Cascada Thermal Springs + Hotel, a wellness retreat that opened in Portland’s Alberta Arts District in spring 2025, was named by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the best retreats in the country.
The publication highlighted the hotel when it first opened last year and is now recognizing it as one of the “Best Wellness Retreats” in the United States.
The hotel was noted for its blend of modern design, thermal bathing experiences and welcoming community spaces, which helped it stand out among wellness destinations.
Here’s why Cascadia is becoming one of Portland’s go-to wellness destinations.
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A Wellness Escape in the Heart of Portland
Cascada stands out not just for its architecture, but for what lies below it: a hydrothermal spa with five underground pools, steam rooms, saunas, and cold plunges.
Above ground, guests can unwind in the 82-degree Conservatory — a light-filled oasis lined with tropical plants and a 25-foot living wall created by the Portland Botanical Garden.
The 100-room hotel caters to travelers and locals seeking both relaxation and connection. Each suite includes a king-sized bed, kitchen or kitchenette, balcony, and in-unit laundry.
Visitors aged 21 and older can access the spa, while non-guests can book day passes for a few hours of retreat from city life.
Dining at Terra Mae
Inside the hotel, Terra Mae restaurant merges Japanese and Portuguese influences with Pacific Northwest ingredients.
The rotating menu features dishes such as Mentaiko Udon, Wagyu Beef Tartare, Fisherman’s Stew, and Garlic Confit Duck Legs, blended with herbs and vegetables grown on the hotel’s rooftop garden.
What Travel + Leisure Loved
In a recent feature titled “There’s an Incredible Spa With 5 Pools Underneath Portland, Oregon, at This New Hotel,” writer John Wogan praised Cascada as “a wellness destination that feels both urban and serene.”
He highlighted the hotel’s quiet “Sanctuary,” where conversation and cellphones are off-limits, and described the underground pools as “an otherworldly series of therapeutic baths.”
Wogan also highlighted Cascada’s location. The hotel is surrounded by independent galleries, cafés, and shops, which offer guests an experience that feels authentically Portland.
“You leave understanding the city better,” he wrote, calling Cascada “a hotel that embraces its neighbors.”
Sustainability at Its Core
Environmental design is central to Cascada’s philosophy. The hotel recently became one of two hotels on the West Coast to earn a LEED Platinum certification.
Its limestone plaster walls and timber ceilings are entirely paint-free, and a rainwater harvesting system supplies about 15 percent of its annual water use.
Additionally, solar glass panels power parts of the building, while the rooftop garden supports the kitchen below.
Plan a Visit
Room rates start at $319 per night. The hotel offers limited day passes for the thermal spa beginning at $100 per person.
The Spa includes programs like yoga, pilates, meditation, and sound healing, which are available daily, along with massages and small-group wellness classes.
For travelers, Cascada offers a place to unwind while staying close to Portland’s restaurants, shops and attractions.
Book your next wellness stay here.
Written by Ginnie Sandoval, a news and travel writer for Pacific Northwest Crossing. Sandoval covers travel tips, news, destinations, places to eat, and hidden gems across the Pacific Northwest. She can be reached at pnwcrossing@ramsanmedia.com.