The Society Hotel - Portland

I cannot recommend the Society Hotel enough! We got in at 3am, and they were able to get us checked in with no fuss. The staff was welcoming and kind, as well as competent and efficient. The room was very comfortable, with a varying speed fan and a sink. The communal bathrooms were clean, and we never had to wait for a bathroom. We had a wonderful stay and would love to come back!

Clean, safe and cute! I loved this little spot! Just one minuet walk to nightlife spots, The Chinese Garden and the Japanese American Museum of Oregon. Perfect for the solo traveler staying for a night or two. Walls are very thin but they provide a fan and ear plugs. With just the fan on the lowest setting I was able to rest without any interruptions from my neighbors. The bathroom was conveniently directly across my room. The air conditioning is for the building and not adjusted in your own room, however, this didn’t end up being an issue even staying on a day that reached 97degrees (with help from the fan they provided). The reviews I’ve noticed mentioned the area not being safe which I thought initially was an over-exaggeration but upon visiting, I think the reviews may be correct. The area outside the building is rough, but I never had any issues, people keep to themselves usually, and the main the hotel itself felt really safe and secure. I walked around the building several times and no one bothered me or made me feel unsafe, though I did make sure to be hyper aware of my surroundings just in case. Picture attached was taken on the roof which is available to guests.

Room and bathroom were tidy and clean. Front desk service was nice! Rooftop is a cool feature. Main issue is the location. If you are just getting picked up and dropped off, it’s fine, but this is not a walking neighborhood. Not the hotels fault. For other female solo travelers, I would recommend staying elsewhere farther West.

Such a cool place to stay! So much history with modem amenities. We stayed in one of the suites with a private bedroom so I can't speak to the experience in the bunks or shared bathrooms but I'm sure it's lovely. The rooftop patio is really fun with great views of the city. The hotel is very conveniently located just a short walk from a secure parking garage. It was only $20 to park for the whole weekend(without moving the car). The waterfront is only two blocks away and the Saturday market is just three blocks. Lots of restaurants, bars, and stores nearby. Also, the Chinese garden is just one block away. Highly recommend booking a stay here.

The rooms are clean albeit quite small. The electricity sockets do not well. Toilet/shower facilities are really good. The area around the hotel is described as "though" by local residents. There is a chronic homelessness and drug use issue in the city center.

The location of the hotel is a problem. It’s in a part of downtown Portland that has many people on the streets openly using drugs and living in tents and sleeping bags on the block and all around it. The hotel addresses this well with security at the door and by keeping the doors locked but it’s unpleasant. The rooms was comfortable and clean but bare bones. Not even a TV. It was convenient for us as we were walking to the train station early in the morning and it was close. The price was very good. Staff were all very friendly and helpful.

I absolutely loved my stay here despite homeless people in the area. Super clean inside. Secure. It’s a super nice place to stay with a lovely rooftop. I love the café and other food options in the area. Everything is walkable distance.

I’ve been coming here for a decade and it’s always delightful. It’s a three minute walk from the streetcar to the airport, and an easy five minute walk from the train station. The staff is professional and friendly, the lobby cafe is perfect for my needs, and the bunk room beds are very well designed. Of course there are numerous homeless people outside the hotel, which is sad. I’ve never felt threatened by them, but some people might not want to stay here for that reason.

Score a point for crowdsourcing. Yelp led us here for one night in Portland and we couldn't have been happier. High marks for service, value, and location. And while I can appreciate a Marriott, it's also fun to stay somewhere with all the amenities and no corporate feel. Society registers as both a hotel as well as a hostel because while you can get your own standard room, you also can get a "bunk". We opted for a very European-style hybrid, our own room but with shared bathrooms. The room comes with your own private sink, but yeah, you have to step into the hallway for the toilet. Maybe not the preferred thing for anyone who frequently has to get up in the middle of the night to go to the restroom, but for us it was great. Choose your comfort level. We saw at least three different people at the check-in desk, and each of them was friendly to a degree where it made me feel suspicious. (Am I being filmed?) Some people surely balk about the neighborhood. Well situated in the urban core, you'll see no shortage of squatters and weirdos when you step out into the street. But you're also within a few steps of the train station, the river, the light rail, and everything walkable. Don't miss the rooftop lounge. And grab a free postcard to send to Mom.

Absolutely terrible!!! We got kicked out because two of my girlfriends went to the restroom together? By the way did I mention only one restroom for all genders...Shared? IDK bout you but really found ourselves feeling super disconnected discriminated and really embarrassed for something we thought was absolutely the NORM? Front desk clerk was super short and rude!!

This is a great budget stay close to the heart of downtown Portland. Like old buildings and all their character? Enjoy unique and artsy decor? Great staff who are friendly and helpful? Comfortable beds and bedding? Yes, let's just be real for a moment and acknowledge that this hotel sits in Old Town and the curb appeal has diminished significantly post-Covid. Not the hotels fault. And once you navigate a bit of garbage on the sidewalk, maybe skirt around a person or two reclining on their temporary campsite, and get past the 24/7 locked front door you're in a really quirky, fun and well taken care of hotel. I've stayed here multiple times. I don't feel unsafe and I've parked my car on the street overnight and never had issues. I've walked from the hotel up to Powells and the Pearl District, again without any issues. So be adventurous! That's what life is all about.

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend the Society Hotel. While it is very cool on the inside - there's a comfortable and welcoming lobby/lounge where they serve beverages and they have a rooftop hang out, the surrounding area is full of homeless people doing their drugs out in the open and living in makeshift tents. For this reason, a lot of locals recommended not to walk around at night. The rooms are basic, but clean, we had our own bathroom, the sink was in the same room as the bed - reminded me of a college dorm room. The concierges are very friendly and helpful. If you have a car, they do not recommend you park it in the street and instead, there's a parking lot a few blocks away, it cost $10 to park overnight. There are some cool hip, ultra Portland entertainment venues and food places nearby, but I will not be staying in this part of Portland if and when I come back.

First visit - quick stop in to check out the place. I think my spouse and I ended up grabbing a beverage and hanging out cause the lobby vibes are great. Feels more like a restaurant or cafe than a hotel lobby. It's a place you want to hang out. Second visit - made a spa reservation to use the pools. It was pretty great. I'm a big fan of any soak and the space they've created is lovely and tranquil. There's hot, warm and cold pools, a sauna and a good amount of seating if you need a break. I never needed a break - I was in the water for two hours and loving it. They provide towels and fruit infused water. We also had some snacks from the cafe and hung out in the lobby. The food was yummy and priced appropriately. During my visit, def a few things stood out to me as room for improvement - when I checked in at front desk, they just handed me a key card. I didn't realize that I would be checking in at the spa desk when I got there. I also didn't know where to go. A little more explanation from the desk would have been helpful. When we went back to the desk later, the other staff person assumed we were local, so maybe that was it? So if you go, just know that you aren't actually getting "checked in" at the hotel front desk - they just give you access to the gated area where the spa is. Go past the front desk to the left, out the door and follow the path to the gate. We got to the spa right after cleaning hour. I was joking that it was perfect timing and that I would have a really clean pool. Everything was really clean, but there were a TON of bubbles in the hot tub. My friend said it was probably due to soap in people's bathing suits. Maybe nothing to be done for that. I'd rather have bubbles than all the body oil and gunk I've seen in some other soaking pools. Because we were among the first in for our hour, we got in quickly, but when we were done, the traffic jam caused by everyone's reservations starting and ending at the same time became apparent. There was a line for the showers and the locker room was packed with people coming and going. Since everyone is supposed to shower before their soak, this is a cluster-f! I know it's challenging with scheduling software, but staggered reservations are a must! Now that I know how it works and where to go, it's really just an efficiency complaint, but I'll definitely be back. Hopefully an overnight next time!

Situated in Old Town, a delightful vintage & boutique accommodation quite thoughtfully preserved with just enough tasteful modern upkeeping & updating. It's square low-rise frame is modestly subdued yet more attention awaits you inside. Deep hues, dark tones, and bright contrasts intertwine its corridors. I really enjoyed the spacious lobby and the old-timey staircase with various historical pieces. The rooftop makes a nice getaway with a good shrubbery perimeter. My floor's design was communal with shared bathrooms/showers on either side of the elevator. I had no issue with waiting and even if your floor was taken, you could just check a different floor. The hallways high & narrow; a quirky charm. My room was plain jane yet cozy with a sink in the corner. The window faced an interior opening so it just provided some ambient daylight. Small details throughout were nice touches, as well. The front desk staff were cordial and friendly, even if the late night gentleman felt a bit deadpan in a unique way. The lobby fireplace section is a neat relaxing section and the corner café opposite the front desk helps round out the experience (I've yet to try it). Overall, I'd definitely consider it for future economic lodging in charming vintage boutique style.

What a Trip, so we came to Portland for a show, and decided that staying the night would just be easier then driving back at the middle of the night. So after looking up local hotels that were near the venue I stumbled across "the society hotel" immediately I was very intrigued by the old architecture and combination of classic style with modern touches. I was not disappointed. There are Some things to know before you book: The rooms are small ours just had a queen bed and a sink, so if your looking for fancy this might be a pass. The bathroom is shared with a couple restrooms on each floor, with a standing shower. Again for some that might make this a pass. There is no onsite parking, I didn't feel comfortable with that being as the neighborhood seemed a little rough. So we parked in the garage a few blocks away, it was only 10 bucks for over night on a Saturday/Sunday. If your not willing or able to walk a couple blocks there is street parking, but like I said that's a little sketchy. So with that being known it might seem like I would give this a lower rating but surprisingly it is one of the cooler places I have ever stayed. The building has old school vibes and reminds me of a hostal sort of, but much nicer. The rooms were exceptionally clean and the beds comfortable. The price was extremely reasonable, and every single staff member was heartfelt and genuinely wanted to make our stay perfect. I love the added touch of personal text messages and the fact that you can text them back at any time with anything you need and they are right on top of it. For these reasons I would go back just to stay at this hotel. Thank you to the entire team for making our overnight stay wonderful.

The worst experience by far!! Unfriendly staff. I reserved this hotel online for my kids who was traveling to portland for the concert . Paid online, e signed all of the forms was assured they would have no problems whatsoever. When arrived to the hotel at about 10 pm the door was locked !!! the parking lot was full of homeless people harassing and scaring them . Finally the person named Luna opened up and attempted to check them in . requested some parking form to be e signed. My daughters phone was dead and she had no access . She was denied checking in!!!!! how is the hotel does not have a paper version of the form?? She then crying and upset had to drive back to Eugene in the middle of the night . when requested a refund, the same Luna was no apologetic, had no understanding and refused giving a refund. Do not stay at this scammy place

Review is for the summer rooftop event Summer Sets at Society. While I try avoiding most downtown spaces, I couldn't resist a weekly rooftop event. You're given a drink ticket to take to the top which they're working to keep it separate. I came at the perfect sunset and was really happy with the chill vibes out here. While the space is limited, it made for a perfect spot to view the entire downtown skyline while listening to a DJ and talking with friends. A really ideal date spot, I'll be coming back for more Summer Sets through these rare nice summer days in Portland.

***** WARNING: DO NOT BOOK HERE! YOU WILL REGRET IT ***** A week ago when I booked this hotel, I knew it was going to be dicey because of its location. It's located in old town Portland and there's homeless everywhere. I can deal with that; we live in Eugene and have slums here as well. It was when I had difficulties calling the hotel.. great no services at this hotel - not even reception... that's when I knew we were going to have it hard with this place. Fast forward 5 days, 13" of snow hits Portland in 48 hrs, taxis, Ubers and public transportation comes to a halt. Few Ubers and taxis running and everything else shuts down. When we finally reach the front desk at 6:30am on the day of our trip? What could you expect when I asked for a credit? Nothing. Denied. Tough luck. "I only see a few inches and some services are still running." How does this help us when you have STREET PARKING and snow plows throw snow all over the sides of the streets? Wait. What about parking at the local private parking garage? Great. HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO TRAVERSE THE 10 BLOCKS OF HOMELESS CAMPS THROUGH THE SNOW on foot? With no taxis or Ubers? Why would I want to subject my lady to that?!! Great a tour through homeless camps! You can't be serious! Why don't you provide a shuttle? That would have solved the problem. Nope. Your too much of a tight wad crappy business person. What bothers me the most is they claim there's only "a few inches" when in fact there's a lot more. The Moda center was shut down as was the event we were going to attend. Why did they shut down the Rose Garden area? SNOW and icy roads you idiot. Our local friends in Portland tell us there are Jack knifed big rigs blocking roads and city streets are nearly impossible due to ice. But to the Society hotel? THEY COULD GIVE A SHIT LESS. To make this worse, after being denied a credit to be used on a different day - they punished me for using the airBnB app. Look. People want to find your business but if your too much of a tight wad to spend the time, money and energy to maintain those ads or relationships with apps like Priceline or Airbnb? What do you want from customers? There trying to reach you dummy!!!! Great. Punish them for using these apps by not granting credits for weather related shut downs. F this place! ***** WARNING: DO NOT BOOK HERE! YOU WILL REGRET IT *****

Wow what a find! Staying at the Society Hotel was a highlight of my trip to Portland. This was a fabulously affordable hotel ($89 per night for a private room; cheaper for the hostel bunk beds downstairs) that felt SO nice and upscale. I stayed in a private room with two shared bathrooms in my hallway, which was perfectly fine. I never had to wait to use the shower/bathroom. The rooms were minimalistic and bare but very comfortable. And the rooftop bar was AMAZING! Open until 2am for guests with gorgeous views of downtown. The location is great too--a little sketchy at night--but nearby so much, like the Lan Su Chinese Gardens and Waterfront Park. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of staying in this historic hotel. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

Met a friend for a drink in the lobby. Sketchy neighborhood but they kept the place locked so comfortable inside. Nice mellow atmosphere.

Unfortunately my stay at this hotel was not great. I originally booked one night with Expedia and prior to my stay I decided to book an extra night. I called in and spoke to the staff about booking an extra night. The lady on the phone said that wouldn't be a problem and both bookings can be combined. Now I arrive at the hotel and when we are checking in the gentleman at the front desk tells me since I have two separate bookings I will have to bring all my things out of the room by 11 am to check out, then check back in at 3. That is a mild annoyance, but at least I can leave my things at the front desk. I follow the instructions and pack up all my stuff the next day and return to the front to check out and the lady notifies me that is was not necessary. Very frustrating and the staff should be better trained. Also if you wear make up don't you dare leave a single trace of it on a towel, as they will charge you for "damages". This was such an unpleasant stay and experience. As a side note, the homeless people situation near this hotel is terrible. My friend and I were scared every time we had to walk in/out of the hotel due to the overwhelming amount of homeless people shouting and doing drugs around the hotel. Please do yourself a favor and just choose a better location and hotel for $10-20 more a night to stay in Portland.

Horrible area! 1st off, this historic hotel sits smack dab in the middle of the slums! Took a video of some pretty aggressive ppl having a screaming match (that woke us up) @5am... 2nd issue was we went to get some ice cream and cool whip & brought them back to our room just to realize there was NO FRIDGE. (I will revisit why this became an issue further down.) 3rd inconvenience was there was a shared bathroom inc shower for everyone on our floor. Happened to be 3 feet from our room so we heard EVERYTHING going on in there, since there is NO TV, NO PHONE, NO WAY TO EVEN CATCH A BREEZE as all windows were screwed shut! So trust me when I say the smells and sounds were overwhelming and unappealing to say the least. SPEAKING OF SMELLS- is there anyone this day and age who's unaware that ppl smoking drugs often use the bathroom to light up? Well we paid for 3 nights upfront. Which ran just under $300... Plus a $50 deposit for incidentals. Even though we were staying over, and trying to catch some of the zzz's we lost throughout the night/early am (to all the screaming outside and constant noise in bathroom just outside our room) and attempting to sleep in. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK on the door. And again, KNOCK, BANG, KNOCK, followed by KNoCK POUND POUND on our door. To which we replied, "We are staying over." Our door was not even opened whatsoever. It was spoken thru considering we were still in bed. Some time shortly after POUND POUND POUND, we opened the door this time to see 3 ppl. One employee, one security guard and ONE POLICE OFFICER! We were told we had 5 min to vacate the building for a foul odor that housekeeping had smelled THRU oUR DOOR! Which is interesting since the community bathroom was steps to the left of the hall and our door was to the right. How the world it was determined to be our room is beyond me. We were told to leave for smoking in the room. Oddly we had smoke detector in said room that NEVER WENT OFF! So which one is it? Is your FIRE ALARMS AND SMOKE DETECTORS FAULTY? OR WAS THERE SOME OVERZEALOUS EMPLOYEE trying to get an ATTA BOY??? Who trains your staff on smells to know they were illicit drugs being used? Again, completely unfounded accusations that cost us and put us so far over budget for our trip that we couldnt even tour the shanghai tunnels which is what we came for in the first place... In addition to the short time frame given, We had to be supervised packing up as well. We had gotten ice and put the ice cream and cool whip in the trash basket bag to help it stay cold. I asked the cop what to do with it and he said to leave anything that needs to be thrown out. It was in a basket inside a garbage bag. If anything, there would have possibly been precipitation under bag from ice that had melted. We were escorted out, and had the police search our room for signs of smoking and paraphernalia. To which NEITHER WERE FOUND! They kept the full 3 nights rent of $300, plus the $50 deposit plus charged another $300 for "unknown liquid under waste basket" that apparently required $$$$EXTRA CLEANING$$$. Which was literally H2O ppl! The also charged for a smear of my concealer to the sheet? The pillowcase, maybe... But they also charged for a towel which we never touched even one towel. So we are out over $650 plus had to find and pay for alternate lodging for the next 2 nights elsewhere. They refuse to send an itemized list and keep the bills coming via EMail, but refuse our calls when we try to get a breakdown... VERY UNPROFESSIONAL & seems to be the equivilent of a SLUM LoRD OF A HOTEL! ZERO PROOF necessary for them to keep your payment, charge whatever B.S. they feel so inclined and unfortunately, they should be appreciative that anyone would give them a shot (hoping the revamp of the area they are pushing in all their blogs and publications were actually implemented!) Spack dab in the center of the worst area on the filthiest street in downtown Portland. I normally would keep my opinions to myself, but I came across YELP and found this to be the perfect platform to WARN FELLOW TRAVELERS OF THE SCAM THE THE SOCIETY HOTEL IS RUNNING! Very disappointing indeed. Try Canopy, Benson, both exceptional hotels! Basically anywhere that the management doesn't go around running money laundering scams on their guests would be a huge step in the right direction. I have the video of the drama on the street directly out front, I will post a link in the comments. Stay safe my friends! Happy travels!

Cafe with full bar and food options downstairs. Rooftop patio. Good value with great service.

The bathroom is not inside the room but in a separate room that is shared with people on the same floor. It's a nice place. The room I was in was small but clean. The staff was friendly.

Poor location (homeless people everywhere), and the cancellation policy here is terrible. I cancelled my reservation a little over an hour after booking in person, waiting for my 3 pm checkin, and they recite a policy saying I can't cancel & receive a refund within 3 days of booking.

This is the coolest hotel! Modern hotel with a proud history and art that's on display throughout the hotel. And the entire team here is so helpful and upbeat!! Plus, great cafe downstairs.

We discovered their coffee shop in the middle of the night. They have good coffee and you can ask them to access their rooftop and they'll let you in with your coffee!

The absolute worst place I've ever stayed. The room is a 10x10 square with a bed and a sink--basically a jail cell with carpet. There's a shared bathroom down the hall, which was not made evident when you book a "standard room". The street noise is nonstop, with yelling drunk people and loud car noise. My second story window was parallel with a street light that shone in to my room all night (of course there's no light-blocking shade). Add to that, the room was freezing and you are given no way to control the thermostat. Finally, I'm being charged a damage fee for a stain on the comforter that I'm pretty sure was already there. Avoid this place at all costs.

As a visitor from the east coast, I mistakenly booked the wrong Society Hotel location when visiting. We were supposed to have booked the Bingen location in WA, but I was very grateful and appreciative of the Portland staff when I realized my mistake the day of check-in. Although the cancellation policy seemed pretty unforgiving, they were able to promptly process my refund request after my explanation. I was pleasantly surprised at their responsiveness, and if our stay at the Bingen location was any indication, I'm sure I would've enjoyed the Portland location as well. THANK YOU to the front desk staff, you made our travel experience much less disappointing!

This charming little hotel gets my highest rating. It has an amazing, elegant, international vibe. Hip in a good way. You can tell someone with great taste attended to every detail. The lobby has a cozy fire and a great cafe which also sells sandwiches, breakfast items and...cocktails! There's an amazing rooftop deck with heaters where you can socialize with your drinks. This place reminded me of cool youth hostels in Europe, and in fact they do have a bunk bed room where you can stay for a very reasonable cost. I stayed in a standard room, which was a good deal. A small clean room without a tv. Vey bare bones but comfortable and elegant. My room shared a bathroom down the hall. It was clean and not occupied often. The neighborhood is downtown Portland, where there are some great restaurants and live music venues and food trucks. I would be watchful if you're walking around at night. There were lots of people out enjoying themselves but it's not like an outdoor mall. It's an urban environment, with some edge but nothing off-putting.

We had the most fantastic evening visiting the cafe and rooftop this weekend! Kandice was so kind and hospitable. We absolutely adored her and cannot wait to come back!

No stars. For $159 there is no TV in the single king size room. The bathroom is detached and shared. I did not feel safe in the room. At the time I could not walk without the use of a cane and began to feel I'll begging the front desk clerk for a refund so I could find other accommodations. I got so stressed out I decided the hospital might be a better option. When I asked the clerk for a refund so I could go to the hospital to get my infection checked out he still would not oblige possibly endangering my life.

Super cute hotel with a bar and cafe downstairs and a gorgeous rooftop deck. The rooms are really tiny with private bathrooms in the hall that are kept very clean. there's a shower and a hairdryer! Our room has a single queen bed and a sink and that's about it. It's really tiny but it's sooo cute. The shared bathrooms in the hall create real hostel vibes. My boyfriend and I came downstairs for the bar happy hour (4-6pm) for $1 off drinks before going out to dinner. Really good area with lots to do and places to eat. There's only street parking and paid lots. Since we aren't spending a lot of time at the hotel we're just doing street parking, which is $2 an hour (8am-7pm). You can download the app really easily so you can add onto your time from your phone without having to go down to the meter (great for sleeping in).

I booked one night as I got in to PDX at about 1 am. Just wanted a place to rest before continuing my adventure. Right after I landed, Michael (overnight front desk) called to make sure I made it in ok. Clutch move. Checking in was a blast, I love that kid! The place is simple (no tvs but fast WiFi) with a great cafe in the lobby. Didn't check out the rooftop, but the room was clean and perfect for what I needed. They had a little grab and go with beer and cider which I was able to charge to the room. The staff is SO NICE. Michael was great, then the morning staff was super helpful and cheery. More hostel than hotel (which I knew) but perfect if you need a fun/happy place to lay your head.

My room was smaller than my closet at home and when 11am came they were very assertive about getting me out of the 8x8 room so they could clean. I asked for 2 minutes so I could brush my teeth and they said they were going to charge me for another day. It's safe to say I will not be returning.

Got some coffee. Chilling at the rooftop. Gorgeous sunset views. You can grab beer/wine below too.

My friend and I had a a really weird experience in the very early morning and Mike at the front desk went the extra mile and really helped us out and made sure we were okay. I really appreciate his kindness and was the perfect person to help in that situation so I am very glad he was there. Everyone that works at the Society is great vibes all around!

DONT DO IT!! YOU CAN BUY ME DINNER LATER FOR SAVING YOUR SANITY. Ok look, I'm not a hard guy to please, but if I pay $110 a night for a hotel I want a TV! Yea you heard me right. No TV! If I pay $110 for a hotel I wanna take a shit without worrying about another hotel guest walking in on me. Yea. Shared bathroom! Read the small print. We had purchased it on a 3rd party site so we were screwed. Sure, our fault we should've read the small print, but I didn't imagine I'd have to deal with this. Staff were rude. I will say this. The roof top deck is cool.

I only had a brief stay here, but this was one of the greatest service experienced I've ever had. Booking was no hassle. I was able to do it through Airbnb. Some notable features: Their rooftop deck is gorgeous! The cafe downstairs has a wonderful happy hour selection. The hotel is also very close to landmarks like Voodoo Donuts and Powell's Bookstore. The rooms are small, but have enough space; and the bathrooms have soaps and shampoos that smell really good! It's also really close to the Old Town/Chinatown Red Line. What really set them apart was the friendliness and hospitality. I was able to leave my baggage here for the whole day after my stay. I was allowed to come back and change and they still kept it safe after. This was so convenient, especially since I had a flight to catch later and nowhere to put my heavy stuff. Great place, would recommend if you're looking for a charming and cozy place to stay!

The society hotel is the best hostel I've stayed in, by far. It is a mix between a hostel (bunk bed rooms downstairs) and a hotel (private rooms upstairs, some with shared bathroom, some with ensuite bathroom). I tried both and the two formats are very well executed. The private rooms are really cool, and true to the style of the building. There is even a sink in the bedroom, which prevents occupying the bathroom for little things like brushing your teeth. The bunk bed room is unique with three decker beds, with gigantic ladders. Note that the bunks are a bit on the short side. Anyone taller than 5.10 won't be as comfortable. The shared bathrooms are extremely clean, fully stocked with shower products, hair dryer, tissue, awesome bamboo bath mats and hangers/shelves to keep your things on. The staff is incredibly nice. The cafe downstairs has great drinks for the evening (+ happy hour!) and fantastic breakfast drinks and food (sunrise bowl is enough of a reason to come here). Not to mention it is very well priced compared to all the bars around. The rooftop could very well be the best hidden spot to hang out in Portland. It's actually open to the public during cafe hours. While the neighborhood isn't the most pleasant to walk around or the safest to park overnight because of Portland's homeless challenge, it has the advantage of being centrally located. In conclusion, I cannot praise society hotel enough. ABSOLUTELY stay here.

My spouse and I got a room here for their birthday. I was a little bit skeptical about it, considering it's really just a room w/ a bed. But I can't tell you how much I enjoyed our quiet, comfortable night in this room. The king size bed was great. There's a fan. There's black out blinds. It's just a great place for quality time and zoning out with a person you love. Also, the rooftop is a cool place to hang out. And the shower had great water pressure.

We stopped by this cute spot to check out the rooftop -- it was well worth it! The rooftop is fairly small, so wouldn't recommend coming with super large groups. However, did love it and would love to be back with a friend or two. I got one of the rotating ciders on tap, the swift marionberry cider! It was the perfect amount of sweet and tart and was well worth the price!

I personally would not stay here again but some would be ok with some of the cons below. Here are some pointers before you decide. Pros: - very friendly staff - cute/cafe bar and roof top - decent view from most rooms and good natural light. - high ceilings - comfortable bed ( king for a private room and bathroom suite) - quiet for the most part if ur in a corner room - close to transportation. Cons/things to know: - It's located in a very shady/bad area of town with homeless and crazies walking around. Doesn't seem safe. - Can't control the temperature in each room. Have to call front desk to change the temperature for the entire floor. And that's if other guests agree with that temperature. They keep it around 69 degrees in summer. - One of our pillows had make-up stains. Appears it was not changed from the last guest. Yuck! - only has what you NEED in each room, not what you would WANT. - Resembles more of a dorm room than a hotel room. - the windows don't open - None of these in the room: Tv, radio, clock, plain, decor, coffee machine so no hot water for tea either. No iron. - Not worth the over $900 we paid for 4 nights.

Travel often changes the travelers, and the Society has certainly changed me in few ways. My image of scrambled and unorganized hostels was immediately shattered as soon as I entered the lobby. It was simply sublime! The historic lobby was well-restored with modern comfort and yet retained its former glory, and the overall vibe harks back to the elegance of the Golden Age. But the elegance does not stop at the lobby, as it extends to the bunk room. Previously, I was apprehensive about staying in a room with more than 3 people, so seeing 18 bunk beds was an initial shock. Yet, it didn't take long to realize that thanks to the Society's setup, each bunk bed was more like a mini room rather than a dorm bed. Each bed is encased in a well-constructed wooden cubicle that is tall enough to sit up and has independent outlets, lights, and locker. The bed was one of the most comfortable I had slept, and the privacy curtain allowed seclusion from the room if needed. More perks include additional luggage locker (though you must bring your own locks), towels, and shampoo. The bunk room has three internal bathrooms and one external one - every one of which is well-equipped and cleaned. The location is also wonderful, because the hotel is near top attractions like Lan Su Garden and Voodoo Donut. The nearby bus and light rail stations also make further exploration easier. If you do not feel like exploring Portland, the Society has a lobby cafe that made it a great excuse to relish in the classy lobby and a rooftop terrace to enjoy the weather. By far, the Society is the best hostel experience I ever had in terms of comfort and atmosphere! If there is a luxury ranking in the hostel world, the Society would undoubtedly be on the top. I highly recommend making the Society your rest stop for your Portland trip.

A little gem in Portland. I'm a nervous to write such a good review, because I don't want my spot to be found. This walk-up cafe is mainly used by the hotel/hostel guests, but it's one of THIS local's favorite spot. The sunrise bowl is a separatists dream (don't like food co-mingling) with yogurt and a wide array of seeds. The avocado toast is the best in town (think micro greens and rock salt)... and of course the have my favorite cider, Swift. All this and a killer rooftop patio. Staff is always great and never a line. Really, a gem... the NW hostel should take notes.

The Society Hotel is the antithesis of todays conventional hotels. Yet being atypical, in every way, only makes it that much more appealing. Located on the outskirts of the city, The Society Hotel appears to be in a dubious neighborhood for sure. Which could arise some discomfit for the faint of heart. Oh, and uh, parking is two blocks away. Lol. However! Don't let your anxiety eschew you from this anachronistic hotel. When you walk through the front doors the concierge desk is to the right, a coffee shop to the left, and a lobby in the middle with a cozy fireplace and seating everywhere. The elevator requires your room key to go up stairs which is a comforting reassurance. As you head to your bedroom you will notice that the walls are meticulously carved and painted beautifully. The bedroom only provides the bare necessities: sink, mirror, robe, bed, and towels. The single window had a great view but did not open. Maybe they're afraid of defenestration? The restrooms and showers are community shared which you're either thinking, "how original" or "WTF". Another reason this hotel is a diamond in the rough is because of the proximity of everything around it. There is a gay bar just across the street, literally. With another one just a few blocks down. Such a happenstance if I ever saw one. Furthermore, Voodoo Donuts, a Portland staple, is within walking distance. And downtown which leads to everything else you could possibly need. Originally I was ambivalent to staying here but the charm of my stay changed all that.

One has to acknowledge the transients and the disadvantaged that are bound to cross paths with you once you head westward or southward from the hotel, but man....the jewels of this place.. I've stayed at a historic former Chinese dance hall!!! Yup! Opened in November 2015, a hybrid hotel-hostel labor of love from 4 investors, restoring in the vein of McMenamins, rescuing and resuscitating history of the late 1880's. An erstwhile sailors' stopover, the small lobby ( which doubles as a cafe space) boasts a sturdy and mature 100+ old spruce right in the center. 24 exposed brick rooms, redolent of so much history; if those walls could speak! Magnificent customer service is spot on. FREE WIFI, plugs aplenty for recharging electronics! In a way, this place reminds me of the Edgefield over in Troutdale. Simple, historic, no TVs ( yay!), and charmed niceties. The bathrooms upstairs are well-equipped and clean, and large! Around $40 for the shared bunk first floor,( must bring OWN LOCK). Thin, almond colored curtains that wrap around the bed, which are part of triple bunks. 3 bathrooms upstairs with small kitchen area with fridge. $80 and some change for a single during the winter month. I may very well check out a suite next time, and see what those are like! Rooftop area is very sweet. PS kiddie corner to Lan Su garden, and shares same block as my FAVE CHINESE JOINT IN TOWN: Golden Horse! Literally across the street is new Red Robe, tea and Chinese snack place, that also serves hot pot.

The location is a big winner in this one! First time in portland and I had no idea where everything is so I just risked it. From the map, everything looks far but it really isn't. It's close to the MAX so from the airport just spend the $2.50 and take it to old town china town. It's literally a 2 min walk. There are homeless people around but not once have I felt I was in danger. I been to worse places , this was nothing at all. The beds were clean and cozy. There's 3 restrooms with showers, I did have to wait but again, this depends on how many people and the time of day. Obviously if you're trying to shower in the morning you're going to have to wait, but it's not too bad. The coffee shop and the internet is pretty quick. I will stay again and it's get for the price One more thing is there's a place to lock your stuff in the bunk exactly where you sleep. So if you have a carry on bag it will fit plus maybe a smaller bag, it's huge. Otherwise you can store more things in a locker

I stayed in the bunk beds section of this hotel. I loved everything about this place esp the roof top but have to take off points for cleanliness. Found out as I was checking my bunk during check out that it isn't really cleaned. Looks like they just change covers on the top. Had orange peels and what not lying between my mattress and the wall. They also provide shampoo, conditioner and shower gels in the bathrooms which I was not expecting in a giant room with like 18 or more bunk beds. Also, the setting can be disturbing for someone who is a light sleeper as people keep coming and going all the time. The location is definitely prime, good bus/light rail access. I could just walk to all the major spots from the hotel which is a win-win for me. Do check out their reception area for a wall with coasters pinned up. Some people have given really good suggestions on exploring the city.

The only thing preventing me from giving The Society 5 stars is the large homeless population literally camped on the front sidewalks, which is not the fault of the hotel, but it does detract from it's charm. Beautifully redone suites, decor, and rooms. Very simple, clean, and relaxing. Stayed in a suite with a private bathroom, but the communal bathrooms are equally as nice and spacious. Staff was extremely helpful, friendly, and professional. Great coffee in the morning and cocktails at night, both enjoyed on the rooftop social area.

The best hostel not so hostel style hostel... One part is the real hotel and I stayed in the Bunk Room. Affordable and meant for quick travel. Would recommend for solid travelers or short group trips. Made friends while there and we ended up going out to eat and talking the night away on the roof. Is also suitable for business and work trips. WiFi and cafe available. The Bunk Room: triple bunk bed style. Very comfy. Single occupant bathrooms which is great. Bring a lock as there are lockers for you to put things in. There's also a small "kitchen" -sink, stove, and fridge. There is a work area with a lamp, table, and some chairs inside the bunk room. Bedding provided and the beds have curtains around them for added privacy. Overall a great experience. Would definitely recommend and do again. Also, make sure to head up to the roof for the sunrise! (or sunset)

This is a great, no frills, place to stay. My only complaint is the parking. We had to walk blocks to get a reasonable parking area, paid around 17 to 18 dollars to park, per day/over night. I read about the homeless in the area before we traveled, we were concerned but didn't have any issues. There are homeless in the area but did not have any issues as a matter of fact every one was friendly. Honestly would come back if ever in the area.

Absolutely amazing. Everyone we've encountered at The Society Hotel as been kind and inviting. We stayed for 4 nights and had a wonderful time. The rooms are cozy, bathrooms are clean, rooftop was beautiful and we felt safe the entire duration of our stay. The surrounding neighborhood is a bit questionable but this hotel has a lot of safety measures in place with keycards to enter the building and elevator. Would not hesitate to stay here again.

I was a big fan of The Society Hotel after my one-night stay here. I stayed in the bunk room, which is similar to staying in a hostel, but I don't even want to use that word because it is so much nicer than that. The bunks are three beds high, but custom-built and extremely sturdy - there's no shaking going on anytime somebody tosses in their bed. I stayed in a top bed, which was surprisingly kind of fun. The curtains on each bed are pretty thick and give you plenty of privacy, and each bed has a built-in storage compartment as well as two outlets and a light. Whoever designed this space is brilliant. Once I closed my curtains and turned off my light, I felt like I was in my own little world. On a Monday night, the room was very quiet, and I was only half-woken up by people opening and closing bathroom doors in the morning. The bed was really comfortable too! It was definitely way way better than any hostel I've stayed in. I personally thought the location was great, because it was so convenient to get to. I arrived by Amtrak, which is only a short walk away, and then when I wanted to leave by plane, the MAX light rail line that goes directly to the airport was only two short blocks away. You'll also find Voodoo Doughnuts only two blocks away, as well as many other downtown Portland institutions. The rooftop looked cool, but it was a little too cold & rainy when I was there to really enjoy it. If you're traveling by yourself, The Society Hotel is definitely the place to stay in Portland. I plan on coming back next time I visit!

I've never stayed here, but I am an awfully big fan of their rooftop. I've come up here to catch intimate music performances or to just enjoy some drinks and sunshine with my friends. Portland has so few rooftops, it's nice to know that you can come here and enjoy the nice weather and skyline views without too bad of crowds. If it gets brisk, they even have complementary blankets for bundling and snuggling. Its definitely a hidden gem of a space to enjoy a nice Portland afternoon or evening. So why 4 stars instead of 5? Two reasons. The first is that there's no bar upstairs. Sure, they'll (very) occasionally wheel up a bar cart, but generally you have to go all the way downstairs to order from Society Cafe. It's a real hassle made even more frustrating by the fact that somebody has to keycard you up to the roof. I can't understand why they won't just build a semipermanent bar space upstairs. It'd be a license to print money and way more accommodating to guests. But whatever. I still heart this space so hard. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Love this place. I come here every year and I the staff are friends in my head lol. I also ran into some great random people there too, at the hang out deck on the roof top. It's always clean and the staff is always so friendly and accommodating. I usually see at least one staff member around the clock and that makes me feel secure. The simple food they make is delicious and the morning drinks are on point. It's close to everywhere I have to go and the train is close by, which I usually take back to the airport if you didn't want to spend the money on an Uber/Lyft. I think it's like $2.50 and it's takes about 30 minutes to get there.

The bartenders are incredibly rude and serve terrible drinks. They are overpriced and completely underwhelming. Avoid this place when visiting downtown Portland. So many better options to chose from within walking distance. Go to Darcelle's right across the street. They treat you like people...not cattle.