Hi,

I can't believe how expensive hotels are in Portland! Any recommendations for an affordable, centrally located hotel for a solo traveler? Thanks in advance.

what do you consider "affordable?"

Check Travel Portland webside - rooms include parking, breakfast and a coupon book for shopping and dining

oops- meant to say "website"

I recommend Priceline's Name Your Own Price service for Portland if you can handle the uncertainty. You can save a ton of money, as long as you aren't picky about exact location. If you want to stay downtown, you should be able to get a 4-star on Priceline easily in the $70 range (maybe less). Check BetterBidding.com and see what people are paying recently and what hotels they are getting, especially around the date you want to stay here.

If you stay downtown, just expect to pay an extra $25/night if you will have a car to park. Can't do the "Park free on the street all day Sunday" trick anymore in downtown Portland, since they now meter the streets on Sunday afternoons.

You can save even more money if you bid for the Convention Center (NE Portland) zone on Priceline - then you can take the MAX free into downtown if you wish. A 3-star can probably be had for under $60 (maybe under $50) - but as always, the prices depend on how busy and booked local hotels are around the dates you will visit.

Thanks sunbum1944 and Andrew.

Ideally I'd like to spend less than $100 a night but I can go up to $150 per night. Any recommendations for a good bed and breakfast? I won't have a car, I plan on walking or using local transportation, that is why I would like a location near downtown or in one of the neighborhoods.

I am going to try priceline but I am wary of the uncertainty and location options.

Without a car, unless you are really trying to save money, I'd shoot for a 4-star downtown on Priceline for sure. You have a dozen or more free 4-star rebids in Portland, so you can start bidding at a low price and work your way up if you wish.

Check Hotwire.com first. Let them guide you as to what's available on your visit dates (be careful comparing to Priceline - the star ratings are not exactly the same; a 3.5-star on Hotwire could be a 3-star on Priceline). Anyway, at worst I'd take the Hotwire price and bid less on Priceline and work up.

You'll probably get the Benson or the Governor but may luck into the Monaco, Vintage Plaza, or Lucia. See what their best available rates are before bidding and compare to what you'd pay on Priceline once you figure in a service charge...

I fully agree with the 4-star downtown Priceline bid. You will end up OK, assuming you win your bid. More than likely you'll be perfectly located, and if not, public transport is free in the downtown area.

This place may interest you: http://www.northrupstation.com/

It is in a pleasing neighborhood a short walk from the Pearl District and the retail core. The rate includes breakfast and a pass on the train that stops in front of the hotel.

HTTY

I second the Inn at Northrup- have stayed there several times- its an excellent place to stay if you don't have a car- its kind of funky an fun and walking distance to great restaurants

Thanks everyone! Northrup Inn looks great and they have the dates I need but I'm trying priceline as well.

I love the NW Portland neighborhood where the Northrup Inn is. If the price is right I don't think you can go wrong there - though depending on what you want to see/do being downtown might seem more centrally located.

I like what I've read about the neighborhood around Northrup Inn, I will use transportation to get downtown. Thanks again Andrew! You're very helpful

I second (third?) Priceline as your means through which to secure affordable lodging.

And c'mon, you can handle anything in the "downtown" area given that it will all be new to you.

The important parts of Portland, Oregon don't have too many hills to navigate (plenty of bridges around town though) so just read up at www.biddingfortravel.com and understand what you're dealing with when using Priceline. Check what rates are being landed by other Priceline users for your time frame and then bid accordingly.

Don't know what time of year you are going, but if it is anytime soon then the rates should be very traveler-friendly!