Portland Hotels

Portland Hotels

The city of Portland takes pride in preserving the historical, as well as embracing the modern, allowing it to be clean and modern, but with a distinctly quirky edge. This has attracted many artistic and creative types, and they’ll often be spotted chatting in coffee houses, strolling along farmers' markets, or displaying their crafts in an offbeat boutique. The city’s commitment to development is seen everywhere, from the shiny new skyscrapers to the community art projects.

Things to see

In the Pearl District, former warehouses, industrial units, and brewery buildings have been transformed into high-end boutiques, cozily minimalistic coffee shops, and restaurants serving cuisines from around the world. Trams clatter through the streets, and if you hop on one to the south end of the district, you’ll find a cluster of art galleries displaying contemporary and thought-provoking art. In the evenings, head to the Rose Quarter, a sports and entertainment district with an impressive program of basketball, stadium gigs, and family-friendly shows. Kids will also enjoy Oregon Zoo, where the green hills are home to dozens of conservation projects, and the animal’s natural habitats are reconstructed. Washington Square Mall is a bright, contemporary shopping centre, anchored by several large department stores, and full of popular, big-name stores. The heart of the city is, arguably, found at Pioneer Courthouse Square. If there’s a big event or meeting happening in Portland, then this is likely to be the venue, and local artists often prop up their paintings along the red brick steps.

Hotels in Portland

Many of the luxury hotels in Portland are housed in historic buildings, and big windows, high ceilings, and Art Deco styles are often popular. Most four and five star hotels offer room service, bars and lounges, health clubs, concierge services, and cooked breakfasts. Business travelers in these hotels will also find the conference rooms and banquet facilities useful. There are also some great mid-range options for families and leisure travelers, with extras such as indoor swimming pools, WiFi, climate control, premium bedding, and flat-screen televisions. Those on a budget will find plenty of cozy motels and inns just a short drive from the center, and you can enjoy complimentary breakfasts, laundry facilities, and free parking.

Where to stay

In the Downtown Portland - South Waterfront area, silver skyscrapers have popped up in what used to be a wasteland, and the clean, contemporary streets are broken up by plenty of well-maintained lawns. As well as building stylish shops and apartments, residents take advantage of their outdoor space, lining the streets with markets, and showing outdoor movies on balmy evenings. The Convention Center - Rose Quarter area is an ideal place for business travelers, as well as those attending events at the Rose Garden, and the area is full of imposing, glass fronted buildings housing many important events. North Portland is made up of many different neighborhoods, many of them leafy and suburban, as well as historic inner city areas that have become gentrified, and are now full of unique boutiques and coffee houses.

How to get to Portland

Landing at Portland International Airport allows for a great view of the snowy mountains. From there you can just jump into one of the futuristic light rail cars, and arrive downtown in approximately 38 minutes, with ample space to roll your luggage on board. Simply look for the signs for Portland International Airport Station and buy a ticket at the machines. There are also airport shuttle services, as well as taxis, or you can pick up a rental car and be downtown in about 20 minutes. The Amtrak station is in the Old Town area, with easy transfers to Eugene, Seattle, and Vancouver.