Craft breweries, coffee, food carts — Portland is rightfully called a hipster haven. However, this indie-spirited destination is more than just its offbeat charm. Few cities have as much to offer as Portland when it comes to rising wellness destinations. This Pacific Northwest gem of a city boasts its distinct version of wellness travel, complete with zen gardens, vegan food, sustainable exploration, and, of course, spas. The best spa hotels in Portland, Oregon, washed away even the most stubborn of stresses that had been weighing us down. What’s more, not all hotels lay right in the city, but some were also located just outside Portland, on wild beaches, amidst lush greenery, and in the misty mountains. Check out these amazing and abundant spa stays in “The City of Roses” which took us to newer realms of wellness and relaxation.
Table of contents
- Skamania Lodge
- Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat and Conference Center
- Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa
- McMenamins Grand Lodge
- Carson Hot Springs Golf & Spa Resort
- Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa
- Oregon Garden Resort
- The Allison Inn & Spa
- McMenamins Edgefield
- The Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown
- The Ritz-Carlton, Portland
- Our Verdict!
- Where to Stay in Portland, Oregon?
- Does any hotel have 24-hour access to a spa pool?
- Which is the best spa in the city of Portland?
- Which is the best spa resort around Portland?
Skamania Lodge
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Located just 45 minutes east of Portland along the Columbia River, the Skamania Lodge sits on the northern banks of the Columbia River. It was the perfect setting for a spa sanctuary in the lush heart of the Pacific Northwest. We loved the onsite Waterleaf Spa, which created and designed a personalized spa experience for us after we made an appointment with them and completely exceeded our expectations. We chose the 50-minute Columbia River Rock Massage, given our surroundings. Since this relaxing massage employed body rocks to loosen our tense muscles, we could even choose whether we wanted cold or heated stones. Furthermore, we also highly recommend the mud wrap, a deeply purifying and all-natural treatment that employs a nutrient-packed, dry-brushing algae-based mud wrap to flush out our body toxins.
After our luxuriating spa treatment, we took some time to enjoy unwinding in the bubbling waters of the hot tubs and the sauna. They even provided showers, hair dryers, towels, and plush robes at the spa, and we could wear our in-room bathrobes when heading to and from the spa. Finally, the spa was open all days of the week between 9 am and 6 pm.
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Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat and Conference Center
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We were looking for an off-the-grid sanctuary to spend a relaxing vacation in the Pacific Northwest, and what better place than the Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat and Conference Center? Don’t be fooled by the name; the resort is a remote forest sanctuary just two hours from Portland. They boast a healing arts team, where licensed massage therapists create a serene ambiance for all sorts of healing and deep levels of relaxation. Moreover, they offered us the option to book personal retreats, where we booked personal staying packages and got 24-hour access to the sauna, pools, and relaxation center. What makes the place special is its location at the site of the historic Breitenbush Hot Springs, which ultimately drains into the Breitenbush River. So, we even had access to actual hot springs while staying here, making it an outdoor spa sanctuary in the truest sense of the word.
However, that’s not all that Breitenbush is known for. It also hosts many New Age, spiritual, holistic, and counterculture workshops, most of which people can reserve in advance and attend. The best bit? If you don’t want to stay here, they even have day-use passes that grant you complete access from 9 am to 6 pm, along with choices for delicious vegetarian food.
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Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa
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We wanted to stay on the Pacific Coast close to Portland, so we chose the gorgeous Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa. Located just two hours east of Portland but on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, it was home to the Tidepools Spa, and our time on the coast was incomplete without a visit to the spa. Not only did they boast a wide range of healing treatments that worked wonders for our body, mind, and spirit, but also the setting couldn’t be more perfect. Imagine the soothing waves of the Pacific right outside where you’re indulging in a body treatment with your partner; that’s the Tidepools spa for you. What’s more, there was even a hot tub right outside the spa, where we unwound after a treatment soaking in the ocean views. Furthermore, we followed that with a visit to the steam rooms, completing the wellness cycle.
All in all, you should try this unique outdoor spa at this coastal resort. The spa is open from 10 am to 7 pm every day and they recommend reservations in advance.
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McMenamins Grand Lodge
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Located just half an hour west of Downtown Portland is the McMenamins Grand Lodge, the second McMenamins property on this list. It’s home to Ruby’s Spa and Salon, which is named after the red-haired mascot adorning the local Ruby Ale beer bottles and the original McMenamins mascot. This spa is the big sister to the brand’s second location at Edgefield and was the ideal place to spend some time in complete comfort and relaxation.
We took some time out of our busy schedule of exploring Portland and relaxed and rejuvenated at this spa, which had everything from massage and facials to manicures and more for both men and women. While they welcomed walk-ins, we’d reserved our spots earlier, as we were staying at the property for this very reason. Before indulging in an excellent body treatment, we headed to the outdoor heated soaking pool, which was an oasis surrounded by lush greenery and natural rock formations.
Finally, the spa is open from 11 am to 6 pm on Thursdays-Saturdays, from 11 am to 5 pm on Sundays, and from 11 am to 6 pm on Mondays. It’s shut on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
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Carson Hot Springs Golf & Spa Resort
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Located an hour east of Portland along the northern banks of the Columbia River, the Carson Hot Springs Golf & Spa Resort was a wonderfully secluded place. It was the perfect getaway for a romantic spa vacation in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, and that too along the banks of a river!
So, what was so special about the spa at this resort? Firstly, it was in the form of a bathhouse from the 1930s! With vintage stylings and clawfoot tubs, the spa offered us a traditional and authentic bathhouse experience, especially since the resort is built on hot springs. So, mineral water from the springs was pumped directly into the tubs for an all-natural, healing bath, which we followed up with luxurious massages and body treatments at the spa. What’s more, we had many choices for body wraps, hot stone treatments, and deep-tissue massages, all in the soothing embrace of the hot springs at this resort.
Even though the mineral therapy pool was open to day guests, they had limited use hours. On the other hand, we had access to it all days of the week between 9 am and 10 pm, with the spa itself being open from 9 am to 7 pm.
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Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa
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The Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa is an oasis of tranquility and natural beauty located an hour east of Portland, right along the southern banks of the Columbia River. The USP of this resort is the dramatic landscape, complete with impeccably landscaped formal gardens, topped by a 208-ft-high waterfall. They serve as the perfect backdrop for the Spa Remedease, where a team of experienced technicians and therapists offer us the ultimate in unwinding and relaxation.
“We loved the Columbia River setting of the resort and the spa, which felt like an outdoor one in the middle of the lush green forest!”
WOW Travel
What’s more, they offered a vast menu of luxurious spa treatments that covered all our beauty and relaxation needs. These included everything from relaxation massages Himalayan hot salt stone massages, and even therapeutic deep-tissue massages to nail, foot, and even facial care. Furthermore, they even offered a bevy of packages, like a spa day, skin transformation, and even body detox ones. If you want to know more about Spa Remedease and its many offerings, check out the official page.
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Oregon Garden Resort
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Hardly an hour south of Downtown Portland sits the Oregon Garden Resort, a relaxing and luxurious haven in the heart of Oregon’s lush Willamette Valley. This sanctuary of tranquility and serenity is home to the Moonstone Spa, which was a relaxing, garden-themed oasis that was perfect for us to reinvigorate the mind and replenish the body and soul. We loved the splendid setting amidst 80 acres of beautifully landscaped and verdant grounds, where a bunch of trained, caring, and extremely efficient spa technicians led us on a journey of unwinding and relaxation.
They employed holistic techniques to offer a complete spectrum of nourishing spa treatments, which included massages, body treatments, and more. We chose the signature Moonstone massage, a classic 50-minute Swedish massage that employed warm river stones, relieving our tension and promoting healing. What’s more their facials menu comprises CBD illuminating facials, gua sha facials, and even a gentleman’s facial for men. If that wasn’t enough, they even had a foot-focused 15-minute treatment designed just for the feet.
Furthermore, they provided us with slippers, spa robes, and personal cubbies before all major spa services and appropriately draped us during our treatments. Finally, the spa was open from 9 am to 6 pm from Tuesdays to Sundays and from 9 am to 5 pm on Mondays.
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The Allison Inn & Spa
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Best Willamette Valley spa hotel. The Allison Inn & Spa sits around half an hour south of Downtown Portland in the Willamette Valley and is especially known as a relaxation getaway. We’d heard tales about its excellent spa and were dying to find out for ourselves, which is why we chose to stay here. That being said, reservations are strongly encouraged as the spa sells out very quickly, and it’s easy to see why. The staff was excellent and doled out massages, manicures, and facials that left us feeling fancy-ful and fresh-faced, much to the envy of our work besties.
The spa not only has 12 treatment rooms, but also has a spa terrace, a barbershop, a head-to-toe salon, lush gardens, a fitness studio, steam rooms and saunas, and indoor swimming and spa pools! Not only that, but they even had a private spa suite that could be arranged for small gatherings, like a bridal party.
We dedicated an entire day to this four-star spa, as we also wanted to spend time at the steamy whirlpool and the infinity pool that looked out at the tall, evergreen forest. Since the resort is surrounded by world-class Pinot Noir vineyards, we chose vino-inspired treatments. These included the divine wine facial and the mimosa massage, thus making the most out of our experience in the wine country.
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McMenamins Edgefield
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Best spa hotel with a pool. We were looking for a spa hotel to celebrate our anniversary when we chanced upon the McMenamins Edgefield, which lay around 20 minutes from Downtown Portland and was home to the Ruby Salon and Spa. It required us to make reservations before our visit and even provided us with spa slippers and robes during our visit. Besides ensuring our complete comfort and privacy, they also discussed the rituals we had booked as well as what we were looking to gain from the experience.
After a luxuriating spa experience, we headed to the other highlight of Ruby’s, the gem of an outdoor heated soaking pool. It was open only to overnight hotel guests like us and those who had made spa appointments. We loved the private and lush freeform oasis, which sat right behind the spa and was filled with saltwater heated to a comfortable 102 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’ve forgotten your swimsuit, fret not. Ruby’s even has a section with vintage and retro-inspired swimsuits from Popina Swimwear. Finally, the spa is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm.
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The Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown
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Best downtown spa hotel. We were looking for a spa getaway in the heart of Portland Downtown, and what better than The Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown? It sits right next to the Dosha Salon Spa, 5th Avenue, which is attached to the hotel. So, it offered us a whole menu of top-notch pampering and relaxation services, which ensured that we had a very memorable stay. We loved the airy and light feel of the spa, complete with huge windows letting in as much light as possible without overwhelming the zen vibe. Not only did the cozy and sleek spa have several treatment rooms, but it also had a tranquil sitting area and a steam room. Furthermore, the salon spa is open from 9 am to 8 pm on Tuesdays-Fridays and from 9 am to 6 pm on Saturdays. It’s shut on Sundays and Mondays.
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The Ritz-Carlton, Portland
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Most luxurious. Sitting at the top of this list is the spanking-new Ritz-Carlton Portland, which brings a taste of timeless luxury and elegance to the Pacific Northwest. The Ritz Carlton Spa follows suit and is part of the hotel’s famed Cloudbreak on Nineteen, a state-of-the-art, 4,000 sq-ft-huge wellness and health facility. The spa has a host of standard amenities such as steam/sauna rooms, nail services, body treatments, and a variety of facials and massages. What’s more, it also boasts five locally-inspired and unique treatments, which include an “Enchanted Love Ritual” in an exclusive couple’s suite, a “Men’s Power Hour,” a “24K Rose Gold Body Indulgence,” and a “Return to Nature CBD Massage.”
Are you on a time crunch? The Ritz Carlton Spa even has a “Timeless Capsule,” which allowed us to immerse ourselves in refreshing scents, soothing sounds, and soft lighting for 25 minutes. The best bit? It all took place in an anti-gravity chair, where we could enjoy a moment of relaxation and experience the escape of sound healing. Finally, the spa even included a fitness center and a Hidden Mountain Lake Infinity Pool that featured sweeping views of the Cascade Mountain Range.
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Our Verdict!
While we loved each of these hotel spas in Portland, Oregon, some were more special than others. Here’s a specialized list.
- Most luxurious: The Ritz-Carlton, Portland
- Best downtown spa hotel: The Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown
- Best spa hotel with a pool: McMenamins Edgefield
- Best Willamette Valley spa hotel: The Allison Inn & Spa
Where to Stay in Portland, Oregon?
Despite being a relatively compact city. Portland’s neighborhoods are all distinct, right from the look to the feel of them. So, where do we stay in Portland, and how do we decide?
Our overall favorite neighborhood was the Central Eastside, which was close to the river. So, we could walk to the nearby neighborhoods as well and also explore the top things to do in Portland. Since it’s a little more residential than the other parts of the city, it’s quieter, making it the perfect neighborhood for families with kids too. Secondly, you can’t go wrong with staying in Downtown Portland, which is great for everybody, right from culture vultures and first-timers to foodies and families. What’s more, this neighborhood was very central, and practically everything was within walking distance.
If you want to balance the Eastside vibes and the downtown location, we recommend the Northwest District. It’s a stone’s throw to Downtown and is also home to some of the best food in this Oregon city. Finally, there’s Southeast Portland, which is a more residential neighborhood full of great places to drink and eat.
Here are more of the best hotels in Portland, Oregon, if you need a place to get started.
Does any hotel have 24-hour access to a spa pool?
Since it sits on hot springs and isn’t a traditional resort, the Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat and Conference Center has 24-hour access to the pools and sauna.
Which is the best spa in the city of Portland?
The Ritz-Carlton spa is an excellent place, especially since it’s the only one of its kind in the city.
Which is the best spa resort around Portland?
There are many spa resorts close to Portland, some even located along the Columbia River. These include the Skamania Lodge, the Carson Hot Springs Golf & Spa Resort, and the Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa.