The Nines, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Why it is interesting

The Nines occupies the upper floors of the historic Meier & Frank building above Portland’s Pioneer Place, part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection. The 1909 building’s structure is preserved and visible throughout, while the rooms and public spaces carry a strong Pacific Northwest design identity. Portland is confirmed by Hotels.com’s 2025 data as the cheapest city in the United States for five-star hotels, with an average of $287/night.

Why it is good value

A genuine Luxury Collection brand property in a historic building, at rates that are structurally the lowest available in any US city for this product tier.

Price notes

USD $154-$245/night shoulder season; cheapest rates in January and November; avoid Rose Festival (June) and peak summer.

Location and nearby sights

Powell’s City of Books - 10 minutes on foot; the largest independent bookshop in the world and a genuine Portland landmark with extraordinary photographic potential.

Portland Art Museum - 15 minutes on foot; the oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest, with a strong Native American and Pacific Rim collection.

Japanese Garden - 20 minutes by rideshare; considered one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside Japan, set on 12 acres of forested hillside above the city.

Food and things to do nearby

The hotel sits above Portland’s Pioneer Place, with downtown restaurants, bars and cultural stops close by. Powell’s City of Books, Portland Art Museum and the Japanese Garden define the city-break case.

Best time to book

The cheapest rates are in January and November. Avoid Rose Festival in June and peak summer.

Watch out for

Portland’s downtown carried significant reputational baggage from 2022-2023; conditions have improved but editorial copy should acknowledge this directly to maintain reader trust. Low Booking.com review count (132) means less data confidence than other entries.

Verdict

Strong value. The cheapest true five-star city in America - in a 1909 department store above Pioneer Square.