Nature · Americas
Cascada Thermal Springs + Hotel
Researched and sourced by hand. Last reviewed 2026-08-19.
A hundred-suite mass timber hotel in Portland's Alberta Arts District, built by SolTerra with LEVER Architecture and opened in 2025. The structure is the story here. Freres mass plywood milled from Oregon forests is left exposed in the rooms, the concrete is low-carbon, the windows are triple-pane, and the sofas are foam-free Portuguese cork. Forbes publishes the mattress recipe down to its four components: steel coils, organic latex, virgin wool, organic cotton. That level of material disclosure matters because the mattress and the walls are the two surfaces a guest spends the most hours against, and most hotels never say what either is made of.
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The thermal circuit
Three spaces run under one roof. The Conservatory is the social one, daybeds and plants around a vitality pool with red light therapy. The Secret Garden is outdoors, a hot pool, sauna and fire pit. The Sanctuary sits below grade and is kept silent, hot and ambient pools, sauna, steam and a cold plunge, with phones not permitted. A designated silent room is rarer than it should be in this category, and worth naming, though it is a house rule rather than a measured noise level. How the pool water itself is treated is not published anywhere we could find.
Air, light and the kitchen
Girls Who Eat, a non-toxic travel publication, names the air filtration grade as MERV-13 and reports unscented cleaning products through the building. Forbes adds circadian lighting panels in the suites. The kitchens publish a house policy of no seed oils and no single-use plastic, and Forbes names the coffee program's suppliers, Deadstock beans and True Tea Portland, with alternative milks made in-house. A named filter grade and a named lighting provision put this building ahead of most of the index on the two systems city hotels usually leave silent.
The certification question
Everyone says LEED Platinum. The property, Forbes and Girls Who Eat all carry it, and it would make Cascada one of very few mass timber hotels at that level anywhere. But the architect's own project page lists the certification as tracking, and we could not verify it against the certifier's directory. So it stays off the scorecard until the registry says otherwise. One published air or water measurement would do more for this record than the plaque: the building is specified to a standard most urban hotels never reach, and almost none of it is measured yet.
What this place offers
MERV-13 filtration namedA published filter grade, reported with unscented cleaning across the building.
Mass timber, milled in OregonFreres mass plywood left exposed in the rooms, with Portuguese cork interiors.
Circadian lighting in the suitesLighting panels fitted where guests sleep, beside foam-free cork furniture.
A thermal circuit under one roofVitality pools, saunas, steam, cold plunge and red light across three spaces.
A silent room below gradeThe Sanctuary is designated silent, and phones stay outside.
Seed oils off the menuPublished as house policy across Terra Mae, Forbidden Fruit and the coffee bar.
Cascada Thermal Springs + Hotel at a glance
Cascada Thermal Springs + Hotel is a hotel in Portland, Oregon, USA. We read what it publishes about the eight things a building does to your biology and scored the evidence 11 of 24. Last verified 2026-08-19. Air Quality is its best-documented pathway; nothing is published on Water Integrity.
Each pathway scores 0 to 3 on the quality of the evidence published, not on the quality of the property. Open a row for every claim and its source.
Air Quality at Cascada Thermal Springs + Hotel: Specified (2/3)
2Specified, 2 of 3.
Specified2 of 3 · Filtration, ventilation and what the air is measured at.
What the evidence shows
- Specified
A non-toxic travel publication names the building's air filtration grade as MERV-13, alongside unscented cleaning products. A named filter grade; no air measurement is published.
healthy living baked into the architecture, with MERV-13 air filtration, rainwater collection for toilets, biophilic design (connecting humans to nature in indoor spaces), and unscented cleaning products
PublishedGirls Who Eat, Non-Toxic Travel Made Simple, The Best Non-Toxic Weekend Getaways in the U.S. Worth Booking. Checked 2026-08-19. - Claimed
Forbes reports a building-wide ventilation and filtration system. Claimed and plausible; the system is not named or graded in this source.
If you find yourself breathing easier during your stay, you can thank the hotel's state-of-the-art ventilation and filtration system.
PublishedForbes, Inside Cascada, Portland's New Luxury Wellness Hotel And Thermal Springs Spa. Checked 2026-08-19.
What is not published
- What filter grade is fitted to guest room air handling, for example MERV 13 or HEPA H13?
- What is the fresh air supply rate per person in a guest room?
- Are carbon dioxide, particulate or volatile organic compound levels measured, and are the readings published?
- Is there a mould inspection and remediation protocol, and when was it last run?
- Are there gas cooktops, fireplaces or other combustion sources inside guest rooms?
Water Integrity at Cascada Thermal Springs + Hotel: Not published (0/3)
0Not published, 0 of 3.
Not published0 of 3 · Source, treatment, tested panels and how drinking water arrives.
We looked for published information on Water Integrity and found none. That is a gap in the public record, not a finding about the property.
What is not published
- What is the water source, and what treatment is applied before it reaches a guest room?
- Is there a published contaminant test panel, and which laboratory ran it?
- Is shower and bath water filtered, and to what specification?
- How are pools and spas sanitised, and is the chemistry published?
- How is drinking water delivered, and is it treated on site?
Light Rhythm at Cascada Thermal Springs + Hotel: Specified (2/3)
2Specified, 2 of 3.
Specified2 of 3 · Circadian lighting specification, flicker, blackout and daylight.
What the evidence shows
- Specified
Forbes reports circadian lighting panels fitted in the suites. A named lighting provision in the room a guest sleeps in; no colour temperature or lux figure is published.
you'll discover more unique touches like circadian lighting panels and clean mattresses crafted with just steel coils, an organic latex core, virgin wool and organic cotton
PublishedForbes, Inside Cascada, Portland's New Luxury Wellness Hotel And Thermal Springs Spa. Checked 2026-08-19.
What is not published
- Is guest room lighting tunable or circadian, and what specification is published?
- What colour temperatures are used in the evening, and are fixtures flicker free?
- Do sleeping areas have full blackout, and is it specified?
- What daylight access does a typical room have?
- Is exterior lighting shielded or reduced overnight?
EMF Harmony at Cascada Thermal Springs + Hotel: Not published (0/3)
0Not published, 0 of 3.
Not published0 of 3 · Wired versus wireless topology, and what is measured where people sleep.
We looked for published information on EMF Harmony and found none. That is a gap in the public record, not a finding about the property.
What is not published
- Are guest rooms wired for data, or is access wireless only?
- Where are wireless access points and smart meters placed relative to the bed?
- Have field levels been measured in sleeping areas, and by whom?
- Can a guest have wireless disabled in their room on request?
- Is any shielded cabling or shielding material specified in the build?
Materials and Textiles at Cascada Thermal Springs + Hotel: Specified (2/3)
2Specified, 2 of 3.
Specified2 of 3 · Named materials, finishes, bedding composition and cleaning chemistry.
What the evidence shows
- Specified
The architect of record publishes the structure as hybrid mass timber with low-carbon concrete, exposed Mass Plywood Panels and triple-pane windows. Named structural materials from the studio that specified them.
The use of mass timber and low-carbon concrete are strategies for reducing the building's overall carbon footprint; and other sustainable design elements such as stormwater reuse, triple-pane windows, solar panels, ultra energy-efficient systems, and an efficient building envelope
PublishedLEVER Architecture, Cascada, LEVER Architecture projects. Checked 2026-08-19. - Specified
A non-toxic travel publication names the timber supplier as Freres, mass plywood milled from Oregon forests, with Portuguese cork interiors. A named supplier and a named material.
using Freres mass plywood milled from Oregon forests and finishing it with Portuguese cork interiors
PublishedGirls Who Eat, Non-Toxic Travel Made Simple, The Non-Toxic Design Hotels That Are Actually Worth the Price Tag. Checked 2026-08-19. - Specified
Forbes publishes the mattress composition, steel coils with an organic latex core, virgin wool and organic cotton, and names foam-free sofas built with Portuguese cork. Named compositions; no emissions test is published.
clean mattresses crafted with just steel coils, an organic latex core, virgin wool and organic cotton
PublishedForbes, Inside Cascada, Portland's New Luxury Wellness Hotel And Thermal Springs Spa. Checked 2026-08-19. - Claimed
A non-toxic travel publication reports unscented cleaning products in use. Claimed; no cleaning brand is named.
and unscented cleaning products
PublishedGirls Who Eat, Non-Toxic Travel Made Simple, The Best Non-Toxic Weekend Getaways in the U.S. Worth Booking. Checked 2026-08-19.
What is not published
- What are the mattresses made of, and are they treated with flame retardants?
- What is the fibre content of the linen, and is it certified, for example to GOTS or OEKO TEX?
- Which paints, adhesives and sealants were specified, and are they low emission?
- What cleaning and laundry products are used, and is the list published?
- Are there named low emission certifications on the flooring or joinery?
Food and Kitchen at Cascada Thermal Springs + Hotel: Specified (2/3)
2Specified, 2 of 3.
Specified2 of 3 · Sourcing, on site growing, cookware, kitchen water and additive discipline.
What the evidence shows
- Specified
Forbes names the coffee program's suppliers, Deadstock coffee beans and True Tea Portland, with alternative milks made fresh on site and prepared foods made from scratch with no seed oils. Named suppliers and a named oil policy.
All the alternative milks are made fresh onsite, while the prepared foods are also made from scratch with no seed oils.
PublishedForbes, Inside Cascada, Portland's New Luxury Wellness Hotel And Thermal Springs Spa. Checked 2026-08-19. - Claimed
The property publishes its kitchen policy across its dining venues: no seed oils, no single-use plastic, local sourcing where possible. A stated policy; no grower is named and no share of sourcing is published.
We avoid seed oils and single use plastic, and source from local growers and producers whenever possible.
PublishedCASCADA, Dining at CASCADA. Checked 2026-08-19.
What is not published
- What share of produce is grown on site or sourced locally, and is it verified?
- Which cooking oils are used, and is the policy published?
- What cookware is used in the kitchen?
- Is kitchen and ice water filtered, and to what specification?
- Is there a published position on additives, preservatives or allergens?
Biophilic and Healing Design at Cascada Thermal Springs + Hotel: Specified (2/3)
2Specified, 2 of 3.
Specified2 of 3 · Nature access, views, volume and natural material contact, designed with intent.
What the evidence shows
- Specified
The architect of record documents the biophilic method: exposed Mass Plywood Panels, a green wall spanning two floors, plantings inside and out, and natural light and ventilation, all stated as measures for occupant health. A published method from a named studio.
Biophilic design elements are integrated throughout the building to promote occupant health and well-being including exposed Mass Plywood Panels, a large green wall that spans two floors, a variety of lush greenery and plantings inside and out, and an abundance of natural light and ventilation.
PublishedLEVER Architecture, Cascada, LEVER Architecture projects. Checked 2026-08-19.
What is not published
- Does every guest room have direct outdoor access or an operable opening?
- What is the published design intent behind the natural materials used?
- What are the typical ceiling heights and room volumes?
- Was the landscape designed with native planting, and is the palette published?
Sound and Sensory Ecology at Cascada Thermal Springs + Hotel: Claimed (1/3)
1Claimed, 1 of 3.
Claimed1 of 3 · Measured background noise, separation between keys, and scent load.
What the evidence shows
- Claimed
The property designates its below-grade thermal space, the Sanctuary, as a silent area, and phones are not permitted there. A stated escape from acoustic load; a house rule rather than an acoustic specification, and no noise level is published.
The Sanctuary. Silent underground. Phones are not permitted in the Sanctuary; they are allowed in the Conservatory and Secret Garden.
PublishedCASCADA, Thermal Springs at CASCADA. Checked 2026-08-19.
What is not published
- What is the measured background noise level in a guest room at night?
- What acoustic separation is specified between adjoining keys?
- How loud is the guest room air conditioning at its lowest setting?
- Is fragrance diffused into guest rooms or public areas, and can it be declined?
38 open questions could be answered with information this property already holds. Answer these for this property
What is not publishedthe gaps we looked for and did not find
The LEED Platinum claim is published everywhere except the certifier: the property, Forbes and Girls Who Eat all carry it, and the architect's own project page lists it as LEED Platinum tracking. It has not been verified against the GBCI directory for this record, so nothing is carried under standards. Rainwater is collected for flushing toilets, which is water stewardship rather than guest water, and nothing is published on how the vitality pools or the drinking water are treated or tested. Nothing is published on electromagnetic load. The air filtration reaches a named grade through a third party but no measurement is on the record, and the silence of the Sanctuary is a house rule rather than a reading.
Verification recordwho checked this, how, and when
Verification record
- Method
- Desk research of published sources, each claim cited
- Reviewed by
- Certified Spaces Standards Inc.
- Last verified
- 2026-08-19
- Changes
- Every correction is logged
Not published is not unsafehow to read these scores, and what this index does not promise
A low score means a property has not published information. It does not mean the property is unsafe, unhealthy or poorly run.
These scores measure disclosure. These scores describe disclosure, not property quality. This index has no commercial relationship with the properties listed unless a badge on the listing says otherwise.
Conditions change, and we will not always know. Every record is a snapshot of what a property had published when we read it, and that date is on the page. Conditions change: a property can refit, change suppliers or replace a system at any time, and nothing requires it to tell us. We re-read records and ask properties directly for updates, but there will always be a gap between what is true today and what was published when we looked. Use this as a frame of reference for what to ask, not as a substitute for asking. Take your own questions to the property before you book, and tell us if you find something we have wrong.
We report what properties publish. We do not inspect, certify or vouch for any property on this index unless a listing says we assessed it on site, and we accept no responsibility for decisions made or outcomes experienced on the basis of what you read here.
Questions travelers askwater, air, EMF, and whether it is worth it
Questions travelers ask about Cascada Thermal Springs + Hotel
Does Cascada Thermal Springs + Hotel publish water quality testing?
No. Nothing is published, and we looked. That is a statement about the public record, not about safety.
What is the air quality like in the rooms?
We can only report what is published about the rooms themselves. Yes, at specification level: a named system, supplier or standard is on the record, without a published measurement. Scored 2 of 3.
Is Cascada Thermal Springs + Hotel low-EMF?
No measurement is published. Only 15 of the 92 properties we have researched publish any bedroom EMF information at all, so this is the industry norm, not an outlier.
Is Cascada Thermal Springs + Hotel worth it?
We score evidence, not experience. On evidence, it ranks 15 of 92 researched records. The strongest documented pathways are Air Quality and Light Rhythm; nothing is published on Water Integrity or EMF Harmony.