CASCADA Thermal Springs + Spa | A Vegan Friendly Hotel in Portland, Oregon
Please note I was invited for a complimentary stay as well as this article contains affiliate links where I make a super small percentage that helps support this platform. With that, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Early 2025, CASCADA Thermal Springs + Spa opened in NE Portland right on the famous Alberta Street in the Alberta Arts District. A neighborhood famous for its vibrant arts scene, unique boutiques, diverse restaurants, and colorful murals.
In its first year of operation, the hotel has won a 2025 AHEAD Americas Award for Sustainability for its innovative design and environmentally friendly features. They were also awarded Platinum LEED Certification, for its use of non-toxic materials and energy conservation methods.
The hotel is one of the first LEED Platinum-certified hotels on the West Coast and was also nominated for a Travel + Leisure World's Best Award in 2025.
As you walk in, you notice immediately the stunning open concept in the lobby which has a two-story living green wall with nearly 1,000 plants, mass timber design elements, and custom cork furniture. Serving as the hotel's central hub, it connects to various amenities, including a local coffee shop. The design prioritizes biophilic elements, sustainability, and creates a welcoming atmosphere as you’re checking in.
CASCADA advertises themselves as an immersive wellness sanctuary and luxury sustainable hotel. They achieve this with their underground thermal springs, which is the first of its kind in Portland, spa services, and a community-focused design in Portland's Alberta Arts District.
The hotel emphasizes its commitment to both guest well-being and environmental sustainability, with features like a LEED Platinum certification, rainwater harvesting, and living walls. It aims to be a place for "restoration, inspiration, and reconnection". They offer hotel stays, day passes for the thermal circuits, and a space for remote work and social connection.
There’s a lot to say about it but here’s a general overview after my multiple visits and stay at CASCADA.
The Underground Thermal Springs at CASCADA
The Sanctuary inside CASCADA’s thermal springs spa. Photo by Vegan Ventures
The thermal springs have quickly become a staple in Portland. Getting a lot of attention in media due to its beautiful design. It can be booked without being a hotel guest. It is $100 for 3 hours and gives you full access to the thermal spa. It is for guests 21 and older.
There’s 3 areas in the thermal springs: the Conservatory, full of rare plants from around the world, there is a lukewarm pool and beds. The Sanctuary, which is underground and has three vitality pools (hot, ambient, and mineral), a cold plunge, sauna, and steam room. I love this area as the lights are dim and it is required to be quiet for ultimate relaxation. Lastly, there is the Garden. It is outside and has a fire pit, hot tub, and stunning outdoor sauna.
Inside the springs there is also tea and cold water you can enjoy during your springs experience.
For $100, I find it to be a steal with all the amenities you get to enjoy as well as the 3 hours for you to enjoy the springs. With other springs in the city, your time is limited to 1.5 hours for not much less. It has become my favorite place in the city to come and unwind. I like to bring a book as well and quietly read in the Conservatory or outdoor Garden.
Inside the underground Sanctuary, they encourage no talking for you to really be present and enjoy the springs. With the calm music and dim lighting, it’s a relaxing experience I look forward to on my visits.
If you decide to book a room at the hotel, the springs is not included in your hotel stay, which I found to be surprising. It is priced as a separate "Thermal Wellness Experience" or day pass.
When booking your room you can choose:
Room + Fitness: Includes your room and unlimited fitness classes and 50% off the thermal springs spa. The fitness classes include yoga, pilates, HIIT, and even meditation classes. There’s also a gym with cardio and strength training equipment that you have access to.
Room + Unlimited Thermal + Fitness: Includes your room, unlimited fitness, and unlimited access to the thermal springs spa for an added cost.
Along with your wellness experience, you are provided flip flops, and a cozy robe that you’ll find in your room, should you choose an overnight stay.
There is also a spa at CASCADA, where you can enjoy treatments such as massages, facials to add to your thermal springs spa experience.
The Conservatory inside CASCADA’s thermal springs
Products used at CASCADA Thermal Springs + Spa
Cascada emphasizes a holistic and sustainable approach, using products that are:
Formulated and made in Oregon.
Crafted with a fully holistic approach.
Made with ethically sourced ingredients.
Free from artificial fragrances and endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Hypoallergenic.
Free from animal products and petroleum derivatives
You’ll also find vegan friendly products in your room stay.
CASCADA’s effort towards sustainability even comes down to their flip flops for their thermal springs
The Rooms at CASCADA
Every room also has blackout curtains if you want to rest during the day. Plus, the bed was super comfortable!
If you choose to stay at CASCADA, you can choose between a studio suite, two-bedroom suite, and a sky loft. What’s unique about the design of the rooms is that the hotel uses natural materials like limestone plaster to cover the interior walls instead of traditional paint, creating a more natural and calming environment. They also use sustainably-sourced mass plywood, a sustainable material developed in Oregon, which adds to the building's connection to regional innovation and provides a pleasant, natural smell. Lastly, the integration of biophilic elements like a large green wall to connect occupants with nature, including a two-story green wall in the lobby, exposed mass plywood panels, and an abundance of natural light. and custom scents. The design also prioritizes sustainability through LEED Platinum certification and energy-efficient systems.
I had the opportunity to stay in the loft suite. It had beautiful floor to ceiling windows, a full kitchenette, and a living room area with lots of natural light. I found the room to be comfortable, spacious, and luxurious. It had everything I needed to enjoy my stay. It felt like a little home away from home.
The loft suite comes with a spacious living room area.
Every room you’ll find:
Balcony: All rooms have either a full or Juliet balcony.
Bed: A king-size bed with an all-natural mattress and bedding.
Kitchenette: A private kitchenette, including a speed oven and induction cooking.
Laundry: A washer and dryer are provided in every room.
Technology: A 55-inch 4K TV and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Bathroom: Floor-to-ceiling glass and tile, with some having a soaking tub.
Comfort: Automated sheer and blackout curtains are standard in every room.
Workstation: A dedicated workstation.
View from the second story of the loft suite.
Vegan Friendly Snacks in CASCADA Rooms
CASCADA has plenty of vegan friendly snacks by Oregon brands in their hotel rooms.
As someone who is from and lives in Portland, where we are spoiled with great food and awesome local businesses. I appreciate CASCADA’s focus on using hyper-local ingredients, food free from seed oils and is produced sustainably. They even make their own plant-based milks! My room was stocked full of great Oregon brands when it came to their snacks. Most were vegan friendly such as Vehicle Chocolate, Albina City Nuts, and Lesser Evil as well as drinks in the fridge, which included kombucha by BNF.
For coffee and tea, instead of generic brands you’ll typically find in hotels they had Waka premium instant coffee and my personal favorite, Steven Smith Teamaker Tea. An awesome Portland-based tea brand that has my favorite (and I what I believe is the best chamomile in the world): Meadow, which they stock in the room!
Is The Cafe and Terra Mae at CASCADA Vegan Friendly?
First, let’s talk about the cafe, Alberta Street Coffee, that is located at the entrance of CASCADA. A plus is that they do have plant-based milks. Though there’s a separate fridge case full of foods you can grab and go. Surprisingly, it has almost no vegan options. I didn’t find it to be a major inconvenience though since the hotel is situated by so many great vegan and vegan friendly restaurants and cafes. Just two blocks away is Alberta Cooperative Grocery. A community-owned, worker-managed store providing fresh, affordable foods and has lots of great vegan grab and go options including pastries!
The upscale restaurant located on the second floor inside CASCADA, Terra Mae, is a restaurant that blends the rustic charm of the Portuguese countryside along with the sleek sophistication of modern Japan. The menu itself features a variety of small and large plates, and while it is seafood-centric, they do provide vegan and vegetarian options as well as make accommodations to certain dishes. Just be sure to ask your server!
Vegan + Vegan Friendly Restaurants Nearby CASCADA
While CASCADA has an in house restaurant, Terra Mae, that was Keith Lee approved and has great vegan options. There’s many awesome nearby restaurants that are across the street and in walking distance (10 minutes or less) to check out during your stay.
Norah - All vegan Asian fusion
Bye & Bye - A vegan staple in Portland! All vegan comfort food and bar
Harlow - Vegetarian/Vegan spot for healthy comfort foods, smoothies, and juices
Tin Shed Garden Cafe - A staple in Portland that is vegan friendly! It serves hearty breakfast, brunch, and lunch offerings with a focus on fresh, local ingredients. It has also been featured on the Food Network show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and is dog friendly.
Gebeta Ethiopian Restaurant & Bar - An Ethiopian restaurant that has great vegan options!
Radio Room - A retro, mid-century bar and restaurant offering comfort food with vegan friendly options and a great bar menu.
Alberta Carts - Just across the street from CASCADA is this awesome food cart pod that has many vegan and vegan friendly carts to choose from. It also connects to Bye & Bye.
There’s so many more too!
Shopping near CASCADA
Mister OK’s Essentials - Woman-owned candle store with
Lady Mae Boutique - Women’s clothing and jewelry store
Alberta Street Gallery - A beautiful art gallery
Penrose Candles - Modern home fragrance store
Alberta Studios - A hidden gem! A mini mall full of vintage stores and eclectic shops!
And so many more! Alberta Street is full of shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes. Just walk down the street and find all the many gems that it has!
Pro-tip: If you go in the summer, be sure to check out Last Thursday. It is a local art street fair that happens every last Thursday of the month. The entire street of Alberta gets closed off and you get to walk through the street and check out local art, clothing and food vendors.
Overall Thoughts
As a Portland native, I found CASCADA to be a great staycation and as a great choice as a destination if you’re traveling from out of town. The hotel’s attention to detail and its efforts towards sustainability with its design is something I appreciate. The thermal springs are truly one-of-a-kind for a nice relaxing soak in the city and the staff has always been friendly and helpful, adding to my positive experience.
Every part of the hotel has been meticulously designed to make it easy for you to come, relax, and enjoy its beautiful amenities.
I also enjoyed that the products used in the spa and rooms are vegan and that most of the snacks in the rooms are vegan and of great quality. Though there’s still room to grow when it comes to the vegan food options in the restaurant, there’s so many great vegan restaurants in walking distance from the hotel to support and enjoy a great meal.
The Alberta neighborhood has always been a favorite of mine. With great restaurants and awesome local businesses. The fact that CASCADA’s location is central in the neighborhood, it’s a great way for more people to explore a part of Portland that has a lot of history, a great art scene, and an awesome community of businesses.
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Hi, I’m Ashley, owner of Vegan Ventures. I’ve been vegan for 8+ years and I’m a foodie and traveler who loves finding the best eats and experiences.
