The Society Hotel, Portland
The Society Hotel in Portland is a fascinating destination that breathes new life into a historic 1881 building. Originally constructed as the “Mariners Building” by the Portland Seamen’s Friend Society, it served as a safe haven for sailors looking to avoid the city’s notorious “crimphouses.” Today, it functions as a unique boutique hotel that beautifully balances its maritime roots with modern, community-focused comfort.
The hotel’s architecture is a local marvel. It is one of the few remaining cast-iron front buildings in the city, and it features an odd but impressive bit of history: in the late 1800s, the entire building was physically lifted up to allow a new story to be inserted underneath. This structural quirk, along with the original staircase and preserved vintage graffiti, gives the hotel an authentic, rugged charm.
Guests can choose between a variety of accommodations, ranging from upscale suites featuring custom art by local creators to classic hostel-style bunk rooms. The lobby serves as an “urban lodge,” complete with a cozy café and a communal atmosphere where travelers and locals mingle. A standout feature is the rooftop deck, which offers expansive views of the city.
Located in the historic Old Town Chinatown district, the hotel is perfectly positioned for exploration. You are just steps away from the serene Lan Su Chinese Garden and the bustling Saturday Market. Its central location also makes it an easy starting point for discovering iconic Portland spots like Powell’s City of Books and the vibrant food cart pods scattered throughout downtown.
Expert reviews
“This pretty hotel in the historic 1881 Mariners Building – originally a lodging house for sailors – has impeccable fashion sense. Options include dorms as well as private rooms. There’s a lively bar and rooftop deck, plus Wednesday wine tastings and drag bingo on Thursday. Some corner rooms have huge windows designed to catch sunlight.”
“This intimate new boutique hotel with simple, stylish, and affordable rooms just steps from Old Town nightlife and Lan Su Chinese Garden occupies an 1880s former boardinghouse for sailors and retains a quirky and colorful atmosphere.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Portland.
“This is the best hotel deal in Portland and a place where you can enjoy a memorable stay in the heart of the city for a fraction of what you’d pay at a fancier hotel a few blocks away. Located in still-gritty Old Town/Chinatown, The Society Hotel occupies a late-19th-century building that was originally a hotel for sailors and later used as a Chinese dance hall.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Portland.
What guests liked
- Rooftop terrace
- Friendly staff
- Top location
- Excellent Wifi
Location
Recent guest reviews
2 February 2026
Receptionist was very respectful and also the rooftop was very beautiful and quiet.
Breakfast, was good and coffee, was good. The entertainment was very close and A lot of polices , and security, was around.
Wish our bedroom was a little bit bigger, and we didn’t have a microwave to warm up our food.
20 January 2026
Pleasant and accommodating staff.
Cute, quaint, and has its own unique trendy aesthetic. Not too much and not too little. Perfect!
Payment system needs some kinks worked out. I ended up having a dozen pending transactions on my account, and it has been taking a whole to see these reversed.
20 January 2026
I love staying here when I’m in Portland.
I would stay here over and over I love this place. It’s got a very cozy lounge and delicious food and drink drinks.
The only complaint I have is my room is always really cold. You should always have heater and never should be running out of them. Each room should have a heater. Other than that, it’s a great place.
9 January 2026
I felt safe friendly people and freat breakfast sando
Friendly staff and great historic place nice and warm and very clean
The homeless out front
7 January 2026
Nice and warm in a cool, unique setting.
I like the building and the staff
I wish I could get the same rates each time. It seems they change daily not just weekday and weekends. I also would like them to go down if you stay more even if I'm not paying it all upfront.
4 December 2025
Good if you are an avid hostel-user; not good if you are a germophobe
The location was interesting! Neat building. Lovely staff - friendly!
It did not feel clean in the room because there was no air circulation without using the fan. No window access.
2 December 2025
Small affordable rooms in different sizes. Cute cafe in lobby.
Location is right downtown. Cute hotel in an old building made me feel “ Little House on the Prairie “ vibes. I’m pretty sure it’s a historic piece of property.
Bathrooms and showers were always clean and had shampoo, body wash & lotion.
Rooms also had bathrobes - that was a nice touch. A sink in the room also but not a lot of space for bags/suitcases. The cafe for coffee was downstairs - they open at 7 am. Voodoo donuts is really close - they are 24/7.
The rooftop area is super cool - had the weather been nicer I would’ve spent more time up there.
Its location - a large concentration of homeless are around here. The first morning we left the hotel we were surrounded by cop cars. There was some stuff happening outside - they do have security guards at entrance.
The room we has was small for 2 people - at times I felt claustrophobic even though there was a big window that did not open.
3 October 2025
There are likely better.
Modern but in a bad unsafe neighborhood.
Bunk house dorms. Frigid cold. Bathroom
Up a flight of stairs. Cafe expensive.
27 September 2025
Comfortable stay at a reasonable price. I liked it a lot.
The staff were kind and helpful. The decor is fun. There is a bar on 1st floor. It serves as a breakfast or lunch spot as well. The coffee was terrific. I had a room with a private bathroom. It was booked as a suite. It was comfortable.
The hotel addresses the neighborhood. It’s kind of scrappy with a lot of homeless people. I didn’t have any problem with them. It didn’t affect my stay at all. I am a 77 year old women. I didn’t need a tv. There was no tv in my room.
21 September 2025
Decent Place to Stay in Portland
Centrally located
I had to switch rooms halfway through my trip.
29 August 2025
Overall really good! Would absolutely stay there again.
The room was a bit cold and I was surprised that there wasn't a thermostat.
28 August 2025
Very nice but expensive for a hostel room with 24 bunks
The bunk room, with its 24 bunks and 3 restrooms, was immaculate and felt safe and secure. The bathrooms each included everything needed, from spacious showers to hairdryers (even spray disinfectant if you want) and I don't know how, but there was never a wait in the 3 nights I was there.
Staff was friendly and helpful. Sunny lobby and cafe with very good latte.
Cafe was good but some items on the already very limited menu were not available.
Mattress okay but definitely not the best, especially since this is one of th most expensive hostels I've stayed in. Curtains could be thicker to help block the neighbors' snoring and light. My bunk was next to the stairs that go up to the restrooms and some folks sounded like elephants stomping up and down.
As always, don't forget to ask the nice folks at the desk for some free earplugs. There will be snoring.
26 August 2025
The amazing property and staff more than make up for the area.
The facility was spotless, welcoming and the roof top was lovely. The staff was amazing! Extremely attentive and made sure everything for ourbstay was ready. Top notch.
The area. We were never approached or hassled, but did see certain things done out in the open and needles everywhere.
13 August 2025
WOULD DEFINITELY STAY AGAIN
Everything in the hotel was immaculately clean; the room, the bathroom, lobby, hallways, elevator, everything! The coffee shop in the lobby made some delicious brews and the rooftop lounge was an absolutely perfect place to enjoy said coffee and read a book.
The shared bathroom was less than ideal but was located right across the hall from our room and was kept very clean.
29 July 2025
Was comfortable, the staff were friendly and it felt safe.
I thought the breakfast menu was great. I enjoyed meeting people from different countries, and visiting a little with them. The staff was very helpful and friendly.
I really did not experience anything that I didn't like. It was a nice place to stay
24 July 2025
Super nice place
Very cute place, friendly and helpful staff, squeaky clean, great price, very secure, quiet, good food, nice common area, close to the Amtrack station.
Neighborhood was sketchy but hey it’s Portland so we must deal with it for now.
10 July 2025
Nice stay in not very nice area
Hotel located in hearth of downtown. Staff very helpful and friendly. Hotel very clean. There were lockers to store bags. Each bed had curtain. In bathrooms there were shampoos and shower gels available. Towels provided. Roof top terrace very nice, but missing some umbrellas on sunny days. Bunk bed room had 24 beds but it was pretty quiet for this amount of people sleeping. Hotel was safety place from what is outside, I felt safe inside.
No microwave or kettle in the kitchen (just fridge). I understand no cooking rule, but there was not even an option to make tea or porridge. Matteraces very soft that it was difficult to move to the head locker. Bottom bed was just matterace on the floor level, so it was difficult to wake up from bed.
Outside of hotel were many homeless people, I had to take Uber to go to train station instead of walking for 10 minutes. I was not feeling safe walking in the area, i know this is not a hotel fault, but you should be aware of it.
Caffeteria in hotel didnt have all products when ordering sandwich and prices are quite high, although food was tasty.
2 July 2025
A Beautiful Community-Feel Hotel, in a Challenging Area
The hotel was really well designed, with touches by local artists. They also support local businesses with their toiletries etc, which was nice to see and seemed to be a general theme in Portland. The staff were super friendly and knowledgeable about the area. The cafe was comfortable and the photo booth was a nice addition!
We were very surprised when we arrived to see that the street (including directly outside of the hotel entrance) was inhabited by a large number of homeless individuals who were under the influence of drugs. The staff did help to alleviate our concerns by explaining the reasons behind their unfortunate situation, but this did make us wary about walking around in the direct vicinity of the hotel and we only left via Uber, which was a shame.
18 June 2025
Overall good. This was my second time staying there
Location, simplicity. Quiet, clean.
We had breakfast there and we were waiting to have the food for waaaaaaaayyyyyy too long after ordering. Almost an hour.
15 June 2025
A fun place near the water and eclectic area of town that was walkable with a lot of food options.hotel staff extremely
Quirky and charming. A hotel-like hostel.
I wish the parking situation was better. Website advertised parking but it was full when I check led in and had to park at a city garage (which was safe) a few blocks away. Also wished their private rooms had a TV but the WiFi was strong.
2 June 2025
Ambiance is rizz and the room is straight up fire - just a happy little small space.
We LOVED the downstairs cafe and wifi-zone with the fireplace. Location was phenom. Staff was top notch!
Parking was far, but that's unavoidable if space is limited! No place to sit in the room except on the bed, but there's not much room for a chair!
23 May 2025
Really nice to stay, really chill. But no kitchen there.
The bunk beds room was really interesting, I’ve never seen that before but really well managed for this space.
Really cozy and chill.
The kitchenette is too small, why not even a microwave?
That’s the only main problem.
22 May 2025
This hotel is not for everyone, would be outside some people's comfort zone.
It was different than any place I have stayed before, but in a good way. Lots of homeless people around, but they did not bother you or ask for money. Great public transportation was close and free on the weekend.
I did not dislike any thing
29 April 2025
I would recommend the society hotel to solo travelers in town for a couple days. It’s clean and comfy
I like the property’s central location and onsite cafe
I wouldn’t say this is a dislike but I think having a small fridge and microwave would have made my stay a bit more comfortable.
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Snack bar
- - Special diet menus (on request)
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
- - Coffee house on site
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
- - Fax/photocopying (additional charge)
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Express check-in/check-out
- - Tour desk
- - Luggage storage
- - Concierge service
- - Lockers
- - Invoice provided
Outdoors
- - Terrace
- - Sun terrace
- - Outdoor furniture
General
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Family rooms
- - Lift
- - Safety deposit box
- - Heating
- - Allergy-free room
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
- - Pet basket
- - Pet bowls
Cleaning services
- - Daily housekeeping
Transport
- - Public transport tickets (additional charge)
Accessibility
- - Wheelchair accessible
- - Toilet with grab rails
- - Visual aids: Braille
- - Visual aids: Tactile signs
Activities
- - Temporary art galleries (additional charge)
- - Pub crawls (additional charge)
- - Stand-up comedy (additional charge)
- - Walking tours
- - Bike tours (additional charge)
- - Happy hour (additional charge)
- - Cooking class (additional charge)
- - Live music/performance (additional charge)
- - Live sport events (broadcast)
- - Bicycle rental (additional charge)
Miscellaneous
- - 24-hour security
- - Key access
- - Key card access
- - Security alarm
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - CCTV outside property
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Breakfast takeaway containers
- - Delivered food is securely covered
- - Face masks for guests available

More photos

10 March 2026
Excellent and affordable stay!