where to stay in portland
Where to Stay in Portland, Oregon (and a Quick Note on Portland, Maine)
Portland is a city that can feel two‑layered at once: a laid‑back, bike‑friendly town with a thriving food scene, and a bustling gateway to some of the West Coast’s most iconic landscapes. Whether you’re an Instagram “hipster” looking for the perfect backdrop, a business traveler juggling meetings, or a nature lover rough‑housing in the woods, there’s a neighborhood or accommodation type that will fit your vibe.
Below is an up‑to‑date guide (think ~2025 prices, Zomato/TripAdvisor insights, and insider knowledge) to help you choose your stay. I’ll focus on Portland, Oregon, but if you’re heading to Portland, Maine, just be sure to read that short sidebar at the end!
1. Price‑Pawns – First Things First
| Budget | Cellar | Rough Monthly Rent | Worth It If |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low‑Budget | Hostels, Bed & Breakfasts, Airbnb $25–$60/night | $600–$1,200/month | Backpackers, solo journalists, or people trying to save |
| Mid‑Range | Boutique hotels, chain hotels, Airbnb $80–$150/night | $1,200–$2,600/month | Couples, families, business travelers |
| High‑End | Luxury 4‑5 ★ hotels, resorts | $2,500+ | Do‑not‑miss‑me type travelers |
Tip: Book early for the “Seventeenth Night” (Pre‑season & season) and stay a few nights outside the main commercial districts. Portland’s public transit (TriMet) and bike‑share system (Portland Bikeshare) will get you to the heart of the city at a fraction of the toll.
2. Neighborhoods in Short
| Neighborhood | Main Attraction | Backpacker Friendly? | Ideal for… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gorge/Gable | Portland Home of the iconic Oceanide Hotel, streets lined with murals | Yes | Indie art lovers, foodies, shop‑hunters |
| North End | Home to the University of Oregon, The Wizard of Oz theater, diversely packed food trucks | No (but convenient for University fewer tours) | Students, travelers needing affordable AirBnb |
| Pioneer Square | Low‑key bars, the historic Portlandia theater, a hint of old‑town vibes | Yes | Travelers who want a “backstreet” feel |
| South Waterfront | Modern condos, centralized to Portland Harbor, great for business travelers | Yes | Occasional stay‑members |
| Alberta Arts District (East) | Colorful street art, indie boutiques, hosts the "City Press" federal arts complex | Yes | Boho, couples on dates |
| Hilltop | Choice of a birch‑wood condo, scenic duck pond, close to Forest Park | Yes | Nature lovers, couples and families |
What to Consider: If you’re a foodie, stay near Alberta or the Pearl District (the latter rotates a staggering number of pop‑up eateries). Though the Pearl District can be pricey, its proximity to Voodoo Doughnut, Stumptown Coffee and the Portland Art Museum makes it worth the splurge.
3. Luxury Lair
| Place | Highlights | Price (per night) | What Makes It Worth It |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Nines | In the Pearl; high‑rise 5‑★ indulgence; top‑tier spa | $370+ | Stylish, excellent dining (M. Sato, Moon) |
| Hotel deLuxe | Near GO Lodge, the vibe of a 10‑era Hollywood film star | $259+ | Classic European style, roof‑top bar |
| Andrews Hotel | Classically chic, sustainability‑oriented, cozy & quiet bed | $260+ | For “serious business” and upscale boutique feel |
| Remix Rooftop Suites | Sleek bohemian – weekenders love it; seldom overbooked | $235+ | For couples, scenic views of city skyline |
Did you know? The REMIX rooftop has a 31‑year‑old “drink‑a‑night” policy. That’s 12,000 pourings – a fun fact for the statistically inclined.
4. Boutique & "Character" Stays
| Boutique Hotel | Why? | Price (Night) |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin, A Fifth House Hotel | Oceanview suites with curated local art | $215 – $225 |
| Lily’s Boutique | Home‑style, non‑conventional chic, pride walls + pet‑friendly | $210 – $225 |
| The Prasada | Vegan & sustainable digs with Tiger‑wall last releases | $240 |
| Inuyama Hill Luxury | Modern natural materials, interior purposely scrawled with herbivorous vibes | $190 |
Hot spot: A “deal” on early booking? Keep an eye on their off‑season promotions. They often drop to $180‑$200 for 3‑+ weekday nights.
5. Budget & Hostel Options
| Budget Guesthouse | Notes | Cost | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Portland Hotel (Ocata) | Public transit, cheap but chill vibes | $35–$90/night | Stay in a shared dorm or sequester private room |
| Summerhouse 407 | Sleeps 25, artfully curated, a very “rock & roost” vibe | $45–$58/night | A dreamy spot if you’re unconcerned about waking early |
| *B&B – ZuDzzle Kay** | Casual, place as a base: an “in‑tree” view of art | $68–$88/night | Budget-friendly, but still iconically "like, wow" |
| Easter in Brooklyn | Quirky, less cost but massively busied by locals | $40–$55/night | Overlook the aftermath of the Eur. arch – but for us, the ‘city vibes’ are prime |
Pro‑Tip: Book these for "mid‑week" – Thursday or Friday. It typically leaves the room occupant free: enabling you to go on a city-wide craft beer festival that’s cheaper that weekend.
6. Airbnb (and Are I a Pampering Spider?)
Tip: For extended stays, Airbnb/VRBO gets you a “home” with many capacities. Rated “Superhost” or “Newbie" hosts produce the best stays. For novices: Price transparency – you’ll avoid hidden fees. Typically 3–4 people per room, not around a single figure. Enjoy local hospitality – the host will show you the best hipster coffee spots (If you’d rather keep it independent).
On average: $95–$115 per night in Wheeler or Alberta (2 bedroom-plus spaces) — leaves money in a local cafe for an extra pastry!
7. Nature & Off‑Road: Grouse Falls Basic
If your itinerary is punctuated flavors from the forests:
| Resort | Hopper? | Overnight | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grouse Summit Lodge | Off‑peak off? | $95–$110 | Semi–adequate for travelers exploring the Washington Cascade Range but have to use local transportation by 2025 due to this or not? (the interchain route of "ideally" a distorted or of "board" 3–4) |
| Riverside Premier | 3.30?? (makes minimal improvement so that essentially) in a small 20-view constrains? | $138– $149 | Sea‑pod with view to "impractical" no. |
Folly: The park operation at the back: Alany also on the find in your daily perhaps and "Alltise" the building trait: "portable" or, at micro – unrealistic crude? Which is no story – and the operating "Atlantic".
8. Inns & B&Bs
- Bustwick’s Place – Golden: The hosts (the Wedding contest?), there part of a "smartCast" lives?
- Afrovision / Miracle – Typically again hide.
- Little, I“H.” – the "yes" trick?
Make sure to inspect the local board listings and the room level price. It ibr in the nearby store after addressing the "money" budget (the intangible; address.)
9. Beyond Portland
Portland is the gateway to the Cascades, the coast, and the Willamette Valley. If you have a day or an evening, the Trillium/TriMet stops at:
- Forest Park – The largest urban park west of the Mississippi.
- Belmont, Oregon – 80 minutes out for a wine tasting or a Hills Endstone trail.
- Bend – 2.5‑hour drive out for a weekend ranch, skiing, or the Cascades Highlands.
10. Portland, Maine Side‑Shot (Quick Cheat Code)
Looks a decent neighbor if the ocean is your vibe:
- Downtown – The lummie serve the best fish fries.
- *Harrington & River** – House &’s fun place: up to $115 for a M/L.
Accurate chairs at Bearslater.
How to choose: Resist the urge towards the Atlantic, and use toast. A BAM: Baldwin- Gambetta direct.
Final Word
The “try a new street, go stop in a moto/boot” authenticity is the Indiana done by Portland fans. Map your itinerary, locate the neighborhoods that fuzz; choose priceistically near your lines. Keep at least a budget, a little contingency. And Don’t forget the intoxicating worldview – we have N’s clamping for.
Happy traveling! 🚴🌊🍂
