Portland Hostels offer an alternative place to spend the night that is clean, safe, and cheap. The hostels offer dorm rooms and private rooms and one even offers sleeping outside in a tent if the dorm rooms are full. These hostels in Portland below are ideally located for visiting Portland attractions in the downtown area and both are a short distance to public transportation. They are an excellent choice for cheap lodging in Portland.
These two Portland Hostels are members of Hostelling International and prices quoted are for members. There is an additional $3 charge for nonmembers. You can purchase membership at the hostels themselves.
Northwest Portland International Hostel & Guesthouse
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The Northwest Portland International Hostel & Guesthouse is located in northwest Portland just a short distance from the Nob Hill District, the Pearl District, and downtown Portland. With only a three-block walk you can use Portland's free transportation in Fareless Square which is a huge downtown area and includes use of buses, light-rail, and street car. As long as you stay in this area you do not need to buy a ticket.
You will find lots of restaurants within a short distance offering all kinds of food including traditional American home cooking, pub food, Chinese, Thai, Greek, Japanese, and Italian. In addition there are bakeries and coffee houses close by. Many of these establishments will give you a discount if you have an HI card. For instance, Rogue Ales Public House will give you 75 cents off a pint of beer.
You can also receive discounts on van trips to the great outdoors with Eco Tours and you can register for your trip right at the hostel's front desk. You can take a trip to Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, the Columbia Gorge, and the Oregon Coast.
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Now about this Portland hostel itself. The hostel has 4-bed, 6-bed, and 8-bed dorms. The 8-bed dorms are divided into smaller sections. Rates run between $20 and $25 depending on the day of the week and time of year. Children under 14 traveling with their family stay for half price. There is a 12.5% lodging tax. Bed linens are included and towels are available for fifty cents. Sleeping bags are not allowed.
Private double rooms are available for $42 to $54 a night depending on the season. A family room is available that sleeps four for between $54 and $74 a night depending on the season. If you are a single person wanting a private room, there may be a discount and weekly rates are available.
The group lodging facility has beds for 32 people and two private rooms for leaders. There is a fully equipped kitchen, meeting space, courtyard with BBQ, and dining room.
The hostel offers free bread and bagels, free local phone calls, free WiFi for your laptop, laundry, and storage locker. You also have late check out and 24-hour access with no curfew.
Northwest Portland International Hostel & Guesthouse
425 NW 18th Avenue (& Glisan Street)
Portland, OR 97209
Phone: 503-241-2783
1-888-777-0067
Email: info@nwportlandhostel.com
HI Portland, Hawthorne District
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This is one of the Portland Hostels on the east side of the Willamette River. The Hawthorne District is one of Portland's vibrant neighborhoods and it is a place where you can find any service you might be looking for including lots of interesting shops and an abundance of restaurants and cafes. It is a short bus ride into downtown Portland and once there your can travel around for free as long as you stay in Fareless Square.
The hostel is in one of those old Arts and Crafts style Portland houses. Dorm beds are available for between $17 and $22 a night depending on the season. Children must be at least seven years old to stay in a dorm room. Private rooms are $40 to $48 a night depending on the season with $10 additional charge for more than two adults. Children under 18 are free. As with all Portland lodging there is a 12.5 percent room tax.
The hostel has a fully equipped kitchen and there are grocery stores close by. Bed linens are provided and towels are available for $1. Free bread and bagels are available and you can have pancakes for $1 a piece. There is a free wireless connection for your laptop and laundry facilities.
If all beds are reserved you may be offered a tent in the back yard with a $5 reduction in price.
You have 24-hour access--there is no lockout. However, the desk closes at 10:00 pm so you must be checked in by then. Storage lockers are provided and there is safe storage for your bike.
A note of warning: A most important permanent resident is Bailey, the cat. Bailey is not allowed in the dorms but you should think about this if you are allergic.
HI-Portland, Hawthorne District
3031 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97214
Toll Free: 1-866-447-3031
Local: 503-236-3380
There are other Portland Hostels or at least they advertise themselves as such. Most are actually hotels or bed and breakfasts. There is one that at one time was a hotel and still has the name hotel. If you are traveling alone, this is probably not a good choice.
