COMMUNITY ROOTS “The hotel was originally built in 1962 as the Cosmopolitan Motor Hotel,” Brown recounts. “Back in the early 60s, it was considered the Ritz Carlton of Portland.” Known for its iconic Top of the Cosmo restaurant, the hotel was a local hotspot where many Portland residents celebrated life’s milestones. “People still come to the lobby today, reminiscing about their high school proms, engagements, and weddings,” Brown adds, highlighting the deep-rooted connection the hotel has with the community. Over the decades, the property changed hands and flags multiple times, transitioning from a Radisson, to A Holiday Inn and later A Red Lion. In 2013, Alan Battersby, the current owner, purchased the building and embarked on a substantial $30 million renovation, rebranding it as the independent Hotel Eastlund in June 2015. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the hotel has thrived, becoming part of the Best Western Premier Collection in 2021. The strategic move allowed the hotel to leverage the marketing and sales opportunities of a major brand while maintaining its cherished independence. “The Best Western Premier Collection status offers us the best of both worlds,” Brown explains.“We get the additional marketing arm of a major brand but still retain our independence, allowing us to provide a unique and personalized guest experience.” UNIQUE FEATURES AND SERVICES One of the standout aspects of the Hotel Eastlund is its impressive array of amenities.“For a hotel with 168 keys, having three food and beverage outlets is quite unusual,” Brown notes. These include the lobby café called Wild Bean Coffee Bar, a rooftop restaurant, Metropolitan Tavern, offering breathtaking views of the city, and the Amphora Wine Merchant, which reopened in June 2022 after pandemic-related closures. The multifaceted wine bar serves as a bottle shop, dining space, and private event venue, enhancing the hotel’s appeal. “Our honor bars and mini-bars, along with turn-down service, set us apart from many other hotels,” Brown explains. “These are the touches that differentiate 159 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 07 HOTEL EASTLUND
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