Portland — Neighborhood Guide
Portland's oldest neighborhood retains its Victorian cast-iron architecture and the neon glow of the Portland Saturday Market — the largest continuously operating outdoor craft market in the US. Old Town's gritty character and bohemian energy distinguish it from the Pearl District's upscale polish.
Quick Answer
Portland's oldest neighborhood retains its Victorian cast-iron architecture and the neon glow of the Portland Saturday Market — the largest continuously operating outdoor craft market in the US. Old Town's gritty character and bohemian energy distinguish it from the Pearl District's upscale polish.
5 hotels reviewed · Price range: $$, $, $$$$, $$$ · Last updated March 2026
About This Guide
Staying in Old Town / Chinatown puts you at the heart of what makes Portland special. The neighborhood offers a unique blend of local character and visitor-friendly amenities. Our hotel picks range from intimate boutiques to polished luxury properties, each chosen for its ability to connect you with the authentic Old Town / Chinatown experience.
Insider Tips
The best dining in Old Town / Chinatown is usually one street back from the main tourist thoroughfare.
Ask your hotel concierge for their personal favourite spots in Old Town / Chinatown — they often know hidden gems.
Walking is the best way to experience Old Town / Chinatown — most attractions are within a 15-minute stroll.
Our Picks
5 hotels · Updated February 2026
Old Town / Chinatown
The London boutique chain's US flagship brought its genuine-neighborhood-hotel formula to Portland's Old Town — with a lobby designed as a public living room, four distinct restaurants (including Tope for Mexican, and Lovely Rita for a rooftop), and 119 rooms at prices that compete with Portland's best Airbnbs for value.
Old Town / Chinatown
Portland's most communal lodging experience — a converted 1881 sailor's boarding house in Old Town with a rooftop deck sauna, co-working lounge, and accommodation ranging from hostel bunks to private rooms with original brick walls. The mix of budget and boutique options under one historic roof is quintessentially Portland.
Downtown
Portland's most opulent hotel occupies the top nine floors of the 1909 Meier & Frank Building — a department store designed by the same architect as the Woolworth Building — with a soaring nine-story atrium, Urban Farmer steakhouse, and rooms that balance historic Beaux-Arts grandeur with thoughtful modern design. The location on Morrison Street is as central as Portland gets.
Downtown
One of Portland's grandest historic properties — originally the Governor Hotel, built in 1909 with Arts and Crafts murals by Charles Heaney — meticulously restored to showcase its Lewis and Clark exploration theme. The Jake's Famous Crawfish restaurant adjacent is one of Portland's most beloved seafood institutions.
Downtown
Portland's most art-forward boutique hotel — a downtown property with a 900-piece photography collection curated by the Oregonian's former photo director, including Vietnam War and rock photography alongside Pacific Northwest landscapes. The 127 rooms are moody, refined, and stocked with local goods from Powell's Books to Stumptown Coffee.
Common Questions
Old Town is authentic Portland — rawer and more complex than the Pearl or downtown, but walking distance to both. It hosts the Saturday Market under the Burnside Bridge and some of Portland's most interesting bars and music venues.
Old Town is known for the Portland Saturday Market (running since 1974), Voodoo Doughnut (the famous novelty donut shop), the Lan Su Chinese Garden, and the historic cast-iron storefronts that make it one of the Pacific Northwest's best-preserved Victorian streetscapes.
The most convenient option is a rideshare (Uber/Lyft), typically 30-50 minutes depending on traffic. Public transport is also available and often more economical.
More Destinations
Prices and availability change daily. Lock in the best rate by booking early — most of our top picks offer free cancellation.
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