Where to Stay in Portland
Your guide to the best areas and accommodation types
Our Top Picks
The highest-rated hotel in each price range, selected from all neighborhoods.
"The hotel was nice overall, the front desk was helpful and accommo"
"A very comfortable hotel. It provides a free buffet breakfast. The breakfast is…"
"The overall feeling is good, but it is a bit strange that there is no desk in th…"
Best Areas to Stay
Each neighborhood has its own character. Find the one that matches your travel style.
Hotel recommendations verified
Portland's core is denser and more walkable than most American downtowns its size, anchored by Pioneer Courthouse Square and threaded by the MAX light rail. You'll find the city's grandest historic hotels here alongside Powell's Books, the Portland Art Museum, and the Saturday Market just blocks away. It's the most convenient base for first-time visitors and anyone attending Portland events at the convention center or Moda Center.
- ✓ Walkable access to major attractions and the Saturday Market
- ✓ Best public transit hub , MAX, buses, and streetcar all converge
- ✓ Widest range of portland hotels at every price tier
- ✓ Portland restaurants and bars within easy reach
- ✗ Old Town edges can feel unsafe after dark , is portland safe is a real concern here
- ✗ Parking is expensive and street conditions vary by block
"Beautiful and elegant decor. Great location for downtown. Owen at front desk wa…"
"A very comfortable hotel. It provides a free buffet breakfast. The breakfast is…"
"The overall feeling is good, but it is a bit strange that there is no desk in th…"
"The hotel was very well located and the room was comfortable. The gym was well-e…"
"We stay here often. They have a free, 24 hour shuttle which you call for when yo…"
The Pearl is Portland's most polished neighborhood , a former warehouse district now lined with art galleries, design boutiques, and some of the city's best portland food destinations. Tanner Springs Park and the North Park Blocks give it a European plaza feel, and it borders Powell's Books for easy literary pilgrimages. Accommodation here skews boutique and stylish, attracting design-conscious travelers who want convenience without the corporate downtown energy.
- ✓ Portland's most curated dining and gallery scene
- ✓ Safe, clean, and pleasant to walk at all hours
- ✓ Streetcar access straight into downtown
- ✓ Powell's Books is a short stroll away
- ✗ Accommodation options are limited , book early
- ✗ Higher baseline prices reflect the neighborhood's desirability
"The hotel was nice overall, the front desk was helpful and accommo"
"My husband, 2 sons and I stayed at the Inn at Northrup Station recently while in…"
"Had a great stay, clean and nice hotel! just awesome:)"
"First time in this hotel, quite good. Good location, good room, separate shower…"
"The place is great for such a good price."
Portland's Northwest District, anchored by NW 23rd and NW 21st Avenues, blends Victorian residential architecture with a lively strip of independent cafes, boutiques, and restaurants. It sits at the foot of Forest Park , one of the largest urban forests in the United States , making it the natural base for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. The area has a relaxed neighborhood feel that is noticeably absent from the convention-center bustle of downtown.
- ✓ Immediate trailhead access to Forest Park's 80+ miles of trails
- ✓ One of Portland's most charming and walkable shopping corridors
- ✓ Quieter than downtown while remaining well-connected by bus
- ✓ Excellent independent portland restaurants and coffee shops
- ✗ Fewer hotel options than downtown , mostly B&Bs and small inns
- ✗ Hilly terrain can challenge travelers with mobility concerns
"The room is very clean. There are coffee, lemonade and pastries in the lobby eve…"
"Great location and great city view! The room is large and clean. There’s a bus s…"
"It’s overall quite outdated, but I feel like that is the charm of this hotel. I…"
"The location is good and the staff is friendly. The bathroom is too open, so it…"
"The Nines is a luxurious hotel that met and exceeded my expectations. Location…"
Sitting on the east bank of the Willamette River directly across from downtown, the Lloyd District is Portland's most underrated base for value-conscious travelers. The MAX Yellow and Green lines connect it to downtown in under ten minutes, and the Convention Center, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, and Moda Center are all within walking distance. The neighborhood is less atmospheric than the Pearl but delivers full-service hotels at meaningfully lower prices.
- ✓ Portland hotels here run 20, 30% cheaper than equivalent downtown properties
- ✓ Direct MAX light rail access to downtown in 8 minutes
- ✓ Lloyd Center Mall provides convenient shopping
- ✓ Less pedestrian noise than the downtown core
- ✗ Neighborhood character is corporate rather than distinctly Portland
- ✗ Fewer walkable dining and nightlife options immediately nearby
"This is such a comfortable hotel, beds and bathtubs are great! Wish that parkin…"
"The location of the hotel is located in Portland, the surrounding area is very c…"
"I booked a barrier-free double room for two nights. Overall, I feel that the hot…"
"Incredible hotel for the price! Stayed with a friend while visiting Portland an…"
"First of all, there are no convenience stores around the hotel. There is a conve…"
Northeast Portland, and the Alberta Arts District in particular, represents the soul of Portland's creative class , murals on every corner, galleries, vintage shops, and restaurants built around community rather than tourism. Things to do in northeast portland include the monthly Alberta Last Thursday art walk, some of the city's best brunch spots, and local bars where nobody is checking their phone. Accommodation here skews small and independent, rewarding travelers who want immersion over convenience.
- ✓ Portland's most lively arts and murals scene
- ✓ Exceptional independent portland food and coffee culture
- ✓ Far more affordable than comparable neighborhoods in other West Coast cities
- ✓ Genuine community atmosphere away from the tourist core
- ✗ Requires bus or rideshare to reach major downtown attractions
- ✗ Limited hotel inventory , mostly guesthouses and small inns
"Last time I stayed here was 10/10, staff are super professional and this hotel i…"
"The room and bathroom were very clean. The bathroom was also quite spacious, wit…"
"The location is in the city center, convenient and clean, and the service is goo…"
"One word: Perfect! Without doubt, the best hotel I have ever stayed without spe…"
"Location is fine, but there are a lot of homeless people near hotel. Room was cl…"
Southeast Portland is where the city's counterculture roots run deepest , Hawthorne Boulevard was Portland's bohemian main street long before the Pearl District existed, and Division Street has become one of the Pacific Northwest's most celebrated dining corridors. Free things to do in portland cluster here: independent bookstores, record shops, community gardens, and Ladd's Addition, a historic rose-lined neighborhood that Portland residents cherish. Accommodation is sparse but the neighborhood rewards the effort.
- ✓ Portland's most acclaimed restaurant row on SE Division Street
- ✓ Authentic Portland culture without tourist infrastructure
- ✓ Affordable daily costs compared to central neighborhoods
- ✓ Easy access to Mount Tabor Park for morning runs and views
- ✗ Significant transit time to downtown attractions (20, 30 minutes by bus)
- ✗ Very limited hotel options , guesthouses and Airbnb dominate
"Check in time is relatively early compared to other motels in the area which is…"
"The room is clean, spacious and comfortable. The breakfast is a simple American…"
"Excellent hot, free breakfasts. Soft bedding/comfortable mattress. Great locatio…"
"The location is very good, centrally located, the best shopping in Portland is w…"
"I accidentally found that I have lived in this hotel before. After the holiday i…"
Portland's oldest neighborhood is also its most complex , the Lan Su Chinese Garden and the Saturday Market are genuine highlights, but the area immediately north of Burnside struggles with visible social challenges that travelers should factor into their comfort level. It rewards those who research their specific block: certain streets are fine and lively, others are not. For travelers who prioritize proximity to the waterfront, the Market, and transit, properties here offer exceptional value for central access.
- ✓ Walking distance to the Portland Saturday Market and Tom McCall Waterfront Park
- ✓ Portland's most affordable central accommodation
- ✓ Adjacent to the MAX hub at Old Town/Chinatown station
- ✓ Lan Su Chinese Garden is one of the city's most beautiful attractions
- ✗ Social services concentration means visible homelessness and some nighttime discomfort on certain blocks
- ✗ Due diligence required when reading the 'is portland safe' concerns in this specific area
"It's very clean,rooms very good,tidy. close to airport, transportation was conve…"
"The hotel is simple and clean, parking is free 🆓 very convenient, the bed is ver…"
"Great experience. Helpful front desk. Clean."
"We like this place and stay here often. Free airport shuttle, good bed, good bre…"
"Good hotel and stuff very nice. Near cowell book stores, breakfast is good"
Find Hotels in Portland
Compare prices and book your perfect stay
Search HotelsPrices via Trip.com. We may earn a commission from bookings.
Accommodation Types
From budget-friendly hostels to luxury hotels, here's what's available.
Portland's boutique scene is one of the strongest in the American West , locally owned independents with strong design identities dominate the Pearl District, downtown, and Northeast. Expect thoughtfully curated rooms, local art, Stumptown or Water Avenue coffee, and staff who can recommend where to eat.
Best for: Travelers who want personality and local connection over chain loyalty points
Portland has an exceptional concentration of pre-war grand hotels that have been lovingly maintained: The Benson (1913), The Heathman (1927), and the Sentinel's Elks Temple anchor a historic hotel scene that rivals cities twice Portland's size. These properties combine genuine architectural grandeur with modern service.
Best for: Travelers who want to stay somewhere with real civic history and architectural significance
The McMenamins empire of converted historic buildings , schools, theaters, farms, and lodges throughout Oregon and Washington , is a uniquely Portland experience. The Kennedy School and White Eagle Saloon are the Portland anchors; the Edgefield property in Troutdale makes an exceptional base for exploring the Columbia River Gorge.
Best for: Travelers who embrace the weird and want accommodation that is memorable
Portland supports a genuine hostel culture with HI Portland (Northwest District) and The Society Hotel (Old Town) leading the pack. Both offer private rooms alongside traditional dorms, and both host the kind of spontaneous communal travel energy that chain hotels cannot manufacture.
Best for: Solo travelers, backpackers, and anyone prioritizing budget and social connection over privacy
For visits of a week or more , useful when using Portland as a base for Columbia River Gorge day trips or Mount Hood skiing , suite hotels with kitchens on the Mark Spencer model offer significant savings and the freedom to engage with Portland's extraordinary food markets and grocery culture.
Best for: Remote workers, relocating travelers, and families on longer itineraries
Booking Tips
Insider advice to help you find the best accommodation.
Portland's independent hotels consistently offer better rates, free upgrades, or added amenities for direct bookings compared to third-party platforms. Call the hotel or use their own website, and simply ask if there is a direct booking benefit , most will have one.
Portland Oregon and Portland Maine are both major travel search destinations, which creates genuine booking confusion online. Double-check that every confirmation email, map link, and address confirms Portland, OR , a surprising number of travelers have discovered the error at the airport.
Portland's downtown core is entirely walkable and the MAX light rail makes outlying neighborhoods accessible, but Uber and Lyft increase pricing on weekend nights can add up quickly. Staying within walking distance of your main interests is worth paying a slight premium to avoid nightly rideshare costs.
Portland's downtown social landscape has shifted in recent years, and reviews from 2019 may not reflect current block-by-block realities. Prioritize reviews from the last six months and look specifically for comments about nighttime street conditions around the property entrance.
Portland hosts significant events , the Rose Festival, Waterfront Blues Festival, and Portland Marathon each compress hotel availability dramatically. Check the Travel Portland events calendar before booking and note that shoulder-season stays around these events often combine good portland weather with manageable crowds.
When to Book
Timing matters for both price and availability.
June through August demand peaks sharply , book accommodation 6, 8 weeks ahead for weekends, and 10, 12 weeks ahead for the Rose Festival (early June) or any major concert or convention week. Rates at peak Portland hotels can double from their off-season baseline.
April, May and September, October offer the best value proposition: Portland weather in September is famously beautiful, the summer crowds have thinned, and mid-range hotels typically drop 20, 30% from summer highs. Book 3, 4 weeks ahead for comfortable availability.
November through March brings grey skies and the occasional snow dusting, but things to do in portland oregon in the winter are abundant , indoor food and drink culture thrives, the Japanese Garden is impressive in fog, and rates hit their annual lows. Book a week or two ahead for most properties.
For any summer weekend or during major events, book the moment your dates are confirmed. For everything else, two to three weeks of lead time gives comfortable access to Portland's full range of options without locking in too early.
Good to Know
Local customs and practical information.
After You Book: Activities in Portland
Once your accommodation is sorted, explore these activities