially the Pizza.
Really needed a desk lamp .
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
Services
- - Room service
- - 24-hour front desk
- - ATM/cash machine on site
Outdoors
- - Garden
General
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Safety deposit box
- - Heating
- - Air conditioning
- - Designated smoking area
Activities
- - Billiards (additional charge)
- - Hot tub/Jacuzzi
- - Evening entertainment
Miscellaneous
- - Breakfast takeaway containers
- - Delivered food is securely covered
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