SD › Portland Best Hotels
Updated: April 18, 2022
By Santorini Dave
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1. The Nines – Downtown
Hotel phone: 877-229-9995
Stylish and stunning luxury hotel in the heart of downtown. Guest rooms are spacious, quiet, and well-appointed, done up in old-school glamour and arranged around a central open-concept atrium. The modern lobby atrium houses many private (and cool) seating areas, and a phenomenal upscale steakhouse/gastropub. Adjacent lobby/billiard room. The rooftop bar has space-age architecture and sweeping views. This can’t-be-beat location is central to just about everything.
Hotel Website • Check prices for The Nines
2. Sentinel – Downtown
Hotel phone: 503-224-3400
Gorgeous historic luxury hotel with contemporary appeal. High ceilings, stylish decor, and vintage touches like leather wing chairs create an air of approachable opulence, and the hotel’s lovely restaurant and bar are destinations for locals and travelers alike. Sixth floor executive rooms have skylights and jetted tubs. Great central location, with plenty of food trucks nearby and the Pearl District an easy walk away.
Hotel Website • Check prices for Sentinel
3. Kimpton RiverPlace – Downtown
Hotel phone: 503-228-3233
Gorgeous luxury boutique hotel on the banks of the Willamette River. Guest rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated, suites have fireplaces and jetted tubs. The Grand Suite offers panoramic river views, and Marina View Suites are essentially riverfront condos, equipped with washer/dryer, full kitchen, wood-burning fireplaces, and balconies. Lovely communal spaces: the inviting lobby has a grand piano and cozy fireplace, and the back porch has rocking chairs and a fantastic river view. Great on-site restaurant, afternoon wine tasting, and bikes available for rides along the river. Serene location, outside of the busy downtown core.
Hotel Website • Check prices for Kimpton RiverPlace
4. Hotel Lucia – Downtown
Hotel phone: 503-225-1717
An artsy and eclectic modern luxury boutique hotel, featuring both house-curated and traveling exhibits. Rooms are on the small side, but lovely and well-appointed. Not great for families, but art-lovers will swoon: the lobby is a museum in itself, featuring a large collection by Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, David Hume Kennerly. There’s a fun artisinal pizza restaurant on site and the hotel is surrounded by restaurants and close to shopping. An easy walk to the Pearl.
Hotel Website • Check prices for Hotel Lucia
5. The Heathman – Downtown
Hotel phone: 503-241-4100
Portland’s premiere historic hotel. Classic sophistication at every turn: from the traditional beefeater doorman to the gorgeous wood-paneled Tea Court lobby, to the hotel’s impressive skylit library of over 27,000 author-signed books. Guest rooms are tastefully elegant, bathrooms are small but beautifully appointed. Their in-house restaurant features local cuisine, exceptional seafood, and afternoon tea. Fantastic location for the arts: adjacent to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, and near Portland’s museums and leafy south park blocks.
Hotel Website • Check prices for The Heathman
6. The Benson – Downtown
Hotel phone: 503-228-2000
Elegant and historic downtown hotel near the Pearl District. The grand lobby features marble flooring, rich wood paneling, and gorgeous crystal chandeliers – and offers complimentary morning coffee and tea service. Guest rooms are elegant but unfussy, with comfortable and contemporary furnishings. On-site dining options include two award-winning restaurants and a historic lobby bar. Great location just a couple minutes’ walk from Powell’s Books.
Hotel Website • Check prices for The Benson
7. The Mark Spencer – Downtown
Hotel phone: 503-224-3293
Mid-range historic downtown hotel near the Pearl. The oldest continually-operating hotel in Portland is recently renovated, with spacious guest rooms featuring stylish furnishings, exposed brick and beams, and large windows. All double rooms have comfortable sitting rooms and kitchenettes. There’s no in-house restaurant or bar, but there are loads nearby, and breakfast can be ordered to the room from the restaurant next door. Great central location, one block from Powell’s Books and the Brewery Blocks of the Pearl, an easy walk into downtown.
Hotel Website • Check prices for The Mark Spencer
8. The Duniway – Downtown
Hotel phone: 503-553-7000
Great centrally-located 4-star hotel with an indoor pool. Guest rooms are spacious and stylish, with cheery, if basic, decor; common spaces kick it up a notch with chic vintage styling and luxe velvet and leather finishes. There’s an American Brasserie and coffee bar inside the hotel, as well as a 24-hour fitness center and a comfortable 11th floor outdoor patio with sofas and games. 3,222 square feet of event space, too.
Hotel Website • Check prices for The Duniway
9. Hotel deLuxe – Goose Hollow
Hotel phone: 503-208-7306
Vintage luxury boutique hotel outside of downtown. Fans of old Hollywood glamour and art deco design will swoon: elegant furnishings and period details everywhere you look. The opulent in-house restaurant boasts a grand piano and serves afternoon tea, and the dim-lit lounge is straight out of Mad Men. Guest rooms are small, but smartly furnished and quiet. Location is ideal for those who prefer an escape: outside the bustle of downtown, but an easy walk to the Pearl, Nob Hill, Arts District, and Retail Core.
Hotel Website • Check prices for Hotel deLuxe
10. The Hoxton – Old Town Chinatown
Hotel phone: 503-770-0500
Hip 4-star hotel surrounded by bars, restaurants, and music venues. The styling is an upscale mish-mash of mid-century and classical elegance, but the vibe is contemporary and fun. Guest rooms feature rich walnut paneling and local artwork, are filled with mid-mod vintage touches. Three in-house dining options include a light- and plant-filled rooftop taqueria, a Pacific Northwest-inspired lobby bistro, and a cozy basement speakeasy bar. Located on bustling Burnside, 4 blocks up from the riverfront and Saturday Market.
Hotel Website • Check prices for The Hoxton
11. McMenamins Kennedy School – Alberta Arts District
Hotel phone: 503-249-3983
Unique and charming historic boutique hotel complex. In this converted 1916 elementary school, old classrooms are now guest rooms, complete with chalkboards and cloakrooms. There are 5 themed bars/restaurants (including Honors and Detention Bars), a movie theater (free for guests), and a gorgeous soaking pool on-site. Guest rooms feature original mural artwork and period furnishings, but no TVs. Located in NE Portland, a short walk from the restaurants, boutiques, and galleries of Alberta Street.
Hotel Website • Check prices for McMenamins Kennedy School
12. Hotel Vintage – Downtown
Hotel phone: 503-228-1212
Family-friendly luxury boutique hotel with a wine theme. Adults will love the cool lobby wine bar with live music on weekends. Kids will appreciate the gaming room with shuffleboard and XBox. Decor is tasteful and modern, and guest rooms are spacious – splurge a bit for distinctive upgrades: Sky Loft rooms have huge, angled windows with great views, King Studio Suites feature enormous soaking tubs, and Garden Spa Rooms boast balconies and hot tubs. Great central location.
Hotel Website • Check prices for Hotel Vintage
13. KEX – Central Eastside
Hotel phone: 971-346-2992
Cheap and excellent and affordable hotel/hostel on Portland’s Eastside. Rooms range from private and cozy queens to bunk rooms that sleep 16; some have private ensuites, some share common bathrooms that are meticulously clean and well-kept; all have vintage rustic styling with a cool, repurposed vibe. A plant-filled lobby and library, rooftop bar, and in-house sauna add to the appeal. Great location near transit and just 10 minutes walk to downtown.
Hotel Website • Check prices for KEX
14. Royal Sonesta – Downtown
Hotel phone: 503-222-0001
Chic and vibrant luxury boutique hotel, surrounded by shops and restaurants. Bold colors and patterns dominate the decor, creating a vibe that’s both elegant and fresh. Rooms are as spacious as they are stylish, and double-queen suites can accommodate up to six people. Great for families, with child-sized robes and bikes to loan. Excellent on-site restaurant and full-service Aveda salon. Pet friendly.
Hotel Website • Check prices for Royal Sonesta
15. The Paramount – Downtown
Hotel phone: 503-223-9900
Mid-range sophistication on the edge of the Arts District. Guest rooms are sizable and traditionally decorated, many with Juliet (or larger) balconies. Lobby is spacious and elegant, adjacent to fantastic bar/eateries. The Paramount’s location can’t be beat: overlooking Director Park (with illuminated fountain and life-size chess board), near concert halls, museums, and the south park blocks. Easy access to downtown shopping and the Pearl. A great choice for an affordable downtown stay, just outside of the grittier retail core.
Hotel Website • Check prices for The Paramount
16. Hyatt Centric – Downtown
Hotel phone: 503-595-1234
Comfortable contemporary hotel in a great central location, near lots of great restaurants and walkable to the Pearl District. Design is spare but trendy, with poured concrete floors and colorful, quirky design details throughout the guest rooms and common areas. Guest rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, marble-accented bathrooms, and appreciated amenities like JBL Bluetooth speakers and Keurig coffeemakers. There’s a fitness center on site, as well as a lobby market selling fresh coffee, high quality pastries, and savory foods and snacks.
Hotel Website • Check prices for Hyatt Centric
17. The Hotel Zags – Downtown
Hotel phone: 855-523-6914
Modern mid-range hotel in a fantastic location. While the guest rooms won’t wow you (they’re cramped, but have comfortable beds and well-appointed bathrooms), the spotlight here is on the common spaces: the Zag’s lobby is vibrant and artsy, and the restaurant’s fantastic outdoor patio seating (with fire pits and modern, lush landscaping) is a draw for locals and travelers alike – especially during happy hour. It also offers a superb selection of outdoor gear on rent for all sorts of adventures. Great location near Portland State University, walkable to museums, concert halls, the waterfront, and the retail core.
Hotel Website • Check prices for Hotel Zags
18. Ace Hotel – Downtown
Hotel phone: 503-228-2277
Mid-range/budget hipster chic just on the border between downtown and the Pearl. Room types range from single twin Euro-stlye shared-bath rooms to deluxe kings with bathrooms en-suite. All feature funky architectural details, original artwork, and an eclectic, industrial/bohemian vibe. A nice continental breakfast is offered (though it’s not free) and the hotel sits between two great eateries/cafes. Great in-the-middle-of-it-all location, though light sleepers will want to request a back room, as street noise can be a problem.
Hotel Website • Check prices for Ace Hotel
19. Hotel Grand Stark – Central Eastside
Hotel phone: 503-231-0101
Cool hotel in a historic Eastside building. The hotel’s common areas are bright and airy with streamlined modern decor; these include an in-house deli, excellent bar, and comfortable lobby lounge. Guest rooms blend traditional details (hardwood floors, antique rugs) with modern design and appreciated amenities like Nespresso coffee machines, SMEG refrigerators, and Diptyque bath products. Well-located for both walking and transit.
Hotel Website • Check prices for Hotel Grand Stark
20. Woodlark – Downtown
Hotel phone: 503-548-2559
Elegant modern hotel spanning two historic buildings in downtown Portland. Design throughout is bright and sophisticated, with luxe pops of saturated blues and greens against a stark black & white palette. Guest rooms are spare but but very stylish, with floor-to-ceiling windows and great bathrooms. Loft suites are spread over 2 floors, connected by spiral stairways. A southern-inspired tavern, intimate cocktail bar, lobby café, and fitness center with Peloton bikes & MIRROR are all on site.
Hotel Website • Check prices for Woodlark
21. Residence Inn Downtown – Pearl District
Hotel phone: 503-220-1339
Newer mid-range hotel on the Pearl’s quiet northern edge. Modern, spacious suites all feature fully-equipped kitchens and large bathrooms, some have Willamette River views. Contemporary indoor/outdoor lobby with Market grocery, free continental breakfast, pool and fitness center, large laundry room for guest use. Quiet neighborhood location, near the Willamette River walking path, walkable to the shops, restaurants, and groceries in the Pearl, and one block from the streetcar line into downtown.
Hotel Website • Check prices for Residence Inn Downtown/Pearl
22. Portland Marriott Downtown Riverfront – Downtown
Hotel phone: 503-226-7600
Modern mid-range hotel with great river views. Newly-renovated guest rooms and suites have are stylish and well-appointed, though standard rooms can feel a bit cramped. “M Club” level rooms feature free breakfast, coffee, snacks, and bar service in the Club Lounge. On-site restaurant/lounge has cool bookshelf booths and cozy fireplace nooks. Fantastic location across from the Willamette riverwalk, just blocks from the Cultural District and Portland’s retail core.
Hotel Website • Check prices for Portland Marriott Downtown Riverfront
23. Hampton Inn & Suites – Pearl District
Hotel phone: 503-222-5200
Excellent mid-range family-friendly hotel with indoor pool and free breakfast. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, ranging from a basic double queen to a corner king suite with kitchenette and living area. Connecting rooms are available. Dine at the onsite tavern, or enjoy take-out and great city views on the wonderful rooftop patio. A spacious lobby and roomy fitness center are icing on the cake. Great location near restaurants, shopping, Powell’s Books, and transit.
Hotel Website • Check prices for Hampton Inn & Suites
24. Inn @ Northrup Station – Nob Hill
Hotel phone: 503-224-0543
Mid-range suite hotel in a quiet neighborhood, great for families. Suites sleep 4-6 people: ground floor suites have patios with small tables, upper floor suites have standing balconies. All guests have access to 2nd floor terrace with BBQ grills. Vibrant, contemporary decor, free parking and continental breakfast. Located in the quieter Nob Hill/Alphabet District neighborhood of trendy shops and eateries, directly on the streetcar line into downtown (ask the front desk for free passes).
Hotel Website • Check prices for Inn @ Northrup Station
25. Canopy – Pearl District
Hotel phone: 971-351-0230
Large 4-star pet-friendly hotel in the Pearl. There’s a cool and airy lobby space and excellent all-day seasonal contemporary restaurant on site. Guest rooms are crisp and colorful, with clever space-saving design details and floor-to-ceiling windows providing lots of light. Extras like in-room Nespresso machines, refrigerated drawers, Apivita bath amenities and the ability to control lights, TV, AC, and windows via phone or iPad elevate your stay.
Hotel Website • Check prices for Canopy
26. McMenamin’s Crystal Hotel – Pearl District
Hotel phone: 503-972-2670
Cool and quirky mid-range property adjacent to the popular Crystal Ballroom concert venue. King suites have en-suite bathrooms, but most rooms are single queens, with Euro-style shared (but individual) baths that are clean and plentiful. All rooms feature original artwork and murals, inspired by past Ballroom performances. Four cool bars and restaurants on property, all serving McMenamin’s signature beers, wine, & spirits. Amazing underground soaking pool/grotto. Fantastic central location near Powell’s and the Pearl. Great for young, music-loving, hit-the-pubs types, not so much for families or light sleepers.
Hotel Website • Check prices for McMenamin’s Crystal Hotel
Why Portland?
With its quirky charm and natural beauty, this thriving city 3 hours to the south is a great choice for an easy trip out of Seattle. Situated along the banks of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, Portland boasts historic bridges, riverfront promenades, and leafy neighborhood parks perfect for outdoor recreation like running and biking. The Pearl and Cultural Arts Districts are particularly popular with tourists, who enjoy exploring the art galleries and tony boutiques of the former and the museums and concert halls of the latter. A haven for hipsters and extremely LGBTQ-friendly, Portland is known for being both socially and environmentally progressive – often considered one of the nation’s “greenest” cities due to its commitment to sustainability.
Portland is a paradise for food lovers. With over 700 licensed food carts – hawking nosh that ranges from the expected (think tacos and tamales) to the extraordinary (grilled PB&J, anyone?) – the city is widely considered to be the street food capital of the United States. If you prefer a more traditional dining-out experience, this city’s still got you covered: James Beard Award-winning local chefs Vitaly Paley (Paley’s Place, Imperial), Andy Ricker (Pok Pok) and Naomi Pomeroy (Beast, Expatriate) are only a few of the culinary masters responsible for Portland’s recent rise to the top of the national restaurant scene.
Well known for beer production (it houses more local breweries than any other city in the world), Portland is also home to a burgeoning craft distillery scene, with local producers creating phenomenal small-batch whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, and specialty liqueurs. If you prefer a pinot, the nearby Willamette Valley wine growing region produces exceptional ones (both gris and noir), which can be found at restaurants and wine-sellers across the city. Portland’s local roastery, Stumptown, has been creating what many consider to be the nation’s best coffee since 1999.
Getting to Portland
Portland sits about 175 miles south of Seattle. Flying between the two cities takes only 40 minutes, but the airport hassle and added expense are hardly justified by any travel time you might be saving up in the air – if you save any at all. Here are the three best ways to get to to Portland from Seattle:
- By Train
Amtrak runs multiple daily trains between the two cities. Each trip runs about four hours, and depending on the time of day you travel will cost somewhere between $30 and $50 each way. If you’re able to, travel on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight. This train runs between Seattle and Los Angeles, and features larger seats with more legroom, a dining car with sit-down table service, and great views from the Sightseer lounge car. (Tip: snag a seat on the west side of the train for the best scenery.) - By Car
It’s a straight shot down the interstate from Seattle to Portland, and if you’ve got a car, it’s an easy, if not terribly scenic, drive. At three hours and one tank of gas, this can be the quickest and cheapest way to go, with a few caveats: Traffic can get extremely heavy on some sections of the interstate, especially during morning/evening commute hours and on weekends. This can easily add an hour or more to your trip. And while you won’t spend much on gas getting down there, parking in Portland can be expensive. - By Bus
The Bolt Bus runs multiple daily trips between Seattle and Portland, and can be a great option if you’re looking to save a few bucks and want someone else to do the driving. Tickets generally cost between $15 and $30 each way, with some trips being offered for a mere $1. The Bolt Bus has wi-fi and outlets to charge your devices, and while it’s not luxurious, it’s comfortable and clean. Just like traveling by car, though, taking the bus leaves you vulnerable to delays caused by heavy traffic.
Getting Around Portland
No need to rent a car – Portland is an extremely pedestrian-friendly city, with a great transit system to help you get around when it’s too far (or rainy) to walk. This system is called TriMet, and it comprises three main branches: MAX light rail, the Portland Streetcar, and the bus, though you can get most places downtown by utilizing the MAX and streetcar alone.
- MAX Light Rail consists of five separate lines, all of which run into/through downtown. Trains run daily, every every 15 minutes or less.
- The Portland Streetcar has three lines: A North/South line runs through downtown, from the Pearl District to the Waterfront. The A and B Loops run clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, through downtown Portland and neighborhoods located east across the Willamette River. Cars run every 15-20 minutes.
- Portland’s bus service has almost 80 active lines, which run throughout the Portland metropolitan area. Frequent Service bus lines run daily, every 15 minutes or less.
Before you board, buy a validated ticket at a TriMet ticket machine, which can be found at all MAX and streetcar stations, as well as many grocery stores. These are good for all TriMet transit (light rail, street car, and bus) and cost $2.50 for a 2 1/2 hour pass, or $5 for all day. Kids 7-17 and senior citizens pay half fare, kids under 7 ride free. You can also purchase tickets on the bus (exact change only, please), online, or via the TriMet Tickets smartphone app.
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Hello. My wife and I are going to a basketball game at the Moda Center. From what I remember that area does not have much around it. Has that changed at all in the last 10 years? Can you recommend a 4 or 5 star hotel within walking distance of the arena that has a fun vibe. Preferably in an interesting neighborhood.
Thanks,
Tim
While there’s more built up around the Moda Center these days (the Convention Center, Coloseum, a hospital, and fast food are all nearby), there’s not a lot of what Portland is famous for – microbreweries, hip restaurants and boutiques, etc – and it’s not an area in which you get the small neighborhood vibe that the city has come to be associated with.
That said, the Hotel Eastlund is worth checking out. It’s one of Portland’s newest luxury hotels, and the only one located near the Moda Center on Portland’s east side. It’s a a boutique hotel with a fun and modern vibe, two restaurants run by acclaimed Northwest chef David Machado (one a bakery/cafe/wine bar, and one a stunning rooftop restaurant/lounge), and it’s a seven minute walk from the Moda Center. Their website offers a list of good restaurants nearby.
If an interesting neighborhood is more important to you, you could stay at the new Residence Inn, across the river in the Pearl District – about a 20 minute walk to and from the game, and close to the Pearl District’s great shops and restaurants. Or, stay at a hotel downtown and take the MAX light rail to the game. It’s cheap and easy, and there’s a stop right outside Moda Center. Hotel Monaco and The Nines are both close to light rail stops that will take you right to the game.