TOP 5 Areas Where to Stay in Portland, Oregon (and Where NOT to Stay) + HOTEL GUIDE

Portland, Oregon is a clean and green city known for its friendliness, history, and landmarks. It’s a town of music, microbreweries, coffeehouses, parks, bridges, and bicycle paths (did you know that it’s the most bicycle-friendly city in America?).

One thing is sure about Portland – everyone can find something interesting to enjoy. When you are there, relax, smile, and finish your coffee cup before anything else, just like Portlanders do. And take your umbrella with you, because in Portland it’s raining most of the time.

Here’s a guide on where to stay in Portland so that you can taste Portland in all its glory. Continue reading to find out the best neighborhoods with a list of recommended hotels in each.

If you are in a hurry…

If you don’t want to read the whole post, but to book something right away, here are some fantastic options where to stay in Portland city center, all with the best reviews, sorted by price:

Here’s a quick visualisation of where to stay in Portland, Oregon that I will be talking about in this post: 

1. Downtown Portland – Best for First Time visitors

In SouthWest Portland, surrounded by the Willamette River and the Pearl District, Downtown Portland has everything an urban city center should have. It’s the best place to stay in Portland for first-time visitors. There are plenty of transportation options in the area, but the best thing about Downtown is that you can go around on foot, you won’t really need a car. 

Here you will find famous street markets, great food, skyscrapers, green places, tax-free shopping, art museums, and galleries throughout the district. Downtown Portland has enough attractions to keep you busy for days!

This part of the city is home to the famous “Keep Portland Weird” mural. If you don’t have a picture of it, no one will believe you were in Portland!

This is the best place to stay as a base to visit most of the attractions and here is some top recommendation for accommodation:

Other accommodation in Downtown Portland

Things to Do in Portland Downtown

2. Pearl District – Where to Stay in Portland for Art Lovers

Pearl District is located between the city center (15 min walking) and the West End and is the newest and most fashionable area of Portland. It’s a great central location with all the downtown conveniences whilst still maintaining a distinct and trendy atmosphere. 

Until the mid-1980s, there was nothing but warehouses and industrial buildings here. Now, those warehouses are home to stylish and chic bars, restaurants, world-class art galleries, and is one of the most desirable neighborhoods to stay in thanks to the urban renewal era. 

FUN FACT: Pearl district got its name in 1985 thanks to one of Portland’s gallery owners. He said that the neighborhood’s artists in crusty old buildings were like pearls inside oysters. Another version is that this same gallery owner already called the area Pearl’s district in honor of Pearl Marie Amhara, his friend who traveled the world raising money for the poor. Which one do you think is true?

Below is a list of recommended hotels to stay in the Pearl district:

Other accommodation options in Pearl District

Things to Do in Pearl District

• Visit Powell’s city of books, a bookstore that covers an entire city block!
• Enjoy the fountain at Jamison Square 
• Relax in the Tanner Springs public park 
• Watch the Broadway Bridge open

3. Old Town Chinatown – Where to Stay for History

The city’s oldest neighborhood is full of surprises! Old Town Chinatown’s historic area tells a story about Oregon’s most significant town from the beginning till now. Enjoy some of the best asian cuisine in the pacific northwest, alongside interesting museums and other attractions. Besides history, be ready to party the night away as this area is full of quirky cocktail bars and has a live music scene at night. Old Town Chinatown is even closed off to cars on the weekends! 

Old Town Chinatown sits between north and south, Burnside street and Willamette River. This position makes this neighborhood the most visited attraction in Portland. It has a great selection of hotels to choose from for all budgets.

Other accommodation options in the Old Town

Things to Do in Old Town Chinatown

4. Nob Hill – Where to Stay in Portland, Oregon for Families

Located just a 5 minute drive from Downtown, Nob Hill is basically an upscale small village in its own right. It is also known as the “Alphabet District” or Northwest. Nob Hill is the best place to stay in Portland for families as it is quiet and there are tons of transportation options including biking. Plus, it’s just a 10 min walk from Pearl District. 

Charming, quirky Victorian houses and elegant early 20th-century apartment buildings are what make Nob Hill recognizable – do check out the tree-lined streets and 23 Northwest Avenue whilst here! Northwest area is a grid with numbered streets running North to South and streets running East to West. They are in alphabetical order, a pretty exciting way to avoid getting lost here!

Nob Hill is Portland’s fashionable area full of sophisticated and cozy cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. It’s a mix of old Portland charm and new Portland chic. After eating and shopping, go to the Peculiarium Museum – the place is a bit weird, like Portland itself. 😉 

If you choose Nob Hill as a destination to stay, here is the best hotel choice:

Other accommodation options in Nob Hill

Things to Do in Nob Hill

• Explore the Peculiarium Museum
• Have a picnic in Providence Park
• Take a walk down Northwest 21st Avenue
• Visit the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
• See Pittock Mansion
• Enjoy the Portland Japanese Gardens
• Visit the zoo

5. Central Eastside – Best for Nightlife

Across the Willamette River from Downtown Portland is Portland’s Central Eastside. It’s an old industrial zone crisscrossed with train tracks and the most contradictory neighborhood – a nightlife area full of family places to visit during the day.

Portland’s Central Eastside is live all the time. It’s an urban area famous for its coffee culture, breweries, and clubs. Here you come to dance to burn those calories you’ve got thanks to Portland delicious cuisine.

When you want to be near and go party in the Central Eastside area, recommend staying in Riverplace hotels across the river or to choose some guest house apartment from Airbnb.

Here are some choices for you:

Other accommodation options in Central Eastside

Things to Do in Central Eastside

Conclusion 

So there you go, all the best areas in Portland and where to stay within each one. Portland is a large city with a lot to explore but you can still cross the whole city in less than 30 mins by car, making it another great city to visit in the United States! 

All of the above 5 areas are perfect for your vacation and I have tried to find the best accommodation options for you in each of the neighborhoods and sorted them by price for your convenience. I hope it helps. Now, don’t waste your time – go check out those hotels and book it if it is available, the good ones are usually sold out quickly! 

If you haven’t already chosen something from my list, here are my top two again: 

P.S. If you’re continuing your travels in the west, make sure to book one of the best treehouses in Oregon or one of these incredible hotels in San Francisco if you are going there next!

Thanks for reading this guide, and happy travels! 

Yulia