Top 15 Cool And Unusual Hotels In Portland
Portland sits near the breathtaking Oregon coast and perfectly captures the Pacific Northwest’s creative, indie spirit. When I lived here for a year, I spent time exploring its huge range of characterful accommodations, from quirky boutique hotels to sleek and modern, these are the ones that stole the show for me…
1. McMenamins Kennedy School
I was completely charmed by McMenamins Kennedy School, a brilliantly reimagined 1915 elementary school set in lush green gardens, where original chalkboards, vintage cloakrooms, old lockers, period signage, and black-and-white class photos which created a bohemian, artsy, but unpretentious stay that felt creative, and nostalgia-soaked all in a hip Alberta Arts District location!
My King English Guest Room had a storybook, old-world feel, with parquet floors, a Celtic-style mural wrapping the curved headboard alcove, sage-green ceilings, framed folk-art prints, and an exposed porcelain pedestal sink that felt charmingly vintage. I sipped on a ‘Ruby Ale’ at their Concordia Brewery, watched The Goonies in the private movie theatre, swam in the basement plunge pool, and listened to a live indie band in the old gym!
My favorite highlights…
- Sipping on a smoky Cherry Bourbon Old Fashioned in their Honors Bar which was a cozy, quiet retreat lined with academic trophies and vintage book-filled shelves!
2. Jupiter Hotel
I found it hard not to fall for Jupiter Hotel Portland, a creatively reimagined mid-century motor lodge where exposed concrete block walls, bold street-art murals, neon accents, industrial railings, and retro-modern furnishings come together with live music and pop-art energy for an edgy, creative, and effortlessly cool vibe that felt authentically Portland in a funky Burnside Street location!
My funky blue-and-white Headliner King Room featured eco-friendly amenities, hand-painted mural art, industrial black-metal fixtures. I watched a live rock band while sipping on a Huckleberry Smash at the adjacent Doug Fir Lounge, browsed art in the hotel’s 24-hour gallery, and relaxed around the fire pit in the contemporary courtyard!
My highlights…
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Watching elegant calligraphy tattoos come to life during Evan ESK Wilson’s seminar at the Void Tattoo Fest, hosted as part of their First Friday Artist Reception.
3. McMenamins Crystal
I discovered this unique hotel located in a 1911 historic red brick exterior building and buzzy West End part of Downtown. Inside, I was totally won over by the eclectic and nostalgic looking music-themed decor which featured antique-style furniture, hand-painted murals, cast-iron candelabras, old-fashioned signs and even colorful stained glass windows. It felt bohemian and whimsically artistic!
The staff told me that each of the 51 rooms had been inspired by standout shows at the Crystal Ballroom across the road — from Blondie to The Flaming Lips! My Queen Room room featured vintage-chic furniture, a hand-painted headboard, and funky fringed lamps and cushions (although I had to share a bathroom). I watched live indie rock at the Crystal Ballroom, sipped a Marionberry Smash in the themed bars, and took a dip in the illuminated basement saltwater soaking pool!
My favorite highlights…
- Dining on hazelnut-topped butternut squash ravioli washed down with a potent Three Rocks Spiced Rum in their eclectically-decorated onsite Hal’s Café!
4. Sentinel Hotel
I was genuinely impressed by Sentinel Hotel, a five-star historic boutique stay in downtown where early-20th-century Renaissance architecture meets creative local design, with a grand staircase, mahogany paneling, worn leather sofas, high ceilings crowned by statement chandeliers, shelves of books, and curated black-and-white portraits and local artwork, creating a space that felt sophisticated and luxurious yet still welcoming rather than intimidating.
My pet-friendly Premier King Room, boutique style guest room came with a sumptuous pillow-top bed dressed in Frette Italian linens, classy leather armchairs, dark slate-toned flooring and my favourite detail — the pillow-and-speaker menu – I opted for the hypoallergenic option! I discovered the hidden wood-paneled library, enjoyed small-batch rooftop honey (courtesy of the rooftop beehives!) then tucked into a wild mushroom risotto at Jake’s Grill and a bourbon-forward Old Fashioned at the stylish Jackknife Bar!
My favorite highlights…
- The awesome Well & Fit kit in my guest room which came with a lilac yoga mat, skipping rope, and even a tablet which came pre-loaded with fun fitness videos!
5. Moxy Downtown
I found this place located in a sleek black high-rise building adorned with pink neon lights. Inside I discovered a tech-savy and trendy industrial-chic world with modular seating, lashings of concrete and metals and and quirky details such as vintage cameras, bicycles mounted on walls, vinyl record players and graffiti-style murals. To me, it felt like a cool urban retreat with a playful and fun vibe and a youthful buzzy energy.
I stayed in a light, contemporary Standard King Room which concrete accents, striking sage-green walls, trendy slogan cushions and my favorite – a desk backed by a cork pinboard adorned with indie paperbacks, a Rubik’s Cube, and a retro power-blue instant camera! I tucked into quinoa burger, hanging with a Grapefruit Paloma in hand in the sociable bar and communal lounge spaces, and squeezing in a spin bike session at the 24/7 modern fitness centre.
My personal highlights…
- Drinking a lone birch chardonnay accompanied by lots of truffle popcorn while chatting to other guests in the funky onsite bar.
6. Hotel Vintage
I found a classic, early 20th-century brick facade with large, arched windows and inside I found a huge, striking lobby with a long spiral staircase, art sculptures, colorful slogan pillows, and chandeliers shaped like bunches of grapes!
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.
My highlights…
- I loved their elevated versions of classic breakfast dishes – I opted for the Farmhouse Hash which came with red potatoes, spinach, cherry tomatoes and the unique addition of brussels sprouts!
7. 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)!
My personal highlights…
- Relaxing in the Mayrose bar with a Scotch-based Raspberry Lynchburg cocktail and truffle fries at happy hour.
8. 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.
My personal highlights…
- Discovering the classy Pacific Standard bar which was just around the corner and set up by famous bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler – I loved the dark wood book shelves and their coffee cocktails, especially their Expresso Martinis!
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.
My personal highlights…
- I really liked the little details especially the “Local Hookups” key-card program which had awesome discounts for local attractions and restaurants the neighborhood and the fun digital concierge device which was named Roxy!
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.
My highlights…
- The high-end and exclusive design details – I found out from staff that my room was decorated with ceramics by Clay Factor and the artwork was selected by the local gallery Upfor,
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
My favorite highlights…
- I loved their awesome Gear Shed where I could borrow everything from bicycles and skateboards (complete with pads and helmets) to longboards, cameras, and hiking boots!
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!.
