Where to Stay in Portland: Complete Guide for First Timers

Downtown Portland: The Most Convenient Place to Stay

Look, Downtown Portland had a rough time and has had a bit of a PR nightmare over the past few years.

We don’t really go downtown all that often unless we’re going to catch a show or are on our way to a Timbers game, but every time we do recently we’ve been pleasantly surprised with how nice it feels (it’s a major improvement from 2021 and 2022). 

Ultimately, Downtown Portland is mainly a place that people go for two main reasons: for events (concerts, shows, etc) or for work.

And over the past few years, the number of people going for work has seen a sharp decline and Downtown Portland is in a bit of a moment of change as we try to figure out what the next version of downtown looks like. 

In our minds, downtown is at its best as a hub for culture and events, like the famous Dragon Boat races, Blues Festival, and summer concerts at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

We’ve been pleased to see the city lean into those events over the past few years, which brings a real buzz and fun energy to downtown that had been missing for a few years. 

Now, there are many benefits to staying in Downtown Portland, and chief among them is the fact that it has BY FAR the best selection of hotels. It’s not even close. 

It’s also the most convenient area to stay in terms of connections to the rest of the city. Every major bus and MAX line (that’s the overground lightrail) runs through Downtown Portland, including airport connections. 

One thing to keep in mind here is that there is a visible unhoused population that is concentrated in the northern end of downtown (near the main Voodoo Doughnut location in Old Town). 

If you stay downtown, we’d make sure to stay in the southern end, southwest of Pioneer Courthouse Square (ish) and near the PSU Campus, which is a much more pleasant area and has all of the benefits we mentioned above. 

Overall, Downtown Portland is a great, central home base to use for exploring Portland, especially if it’s your first time in town and you want to do some of the main tourist attractions, like the International Rose Test Garden and Powell’s City of Books.

Pros and Cons of Staying Downtown

Here are the pros and cons of using Downtown as your home base for exploring the city as we see them. 

Pros of Staying in Downtown Portland

It’s a central location. It’s central, located in between the parks to the west – Forest Park and Washington Park – and the cute neighborhoods on the eastern side of the river.

There’s a great hotel selection. This area has the best selection of hotels in the city. And it’s not close. Whether you’re looking for a solid affordable stay, or you’re in the mood to celebrate a special occasion and want a swanky luxury hotel, there are plenty of options downtown.

You’ll have good transit connections. MAX Lines (that’s the overground tram) and TriMet buses run through downtown, and will take you just about anywhere you need to go, including the airport, Portland International Airport (PDX). 

Cons of Staying in Downtown Portland

The food and drinks are meh. All of our favorite places to eat and drink in Portland are outside of the downtown core, either in the Northwest District, or across the river in Southeast Portland or Northeast Portland. Plan on eating most of your meals outside of downtown if you stay here.

The visible unhoused population. While we don’t think this is necessarily a reason to avoid downtown Portland, it’s undeniable that seeing your fellow humans living on the street is a bummer. And you will see it if you spend any time downtown (which you should). 

The Best Places to Stay in Downtown Portland

Here are a couple of nice places to stay in downtown Portland. 

Heathman Hotel: Our Pick for the Best Hotel Downtown

The Heathman Hotel is our top hotel pick in downtown Portland, and it’s tough to find an aspect here that we aren’t fans of. 

Let’s start with the location. The Heathman is on SW Broadway, a few blocks from three important things: Pioneer Courthouse Square, Less and More Coffee (both locations), and the South Park Blocks, which are home to the Oregon Historical Society, Portland Art Museum, and the incredible PSU Farmers Market (on Saturday mornings). 

Staying here puts you within walking distance of those places, plus the rest of downtown Portland, the Pearl, and Northwest District. 

Next, let’s talk about the hotel itself. 

It’s housed in a historic building – the original Heathman Hotel was built here in 1926, and this location was built next door a couple of years later – though it has been carefully renovated and restored more recently than that (obviously!). 

Rooms here are relatively spacious, and they have two varieties – hotel rooms, and suites.

The biggest difference is the addition of more seating area in the suites, along with a one bedroom suite that has a sofa bed in the living area (good for families traveling with kids). 

In terms of amenities, you’ve got a fitness center, a common area that includes a library, and complimentary rental bikes (which you should use to go ride the riverfront loop!).  

However, there is an amenity fee of $29, which we truly don’t like (this is the one negative) and wish hotels would just price it into their room rates (they don’t because they’d rather show you a lower rate, and then bait-and-switch with an added fee later). 

It’s also pet-friendly, with a pet fee of $50 per stay that includes things like a water bowl, bed, and treats. 

Hotel Zags: A More Hip, Modern Hotel 

Hotel Zags is another nice option in a similar area to the Heathman – it’s further south, which does mean it’s further away – with a more hip and modern finish.

It’s on the other end of the South Park Blocks, which is going to mean a few extra blocks of walking to get to the heart of downtown (though there are also ample public transit options that run right by the hotel too). 

They have rooms and “suites” (the difference is that the suites have a door between the living space and the bedroom), and some have city views, some have interior garden views.  

Amenities include access to their “gear shed” where you can rent out bikes, backpacks (for hiking), and various games, a complimentary continental breakfast (though it’s Portland, so you should really head over to Fried Egg I’m in Love or one of the many doughnut shops nearby), and day passes to a gym nearby. 

Another hotel, another amenity fee. This time it’s $35 a night… which is absurd (it’s like 30% of the room rate!). Make sure you take that into account when you’re looking at prices. 

Pets are allowed, and it’s a two dog maximum (no weight/breed restrictions) and a $45 one-time fee. 

Hyatt Centric: Good Value in a Great Downtown Location

The Hyatt Centric in Portland is BRAND NEW, and is right in the heart of downtown within blocks of some of Portland’s best bars, restaurants, and shopping.

It’s a pretty big hotel – with 220 rooms – all of which are pretty spacious (~250-300 square feet) and some of which have great views of the Portland skyline.

They differentiate between “rooms” and “suites,” with suites / studios having a seating area, and rooms being a standard hotel-style layout (though they do have desks). 

First choose your room type, then your layout (one King or two Queens, mostly), and then decide if you want to pay a slight upcharge to have a room with a view. Lots of choices to make!

There’s a fitness center onsite, along with a bar and restaurant and some nice common areas on the ground floor. 

They do have onsite parking if you need it at $47 a night (valet only).

They’re also pet-friendly. Up to two dogs are allowed, although there’s a 50 pound weight limit (or 75 pounds combined) and a $100 nonrefundable fee to bring them along.

Northwest Portland: A Perfect Blend of Urban and Charming

Of the three distinct areas in the downtown core, the Northwest District has quickly become our favorite of the bunch mainly because it’s the one that we tend to visit most often (we are Timbers season ticket holders, and the stadium – Providence Park – is here). 

Now, it’s worth noting that this part of the city goes by many names – like Nob Hill, the Alphabet District, Slabtown, to name a few – which all refer to sub-neighborhoods here. 

However, for the most part, anyone who actually lives here who is talking about this part of the city is going to call it “Northwest,” which is what we’re going with here. 

It has a lot of the things we like about the Eastside – greenery and tree-lined streets, stretches of commerce with great food, drinks, and shopping, and great access to green spaces (Washington Park is right up the hill!). 

However, it also feels distinctly more urban, in the sense that parking is a nightmare and there are tons of people out and about at any time between 10:00am and 10:00pm.

In that sense, it’s a nice balance between the more residential areas on the Eastside and the hustle and bustle of downtown. Which earns it a spot as one of the best places to stay, especially if you don’t have a car. 

Similar to every neighborhood other than Downtown Portland, there are only really a few options in terms of places to stay, but there are a couple of good budget options (the Portland International Guesthouse and the Northwest Portland Hostel) and one of the most highly rated hotels in the city (the Inn at Northrup Station). 

The two stretches we like to explore most are NW 23rd Street and NW 21st Street, which are lined with a bunch of cool places to eat and drink (and shop). 

Plus, Providence Park – home of the Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns (the two soccer franchises in Portland) is here, and you’ll often find us at a game on a Saturday evening during the season.

Pros and Cons of Staying in Northwest

Here are the pros and cons of using NW as your home base for exploring the city as we see them. 

Pros of Staying in Northwest

Charm charm charm! Tree-lined streets and local restaurants and boutiques. What more could you ask for??

Access to green spaces. It’s a short walk (or drive) up to both Washington Park (where you’ll find the International Rose Test Garden and Hoyt Arboretum) and Forest Park from this area.

Great food, drinks, and shopping. Foodies will love this area, as some of Portland’s best food and drinks can be found in this slice of Portland. 

Cons of Staying in Northwest

Parking is tough. Especially on weekends. Most streets have some combination of parking time limits (usually somewhere between two and four hours) and paid parking, sometimes both.

Average hotel options. Similar to the Pearl, there really aren’t that many places to stay in this part of Portland. However, there are a few, and the ones that are here are pretty unique (and skew towards more affordable, which is odd considering the neighborhood, which is somewhat upscale).  

The Best Places to Stay in the Northwest District

Here are a few cool places to stay in the Northwest District / Slabtown which, as we touched on earlier, tend to skew affordable. 

There are two places at the northern end of NW 23rd – the Silver Cloud Inn and the Holiday Inn Express – which are practical, though not exactly the sexiest options in the world.

For a similar price, you can stay at one of the options below which are in better locations and are more unique experiences. 

Inn at Northrup Station: A Quirky Hotel w/ Kitchens in Rooms

If you’re looking for a hotel with rooms that have a kitchen (including stovetops), the Inn at Northrup Station is it!

Although not all rooms have a full kitchen, double check the pictures and descriptions to make sure that the room you chose has one, if that’s what you’re looking for. 

Another plus of this place is that it’s locally owned and operated, versus being a huge hotel conglomerate. 

In terms of decor, this place feels very retro in a fun way. Think bright colors. Lots of bright colors. Rooms are huge – 500 square feet is closer to a studio apartment than a traditional hotel room – and like we covered above, some have full kitchens.

There are also rooms with patios and balconies, if that’s something you’re into. 

They have parking – which is included in your room price – along with a continental breakfast AND Portland Streetcar tickets. No pets allowed, so not a great option if you’re traveling with a furry friend. 

Portland International Guesthouse: An Affordable Place to Stay 

If you’re on a budget, the rooms at the Portland International Guesthouse are a really, really good option for you.

If you’ve spent any time in Europe on a budget (we have!) you may have come across places that rent out affordable rooms with shared bathroom facilities. That’s what’s going on here.

For clarity, when we say “shared bathrooms,” we mean a private, single-occupancy bathroom, just that it’s shared with other guests. 

There are four rooms here, and all of them share two bathrooms (and an additional half bath). Most of the rooms can house up to three people. 

They also have a garden level apartment that is available for stays of three days or more, which has a full kitchen, private bathroom, and more space.

If you’re bringing a car, they have a limited number of neighborhood parking permits that they can give you for $5 a day which will allow you to park for more than the time. You need to reserve the permit in advance, and keep in mind that you’ll still be looking for street parking in a dense, urban neighborhood.  

Two other things to note – no pets or children under 5, and no TVs in the rooms (if that matters to you). 

Northwest Portland Hostel: Portland’s Best Hostel

This is another good place to stay in Portland on a budget. This is a hostel, which means they have a mix of dorm rooms and private rooms, along with nice common areas and a more social atmosphere.

Common areas here include access to a full kitchen and nice outdoor courtyard. 

The location also can’t really be beat – it’s smack dab in the middle between downtown and NW 23rd. For example, it’s a 10 minute walk to NW 23rd (the coolest street in the area, we think), and a 10 minute walk to Powell’s City of Books in the heart of downtown Portland. 

They also have a nice calendar of events to connect with other travelers, from free walking tours to themed happy hours. 

In terms of private rooms, they have a range. Some have shared bathrooms, some have private bathrooms. Some have a single queen bed, some have a double bed and a bunk bed (they call them family rooms). 

In terms of dorms – if that’s what you’re looking for – they have mixed, male, and female dorm room options with anywhere between 4-8 beds. 

The Central Eastside: A Good Balance Between Location and Vibes 

The Central Eastside is just across the river from Downtown Portland, and is in a formerly industrial area just east of the Willamette River that is in the process of being transformed into a creative hub. 

The Central Eastside is a relatively big area that encompasses several distinct micro-neighborhoods with different vibes. The main area we’re talking about here is from the water east to SE 20th Ave, and from Hawthorne at the southern end to Burnside at the northern edge. 

As a general rule, we suggest doing your best to stay EAST of Grand and MLK Blvd, which are two main thoroughfares through the city and can be very, very loud and busy. Plus, the area to the east of those two streets is much more charming, and it’s closer to some of our favorite parts of the neighborhood. 

We like this area because it’s about as central as it gets in terms of our favorite things to do and see (and eat and drink) in Portland. 

It’s across the river from downtown, walkable to southeast Portland (Division and Hawthorne), and an easy bus or rideshare ride to NE Portland (Alberta and Mississippi). 

It also is the only part of the city on the east side of the river that has real hotel options, which makes it an easier place to use as a home base. 

Which just about covers every part of Portland that you’re going to be visiting over the course of your trip, depending on how much time you have. 

Like we mentioned already (we think it’s worth reiterating), plan on staying east of 99E (Grand and MLK).

That’s where all of the recommended hotels below are located, and we think it’s the best part of the neighborhood to stay in..

Pros and Cons of Staying in the Central Eastside

Here are the pros and cons of using the Central Eastside as your home base for exploring the city as we see them. 

Pros of Staying in the Central Eastside

It’s a central location. Like the name suggests, this is a great central area between the main areas you’ll want to visit in Portland.

Public transportation links. Between the MAX line and the various bus lines that run through it, the Central Eastside is well connected to the rest of the city. Plus, you can always walk. 

Good pockets of food and drinks. Some of our favorite places to eat and drink (namely Kann, Smith Tea, Berlu, and Sunflower Sake) are all here.

Cons of Staying in the Central Eastside

Parking is Tough. As you get further east into the residential area, parking gets significantly easier. But in the area just across the river, not so much. If you have a car, make sure to check if your hotel has parking available (and we’d probably recommend a garage if you can).

It’s Far From the Parks. Washington and Forest Park are on the other side of the river, past the downtown core. Not really a deal breaker, but definitely something worth considering if you’re planning on spending a lot of time over there. 

The Best Places to Stay in the Central Eastside

Here are a few cool places to stay on the east side of the river. 

The Jupiter Next Hotel: A Cool, Locally Owned Boutique Hotel

We’ve personally stayed at the Jupiter NEXT Hotel (before we moved to Portland), and would 100% recommend it. 

Created by locals – the same people who run the Jupiter Hotel across the street, which is a local institution and is home to one of the most famous music venues in the city, the Doug Fir Lounge – who have brought that unique Portland charm to life in hotel form. 

The Jupiter NEXT is across the street from the original location, and was opened in 2018 as a more upscale, boutique stay. 

First, the location. It’s on Burnside in the Central Eastside, and we walked to downtown Portland from the hotel in about 20 minutes, give or take. If you don’t feel like walking, there are multiple bus lines that will take you downtown in about 15 minutes. 

Second, the room itself. The beds are super comfortable, and the decor reflects Portland’s unique spirit.

I’m pretty certain they must have commissioned a lot of the pieces themselves. The rooms on the west side of the building also have a great view of the skyline. 

Last, the amenities and the staff. Free GOOD coffee ready for you in the morning (in the lobby), friendly staff that we found ourselves chatting with every time we passed through the lobby, and some nice decks, outdoor, and indoor spaces to hang out outside of your room.

And don’t forget Hey Love, the great cocktail bar on the ground floor!

The downsides here are price and parking. 

It’s definitely not the cheapest option around, so if you’re on a tight budget you’ll probably want to look elsewhere. 

Parking on the street is available, but there are limits on weekdays (make sure to read all signage) that make it a little impractical. You can pay for parking in their underground garage, which costs $25 a night (they have an outdoor lot for $15, but we’d recommend parking in the secure lot in this area). 

The Kex Hotel: An Affordable Stay at a Stylish Hotel/Hostel Hybrid

The Kex Hotel is part of an Icelandic chain (I say chain, but they have exactly two locations at the time of writing – the other one is in Reykjavik), and toes the line between a hotel and a boutique hostel. 

They have rooms with bunk beds and shared bathrooms, which are a good option if you’re REALLY on a budget. But they also have standard hotel-style rooms if you like the idea of a more social environment, but are too old to sleep in dorms (guilty as charged, your honor). 

Some of the private rooms here have a private bathroom down the hall, which will save you a few dollars on your stay (without you actually having to share a bathroom with other people). 

It’s an old building, and the style here really leans into that age. Rather than renovating and completely changing the building, they’ve worked with what they have and the rooms are a little rustic, each with its own character.

Rooms are fairly small, but affordable, which is part of the reason you’d stay here. There are some nice common areas throughout the hotel, including a bar on the ground floor AND a rooftop bar, and a cool library room. 

One unique aspect is that they have “Family Rooms” that have a queen bed and two bunk beds, which is a fun way for a family to travel together. 

No pets allowed at the Kex, so either leave your furry friend at home, or stay elsewhere in Portland.

One note about parking: There is no onsite parking here, which means it’s best for people who don’t have a car. There are a few lots nearby, some covered and supervised, some not, but we probably wouldn’t park there. 

Tiny Digs: The Most Unique Stay in Portland?

This place is peak Portland. Tiny Digs is a collection of tiny homes organized in a little village that is probably one of the most unique hotels in Portland.

Plus, it’s essentially right on SE 28th, the aforementioned great stretch of food and drinks in this part of Portland. 

Each of the tiny homes here is uniquely designed around a theme, and they all have full kitchens, air conditioning, and a little deck out front. 

Of the options, we like the Bamboo House (complete with a little Koi pond out front), the Red Barn, and the Beach House. 

Pets are allowed here, but you should know that there’s a two pet limit, a 50 lb combined weight limit, and a $50 nonrefundable fee per pet. 

Southeast Portland: Our Favorite Part of Portland

Southeast Portland: Residential Charm and Great Food & Drinks

Over our many trips to cities around the world, we consistently find that our favorite neighborhoods to spend time in are the ones that are mainly residential, but have commercial strips running through them with bars, coffee shops, restaurants, and shops that serve the people who live there. 

And that’s exactly what Southeast Portland is. It’s charming, with tree-lined streets and classic Portland craftsman homes built in the early 1900s, it’s walkable, and it’s full of our favorite spots in Portland. 

We’re biased here because this is the neighborhood where we live, but we think Southeast Portland is the best part of the city for just about everything.

When we’re talking about “Southeast” here, we mean the stretch between Hawthorne and Division from SE 20th Ave over to César E Chávez Boulevard / SE 39th Ave (though there are some good spots further east too). 

West of that rectangle is the Central Eastside, east of that stretch is probably too far out for your purposes as a visitor. 

Hawthorne is known for vintage shops and places to eat, while Division has seen a remarkable transformation over the past 10-20 years (a 95 year old who lives near us always marvels at the changes) and has become one of the best eating and drinking stretches in a city full of them. 

Whether you’re in the mood for southeast Asian food (there are several excellent options), homestyle Italian, or some of the best gelato in the city, you’ll find it on Division. 

The obvious downside here is that, because this is a residential area, there really aren’t many places to stay other than vacation rentals (which, as we already covered, are in a weird legal gray area here in Portland right now where there’s a law, but it’s not really enforced). 

There are two nice guesthouses just off of Division (Bluebird Guesthouse and Evermore Guesthouse) that would be a great option, particularly the Bluebird which gives you access to the FX2 express bus line straight to downtown.

Pros and Cons of Staying in Southeast Portland

Here are the pros and cons of using Southeast Portland as your home base for exploring the city as we see them. 

Pros of Staying in Southeast

The local vibe. This is a more residential part of the city than any of the others in this guide, and you’ll find plenty of leafy streets and beautiful historic houses – particularly craftsmans – as you walk around the neighborhood. The majority of the people you’ll see here are people who live here going about their day, which we’re into when we’re traveling. However, this does come with a corresponding con (more on that below).

The food and drinks. It’s truly incredible how much good food there is in this part of the city – gluten free or not – and it’s one of the main reasons we love living here. We have a lot more to say, including many specific recommendations, in the “highlights” section immediately below this one.

Parking is relatively easy.  Unlike other parts of the city, parking here is going to be mostly a breeze. Even near the most popular parts of Division and Hawthorne you have a bunch of residential streets nearby with free street parking, and once you get deeper into the neighborhood it’s plentiful. If you’re coming to Portland with a car, this would be a good option. 

Cons of Staying in Southeast

There’s nowhere to stay. As you might imagine based on the “local vibe” point above, there are very, very few places to stay for tourists in this part of the city. Remember that vacation rentals that are a full house are essentially illegal in Portland, though there are plenty of ADU’s (like backyard bungalows or basement guest suites) around. 

It’s not walkable to other parts of the city. While the neighborhood itself is very walkable, it’s not really within walking distance of other parts of the city like downtown or the parks on the west side. You’ll need to rely on public transit to get downtown, and because you’re in the bottom right corner of the city center, you’ll probably need to use rideshare apps to get to other parts of the city because public transit would just take way too long. 

Airport connections are tough. Staying here means you’ll probably need to take a rideshare or taxi from the airport (or rent a car), because there’s no real way to get here from the airport with public transportation. 

The Best Places to Stay in Southeast Portland

The toughest part about Southeast Portland – and one of the reasons we like it – is the fact that it’s very residential.

There are essentially two places to stay in this neighborhood (that aren’t vacation rentals), and they’re both near the stretch of Division Street that we really like.  

There’s the Bluebird Guesthouse, which is right on Division St in the middle of some of our favorite places to eat and drink. It’s a house that has been renovated to be a bed & breakfast, with six unique rooms and some nice shared spaces. 

Then there’s the Evermore Guesthouse, which is a few blocks south of Division and has similar amenities and facilities (unsurprising since they’re owned by the same people). 

If you want a vacation rental in this part of the city, we’d like to remind you that renting out entire houses that are not your primary residence is, technically, illegal (even if they’re not enforced by the city). 

However, this part of the city is full of great ADU options, like backyard bungalows and basement guest suites where the owner lives onsite (which is a much better experience, anyway!). 

Here are a couple of other options that caught our eye: 

PDX Eco Cottage Guesthouse: A nice backyard cottage that is designed beautifully and features a full kitchen and plenty of space to spread out.

Neighborhood Delight – 1BR Apt in SE Portland: a basement apartment within four blocks of Division and even closer to Clinton – great walkable area, with easy buses to downtown (we know because we live nearby).

Sun-filled Casa De Campo: A beautiful backyard tiny home near Belmont and Hawthorne with a full kitchen and plenty of space for a few days of exploring.

Magic Barn – 1BR / 1BA: a cozy and quirky backyard bungalow a few blocks from Hawthorne.

Jewel in the Sky – Modern Studio Loft: A studio above the garage, with full kitchen and lots of natural light.

Northeast Portland (near Mississippi Ave): A Stretch Full of Good Food

Northeast Portland is another residential area with a couple of good commercial streets running through it with some of the best places to eat, drink, and shop, namely NE Mississippi Ave and NE Alberta St. 

When we first moved to Portland, we lived a block off of the south end of Mississippi, and it’s a place that we still find ourselves coming back to often despite the fact that we live elsewhere now. 

We think that the area around Mississippi would make a great home base if you’re interested in something more residential, where real Portlanders actually live, that is walkable to a bunch of the best places to eat in Portland (Lovely’s Fifty Fifty and the Prost food cart pod are our picks). 

Aside from Mississippi itself and the surrounding area, which is full of great places to eat and drink (worth noting that this is the most heavily gentrified area in Portland over the past 20 ish years), we also realized after leaving that it’s really well connected to the rest of the city thanks to the junctions with various freeways in the neighborhood. 

Similar to Southeast Portland (which is our preference, evidenced by the fact that we made it our permanent home), the big challenge here is that there really aren’t any places to stay outside of vacation rentals. 

When you’re looking for a vacation rental, make sure you’re choosing one where the owner lives onsite, like a basement unit, a cottage in the backyard, or a studio over the garage, rather than an entire house (which is technically illegal and takes valuable supply off of our already tight housing market). 

We would NOT recommend staying further east on NE Alberta because it is pretty far from just about everything else in Portland. It’s easy to visit (especially if you stay near Mississippi Ave), but we wouldn’t use it as your home base. 

Pros and Cons of Staying in NE Portland (near Mississippi)

Here are the pros and cons of staying in Northeast Portland near NE Mississippi Ave as we see them (and we’re former residents of this part of the city). 

Pros of Staying in NE Portland

It’s convenient. We didn’t really realize it until after we left, but this part of the city is extremely well connected. You have easy access to both 405 and I-5 (the two main freeways running through the city) and you have MLK that runs south to connect you to the Central Eastside and SE Portland. 

It’s full of good food. Particularly the stretch right on NE Mississippi Ave, where you have several of our favorite places to eat in Portland, but also along NE Williams, where you’ll find a lot of new development and some equally fun places to eat and drink. 

It’s easy to park. Thanks to the residential nature here, the parking situation is relatively easy to manage ESPECIALLY if you just look a couple of blocks off of Mississippi. We lived here for years, and the only time parking was an issue was during the Mississippi Street Fair. 

Cons of Staying in NE Portland

There are no hotels to speak of. The only option up here is going to be vacation rentals, and they are harder and harder to come by as the city cracks down on listings flouting the rules. Remember that, at a high level, the owner needs to live onsite for it to be legit (or it needs to be their primary residence). 

Places to Stay in Northeast Portland (near Mississippi)

As we already mentioned, there really aren’t any hotels in this part of the city. Your only choice is going to be vacation rentals, and there aren’t that many of those that follow the rules to protect our housing supply either. 

Here are a few options that stood out to us when we were combing through the options. 

This beautiful backyard cottage is a great option for couples, with its midcentury modern design elements, high ceilings, and full kitchen (and washer dryer). It’s in a nice location, strategically located between Mississippi and Williams and walkable to both. 

This modern guesthouse is a little further east than we would like, but the neighborhood it’s in is very nice and is walkable to both Mississippi and Alberta (though it’s further from other parts of the city).

This two bedroom house is part of a duplex (which is allowed) and has space for a family or a small group. It’s within a block or two of the best part of Mississippi.

The Pearl District: An Upscale Version of Downtown

I have mixed feelings on the Pearl, which is the area just north of downtown that is full of old brick buildings that have been transformed into hip restaurants, workout studios, and fancy apartments. 

It’s Yuppie Central (Young Urban Professionals, usually in their late 20’s) with a Barry’s Bootcamp (a pricey fitness studio), a Fjallraven store, and a bunch of fancy stores from furniture to clothing. 

Which, as you might imagine, gives it a certain vibe that is not necessarily for everyone. 

However, it is also worth noting that the location of the Pearl means that you’re getting many of the same benefits that you get by staying downtown. 

You’re right off the river, you’re well-connected (especially to the neighborhoods on the other side of the river), and you have a few good hotel options. 

It’s noticeably more upscale than downtown – a lot of the development that the city has seen recently has happened in the Pearl – and on the southern side of the neighborhood close to downtown it’s a lot of warehouses and brick buildings that have been transformed from factories to shops, breweries, and restaurants over the past several decades.

If you ask Portland residents who have lived here for 20 or 30 years what part of the city has changed the most, I’d bet that the majority would say the Pearl.

It used to be dilapidated warehouses, now it’s fancy AF. 

As you get to the northern end of the neighborhood, it’s all modern high rise buildings with what I assume are luxury condos. 

Overall, it’s not our favorite neighborhood in Portland, but it does offer many of the benefits of downtown around convenience with a good deal more charm.

Pros and Cons of Staying in the Pearl District

Here are the pros and cons of using the Pearl District as your home base for exploring the city as we see them. 

Pros of Staying in Pearl District

Close to Downtown, Northwest, and NE Portland. The Pearl is adjacent to downtown and the Northwest, which means you’re walkable to two great areas for food and drinks. It’s also an easy trip – though not walkable – to Northeast Portland (Mississippi Avenue in particular). We used to live in NE Portland, and it’s a relatively quick journey to get down into the Pearl. 

Cons of Staying in the Pearl

The Hotels are Strictly Okay. Unlike downtown and the Central Eastside, which have some cool hotel options, the options in the Pearl are pretty average, and are all big chain hotels (like Marriott and Hilton).

It’s close to Old Town. Old Town, which is the area to the east of the Pearl District (around the Lan Su Chinese Garden) towards the river, is rough. There’s a large visible unhoused population living in tents, some of whom have serious mental health issues. The border is roughly North Park Blocks (here on Google Maps), but some of that bleeds over into the Pearl. 

The Best Places to Stay in the Pearl District

Here are a couple of places to stay in the Pearl that would make a great home base for exploring the city. 

Canopy by Hilton: Stylish and Hip

“Canopy” is Hilton’s hip and trendy hotel brand that is doing its best to compete with modern hotels that are popping up around the world with cool common areas, small but functional rooms, and stylish decor. 

And they’re doing pretty well at it, if we’re being honest. This location in the Pearl District is a few blocks from the heart of downtown Portland, and would make an excellent option for a few nights in the City of Roses. 

Rooms are stylish and functional, and there’s only a couple of configurations to choose from – a single King, and two Queens. You can choose rooms with a view or corner rooms from there. Rooms are still plenty big, with 300+ square feet to spread out in. 

In terms of amenities, you’ll miss out on free breakfast here (which you should be okay with, since Portland is a great breakfast city), but you’ll get access to the rooftop fitness center and some beautifully designed common areas.

There’s also an onsite bar and restaurant, but we’re not really sure why you’d eat there while you’re in Portland, surrounded by amazing food. 

As far as parking goes, the only onsite option is valet parking at $47 a day, but at least it includes in/out privileges, and is covered and secure. Pets are allowed, but incur a nonrefundable $50 fee and there’s a max weight of 75 pounds. 

Hampton Inn and Suites: Affordable with Great Amenities

I’m going to start this particular section out by saying I was very skeptical of any Hampton Inn. But when I saw the reviews of this place, I decided to take a closer look. And, to be honest, I’d totally stay here. 

The quality of any given Hampton Inn (or any of the similar set of hotel chains) largely varies by location, and the time since it was renovated.

This particular Hampton Inn and Suites in the Pearl is basically brand new, and rooms are spacious and comfortable, with a standard king room coming in at a whopping 350 square feet (which is gigantic by hotel room standards). 

They also have a wide variety of different room sizes and configurations, some with two queen beds, some with a sitting area, and plenty of other options. 

The amenities here also really stand out to us – there’s an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a lovely rooftop deck. Plus free breakfast!

As far as parking goes, the only onsite option is valet parking at $46 a day, but at least it includes in/out privileges, and is covered and secure. Pets are allowed, but incur a nonrefundable $125 fee. 

Residence Inn: The Best Place to Stay if You Want a Kitchen

If you want a hotel that has rooms with a kitchen (or rooms with multiple bedrooms) for your stay in Portland, you should look at this Residence Inn location.

We often look for places with a kitchen when we travel for various reasons (mostly because Matt has Celiac Disease, and eating out can be a little tricky), and this is exactly the kind of place we’d look for. 

It’s at the very northern tip of the Pearl District, which is a little further from downtown, but is actually a really nice location, with a couple of good parks (namely Tanner Springs, which is essentially across the street), some good bars and restaurants, and plenty of public transit stops nearby. 

Plus, you’re actually pretty close to the river, which means it’s an easy hop over the Broadway Bridge to get to places like Mississippi Avenue, which is well worth doing (and is also where we live). 

Rooms are massive – the smallest is 450 square feet, and they have two bedroom suites that would be perfect for groups and families of 4. 

Amenities include a full fitness center, complete with an indoor pool, some cool common spaces like a courtyard with fire pits, and free breakfast in the morning. 

Pets are allowed, but come with a $100 non refundable pet fee. Onsite valet parking is $49 a day, though they do mention a garage that’s a block away that’s self-park. 

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