Picture Mad Men - carefully coiffed men and women mastering the art of the perfect cocktail in between work and lover's trysts, amid the distinctive design aesthetic of the mid 20th century. Whether or not you are a fan of the show, nothing says cool quite like the period of martinis, Eames furniture and the two Franks - Sinatra and Lloyd Wright.

At Hotel Fifty in Portland, this is exactly the vibe that surrounds you. Yet it's still very Portland - not fussy or pretentious, but comfortable and understated. The completely redesigned guest rooms are decked out in simple lines, rich muted colors, and expected amenities such as iPod® docking, 42" wall-mounted plasma HDTV, functional work space with ergonomic desk chair, oversized walk-in showers with rainheads, Gilchrist & Soames bath amenities, mini-refrigerator and complimentary wireless Internet access. A good night's sleep is virtually guaranteed with the Simmons® Beautyrest beds and luxury linens. Hotel Fifty's fantastic location across from Tom McCall Waterfront Park gives many rooms Willamette River views.

And in true Mad Men style, cocktail hour and dining present some of the joys of Hotel Fifty. The H5O bistro & bar is well worth a visit whether you are a hotel guest or not. Chef Nick Yanes creates classic, whimsical dishes in small plate or traditional portion sizes. I had a delectable meal that started with the Galen Rupp sushi roll, named for a local Track & Field Olympian; Hotel Fifty donates half of the proceeds from the dish to Legacy Emanuel Children's Hospital. The culinary delights continued with seared sea scallops on a bed of chorizo paella, and a crispy duck breast with housemade gnocchi. Before or after dinner, you can move to the very hip and happening bar, with a cozy fifties-style freestanding fireplace and plenty of comfortable lounge seating.

It's easy to get around downtown Portland from Hotel Fifty; the MAX light rail is literally right outside the doors, with 13 MAX stops within 1/4 mile. For guests who drive, Hotel Fifty provides covered valet and self-parking. The hotel is fully equipped for business travelers, offering a 24-hour business center and plenty of meeting/event facilities. Hotel Fifty is completely non-smoking, and dogs are welcomed. Room rates range from $120 to $330.

Details:
50 Southwest Morrison Street
Portland, OR 97204-3390
Tel: 503.221.0711
Res: 877.237.6775
http://www.hotelfifty.com