Fodor's Expert Review Viking Motel

When this clean, family-run, mid-century motel opened in the late 1970s, it served the nearby shipyard; today, this eco-friendly property is one of Portland's best bargain lodgings, catering to savvy visitors who take the nearby MAX to Downtown Portland. Rooms are well maintained, with functional furnishings, refrigerators, and free Wi-Fi and off-street parking; kitchenettes are available in some units. The location may seem remote (it's just off the freeway, 5 miles north of Downtown), but several fun neighborhood bars and restaurants as well as the Rosa Parks MAX station are within walking distance, and the hip Alberta and Mississippi neighborhoods are a short drive or bus ride.