The Hotel Zags Portland

We had an amazing stay at The Hotel Zags and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Portland! The hotel is modern, stylish, and exceptionally clean. Our room was beautifully designed, very comfortable, and had everything we needed for a relaxing stay. The bed was incredibly comfortable, the Wi-Fi was fast and reliable, and it was clear that every detail had been thoughtfully planned to make guests feel at home. Parking is conveniently located right in front of the hotel and costs $43 per day, which made it very easy for us to come and go. One of our favorite features was the lobby. It offers so many fun complimentary activities, including classic arcade games, and guests can also borrow bicycles, a PlayStation, and even scooters. It’s a unique touch that makes the hotel stand out and adds so much to the overall experience. The staff were genuinely friendly, welcoming, and always happy to help. The location is another big advantage—it’s in a quiet, peaceful area while still being convenient for exploring Portland. Breakfast was simple but fresh and delicious, with everything we needed to start the day. Overall, The Hotel Zags exceeded our expectations. We truly enjoyed every moment of our stay, and we’re confident we’ll be back on our next visit to Portland!

After driving nearly five hours to Portland, we arrived at Hotel Zags just before MIDNIGHT expecting nothing more than a smooth check-in and a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, this was one of the worst hotel experiences I’ve ever had. The person working the front desk, who identified herself as the manager, was dismissive, rude, and made us feel like we were an inconvenience from the moment we walked in. Before arriving, I had called the hotel to ask whether I could pay the $80 incidental deposit in cash. I was specifically told over the phone, “Totally! Cash is king.” When we arrived, however, I was suddenly told that only a physical credit or debit card would be accepted. I explained that I had more than enough cash to cover the deposit and that all of my cards were available through Apple Pay, but I had accidentally left my physical wallet elsewhere. Rather than trying to help or showing any understanding, the manager repeatedly insisted that only a physical card would be accepted. What made the situation even more frustrating was that another guest outside the hotel told me that a different employee HAD ALLOWED him to pay his incidental deposit using Apple Pay. That inconsistency made it feel like the rules were being selectively enforced, and no explanation was ever provided. Instead of trying to find a solution, we were left sitting in the lobby for nearly an hour after an exhausting five-hour drive. Throughout the entire interaction, the manager spoke to us with an attitude that suggested simply asking questions was an inconvenience. Customer service was completely absent. Unfortunately, the problems didn’t end once we finally got into our room. The bathroom was clearly not cleaned properly. My wife immediately found long red hairs even though she has blonde hair. There were long hair cacoons hair around the bathtub & the walls, toothpaste residue smeared on the bathroom handles, and the mini fridge had a strong odor that resembled vomit. For a hotel charging these rates, the level of cleanliness was unacceptable and honestly unsanitary. I wish I was making this up….. The lobby looks modern and inviting, but that appearance doesn’t reflect what you’ll actually experience. A nice-looking entrance cannot make up for poor customer service and inadequate housekeeping. I rarely leave negative reviews, but this experience deserves one. Between the inconsistent policies, the unprofessional treatment we received, and the unacceptable cleanliness of the room, I cannot recommend Hotel Zags to anyone. If you’re looking for a hotel where guests are treated with respect and rooms are properly cleaned, I would strongly suggest looking elsewhere. My rating: 0.5 out of 10.