GETTING HERE.
Portland International Airport (PDX) is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Portland. From the UK, British Airways offers the only direct flight. Recommended indirect routes are via Seattle (a flight under one hour or a three-hour train ride) and via Reykjavik—an affordable option on Icelandair.
For domestic travel, direct flights are available on Delta, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest. If you arrive by train, Amtrak’s station in NW Portland is just north of downtown—we recommend taking an Uber, Lyft, or taxi from there to your accommodation.
Portland Basics
Portland is (mostly) divided into four quadrants. East and West are separated by the Willamette River, while North and South are split by Burnside Street, which crosses over the river.
Without traffic, most places are a 15–20 minute drive apart. Our venue, Mildred Hall, is located in the NE quadrant. Our home is in the NW quadrant.
The highest concentration of hotels is in the SW—specifically the West End and Downtown areas. If you’re renting a car, parking here can be tricky, but it’s very accessible by public transportation. Portland’s public transit system, including MAX light rail, buses, and streetcars, is reliable, easy to use, and covers most areas of the city you might want to explore. Otherwise Lyft's, Uber's, and Radio Cab (the taxi company) are plentiful.
Where to Stay
The wedding venue is located in NE Portland, near the Alberta Arts District. While hotel options in this area are limited, there are two excellent ones nearby.
CASCADA Thermal Springs + Hotel
One of the newest hotels in town, Cascada is a 15-minute walk from the venue, located right in the heart of the Alberta Arts District. It’s also home to a luxe thermal spa.
This is a pricier option, with rooms starting at around $400 per night.
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McMenimans Kennedy School
McMenamins is a beloved local chain of hotels, restaurants, and breweries that repurposes historic buildings around town. Kennedy School is an affordable and unique option—it’s literally a converted elementary school—complete with multiple bars, a heated soaking pool, and a movie theater.
Rooms start at around $265 per night.
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West-End and Downtown Hotels
In the SW quadrant of Portland, you’ll find the West End and Downtown area. Downtown isn’t as bustling as it once was, but it still has a lot to offer—especially a wide range of high-end hotels at surprisingly affordable prices. This area is likely to offer some of the best deals. With so many options, it’s often worth booking early (most reservations are refundable) and keeping an eye out for better rates closer to the date.
If you’re unsure about a hotel, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to offer advice. When choosing a downtown hotel, we recommend staying west of Pioneer Square and closer to Burnside for the best experience.
Woodlark Hotel
Woodlark is one of my favorite hotels in Portland, aesthetically speaking. It was gaining a lot of buzz as one of the best hotels in the Pacific Northwest when it opened at the end of 2018, but the pandemic slowed its momentum.
It’s still gorgeous—home to two great dining and drinking spots (Bullard Tavern and Abigail Hall), as well as its own coffee shop.
Rooms start at around $200 per night.
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Moxy Hotel
Moxy is a Marriott brand hotel that had the worst timing for an opening—originally slated for summer 2020.
It’s modern, well-located, and home to its own upscale food court of sorts, which includes Sun Rice (highly recommended!).
It’s a great affordable option, with rooms starting at around $125 per night.
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The Clyde Hotel
By far the best deal in town, The Clyde is the former Ace Hotel, now operated by Kasa. While it’s lost a bit of its cool factor—with no on-site restaurants (though there is a coffee shop), minimal staff, and self check-in—the style remains the same, and the price truly can’t be beat.
Rooms with shared bathrooms (a classic Ace Hotel touch) start at $56 per night, while a King Suite with an en suite bathroom is just $113 per night.
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Inner SE / Burnside Hotels
On the other side of the river, Burnside offers a handful of hotels along this busy stretch of road. These hotels are about a 10–15 minute drive from the venue. This area is close to great bars and restaurants and is easily accessible by bus.
If you’re unsure about a hotel, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to offer advice.
Kex Portland
Kex Portland is the second outpost of this hotel brand, which originally started in Reykjavik. It’s located just across the Burnside Bridge and features a great rooftop bar and a highly rated restaurant.
Like its Icelandic counterpart, the hotel offers a range of options: bunks and dorms starting at $55 per night, rooms with shared bathrooms starting at $159, and en suite rooms starting at $179.
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Jupiter + Jupiter Next
The Jupiter and its newly built sister hotel, Jupiter Next, are located right on Burnside, in the middle of a lively hub of bars and restaurants. The Jupiter is also home to the live music venue Doug Fir and has the special distinction of being the first place Kelsi ever stayed in Portland. Jupiter Next, just next door, is home to Hey Love—a very delicious cocktail bar.
Rooms start at $103 per night for the Jupiter and $180 per night for Jupiter Next.
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To note: While Portland is not the fiery hellscape Fox News would have you believe it is, like any city, it does have some less good areas. We don’t recommend staying in hotels that are located in Old Town, and downtown South of Pioneer Square.