A few bed-and-breakfasts and a youth hostel provide the best value for the dollar in town, and there are plenty of inexpensive motels on East Broadway and moderately priced ones on Franklin Boulevard. (Before you check into one of these places, walk or drive a couple of blocks behind the motel toward the river just to make sure that the train tracks aren’t too close—at 3 a.m. it can sound like trains are running right through some of these budget motels.)

Discounts are often available at the more upscale Valley River Inn, which is a very pleasant place to stay. Campsites and rustic digs are east of town on the McKenzie River Highway. As with many Oregon towns, an 8 percent room tax is added to the tariff.

When Eugene hosted the 2008 U.S. Olympic team’s track and field trials, town was booked up months in advance. If you are planning to visit around June 2012, book your room now; the Olympic trials will be here again.

Under $50

The Eugene Whiteaker Hostel (970 W. 3rd Ave., 541/343-3335, www.eugenewhiteakerhostel.com, $22 and up) has men’s and women’s dorms and private rooms in a house that was converted to a hostel in 2006. This is definitely a hippie-style place in a funky, convenient neighborhood.

Of the budget hotels near downtown, the Timbers Motel (1015 Pearl St., 541/343-3345 or 800/643-4167, www.timbersmotel.net, $49 and up) is a good bet with clean and relatively attractive rooms. Note that it’s just down the block from the Greyhound station, which unfortunately means there can be some pretty scruffy-looking folks on the sidewalks. But it’s also practically across the street from breakfast at the Palace Bakery.

$50–100

Downtown Motel (361 W. 7th Ave., www.downtownmotel.com, $60 and up) is a conveniently located bargain. Don’t expect luxury, and enjoy the 1950s ambiance of this classic court motel. Nearby, the Courtesy Inn (345 W. 6th Ave., 888/259-8481, www.courtesyinneugene.com, $60 and up) is another good bet; it’s a couple of blocks from the Hult Center and within easy walking distance of restaurants.

The Best Western New Oregon Motel (1655 Franklin Blvd., 541/683-3669, $90 and up) is a good choice for visiting parents of U. of O. students or for folks in town to attend a sporting or cultural event. It’s located right across the street from the Registration Office and dormitories. This place offers a fair number of amenities (spa, pool, fitness room, racquetball court) and well-appointed rooms. Behind the hotel lie Alton Baker Park and a walking and jogging trail along the river.

$100–150

There are a couple of good B&Bs and a small inn in the downtown and campus neighborhoods of Eugene. The Campbell House (252 Pearl St., 541/343-1119, www.campbellhouse.com, $129 and up, breakfast included) is a 19-room Victorian in the historic east Skinner Butte neighborhood. Proximity to the Fifth Street Market and the river, as well as the sophistication of a European-style pension, makes this antique-filled 1892 gem a good lodging choice.

Downtown, C’est la Vie Inn (1006 Taylor St., 541/302-3014 or 866/302-3014, $140 and up) is a charming and meticulously renovated Queen Anne Victorian with four comfortable guest rooms.

The upstairs of a popular eatery just a block from campus, the Excelsior Inn (754 E. 13th Ave., 541/485-1206, www.excelsiorinn.com, $99 and up, breakfast included) offers 14 elegant bed-and-breakfast guest rooms featuring antiques, cherry furniture, marble tile, and fresh-cut flowers. An elevator makes the rooms wheelchair accessible.

$150–200

The best standard motel in town is Valley River Inn (1000 Valley River Way, Valley River Center, 541/687-0123, www.valleyriverinn.com, $150 and up, Web specials often available). Don’t be deterred by its location away from downtown in back of a giant shopping mall; the Willamette River is in back of the inn, which provides easy access to the riverside trail network. In fact, it’s easier to get downtown along the bike path than it is to drive. It’s also a good place to stay if you’re traveling with a dog; the inn is pet friendly, and the riverside path makes for delightful dog walks. A decent restaurant, a crackling fire in the lobby, and pool and spa facilities add to the allure. If it’s in your budget, pony up for a riverside room—the view is worth it.

In the downtown area, the Eugene Hilton (66 E. 6th Ave., 541/342-2000 or 800/445-8667, www.hilton.com, $150 and up) is the top high-end hotel and is host to many conferences. It has a great location right across the street from the Hult Center and within easy walking distance of the city’s best restaurants. One caveat: If you plan to stay here during Eugene Celebration, bring earplugs if you want to get to sleep before the street party winds down for the night.