Nestled in the heart of the PNW, Portland, Oregon, has a unique blend of urban charm and natural beauty. When spending time in Portland, visitors have many options on where to stay at some of the best hotels in Portland, Oregon. There are many amazing locations to choose from in some of the best areas in Portland.
US Ghost Adventures is an awesome company that offers a variety of guided tours and haunted experiences across different cities in the United States. Visitors can learn the compelling history and stories of the paranormal and the city’s darker side. Make sure to check out the variety of tours offered in [Portland] here. They are very affordable too!
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Note: I have stayed at many of these hotels during my numerous visits to Portland. I have paid both cash rates and used points! Some of them are also on my wish list to say at.
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Best Areas to Stay in Portland, Oregon
When visiting Portland, Oregon, it can be difficult to decide where to stay as there are many awesome areas of Portland. While I prefer to stay downtown because it is walking distance to many stores and restaurants, my favorite areas to visit are Hawthorne or Mississippi Ave. If looking to save some money, staying by the airport or in east Portland are more affordable. The following are some of the best areas to stay in Portland that will provide you access to many cool sites, restaurants, distilleries, coffee shops, and bars.
Downtown Portland
In my opinion, the best area to stay in Portland is Downtown Portland. While this area may get a bad rap, I personally feel way more comfortable in Downtown Portland than many other cities I have traveled to around the world. It is close to shops, bars, and amazing restaurants. It also has lots of options for parking. It is easy to get from Downtown Portland to any other area across Portland in under 20 minutes.
Pearl District
The Pearl District is another favorite and best area to stay in Portland. The Pearl District is located just above Downtown Portland and is home to many shops and Powell’s Bookstore. While I love this area, I prefer Downtown due to its more central location.
Nob Hill
This area lies Northwest of Downtown Portland. It is also home to many amazing places to eat, coffee shops, and popular distilleries. This is a great area to stay in if you want to walk to some of the best places to eat. However, it does have less hotel options than other areas.
Hawthorne
Hawthorne is a popular area in Eastern Portland for restaurants and boutique shops. It has tons of food truck pods, distilleries, popular local brand storefronts (Smith Teamaker and Portland Syrups), and my favorite coffee shops. This is an area I spend a lot of time in, but most of the places close early in the evening, so it is not the best area to stay in Portland if you are looking for nightlight.
Cascade Station/Airport
Cascade Station is a main shopping area of Portland located right next to the airport. It is home to many airport hotels and often has cheaper prices. This is a great area to stay in Portland if you want to save some money or be close to many chain shopping places. The downside is, you cannot walk to many local non-chain restaurants.
Best Hotels in Portland: Downtown Portland
Hyatt Centric Downtown
Cost: $$
One of the best hotels in Portland and my personal favorite out of all the ones I have stayed at is the Hyatt Centric Downtown. This hotel has it all. It is one of the best locations you can get as it is located in the northern part of Downtown close to the Pearl District. It is right next to several amazing places to eat and one of my favorite places -the Multnomah Whiskey Library.
The cost of this hotel is not too bad if you are paying cash -typically under $200/night. It is a steal if you are using points (6500-9500/night). Even if you do not have Hyatt Globalist status that includes breakfast, there are a ton of delicious breakfast options nearby.
Hilton Portland Downtown
Cost: $$
Another best hotel in Portland is the Hilton Portland Downtown. The rooms here are pretty spacious and the hotel is a good location. The rooms are a little dated, but for the price, I won’t complain.
AC Marriott Portland Downtown
Cost: $$
If you are looking for a most updated hotel, the AC Marriott Portland Downtown is a great option. It is located in the Southern part of Downtown which is not as convenient for any stops you want to visit in Downtown Portland, but it is a great spot if you plan on exploring the other areas in Portland. It is also located near the Waterfront Park where many festivals are held throughout the year.
The rooms here can be a bit more expensive, depending on when you book, but you can still often find them for under $200/night.
Moxy Portland Downtown
Cost: $$
If you are a Marriott fan or a younger traveler, you may want to check out the Moxy Portland Downtown. This is a Marriott brand geared towards younger clientele that want something nicer than a hostel but still a bit more social. The Moxy is one of the best hotels in Portland because of price and location. It is located near the Hyatt Centric and is often under $150/night.
Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland
Cost: $$
The Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland is great for people who are loyal IHG stayers and enjoy a more boutique hotel experience. This is also located in Northern downtown, so it has a fantastic location and is also close to a big food truck pod.
Prices here tend to be more expensive (over $200) but come with different perks like a daily happy hour. Kimptons are known for having a secret password where you get some added benefits if you use the code word.
Ritz Carlton Portland
Cost: $$$
The newest hotel in Portland, Ritz Carlton Portland, is where you want to stay if you are looking for a high-end luxury hotel. In typical Ritz fashion, it is the tallest building downtown and is in a fantastic location. Rooms here can go for $350+ depending on the season you visit.
Best Hotels in Portland: Pearl District and Nob Hill
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Portland-NW Downtown
Cost: $$
One of the best value hotels in Portland is the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Portland-NW Downtown. This hotel is located in the Nob Hill area of Portland which is close to a ton of different restaurants and other fun things to do. This hotel you can often find for $100-$125/night. Plus, there is usually a lot of street parking around.
McMenamins Crystal Hotel
Cost: $$
If you want a more unique stay for one of the best hotels in Portland, you may want to check out the McMenamins Crystal Hotel. This hotel is located in the Pearl District above Downtown Portland. McMenamins is a popular PNW brand that is often a former building like a school or theater converted into a hotel. Keep in mind many McMenamins have a shared bathroom.
Canopy by Hilton Portland Pearl District
Cost: $$
The Canopy Portland Pearl District is another hotel that has an excellent location. It is close to downtown but located in the Pearl District, near many shops. It offers modern rooms, complementary use of bikes for guests, and has an effort on sustainable practices.
Best Hotels in Portland: Portland Airport
Home2Suites Portland Airport
Cost: $$
This Home2Suites Portland Airport is one of the best hotels in Portland for large families as many of the rooms are suites and very spacious. With it being by the airport, the prices are typically cheaper, plus it is near many amenities that families may need.
Residence Inn Portland Airport
Cost: $$
For Marriott lovers, the Residence Inn Portland Airport is a good hotel option as it is less expensive than staying in some other areas in Portland and a good place to base yourself to visit various areas in Portland.
Hyatt Place Portland Airport/Cascade Station
Cost: $$
The Hyatt Place Portland Airport/Cascade Station is another best hotel in Portland for families. The room prices can vary but the hotel does have free breakfast and an indoor pool making it a fun place for children.
Best Hotels in Portland: Other Portland Locations
Hampton Inn Portland East
Cost: $$
For those interested in taking day trips from Portland, the Hampton Inn Portland East is a fantastic option. Located in East Portland it has free parking, breakfast is included, and decently sized rooms. From here, it is only 20 minutes to Multnomah Falls and less than an hour the fruit loop and Mt. Hood.
Hyatt Regency Portland At The Oregon Convention Center
Cost: $$
Another one of the best hotels in Portland is the Hyatt Regency Portland. This is a great hotel if you are doing anything around the Oregon Convention Center as it is right next door. It is also a good option if you want to take some day trips to places like the Willamette Valley.
Other McMenamins Historic Hotels
Cost: $$
Other best hotels in Portland are the other McMenamins Historic Hotels, the Kennedy School and White Eagle Saloon. These are both more unique options to stay at and a little bit cheaper than some of the other options. The Kennedy School is built in an old school and located between Mississippi Ave and the airport so it is a great location. The White Eagle Saloon is located just south of Mississippi Ave.
VRBOs
If staying at a hotel is not your thing, there are a ton of amazing VRBOs around Portland. Alternatively, do a search on TripAdvisor for some other amazing options.
Hostels
For those who want much cheaper accommodations, I recommend doing a search on Hostel World to look for dorm and hostel options. NW Portland International Hostel and Slabtown Village are popular options. While my hostel days may be over, you cannot beat it when you can get a room for $35/night.
Overall Review of Where to Stay in Portland
- Budget: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Portland-NW Downtown
- Midrange: Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland
- Luxury: Ritz Carlton Portland
- Location: Hyatt Centric Downtown
- For Families: Home2Suites Portland Airport
- On Points: Hyatt Centric Downtown
- Solo Travelers: McMenamins Crystal Hotel
Other Thoughts on Where to Stay in Portland
There are many cheap things to do in Portland, so when finding a budget-friendly hotel, Portland can be a relatively cheap weekend trip. Spending two days in Portland is the perfect amount of time to see the main sites and try out some amazing restaurants. Portland in Fall and Portland in Summer are two fabulous seasons to visit.
