It’s often said timing is everything. That’s certainly the case with Lauren and Lee Gonzalez, the sisters behind the new Portland hostel Lolo Pass. “Throughout the pandemic, we remained optimistic that shared human experience and connection would triumph and that travel would rebound stronger than ever,” says Lee. “We were fortunate because construction finished up this spring, just as the vaccination program was hitting its stride in the U.S.”
Opened on May 27, Lolo Pass – the sisters got inspiration for the name while looking at old expedition maps at the Oregon Historical Society – is a hybrid hotel offering shared rooms, private rooms, and lots of common spaces in a minimalist, stylish settting. And unlike other Portland accommodations, which are mostly clustered in the city’s downtown, Lolo Pass calls East Burnside home. “It almost feels like the Williamsburg of Portland,” says Lauren. “I lived in the Pearl when I first lived here, but everything I wanted to do was in Eastside.”
As for the inspiration behind the hybrid concept, it hatched after Lee traveled throughout Spain in the aughts and relied on guidebooks to find affordable places to stay. To her dismay, most hostels at the time “were not places young solo women would want to stay in,” she says. “So we thought, why not create a product we’d use and need?” And after opening The Local in New York in 2014 to much acclaim, Lee and Lauren decided it was time to take their idea to the West Coast.
The interior design envisioned by Open Studio Collective is smart, cheerful, and timeless. From the moment you step into the light-flooded ground floor accented with an art gallery, bar led by Ataula alum Emily Metivier, coffee nook, and low-slung denim couches, it’s evident Lolo Pass isn’t just a place to crash – it’s a place to socialize, too. “We wanted to make you feel good as soon as you walk in,” explains Lee. “So we thought a lot about how everyone, not just guests, would use our spaces.” That mindset extends all the way to the top floor, where there’s a fully stocked kitchen with an oven, dishwasher, and microwave. And the rooftop bar with unbeatable views won’t be the city’s best kept secret for long.
Though the 87 rooms might not be super-spacious or have the bells and whistles of your typical hotel, they have everything you need for a good night’s rest. “We believe the point of traveling is not spending money on sleep, but experience – which we can help inform as your hosts,” says Lee. With that in mind: a bed in a shared room starts at $36 per night, while a private room starts at $125. Regardless of which room you book, be assured your stay from check-in to check-out will be thoroughly comfortable. As Lee puts it: “We’re providing a safe space to socialize for both tourists and locals as we emerge from this incredibly isolating year, even if you’re on a budget.”
