Where is the best hostel in the USA? Right around the corner from our house in Portland, Oregon! According to the 2025 HOSCAR Awards, which rely entirely on Hostelworld customer reviews, the Northwest Portland Hostel is the Best in the United States. They have a whopping 9.7 out of 10 stars. Superb. And we totally agree.

A few weeks ago, before we knew the Northwest Portland Hostel would win this award, we took a personalized tour of the property. We were blown away by their warm hospitality, quality lodging, and delicious food. And it seems we’re not alone!

Chelsea Wilcox, the community engagement manager, welcomed us warmly upon our slightly late arrival. We had to park our car. If your travel is complicated by having a vehicle (unnecessary for enjoying downtown Portland), the hostel can help you with a day pass. We had previously met Chelsea at one of the hostel’s many local networking events. (Locals: If you’re looking for a unique spot to host a meetup or collaborate on a community event, reach out — Chelsea’s on LinkedIn.)

Chelsea filled us in on little secrets and hidden nooks – We won’t tell all as we want you to discover some of these for yourself! But read on to learn about our own tour of the best hostel in the USA.

It Takes A Village

The Portland Northwest Hostel is more than a single building — it’s a village of six, many of them restored Victorian homes from the late 1800s and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Nestled between Flanders and Glisan Streets in Portland’s historic Nob Hill, the hostel sits in the heart of the Alphabet District, named for its sequential streets like Alder, Burnside, Couch, and Davis. Bonus points for readers who know how to pronounce Couch like a Portlander.

The hostel shares the neighborhood with iconic architectural gems like the Portland Painted Ladies, a colorful set of Victorian homes that received their near-neon updates in the 1960s, and the inclusive playground at Couch Park.

And, like any good village, the important places are easy to get to. You can walk to many great tourist destinations like Powell’s Books (15 minutes), Salt and Straw (15 minutes), the Japanese Garden (25 minutes), and the Portland Saturday Market (30 minutes). Or jump on Portland’s Light Rail, a mere 5 blocks away. Either way, some of Portland’s best places to visit are within easy distance of the Northwest Portland Hostel.

Setting An Example of Regenerative Travel

The hostel’s ethos goes beyond cozy bunks and community dinners. It’s a model of regenerative tourism, where travel contributes to the local economy. Here, visitors can participate in community music nights, local walking tours, and tastings that support neighborhood breweries. Weekly events like trivia night, traditional music jams, and open mics blur the lines between “guest” and “neighbor.”

Their bulletin board highlights local companies, like Creo Chocolate and the Nob Hill Bar. And guests like to use it to say hello… we were thrilled to find an Ecuador connection pinned on top. If Erika or Liss end up reading this article, reach out! We would love to learn more about your time in Oregon!

More Than a Hostel

Chelsea’s passion for the hostel was contagious, and we quickly learned that this isn’t your average place to stay. Sure, you can book a bunk in a shared dorm, but you can also reserve entire buildings, great for sports teams, yoga retreats, and student trips. You can also book a private room with its own bathroom! Check out the following photo of my favorite private space in the newest building… on a late winter morning, view from the window is of the stately Nob Hill Neighborhood. Once spring hits, I imagine that this space turns into a lush, green home-away-from-home. Just look at those tree branches waiting to leaf.

For the budget conscious traveler, a shared space might be a better fit. Dormitory-style rooms are neatly arranged, with plenty of space, even when full with guests, with lockers to safely stow your gear. Individual bunks come with a few extras like a reading lamp, power strip, and a fan for cooling off your nook. Shared bathrooms are sparkling clean and brightly lit.

The owners of this hostel have a long history with world travelers, learning over the years how to provide stellar service for their primary customers – backpackers, nomads, and adventure seekers. It’s a large part of why the Portland Hostel is an award-winning destination in its own right.

Each space is different but all exude their own Portland vibe. We enjoyed the crystal chandelier hanging in a ground floor bedroom in one of the historic homes, the hand-painted cabinets celebrating Portland icons like Mount Hood and the city’s iconic neon sign, the wood carved squirrel tucked into a shelf near the community kitchen, and the collection of postcards for sale in the lobby. We loved the hidden connections between buildings, like the path that arrived at a building’s backdoor. I felt like I was walking up to my best friend’s house around the corner and slipping into the kitchen, where I’d be offered super sweet Kool-Aid and a fluffernutter sandwich.

When you book at the Northwest Portland Hostel, your room includes access to the community kitchen (take advantage of our great Pacific Northwest produce and cook to your heart’s content), the outdoor garden/patio (including a BBQ), and comfortable indoor spaces to hang out (good for cold, rainy days). Each space comes with the opportunity to meet your fellow travelers.

At the end of our visit, we decided to grab breakfast at the on-site café. We know that guests don’t need a cafe… after all there is an ample kitchen for your use. However, it is sometimes nice not to make your own food. And it is a great place to meet locals; it is a fav in the neighborhood with a 4.5 on Google Maps.

Vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters will find a varied menu with lots of tasty options. I highly recommend the salmon hash. And we’re looking forward to a return trip one evening to try a few other dishes and a local brew. Maybe we’ll try for a music or trivia night and make a few new friends!

If you decide to stay at this wonderful hostel, please let us know! We want to hear about your experience.

Hope to see you soon at the NW Portland Hostel!