Motel 6 Portland, OR - Central

I’ve had health problems over the last couple of years, and the financial pressure has been hard. Being able to stay somewhere affordable with people I trust means a lot to me. Maritza checked me in and was helpful and professional the whole time I was there for a couple of weeks. She always seemed glad to help and took good care of guests. Amanda, Jen, and the evening woman who calls me “honey” were warm, dependable, and welcoming too. I recently paid twice as much at another hotel and dealt with rude, uninterested staff who didn’t seem to understand customer service. I’d recommend this place if you need a budget stay.

The pillows were nice, at least. The bed itself was loud, almost like rocks tumbling, and seemed to lift off the floor when I moved. It wasn’t attached to the headboard, which was glued to the wall. My non-smoking room also smelled of stale cigarette smoke. Outside, I didn’t feel safe. There seemed to be drug-related activity around the motel. I understand that’s a real problem and feel compassion for people dealing with it, but guests weren’t made to feel secure. Sleep was rough too, with people driving noisy cars around, honking and yelling in the middle of the night. Then my upstairs neighbor woke me up, apparently thinking someone was pounding on my door. If it had been my door, I would’ve handled it.

What stands out most at Motel 6 on Powell is how the staff treats people. Maritzka was especially accommodating with every question and concern, patient, attentive, calm under pressure, and clear in how she communicated. You can tell she takes pride in her work. The rest of the team was friendly, helpful, and efficient too, and seemed to care about each other and the guests. Housekeepers were kind and worked hard, and the rooms were consistently clean. After 15 years away, I moved back to Portland and have been staying in different places while my home is repaired. I’ve spent years traveling as a working musician, from roadside motels to high-end chains, and this has been the standout. It’s central and convenient for getting around, with plenty of parking and no deposit. The rooms are simple but comfortable and well kept. The remodeled ones are especially nice, clean, modern, and thoughtfully updated. I hope the owners keep investing in cleanliness and service and bring this standard to more places in Portland. For a clean, reliable spot with a good location and excellent staff, this one works.

This place has had its ups and downs for me, but Marissa changed my mind. She answered everything with a smile and had a fantastic attitude and customer service. She’s the reason I’ll come back, and I’m telling my friends and family to make this their go-to too. We need more people like her. Thank you!