Norblad Hotel & Hostel

YOU HAD ONE JOB, NORBLAD
We really wanted to like this place, but we won’t be going back. Here’s why. At $ 70 a night, its cool designer vibe worked very hard to promote a cozy feeling of hipster entitlement on the cheap. However, after a hard day of craft beertasting and collecting pretty shells, we really wanted this hotel do its one main job: facilitate a good night’s sleep. It failed.
Plusses: Friendly staff and spiffy décor. The huge windows bring lots of light in the room. The artwork and interior design are quite lovely and cool.
Minuses: Bed was lumpy. Bare Energy Star Light bulbs in the ceiling and over the sink. (If this is some minimalist statement, it misses the mark: it just looks cheap.) Too much IKEA furniture in the rooms.
Gripes: The minuses above are tolerable. But the bare wood floors that squeaked everywhere we stepped and echoed around the sparely-​furnished room aren’t. As are the paper-​thin walls. (Hi neighbors! Thanks for letting us know your business at 3 a.m. – I’m sure you’re glad to now know about our favorite sex positions!)
Advice: Bring earplugs.

Found this Gem of a place on the Oregon Coast! Paul Caruana and Brian Faherty have really outdone themselves with the restoration of historic Astoria and the lodging needs of the present day traveler. The ambiance is inviting and one of a kind. The staff is attentive, genuine and more than accommodating. Clean and affordable for every kind of mindful traveler, situated right in the middle of history with views of the Columbia River and walking distance to amazing shopping, breweries and eateries, this is your place if you are collective minded, it is mine!

First thing’s first, I was majorly apprehensive about staying at a hotel with a hostel attached. I thought it would be all dirty communal restrooms and weirdos. Happy to report that nothing could be further from the truth. This might have been my most favorite place during our road trip.
We booked a suite which had it’s own private bathroom, bedroom, closets, and bathrobes. The whole place, hostel or otherwise, was so fantastically decorated. Lots of records, communal areas (with orange doors signifying their use), tall ceilings, heat, and everything else in between. If anything, it felt like we were staying in a boutique hotel. Kind of crazy when you think about it since you’re in the middle of nowhere.
The awesome reception staff had great recommendations. On top of that, you’re a hop skip and away from a fantastic brewery and restaurants. I couldn’t recommend this place any more. Now, when in the world am I ever going to go back to Astoria?

First off, Astoria is the best place to visit on the Oregon Coast. There is so much to do there and it just has it’s own vibe– It doesn’t feel like the same tourist trap crap you get in other coastal towns. It feels alive there. The Astoria Column, The world cranberry museum, the old abandoned gun turrets you can fully explore, the shop that restores old steam locomotives, the maritime museum. Not to mention great food!
The Norblad is the coolest hotel I’ve ever stayed in period. This place has an amazing atmosphere. The place is huge and everything is spotlessly clean and perfectly decorated. We loved the décor through the entire place. Every detail was thoughtful. The rooms are super cool. The idea of sharing a bathroom was weird at first, but when we saw the bathrooms and shower rooms, how spotlessly clean they are and how well laid-​out the floorpan is we just loved it.
We underestimated the time to drive there on our checkin night. We we’re running late and called and the clerk (might have been the owner?) was very accommodating and friendly. He really made us feel welcome and stayed up late to get us checked in.
Just an all around great place that I recommend to anyone and can’t wait to go back soon!

This place is RAD! Affordable, clean, great design in a largely original old hotel building with hardwood floors and huge windows enabling great views of the surroundings. Shared bathrooms are clean and functional and numerous. Minimal attitude to the décor works perfectly in these conditions, and I appreciate the lack of kitschy «we’re on a vacation» vibes that comparable hotels would include. Easy one of my favorite hotels ever.

Great beds, fun décor and friendly staff! You hear a lot of street noise and people walking around so bring earplugs, but the price and the atmosphere more than make up for it. The communal kitchen is also super convenient and always clean.

I had a wonderful experience at the Norblad after a long and tiring bike ride from Hillsboro (107 miles in a little over 8 hours). So having a comfortable and clean room was needed. Norblad delivered spectacularly. They allowed me to check in a bit early and I ended up having to store my bike and trailer in my room because I wanted to leave for Pacific City early the next morning. Apparently only hotel employees have keys to the secure bike storage (a good thing security-​wise) and no one would have been able to admit me until 9AM. The rooms are a bit small so it got cramped, but everything worked out.
I stayed in Room 205, which is towards the waterfront and is very close to the bathrooms and shower. I heard some shower activity (running water only) but nothing too loud (and nothing from the bathrooms). I propped my window open and got some street traffic noise but nothing bad. Interestingly, the one consistent noise I heard throughout the night was sea lions (quite a ways away but always there).
The rooms (my room, bathrooms, and shower room) were very well restored but not completely ripped out and replaced with modern stuff. So the old wood floors might creak a bit and the huge single pane windows are completely functional, but a bit harder to work than today’s vinyl clad. But everything was in perfect working order and was extremely clean. The bed was super comfortable, but in all honesty, I could have slept on stones after that ride. The staff were very nice and accommodating (although I didn’t have much to ask of them).
The location is very central to Astoria. It is directly across the street from the Fort George brewery, which is where I spent the evening carb loading for the next days’ ride.
Finally, very affordable. This was a very brief solo visit so I wasn’t interested in a high frills, high cost stay. Norblad came through perfectly. So much so that when I return to Astoria later this year for a more leisurely visit with my wife, we’ll be staying there.

Nice place to stay, definitely save some money compared to other places, and we enjoyed it. Just realize there is no AC, so you will need windows open to stay cool; and there is a great bar across the street that hosts noisy bands (at least they did last night!), and the garbage truck and street sweeper trucks come through before 6 am. All part of the experience!

Great little hotel/​hostile. It’s very unique with cool album decorations and good music playing in the lobby. They have very well maintained rooms that are very clean. It was safe with both keyed entry and well lit hallways. The beds were comfortable. Rooms came with basic amenities (towels, tv, bath robes and sink). There are a few bathroom and showers (separate rooms which is nice) and they were always super clean. The bathrooms are shared which was never an issue; not even once. It’s located right next to Fort George Brewery and really close to the waterfront. Everyone that worked there was incredibly friendly and had a laid back personality. For the price, location, facilities and staff, this place cannot be beat.

I really enjoyed my stay here. The woman working at the front desk was very nice and helpful. The décor is fun, unique, and modern. We stayed in a cabin, which was decorated very simply, clean, and felt like a home away from home. Only problem I had is due to the fact that I am a light sleeper and have trouble falling asleep. The walls are very thin. The room next to us had the tv on loud all night and… other noises. I definitely should have brought earplugs. I’m only saying this to warn others like me. Otherwise, this place is adorable and I would definitely recommend it to anyone!

I love this place. I have stayed here at least 4 times, the first time alone in a hostel room (it was in early November and I had practically the whole hotel to myself), and the other times with my husband. For what the place was meant to be, it’s perfect. The rooms are very simple, but very clean and practical. The communal European style bathrooms have marble showers and are decorated elegantly. There is a small sink and mirror in the room, as well as a flat screen TV, small table and two chairs. The beds (including the hostel beds), are very comfortable. There is a newly updated communal kitchen, where my husband and I cooked eggs and bacon and pancakes for breakfast! Then we walked two blocks away to 14^th street coffee for a lovely morning. The lobby often has several people mingling, including with the manager (innkeeper?) on shift. The only thing I would warn people of is that check your expectations before you visit. The prices here are motel 6 level or below, and I think the reason is the common bathrooms (unless you stay in one of the suites), and the lack of most modern amenities, such as air conditioning (which is rarely a problem in Astoria from my experience), little soaps or ice buckets, or sound-​proof windows. The only less than 4 star review of this place has complained of the noise, which really is just neighborhood traffic (there is not a lot of traffic in Astoria), and people walking in the streets below. The Norblad is quite charming but very simple. It’s very refreshing compared to any hotel or hostel I’ve been to. It’s so worth the visit.

We loved our stay here! Such cute rooms, and the shower room and toilet rooms are so nice! Very nice hostel in a very walkable part of town. They provide towels in your room and a sink in your room. They are very dog friendly. This was the first place my dog let me sleep in. She was very comfortable, and so were we! Would stay here again for sure.

I can’t believe I forgot to write a review of this place. I stayed at this unique and awesome little hotel/​hostel for a few days last October while visiting Astoria. I got one of the hostel rooms, but it wasn’t the tourist season, so while it was a 4-​bed room, the only other guest there left after the first day and I had the whole room to myself for the rest of the trip!
The room was really nice: wood flooring, a little sink for brushing teeth or whatever else, and a window that, when opened, provided a great view of the Columbia River (or the Fort George Brewery across the street, which is another good reason for staying here).
The bathrooms and private showers are in separate rooms, and though they’re communal, they were very clean every time I used them. And I didn’t spend much time in the hotel lobby, but it looked really cozy with nice furniture and a fireplace.
The staff was also very friendly and helpful with any questions I had. In short, this was a great place to stay and when I go back to Astoria, I’ll be booking a room at the Norblad.

Excellent experience. Cabin 203. Two of us. Nice view of the river. As advertised, comfortable bed, necessary amenities (wifi, nice towels, clean and nice single person bathroom and shower). Didn’t mind walking a few steps down a well lit hallway at night to use the restroom. Mid-​week stay — not crowded at all. Nice sink in guest room. Heater worked just fine. For my ~$ 65, great bargain. Location downtown made it easy to walk to everything we wanted to do. Check in and out a breeze. Nice staff. Why spend more???

This is the first time I stayed here, and it has been a pleasant experience. This is an old hotel design in that the restrooms, showers, and the room are all separate. At the time of our stay, the owners have started to renovate and modernize the hotel, and so far they have done a terrific job. The rooms are charming with huge windows, and the floor has a beautiful patina which was acquired over 80 years. There is a sense of respect and appreciation the owners have for the heritage of this hotel, that’s why they are using as much of the original décor while upgrading the rest to modern standards. I could see their work in progress which gets me excited to see what’s coming. But even now, I’d rather stay here than one of the mainstream motels down the road. This has definitely enriched our experience staying here, and we hope others take the opportunity to enjoy it as much as we have.

What a fun place to stay. In the heart of downtown Astoria. Loved the robes and a fairly good deal to stay. Parking can be difficult to find because street parking is only certain hours.

Great price at $ 65. Within downtown and a block down from fort George brewery. Would definitely stay again. Clean and comfortable. We stayed in room 202 overlooking Duane st. People complained in other reviews of lots of noise but if 1) you stay downtown you should expect that, 2) if you’re a seasoned traveler you should have earplugs with you. The room floors are hardwood so they squeak — part of the charm of a renovated old building. The bed and linens were quality and very comfortable. All the rooms have a sink. Shower was separate from the toilets. We never waited for either and I think the hotel was full. We would definitely stay here again. Random tip about Astoria — the shops close at 5pm. There’s lots of cute shops I would have loved to perused so get your shopping done early!

Okay, I’ve spent my 1^st night out of 2 here.
It’s a beautiful little hotel /​hostel. They have 3 types of rooms to choose from, a suite, a cabin, and a hostel bunk.
They have a few bathrooms and a few showers that are on each hallway, a shared little kitchen, and some pretty awesome views of both the city and the bay,
The location is fantastic, as it’s in the historical neighborhood of Astoria. It sites across the street from my favorite brewery, Fort George, across from a co-​op grocery store, coffee shops, everything. That being said, it got pretty noisy. The street noise isn’t too bad given the brew house next store. There was a group of 4 – 5 friends who checked into the hostel rooms and they got pretty loud, but they hushed (or I fell into a deep enough sleep) around midnight.
They accept dogs! For $ 20 a stay, not a night, you can bring your pooch! Just around the block Fort George Brewery has a little-​park like fort setting that they let dogs do their business, complete with poo-​bags.
The hotel has just gone through a great remodel, the room we are staying in, 212, was just finished, we were told we were the first people to sleep there after it was remodeled. Brand new bed, linens (all from ikea!) refinished floors, everything.
The manager was awesome, went over everything with me, and was available if I needed him.
All in all, I’m loving it here! Wish I could pack up and move in! Did I mention they have furnished apartments here for $ 495 a month? This price includes utilities, wifi, cable, & a secured entry!
I will be back for sure!

I love the Norblad– I stay here every time I visit Astoria. It’s basically become a boutique hotel at hostel prices, friendly staff, and a nice shared kitchen so I don’t have to go out for every meal. On my last visit I was especially impressed by the comfort of the new bedding, and lovely remodeled marble showers.
The location is perfect for exploring downtown Astoria– a block from a fabulous bakery, local brewpub, and the cooperative grocery.

Beautiful rooms and building. Great location.
The owner, who you’ll likely meet, really embodies the spirit of the Norblad — or rather, the Norblad embodies the spirit of him; elegant, spotless, and intentional.