The cold rain fell in sheets, splattering the sidewalk. Rush hour traffic splashed down the street, the cars’ red brake lights reflecting off the puddles.
This was Portland, Oregon, in winter: soggy and dark, at times as appealing as putting on wet socks. But I was ensconced in the ultra-hip new Kex Hotel, thawing from the inside out with an aquavit cocktail.
My deepest thoughts were about what dishes not to order off the menu and my weightiest concern was what time to hit the sauna downstairs.
Portland has this gift for creating gorgeous, inviting indoor spaces that are ideal refuges for camping out when the weather sucks, which is often enough to matter.