Guide to Portland: Best Hotels, Restaurants and Activities

Portland, Oregon is a truly stunning city, known for its stunning bridges, waterfront scene, and unique historical attractions, making it a great place to visit at any time of year.

No matter what you want your Portland trip to look like, here are some of the city's best hotels, restaurants, and activities for you to enjoy.

Best Hotels in Portland

The hotel scene in Portland is incredibly diverse, with many popular hotels being unique renovations, or containing some truly unique and impressive art and photography works! Many of the hotels on this list guarantee a unique experience, alongside a comfortable stay, with a great range of amenities either on-site, or right on the doorstep, offering a convenient hotel choice for your Portland getaway.

From classy, elegant, boutique hotels, to a quirky, artistic fitness-focused stay, the exciting array of hotels in Portland truly offer something for every type of visitor!

Canopy by Hilton Portland, Pearl District, Portland

Situated just a 4-minute walk away from Powell's City of Books, Canopy by Hilton Portland sits in the stunning Pearl District and is located just a short distance from the likes of the Portland Art Museum, The Rose Garden Arena, and Lan Su Chinese Garden. It's a top location in the city and is surrounded by a great selection of restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and more.

The hotel is pet friendly and is even housed in a Gold LEED-certified building, and the eco-friendly aura and fun artistic design elements make it the perfect place to stay, in addition to the great on-site facilities including the 24-hour reception desk, bicycle rentals, a fitness center, a business center, and the stunning brick-walled Winter Garden atrium.

Rooms at this hotel boast a great range of facilities including air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, gourmet coffee machines, a work desk, and a small refrigerator. Select rooms also boast a comfortable seating area, but all provide a spacious and bright stay, with gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows.

The Hoxton, Northwest Portland

The Hoxton Portland is a stunning open-house hotel, situated in the heart of the city within walking distance of the popular Pearl District, and with excellent transport links to both Forest Park and Washington Park for the more active travelers who choose to stay here. The neighborhood is also home to a selection of great bars, restaurants, and shops, making it a great spot to stay in!

This outstanding hotel has a great range of on-site amenities, including a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi, but the real star of the show here is the on-site drinking and dining options. There's a rooftop taqueria and bar, Tope, Specializing in Mexican cuisine, served on an outdoor terrace with sweeping views of Mount Hood; Lovely Rita, a lobby-side all-day dining spot, and a great on-site coffee shop. There's even a gorgeous speakeasy bar, named 2NW5, that offers delicious neighborhood-inspired cocktails.

All of the guest rooms boast air-conditioning and a bright atmosphere thanks to their floor-to-ceiling windows and unique interior design. With rich walnut paneling, pink marble accents, brass lighting fixtures, and a selection of gorgeous artworks all produced by local artists, there's plenty to marvel at without even needing the leave the rooms!  

Hi-Lo Hotel, Portland Downtown

Situated in the hip, downtown area of Portland, just an 8-minute walk from Lan Su Chinese Garden, and Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the Hi-Lo Hotel has many popular points of interest right on the doorstep. Designed by various creatives from around the city, this unique Marriott-owned Hotel is housed in the Oregon Pioneer Building, the city's first concrete structure.

This stunning 4-star hotel boasts a great range of on-site facilities, including a 24-hour front desk, a concierge service, a fitness center, private parking, a shared lounge, a bar, and free Wi-Fi. Each morning, guests can indulge in a range of options for breakfast and can choose from continental, American, or vegetarian options. There is also an on-site restaurant that serves up mouthwatering American cuisine.

With only 120 rooms, this boutique hotel is truly a great choice, thanks to its clean, modern design that mixes raw materials (including the building’s original concrete beams!) with luxurious touches, including heated floors, 49-inch flat-screen TVs (with Netflix access!), and locally sourced Pendleton Woolen Mills throw pillows.

The Nines, Portland Downtown

This artsy, five-star hotel is located in Portland's Downtown area, right next to Pioneer Square. It sits within walking distance of both the Portland Art Museum and the Japanese Gardens and is only a short, 15-minute drive from The Oregon Zoo.

There's plenty to do on-site at this hotel (other than admiring the unique art installations in the lobby, of course!) including a 24-hour fitness center, a cozy library, and a billiards room with a selection of pool tables available for guests to use. Visitors who stay here can also enjoy the perks of free Wi-Fi, and delectable dining at the on-site restaurant, the Urban Farmer, as well as stunning views from one of downtown's best rooftops.

Each of the guest rooms boasts a neat, contemporary design, and flat-screen TVs. Though there isn't an on-site spa, in-room massage treatments are available for guests to book.

Hotel Lucia, Portland Downtown

Situated in Portland's artsy, funky, downtown hub, the stunning Hotel Lucia is just a 10-minute walk from the popular Pioneer Place shopping center.

The hotel boasts a great range of on-site facilities, especially when it comes to fitness. Not only is there a 24-hour gym equipped with live-streaming Peloton bikes, but guests can also enjoy complimentary fitness class passes from the front desk, as well as the hotel's signature wellness and fitness kit directly in their rooms. These fitness kits include a Manduka yoga mat, barre3 resistance bands, weights, a core ball, and an iPad pre-loaded with fitness videos and workouts. If you'd rather get your workout in while out and about though, you can always borrow one of the hotel's Shinola bicycles.

Other on-site offerings include super fast, free Wi-Fi, and Craft Beer Hours held each night!

Each of Hotel Lucia's stylish guest rooms offers a flat-screen TV, an iPod docking station, and in-room Nespresso coffee machines. They're decorated with mahogany furniture and warm colors, as well as the works of Pulitzer-prize-winning photographer David Hume Kennerly. Guests can indulge in a selection of American cuisine, available for their 24-hour room service.

Best Restaurants in Portland

When it comes to choosing the perfect place to dine in Portland, there's an abundance of great options. With a great range of both casual and upscale eateries, there's plenty on offer here, no matter what kind of cuisine you're in the mood for.

Whether you're looking to dine on something new and adventurous, or hoping to try the best of the best when it comes to some classic favorite dishes, there's a culinary experience for everyone in Portland.

Xiao Ye, Hollywood, Portland

Named from the Mandarin phrase for “midnight snack,” Xiao Ye is a perfect balance of Taiwanese and American influence, thanks to owners Louis Lin and Jolyn Chen. Their "First Generations American Food" is upscale yet eclectic, and boasts a unique array of dishes, including favorites such as Truffles, masa, Japanese curry, hearts of palm, and guanciale.

Ringside Steakhouse, Nob Hill, Portland

This long-standing steakhouse is one of the city's best. In business for 80 years since it was first established back in 1944, little has changed inside this restaurant, despite it having been modernized in recent years, it still boasts its authentic charm and character that first drew many visitors through the doors.

Serving up a variety of 3 different types of mouth-watering Japanese Wagyu, the city's best onion rings, six different steak sauces, lobster mashed potatoes, a truly fabulous wine list, and fantastic martinis, there's little left to be desired from the fantastic Ringside steakhouse.

Magna Kusina, Southeast Portland

If you're on the hunt for some of the best Asian food you may ever taste, be sure to visit Magna Kusina. Chef Carlo Lamagna serves up some of Portland's best Filipino food in a comfortable setting. While it may not look like much at first, you'll soon realize what all the hype is about once you bite into one of the many celebrated menu items.

From charcoal-grilled skewers to Mom’s Crab Fat Noodles, the menu is as innovative as it is traditional.

Yaowarat, Southeast Portland

Multiple "Restaurant of the Year" award-winner, Yaowarat is a unique celebration of Bangkok's Chinatown, where flavor, energy, and outstanding service combine to transport diners into a unique Thai-Chinese night market in the heart of Portland!

With most dishes coming in at $18 or under, it's both amazing and affordable. Some fan favorites from the menu include the crunchy chive cakes, wok-charred guay tiew kua gai noodles, and the Chinese black olive pork. Be sure to wash it all down with one of the fabulous house cocktails!

Le Clown, Southeast Portland

Created by chef couple John and Madeline Denison, Le Clown celebrates the food they once enjoyed cooking together as expats during their time living in Paris. This French-inspired, neo-Parisian restaurant is actually housed for two nights a week in Magna Kusina (so you may end up visiting this spot more than once, what can we say? They're known for good food!)

Guests can indulge in a selection of unique and tasty dishes from the à la carte menu, serving up everything from Poached pigs’ brains to the fan-favorite- a roasted half-duck served with foie mousse–stuffed brioche, fresh jam, and chamomile duck broth, over fresh greens.

Best Activities in Portland

Portland is a truly stunning city to visit, with plenty on offer to do, including a huge range of stunning historical attractions, and beautiful indoor activities to enjoy. 

From enjoying the oldest rose garden in the United states, to exploring the largest independent bookstore in the world there are plenty of great attractions to visit in Portland!

Portland Art Museum, Portland Downtown

Originally founded back in 1892, the Portland Art Museum is actually the oldest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest and one of the oldest in the whole of the United States.

A truly unmissable spot for art lovers, it boasts an impressive display of over 45,000 pieces, covering everything from ancient artworks to contemporary and modern exhibits. These displays are spread across the museum’s two different buildings, which are joined together by an underground gallery, and a sculpture garden!

Hollywood Theater, Hollywood, Northeast Portland

Located in the Hollywood District of Northeast Portland, the Hollywood Theater is one of the city’s most special movie theaters. With a unique and rich history, dating all the way back to 1926, this theater is a truly unmissable one for history buffs and cinephiles alike!

Screening everything from brand new releases to cult classics, there’s always a great range of films to choose from, with films screened in 16mm, 35mm, and 70mm! So whether you’re looking to enjoy a classic movie, or simply can’t miss the latest new release while away on vacation, be sure to head to the Hollywood Theater! - P.S. Their popcorn is some of the best!

International Rose Test Garden, Arlington Heights, Portland

The International Rose Test Garden is a truly unmissable spot for those interested in horticulture. As one of only six test gardens for the American Rose Society, and as the oldest rose test garden in continual operation in the United States, it’s a truly impressive sight to behold. Stroll through a vibrant mix of colors and scents across a variety of 650 different types of roses as you wander through the gardens. Home to 10,000 rose bushes it boasts a sea of colorful flowers during the summer months, making it a truly Instagrammable spot! Peak bloom is usually in June, but the beauty of the gardens can be enjoyed any time between April and October!

Perhaps give this one a pass if you’re visiting in Winter though!

Powell's City of Books, Pearl District, Portland

Powell’s City of Books is one of the attractions that makes every list of the best things to do in Portland, but that’s for a good reason! As the largest independent bookstore in the world, you can find over a million new, used, and rare books housed here.

If you’re looking for a good recommendation, be sure to chat with the helpful staff members, who can seek out some of the best choices. They even leave personalized, hand-written recommendations on the shelves for you to come across while you browse!

True book lovers need to stop by The Rare Book Room during their visit too, where you can find special rare copies, first-editions, and signed volumes!

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, East Portland

If you’re looking to learn something on your visit to Portland, look no further than The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Possibly one of the best educational facilities in the world, visitors can enjoy a huge range of rotating exhibits, a planetarium, and even a selection of great events, perfect for visitors of any age!