Hotels in Portland, OR

Best time to visit Portland

With a host of outdoor activities that Portland offers, the warmer months from June – August make for a better time to visit this beautiful city in the Pacific Northwest. This is also the peak tourist season, so book your accommodation in advance. If you are looking for some bargain prices, then winter is a good time to consider a trip to Portland. However, average temperatures hover around 40 – 45 degrees Fahrenheit, rain showers are frequent, and many sites and attractions have shorter hours of operation. The shoulder months from September – November and March – May are not warm enough to do justice to the beautiful outdoors, but hotel prices are cheaper than in the summer.

Getting around Portland

The downtown area of Portland is compact and can be easily covered on foot. The TriMet operated buses and MAX light rail provide excellent connectivity and service all over the city. Tickets and passes are available in 2.5-hour increments for $2.50 USD and a Day Pass at $5.00 USD allows unlimited travel on the MAX light rail, TriMet buses and Portland Streetcar. Streetcars run through Downtown Portland and from Northwest Portland to the Southwest Waterfront. However, streetcars do not have special lanes and can sometimes be delayed due to the road traffic conditions. Taxis are easily available and fares start at $2.50 USD with every added mile charged at $3.00 USD. Ride-shares such as Uber and Lyft also operate in the city. Portland has over 300 miles of bike trails and has been consistently named one of the most bike-friendly cities in the US. Its bike-share program called Biketown allows single rides up to 30 minutes at $2.50 USD per trip while a Day Pass costs $12.00 USD and allows unlimited trips with a total ride time of 180 minutes.

Best places to stay in Portland

Hip, friendly and laid-back Portland, Oregon’s largest city, has diverse cultural offerings and an equally diverse set of nicknames. Whether you call it the City of Roses, Rip City, Stumptown, PDX, Bridge City or Beervana, Portland is a destination for all things artistic and alternative. Choose a neighborhood and the type of accommodation based on your interests and itinerary.

Downtown Portland

A lively and thriving cultural center, Downtown Portland offers upscale restaurants and shopping, dozens of museums and galleries, and bustling craft stalls. Enjoy a stay at The Benson Hotel, an opulent, historic hotel which has played host to every sitting US President since its inception. Or opt for modern amenities and a contemporary stay at Hotel Lucia in the heart of downtown.

Nob Hill and North Portland

One of the most fashionable neighborhoods of Portland, Nob Hill has plenty of sophisticated boutiques, cafés, wine bars, and elegant Victorian homes on tree-lined streets. For a comfortable stay with modern amenities, book the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Portland NW Downtown. Or enjoy a unique stay steps away from world-class restaurants and boutiques at The Inn at Northrup Station.

Chinatown and Pearl District

Chinatown is an energetic neighborhood teeming with Chinese grocery stores and restaurants while the hip Pearl District is the hub of Portland nightlife. Stay at the charming riverfront property of Hotel Vintage Portland or enjoy the hipster ambience of Ace Hotel Portland which puts you within one block of Powell’s City of Books, the world’s largest used and new books store.

East Portland

A maze of inexpensive restaurants, unique boutiques, music stores, and antique emporiums showcases Portland’s diversity and alternate vibe in the East Portland neighborhood. Check out the Marriott property Residence Inn Portland Airport at Cascade Station or the Hampton Inn Portland East.

Rose Quarter / Lloyd District

Across the river from Chinatown and Pearl District, the Lloyd District plays host to big concerts and sporting events, and is also home to large department stores and retail chains. Hotel Eastlund is a great choice if you fancy a hip, glamorous, yet cozy vibe, and a convenient location close to the Oregon Convention Center and Lloyd Center shopping.

Cheap hotels in Portland

Apart from the traditional hotel offerings, Portland is loaded with a host of creative, hip, historic, and alternative accommodation within a reasonable budget. Check out A Painted Lady Bed and Breakfast Inn for comfortable accommodation in Northeast Portland or the HI Portland Hawthorne Hostel in East Portland. You might also want to look at the small, historic property of The Camas Hotel minutes away from Downtown Portland. You also have The Society Hotel in Old Town Chinatown for boutique-style accommodation at budget-friendly prices.

With an intent to be everything funky, alternative, creative, and non-conforming, the city’s unofficial motto is ‘Keep Portland Weird’. So whether you are looking to explore quirky shops and restaurants, or a wide variety of ethnic food and food carts, or the funky range of local brews, your trip to Portland promises to be an entertaining one.

• Spend an hour or two at the Powell’s City of Books, the world’s largest book store with over 2 acres of retail space dedicated to more than 2 million new and used books.
• Stop by the International Rose Test Garden which is home to more than 10,000 roses separated by type. Take a free guided tour and understand how Portland earned the nickname of City of Roses.
• Don’t miss a visit to one of the Portland Saturday Markets for exotic food and unique souvenirs.
• Visit Washington Park, which is home to a wide range of family-friendly attractions and activities. The Portland Japanese Garden, Oregon Zoo, Portland Children’s Museum, and Hoyt Arboretum are just a few of the sites within Washington Park.
• Strap your hiking boots or bike helmet on and head to the sprawling 5,000 acres of urban greenery at Forest Park.
• Make a trip to the largest garden of its kind outside of China, the Lan Su Chinese Garden in Old Town / Chinatown District.
• Admire the mix of French-Renaissance and Victorian architecture and learn about the old Portland high life at the Pittock Mansion, one of the few historic attractions in Portland.
• Take leisurely strolls on Hawthorne Street in Southeast Portland, Mississippi Avenue in North Portland, and Alberta Street in Northeast Portland to check out all the cool and quirky shops, cafés, bars and food carts.
• If you are traveling in the winter months, a trip to the powdery snow slopes of Mount Hood is a must.