PORTLAND, Ore. — Downtown Portland is about to become home to a new luxury hotel. After more than four years of construction, The Ritz-Carlton Portland will welcome guests on Halloween. The new 35-story hotel is home to more than 250 rooms and 130 condos, all with incredible views of the city and the Cascades.
The grand opening is a big deal not only for the hotel's owners, but for city leaders and business owners eager for signs of revitalization in downtown Portland. That includes Kristin Buskirk, who owns Woonwinkel, a home and gift shops right across the street from the hotel.
“Diversity makes us strong right? We need all kinds of businesses and establishments," she said. "Small family owned businesses like myself, the Ritz having that kind of diversity is really good for our economy."
Hotel general manager Marie Browne is hoping for success too. She said the hotel will introduce a new level of luxury in Portland, and although there are already beautiful hotels in the city, the Ritz comes with an added level of service.
PHOTOS: Ritz-Carlton in downtown Portland
The price to stay at the Ritz isn’t cheap — close to $600 per night for some rooms — but the views are breathtaking, especially from the infinity pool on the 19th floor.
Travel Portland CEO Jim Miller said the hotel's arrival is a sign that downtown is picking up again.
"This is just another sign that Portland is a place where people want to be, and for the Ritz to pick Portland for its newest property is very exciting for us," he said.
Portland has earned some negative headlines over the past couple years, but Browne said she expects great things to come.
“We do have security in the exterior and the interior," she said. "We feel the city has made a lot of progress, and we’re hoping this part of downtown will change for the better."
The grand opening is scheduled for Tuesday morning at 10 a.m.