By Leah Henen

After its multimillion-dollar face-lift, a formerly down-at-the-heels Days Inn has become a stylish stopover in Portland. The 174-room Hotel Modera features sleek interiors that honor the structure’s midcentury origins with walls of glass, expansive open spaces, minimalist modern furnishings, and sculptures, paintings, and photographs by notable local artists.

Comfort isn’t sacrificed for style. In your room you’ll find faux-fur throws on the bed, a spalike bathroom with toiletries in a blood orange scent, and bells and whistles such as an iPod dock, flat-screen TV, and free wireless.

The changes outside are equally dramatic. What was once an unsightly parking lot is now an open-air relaxation spot with a "living wall" of ferns and other greenery. A porte cochere provides shelter from drizzles, and gas-fueled fire pits warm you while you sample Oregon wines at
evening tastings.

Best of all, the Portland Art Museum, Waterfront Park, Keller Auditorium, Pioneer Square, and downtown shops are within a few minutes’ walk. The streetcar stops a block away, and a new light-rail line opening this year will come even closer. From $129. (877) 484-1084, hotelmodera.com.