Gay Portland

The Porter is one of the better Portland choices when you want a proper hotel day as well as a city break. There’s an indoor pool, fitness centre and Meditation Spa downstairs, while 16 floors give the upper rooms and rooftop some serious city views. Xport Bar & Lounge takes over the top floor with two outdoor decks, fire pits, cocktails and views towards the Cascades. Terrane Kitchen & Bar handles more substantial meals, while Portland Exchange is useful when you just want coffee, breakfast or something to take out. The hotel sits towards the quieter southern end of Downtown, close to Keller Auditorium and the waterfront rather than the main nightlife. Streetcar and MAX connections make everything else easy enough. GayMapper tip: Save at least one drink for Xport – Portland looks particularly good from the 16th floor with a fire pit involved.

Woodlark has become even more interesting rather than less individual since joining Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio. The historic “House of Welcome” is women-owned, filled with work by women artists and deliberately tells a softer, more feminine version of the Pacific Northwest design story. Abigail Hall – once used by Portland suffragists – is now an elegant cocktail lounge, while Bullard Tavern brings together Texas influences and Pacific Northwest ingredients. Roseline Coffee occupies the lobby, and complimentary bikes plus a 24-hour fitness centre make exploring easy. You’re right in Downtown’s West End, close to Powell’s and within a comfortable walk of Old Town’s LGBTQ nightlife. The building itself combines the former Cornelius Hotel and Woodlark Building, giving all that polished design some genuine history underneath it. GayMapper tip: Don’t just walk through the lobby – Abigail Hall is one of those hotel bars worth visiting even if you weren’t sleeping upstairs.

Portland does hostels rather well, and Northwest Portland Hostel is considerably more appealing than the phrase “budget accommodation” might suggest. Spread across six buildings – several dating from the late 1800s – it mixes dorm beds, 40 private rooms and an apartment in the leafy Northwest District. There’s a proper guest kitchen, courtyard and garden, laundry, bike storage and an excellent hostel café serving meals alongside local beer, wine and kombucha. Daily events such as walking tours, tastings, live music and trivia make this one of the easiest places on the list for solo travellers to actually meet people. Downtown and the Pearl District are walkable, with Washington Park and the Japanese Garden also well placed. Portland’s LGBTQ nightlife is scattered enough that you’ll probably dip into several neighbourhoods rather than stay glued to one strip. GayMapper tip: A brilliant solo-travel option – spend less on the bed and considerably more on Portland’s food, beer and nightlife.

The Duniway feels like Hilton decided to loosen its tie for the weekend. Named after Oregon suffragist Abigail Scott Duniway, the hotel has a bolder, more individual look than the typical big-brand downtown stay. Rooms come with huge 65-inch TVs and espresso machines, while the heated indoor pool and fitness centre give you something useful to come back to when Portland’s weather does what Portland weather sometimes does. Mayrose is now the hotel’s restaurant and bar, replacing the older Jackrabbit setup you may still see mentioned elsewhere. Pioneer Courthouse Square, the Portland Art Museum and MAX light rail are all right nearby, making this particularly easy without a car. Old Town and Portland’s LGBTQ nightlife are also perfectly manageable on foot or a quick ride away. GayMapper tip: A good compromise if you like boutique styling but still appreciate the predictability and facilities of a larger Hilton.

The Mark Spencer Hotel has been part of Portland since 1907, but the experience today is less grand old hotel and more comfortable independent base with some surprisingly useful extras. It sits between Downtown and the Pearl, with Powell’s Books practically around the corner. Rooms have local art and polished modern finishes, while many of the larger categories include actual kitchens – ideal when you’re staying more than a couple of nights. There’s a fitness centre, guest laundry and a daily complimentary wine reception with Pacific Northwest wines and snacks. Breakfast can even be ordered to your room from neighbouring Cheryl’s on 12th. Restaurants, shopping and public transport surround you, while Old Town’s LGBTQ bars are easily reachable when you fancy a night out. GayMapper tip: Look at the kitchen-equipped rooms if you’re staying longer – having somewhere to make breakfast or reheat Portland leftovers is genuinely useful.

There’s something pleasingly literal about The Nines: the hotel occupies the top nine floors of the historic Meier & Frank department store building and leans enthusiastically into the old expression “dressed to the nines”. More than 400 works of local art fill the hotel, while the rooms mix velvet, satin, marble and Frette linens with a much more contemporary feel than the building’s history might suggest. Urban Farmer provides a distinctly Portland take on the steakhouse, but the star is Departure on the roof, where Asian-inspired food comes with sweeping city views. Pioneer Courthouse Square and MAX light rail are directly below, making the location exceptionally useful for sightseeing and exploring further afield. A courtesy car and e-bike hire are among the extras bundled into the destination fee. GayMapper tip: Go upstairs for Departure after dark – the combination of rooftop views and one of Portland’s smartest hotels makes this a proper splurge night.