Small and compact, Portland is close to the stunning Oregon coastline and epitomizes the Pacific Northwest’s hipster scene. It offers a variety of characterful accommodations, from quirky boutique hotels to sleek modern options. Here are my favorites…
1. McMenamins Kennedy School
Located in the Northeast of the city home to an arts and culture scene, and craft breweries. I was a huge fan of this boutique with bold and eclectic decor, a historic building, and eco-positive policies.
My room had vintage-style furniture, parquet floors, a private bathroom, free WiFi, air-con, and complimentary toiletries. I spent the day in the outdoor soaking pool and then dining on pub fare while movies played on the auditorium cinema screen!
It also included a gift shop, surrounding gardens, an onsite restaurant, and four themed bars. I sipped on a house craft brew in the onsite Concordia Brewery (formally the little girl’s room!), listened to live Indie music in the on-site venue, and had a dinner made from locally sourced ingredients in the Courtyard Restaurant.
2. Jupiter Hotel
I loved this unique blend of eclectic retro-chic design and artsy vibe, where I discovered rooms with wall murals by local artists, a lively outdoor courtyard that hosted music events. I really lapped up its lively and hip vibe, which I saw attracted a creative crowd. The decor consisted of exposed beams, industrial finishes, and striking wall murals which had been created by local artists.
My guest room at the Jupiter Hotel featured a trendy decor, eco-friendly amenities, artistic wall murals, and modern conveniences such as a flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi.
I partied in the retro-themed bar next to the hotel’s Doug Fir Lounge and Restaurant, which showcased a rock band in the basement. It also served up handcrafted cocktails, craft beer, and American eats with vegan and gluten-free options. There was also a 24-hour art gallery and a contemporary courtyard patio complete with an awesome fire pit.
This spot was located Burnside Street so I was very near vintage stores, bars, and nightlife, it’s a major thoroughfare in the city and only a 5-minute drive from Downtown.
My highlights…
- I loved that the hotel was dedicated to supporting local artists and small businesses, and on the first Friday of every month, it hosted a ‘reception for the artist,’ an event where I mixed with local artisans and explore multi-sensory art forms with like-minded people!
3. Ace Hotel
I was a big fan of this funky mid-range accommodation option that doubled as a local hipster hangout. It was housed in a historic building in the funky West End neighborhood which was filled with great nightlife, vibey bars, excellent restaurants, and fabulous independent boutiques.
The overall look was very hip and creative, with dark wood and colorful retro-styled furniture. There was a funky communal vibe about the place and I easily got casually chatting with quite a few guests.
My guest room, which was decorated by local artists, had dark wooden floors, an exposed brick wall accent wall, and quirky features such as a vinyl record player. Some rooms have shared bathrooms, but all came with free WiFi, minibars, and flat-screen TVs.
I dined on home-cooked locally sourced food, a continental breakfast, and a vast range of alcoholic drinks in the cozy Clyde Common restaurant and bar overseen by Chef Carlo Lamagna, who offered a diverse range of innovative menu choices.
Other stand out features included the bespoke handmade motorcycle which was created for the hotel by artist Jordon Hufnagel and the lobby bar where I played a vinyl record and messed around in the vintage photo booth.
4. McMenamins Crystal
I found this hotel located in a historic building (which was built in 1911) I really liked the eclectic music-themed decor which featured unique artwork, and bright colors and the vibe which was trendy but very laid back.
I found out from the staff that each of the 51 rooms had been influenced by one of the standout shows at the Crystal Ballroom across the road – from Blondie to The Flaming Lips (I loved this so much)! My guest room was themed and came with vintage furniture, city views, a private bathroom, free WiFi, a plush bathrobe, and organic eco-friendly toiletries.
I found myself located in the buzzy West End part of Downtown. As well as vibey bars and restaurants the famous Powell’s Books, the Pearl District, and Jimmy Mak’s Jazz Club were also nearby.
Other features I found included the on-site live music venue and weekend comedy shows, a lively and very sociable bar, two on-site restaurants serving Northwest cuisine and craft brews, an indoor soaking/swimming pool, and an art gallery – music-themed, of course!
5. Sentinel Hotel
This is where the hotel owners say “creative thinkers, artists, and entrepreneurs can lay their heads and be inspired”! I found the eco-friendly hotel housed in a historic terracotta building which dated from 1909 in central downtown near a streetcar stop, Powell’s Bookstore, and the Portland Art Museum.
During my stay, I discovered striking decor which was a mix of old-time luxury and contemporary elements such as black and white prints of intellects, worn leather sofas, 20th-century local art, and many books!
I stayed in a boutique-style, pet-friendly guest room which cam with free Wi-Fi, a minibar, air-con, a flat-screen TV, luxury linens, and a pillow and iPod menu. The Well & Fit kit kept me busy with a yoga mat, fitness equipment, and an awesome tablet which came pre-loaded with fitness videos!
The breakfast featured a wide range of organic and veggie options, including the house-made honey which I loved!
My favorite highlights…
- Relaxing in the trendy Fortune bar and sipping on creative cocktails, the Gin Dreams cocktail was fabulous.
- Eating the honey at breakfast which was produced by the bees living on beehives on the rooftop, I thought this was such a cute touch!
6. Moxy Downtown
Located in central downtown area near the trendy Pearl District, I loved this funky modern spot which had eye-catching decor, pink neon lights, trendy design details, and awesome floor-to-ceiling glass front windows.
I stayed in a guest room that featured a contemporary design, wooden floors, a cable flat-screen TV, air-con, free Wi-Fi, and city views.
Other amenities included a bar serving hand-crafted cocktails, an onsite restaurant with varied breakfast menus and dinners, and a fitness center.
7. Hotel Vintage
The overall design of this 4-star hotel was boutique, and the walls were art-adorned. There was a striking floating staircase, art sculptures, a graffitied lobby, and chandeliers shaped like bunches of grapes which really stood out as I entered through the front door! I stayed in a loft-style guest room with a flat-screen cable TV, a mini-fridge, plush bathrobes, city views, and a handy yoga mat!
I discovered it in downtown Southwest, near Providence Park and the Pearl District. It was an 11-minute walk from the Portland Art Museum. The hotel was also at the center of a lot of entertainment action.
The Pazzo restaurant served up a buffet breakfast, local wines, and Italian cuisine. The Bacchus Bar, located on-site, served craft beers and wines, and I loved the fun old-school arcade games and the pool table.
I also found a modern 24-hour fitness center, a pet-friendly policy (and a few cute pooches!), a fine restaurant serving up a mix of global and American cuisine and sociable wine tasting sessions in its lounge room bar.
8. Duniway Hotel
Billed as the city’s newest lifestyle hotel, I thought the overall design was stylish and trendy with an upscale feel. I saw chic contemporary furniture, exotic rugs, lashings green plants, and art prints adorning the walls.
I stayed in a spacious guest room with featured modern boutique style decor, free WiFi, high-thread-count linens, a visual doorbell, fine city views, and an espresso machine.
It was located in the Central Business District so I was within walking distance of independent shops, bars, and restaurants. The Portland Art Museum, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, and MAX Light Rail were nearby.
It also featured an onsite restaurant overseen by celebrity chef Chris Cosentino, an onsite eatery and bar, an indoor swimming pool, a modern gym, and a furnished terrace that regularly hosted live music and yoga classes (which I loved)!
9. Jupiter Next
This is the new sister hotel of the Jupiter Hotel, but I found it was an officially higher-graded hotel. It had been designed by trendy Works Progress Architecture, and the hotel had fine views of the city and the West Hills. The design was trendy industrial-chic, with a concrete-and-steel staircase (a design piece by Laura Sol), a concrete fire pit, and lots of black and glass.
My room had a city-inspired headboard, large windows, modern art, a glass bathroom, a signature knit throw from Seek & Swoon, a voice-activated in-room concierge, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a large flat-screen TV.
It was located on Eastside Burnside Street so I found lots of independent boutiques and live music venues on my doorstep, near Voodoo Donuts and Revolution Hall.
The hotel also had space to work, relax, and socialize and I was especially fond of the tropical-themed onsite restaurant and bar which served American cuisine, a tasty buffet breakfast, and handcrafted cocktails and even turned into a disco in the evenings. There was also an open-air lounge on the fifth floor which had awesome city views.
10. Hoxton Hotel
I found this boutique hotel housed in a restored 1906 building, and inside it featured modernist furniture, quirky ornaments, a pastel color scheme, and large windows that flooded the place with natural light.
Guest rooms ranged in size from small to spacious, and my room featured dark woods, art, a flat-screen TV, free WiFi, air conditioning, tall windows offering city views, and black-tiled private bathrooms.
It was located in the city’s historic Chinatown, so I was within walking distance of great restaurants, interesting shops, and a MAX Light Rail station. I also found that the famous White Stag sign and Tom McCall Waterfront Park were nearby.
I also really liked their rooftop restaurant that combined American food with incredible city views, a coffee shop that served up offers pastries and coffee, and a speakeasy-style basement bar. I spent a lot of my time in the trendy rooftop bar which served up creative themed cocktails inspired by the local area, craft beers, and snacks.
11. Hotel Zags
I thought this design boutique reflected the city’s unique spirit. I personally thought it was a very striking place with retro-modern furniture, contemporary art, and lashings of wood and greenery.
My guest room featured a flat-screen cable TV, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, an iPod dock, and a chic-looking marble bathroom. I also received a complimentary pass to a nearby 24-hour fitness center.
I found it situated along Willamette River in the downtown arts district, just two blocks from a MAX light rail station and a 6-minute walk from the Portland Art Museum. I was also near the Farmer’s Market, South Waterfront Park, and the Hawthorne Asylum Food Cart Pod.
Other amenities I discovered were the stylish interior courtyard which came with trendy fire pits, the city’s first-ever living green wall (which was spectacular!), a 24-hour store, a tasty buffet breakfast, and an onsite restaurant, Nel Centro, which served up a fine dining experience engineered by the highly-regarded local chef and restaurateur David Machado.
- To book, check prices or availability for Hotel Zags
12. The Heathman
I found this famous place housed in a downtown historic building from 1927, it offered a premium boutique lodging and had a very upscale and romantic vibe – it even had been mentioned in the Fifty Shades of Grey novels!.
