When people were headed to the West coast in the mid-19th century, they traveled the famous Oregon Trail which passes through present-day Ontario. In the 1840s, married couples could obtain free land in the Ontario area, and settlers began to arrive and establish the town of Ontario. After the completion of the Oregon Short Line Railroad in 1883, more settlers arrived, and the town grew. Today, cattle ranching, agriculture, and tourism make up the majority of the economy of Ontario.
The town is charming, the history fascinating, and the scenery outstanding, and you'll enjoy this beautiful part of Eastern Oregon, especially when you have the right accommodations. Ontario offers plenty of budget-friendly hotels as well as nice mid-range ones to fit your needs.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Ontario, OR?
Because Ontario sits in the high desert of Eastern Oregon, the weather is normally quite dry with low humidity and plenty of year-round sunshine. The summer months, between May through late September, sees warm, often hot days. This is a great time to visit Ontario if you are looking for pleasant nights to stargaze, and long, warm days to explore among the striking canyons and ridges surrounding the area.
Rates are highest in the summer and the rooms get booked quickly, especially when there are special events such as America's Global Village Festival held in June. The Highland games and the Great Owyee Ride also take place in June, so book far in advance. July has the Fourth of July Rodeo and in August you'll have a chance to attend the Malheur Fair and Rodeo.
September, October, and November are quiet months in Ontario and you can find lower room rates and easy access to rooms. December is actually quite busy with holiday festivals and events, so book your room early and expect higher rates. January through April is the quietest time of year and the coldest. This is when you can find lowered room rates and easy deals on rooms.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Ontario, OR:
Ontario by Star Rating
Below we've posted 3 graphs demonstrating mean rate patterns by star rating class in Ontario, OR. You can use these charts to evaluate the best months to book in Ontario for any future trips.
What Are the Best Hotels Near Ontario, OR?
When looking for extra amenities, choose the Best Western Inn & Suites. You can expect the high-quality customer service and amenities that Best Western is known for when you book your stay here. All rooms have a coffee maker, mini fridge and microwave for your convenience. Enjoy a delicious, piping hot free breakfast while reading the newspaper. The bedding is premium so you can get a good night's rest, and select rooms come with a hot tub so you can indulge in a relaxing soak. The Best Western is also a pet-friendly hotel.
Another nice hotel is the Holiday Inn Express where you can relax in comfort with premium bedding and the choice of a firm or soft pillow. Watch cable TV on the 32-inch flat-panel television, or check the internet with free Wi-Fi the hotel offers. You can also rent your favorite DVDs and watch them on the in-room DVD player. Enjoy the mini fridge and microwave in your room, and in the morning, fuel up on a full complimentary breakfast. Get a workout in at the fitness center, swim in the indoor or outdoor pool, and relax in the indoor whirlpool tub.
Where Are the Affordable Hotel Options Near Ontario, OR?
3 Star Average Prices: $122.33
There are several budget-friendly hotel options available and one of them is Super 8 by Wyndham Ontario centered right in town. This basic hotel is a great stop-over to rest and re-charge if you are making the drive between Portland, Oregon and Salt Lake City, Utah. Each room features a microwave, mini fridge, and coffee maker.
Relax in comfort searching the internet on free Wi-Fi or watch shows on the flat-screen television featuring DirecTV. Before heading out for the day, fuel up on the free SuperStart breakfast that offers yummy waffles along with other tasty breakfast items. During the summer, take a dip in the outdoor pool. The Super 8 hotel is pet-friendly if your furry friend is traveling with you.
The Red Lion Inn & Suites Ontario is another great affordable hotel in town. Start your day with a free breakfast buffet and then take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool, or work out in the fitness center. Each room has comfortable bedding, flat-screen TVs, a mini fridge and microwave to heat your snacks. Stay connected with free Wi-Fi and bring your pets along because the hotel is pet-friendly.
2 Star Average Prices: $86.24
Where Can I Find Hotels That Offer Discounts Near Ontario, OR?
It's always nice to save a bit of money while on vacation, so why not stay in a hotel that offers discounts? The Clarion Inn offers AAA members as well as AARP members a nice discount. If you are military or a government employee, you'll also receive a discount. After a restful night's sleep on premium bedding, enjoy a free hot breakfast before heading out to explore.
When you return, get a workout in the fitness center before heading up to your room to watch shows on the flat-screen TV or check the internet with free Wi-Fi. Relax in the indoor whirlpool hot tub or socialize in the lounge bar.
The Quality Inn also offers discounts to AAA members and Senior AARP guests as well as giving discounts to military or government employees. Enjoy relaxing in your room watching shows on the flat-screen TV, resting on comfortable bedding. Stay connected with free Wi-Fi, heat up a snack in the microwave and keep your beverages cold in the mini fridge. Enjoy the seasonal outdoor pool and if you're here on business, you can get a lot of work done in the business center. The hotel is also pet-friendly.
What Are the Best Value Option Hotels Near Ontario, OR?
There are a couple of nice mid-range hotels that give you extra value for your dollar. The charming, family-run Ontario Inn is a pet-friendly hotel that offers a fenced-in dog park so you can play with your furry friend in a safe and secure location. No need to try to find breakfast when you can start the day with free continental breakfast, and you can catch up on emails with free Wi-Fi.
The rooms have a microwave, mini-fridge, and coffee maker, while select rooms offer a full refrigerator if you're staying for a few days or more. The bedding is comfortable, and you can watch cable channels on the flat-screen television. While the hotel is one level, keep in mind, due to the age and construction of the hotel, it is not ADA compliant as stated on their website.
The Sleep Inn is a great mid-range hotel close to major attractions, dining, shopping, and Interstate 84. The bedding is comfortable, the pillows fluffy, and you can watch shows on the flat-screen TV. Each room has a microwave and mini fridge, and there are guest laundry facilities on-site. Enjoy a workout in the exercise room, or take a dip in the indoor pool after your free hot breakfast. Stay connected with free Wi-Fi and bring your pets along as the Sleep Inn is pet-friendly. Keep in mind that this hotel is 100% smoke-free.
What Are the Best Things To Do Around Ontario, OR?
For outdoor lovers, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors around Ontario, and it's important that you have the right hotel to relax in after a fun day playing outside.
Just outside of town, is the Ontario State Recreation Site which is a perfect place to bring the family on a sunny day. You can enjoy bird watching, go boating along the shore of the gorgeous Snake River, or simply have a picnic in the grassy areas. For an amazing visual treat, take a trip to Lake Owyhee State Park. The lake is gorgeous and is ideal for fishing in, but the major draw here is the gorgeous Canyonlands. For advanced hikers don't miss the Painted Canyon Loop trail for surreal vistas and naturally sculpted rock formations.
Don't miss a visit to the Four Rivers Cultural Center & Museum which shows the rich diversity of cultures that immigrated to the area, including American Indian, Japanese, Mexican, and Europeans. The Center also offers live theater and performances along with educational lectures and workshops. Due to the diverse groups of peoples who settled, remained, and had families in Ontario, you can find a wide range of foods to eat. From authentic Japanese sushi to top-notch Mexican cuisine and everything in between, Ontario has it all.
Ontario, Oregon is a magical and beautiful place and you'll want to stay for at least several days to discover and explore everything the area has to offer. Finding the right hotel is important for a comfortable and pleasurable stay, and you'll find just the right accommodation in Ontario.
FAQs about hotels in Ontario
Verified reviews of the city: Ontario, OR
Below are reviews of the city of Ontario, OR from an actual visitor's perspective.
"Fine"
Score
4.0 / 5
Fine
David E., from 27-Jul-2026
"Near Nice Variety of Restaurants"
Score
5.0 / 5
There was a nice variety of restaurants easily in walking distance.
Dan S., from 08-Jul-2026
"Golf course"
Score
5.0 / 5
Sheri F., from 11-May-2026
"Great boarder town"
Score
4.0 / 5
Wilson M., from 09-May-2026
"Near Restaurants"
Score
4.0 / 5
Restaurants are handy to the hotel.
Cecilia K., from 05-May-2026
"Shopping and dining"
Score
5.0 / 5
Tina W., from 23-Mar-2026
"Cute Town"
Score
4.0 / 5
The coaches and students at TVCC were awesome. Every restaurant we ate at, the workers were so friendly. Cute town.
Jami S., from 20-Oct-2025
"Class reunion"
Score
5.0 / 5
Maryann G., from 04-Oct-2025
"Great Dining Options!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Great options for dinner out in Ontario!
Patricia W., from 11-May-2025
"Conveniently Located"
Score
5.0 / 5
Ontario was conveniently located for our trip from Southern Coastal Oregon to Salt Lake City, Utah.
Cassius S., from 15-Oct-2024
"Everything was easy to find."
Score
5.0 / 5
Everything was easy to find.
Ana D., from 25-Sep-2024
"Clean City"
Score
5.0 / 5
The city was clean with very little homeless population.
Tameria P., from 04-Jul-2024
"Nice town and very convenient."
Score
4.0 / 5
Nice town and very convenient.
Yvonne P., from 29-Jun-2024
"Enjoyed a good dinner at Mackey’s Irish Pub."
Score
5.0 / 5
Enjoyed a good dinner at Mackey's Irish Pub.
Karol W., from 15-Jun-2024
"Small Town With Good Amenities"
Score
4.0 / 5
Small town with banks, Walmart, Home Depot and a variety of shops for urban and rural folks. Fuel sites for electric, diesel and gasoline. Good restaurants.
John T., from 11-Jun-2024
"The room was clean, comfortable. The staff was friendly. "
Score
4.0 / 5
The room was clean, comfortable. The staff was friendly. Fiesta Guadalajara restaurant was great.
Kathryn P., from 17-Apr-2024
"Convenient Location"
Score
5.0 / 5
Convenient location.
Dennis R., from 17-Oct-2023
"Very Convenient Location"
Score
5.0 / 5
Every service was easily accessible.
Irwin C., from 21-Sep-2023
"Clean"
Score
5.0 / 5
Clean
Anna G., from 27-Jun-2023
"Great Central Location"
Score
4.0 / 5
Hotel was very centrally placed with everything around the hotel.
Susan D., from 23-Jun-2023
"Lots of Stores & Restaurants"
Score
4.0 / 5
Nice city. Lots of stores, restaurants, etc.
Karin M., from 03-May-2023
"This is a very cool town/city!!! "
Score
5.0 / 5
This is a very cool town/city!!!
Leslie S., from 11-Jul-2022
"Good Location"
Score
4.0 / 5
The hotel is close to freeway and all the major restaurants and stores a person needs while traveling
Ken M., from 08-May-2022
The average traveler rating of the city of Ontario, OR shown above is
4.6 out of 5 based on 23 reviews