Hotel McMenamins Kennedy School, Portland

Very unique with lots of attention to detail. Eclectically historic.

We splurged to bring our grandson here for our last night in Portland. While the room was nice, the rest of the hotel was a bit chaotic. We did get in the first movie which was age appropriate; however our dinner arrived at our theatre seats with cold fries. The biggest disappointment was the pool: not the volume of people (of which was extreme) but the impaired condition of the waders, the inappropriate public displays of affection, and the umbrellas in use. We immediately left, much to our grandson’s dismay. As the evening movie was not age appropriate, we had to call it a very early night. Hard with a child to be sure. He’s had birthday parties at Kennedy, visits with Santa, and an overnight during an ice storm- all favorable experiences. We were disappointed.

Location was very convenient as we were arriving from the airport. The restaurant and boiler room bar were open late so we were able to grab a drink and snack when we arrived at 10pm. Breakfast the next day was nice in their restaurant though not included with the room.

The walls were very thin and we could hear the neighbours clearly. They were staying with their child who was still up and crying at 11:30pm and then woke us up again at 6:30 am when they got up and left. They also seemed to come and go from their room about a dozen times slamming doors as they went.

Cool use of space. Nice on-site amenities.

There wasn’t enough furniture, lighting, or bathroom amenities.

Unique property, plenty to do on site On site bars and restaurant Historic

Did not honor room price as stated in website Given wrong information when calling front desk Staff in general had "attitude" and unhelpful Crowded soak pool due to non guest use

Luv the school Have stayed several times

Nothing!

Unique amazing property. Very committed to theme. So many options of activities including an outdoor soaking tub.

Nothing. This place is amazing

This place is MAGICAL!! I had no idea what to expect, but it was absolutely AMAZING. It’s an entire community, and I adored it. The bed was comfortable, rooms were clean, the grounds were spectacular, and the positive vibes were off the charts!

Room was VERY dark. The lighting throughout the facility is dim, which adds to the ambience, but I would like to have had the OPTION of better lighting in my room.

It’s beautiful and cozy. Loved the soaking pool.

Neighbourhood lacks dinner options.

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

beautiful creative design, soaking pool was great, bed was very comfortable

nothing

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.

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!

Everything was perfect. The attention to detail was amazing. I have the best memories of our stay.

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.

The school vibe/atmosphere was fun!

Toilet stopped up on first use. Food was disappointing!

Staff and decor

The dirt in the eating area, a lot and made shoes very dirty.

Nice architecture and decor.Food is also delicious.A diversity of activities here.

Fun and fabulous!

Restaurant service was not great.

Themed room was adorable. Soaking pool was great. Lots to do on the site.

Price is a bit much, even with all the facilities.

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.

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.

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.

Location and concept

Very poor internet Restaurant appears very short staffed. I waited twenty minutes for my drink order to be taken and 50 minutes for my salad - with very overcooked salmon. Soaking pool wasn’t particularly warm.

Quiet at night and location of hotel

Huge Spider in the room and stain on the carpet and shower

fun place to explore

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...

food on property

big conventions

I had to leave early to catch a plane so no breakfast

My room service was forgotten . I ordered a salad from the restaurant.

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

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.

The restaurant was fine, not great, but OK. Friendly staff and good choices. The staff was friendly throughout.

The room was just terrible, and the sink outside the bathroom made it even smaller. The bath room was small, and freezing cold. The room was in a different building than the main hotel. Access was via a covered walkway, that was icy underfoot.

The place was neat being a school and all. Also nice to have several bars and room to roam around

It was always so cold around there. If the rooms and hallways were warmer I wouldn't have had any other issues.

I had breakfast in my room, it was right on time.

Nothing. The staff was excellent!

so unique and magical

nothing

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

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 .

gorgeous, unique, so interesting! worth a visit even if you aren’t staying here!

lack of extra bedding in the room

location and unique setting

nothing

Absolutely unique decor that transformed a century old elementary school into a charming environment. The staff were extremely accommodating allowing one of our party to cancel her room at the last minute after she became ill that morning.

Very special setting, excellent decoration, good restaurants and activities.

My room was beautiful and comfortable. The staff were friendly, welcoming, and helpful. I enjoyed the complimentary coffee in the lobby in the morning and the outdoor seating in front of the hotel.

Honestly, I liked everything.

Location, clean, comfortable, the soaking pool

the room was small with no fridge, microwave or coffee maker or room for suitcases.

Fun and whimsical! very unique concept

N/A

Very interesting to be in old but nice setting.

Not very friendly at front desk. Fan in room was comfortable but noisy.

Great!

No television. Floor in dining room was filthy. Took an hour to get served.

My family reserved an event room for a celebration of life party. When our guest list grew McMenamins was able to accommodate the larger room for 75 guests. Luckily it wasn't being used for our date. The staff in our event room were great ! Very efficient ! Fun place to stay -when you have everything you need right there ! The guest rooms are all very unique with the great murals !

The "sunrise breakfast" had to be handled separately for payment. Not sure why ?

staff !! amenities . historical aspect

nothing