The welcome
I arrive in the evening after a long flight. The hotel dates from the early 1900s, but opened as the Ace in 2007, and is now the HQ of the Ace Hotel brand, which has properties in the United States, Panama and London. The lobby is shabby chic in appearance, with a cultivated ensemble of distressed furniture, an evocative old “hotel” sign and black-and-white TVs on a large shared coffee table. Reception staff are warm; the cranky old lift looks like it needs cleaning.
The neighbourhood
The hotel is situated in a central, historic part of the city bordering on the Pearl District. It’s round the corner from Powell’s bookstore, one of the city’s most popular draws. The small-scale, Western-style streets, in various stages of gentrification, have a marked sense of place.
The scene
Thirty-something hipsters from the US and abroad seem to be the main clientele. Adjoining the lobby is a branch of Stumptown Coffee, a local coffee-shop chain, and guests sip their coffee both in there and in the hotel’s lobby. Also adjoining the lobby is Clyde Common, a smart, trendy restaurant venue that’s not actually part of the hotel, but serves as its main restaurant. The hotel has a basement bar, Pepe Le Moko, which is accessed round the corner. While some of the clientele take themselves too seriously, there’s a thoughtful, alternative air, which is typical of Portland. Other guests seem to be mainly from elsewhere in the US and Europe.
The room
My room, one of 78, is a third-floor “standard front room”, which feels small and rather dark thanks to a window blind that’s needed for privacy. Over the blind is a nice view across the street, while double glazing shuts out most noise. There’s an old style air-conditioning unit, and the room feels a bit airless. There’s a stand-up shower in the corner of the bedroom, a separate toilet and small sink. It all feels a bit poky and hostel-like, though it’s clean. The cheapest rooms have shared bathrooms. In the corridor, I can hear a couple in the room opposite me having what sounds like an argument, but it’s otherwise peaceful.
The service
Staff are helpful, cheerful and take the time to talk to you about the area and the city, your trip and even their own lives. At breakfast, there’s an interminable wait for a delivery of croissants.
The food
The small breakfast room on the second floor offers a $12 (Dh44) buffet of granola, local cheeses, pastries, toast, frittata, pickles and tea and coffee. It’s worthwhile, if you eat everything. Clyde Common, on the ground floor, is connected to the hotel and serves as its de facto restaurant. The mixed salad with halibut ($17 [Dh62]) is delicious. Stumptown Coffee is excellent. The room service menu is extremely limited, overpriced and isn’t available 24 hours.
Loved
The sense of place. Even if only for a night, this is great for tuning into the city’s hipster image. There’s also free bike hire.
Hated
The pretentiousness of some of the local clientele.
The verdict
An interesting and well-located hotel, though it’s less than luxurious.
The bottom line
Double rooms at the Ace Hotel Portland (www.acehotel.com/portland) cost from $166 (Dh610) per night, including taxes, with a shared bathroom.
rbehan@thenational.ae
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
Company%20Profile
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Company%C2%A0profile
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MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
The National selections:
6.30pm AF Alwajel
7.05pm Ekhtiyaar
7.40pm First View
8.15pm Benbatl
8.50pm Zakouski
9.25pm: Kimbear
10pm: Chasing Dreams
10.35pm: Good Fortune
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Banthology: Stories from Unwanted Nations
Edited by Sarah Cleave, Comma Press
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas
Three stars
Fixtures:
Wed Aug 29 – Malaysia v Hong Kong, Nepal v Oman, UAE v Singapore
Thu Aug 30 - UAE v Nepal, Hong Kong v Singapore, Malaysia v Oman
Sat Sep 1 - UAE v Hong Kong, Oman v Singapore, Malaysia v Nepal
Sun Sep 2 – Hong Kong v Oman, Malaysia v UAE, Nepal v Singapore
Tue Sep 4 - Malaysia v Singapore, UAE v Oman, Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu Sep 6 – Final
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20Profile
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RESULT
Deportivo La Coruna 2 Barcelona 4
Deportivo: Perez (39'), Colak (63')
Barcelona: Coutinho (6'), Messi (37', 81', 84')
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)