Portland hotels

The Press Hotel boasts four well-deserved stars. It’s set in a classic brick building in the Old Port District, which is just steps from the waterfront, and has its own eatery and a public art gallery (the latter features the work of local artists, including a two-storey installation of vintage typewriters).

As you might have guessed, The Press Hotel is newspaper-themed. The guestrooms all showcase elements you might have found in a 1920s newsroom, including vintage-styled journalist desks and newsroom-inspired memorabilia.

As a writer, I was sold. But décor and personal preference aside, The Press Hotel is easily one of the best hotels in Portland. It’s a gathering place for art and literary lovers, as well as those in search of good food (for more on that, check out the hotel restaurant, UNION).

Tucked away in Portland’s West End neighbourhood is one of the most unique hotels in Portland. Blind Tiger on Danforth Street was built in 1823 and housed secret basement parties during the Prohibition era. The basement fun lives on in the hidden billiards room that now occupies the space below the hotel.

Other features like a rooftop cupola overlooking the harbour solidify the Blind Tiger’s place among the best hotels in Portland. What sold me on this property is the fact the staff include a letter of Portland recommendations in each room, and that there’s an open pantry stocked with snacks and drinks. A morning toast and yogurt bar is also included in the rate.

If you can’t find a room at Danforth Street, check out its neighbouring sister property, Blind Tiger on Carleton Street (more on that hotel below).

When Longfellow Hotel opened in the summer of 2024, it became the first independent, full-service hotel to open in the city in more than two decades. The property is small, with just 48 rooms, a fact that makes it all the more appealing to guests looking for an intimate hotel experience.

I love that Longfellow was opened by a family-owned, Maine-based hospitality company, a detail that can be felt throughout the hotel, with the work of Maine artists and artisans featured across the property. Neighbouring restaurant owners helped conceptualize the hotel’s café and lobby bar, and the guestrooms showcase Victorian mouldings and hardwood floors.

The Longfellow also has a spa with a meditation room and an infrared sauna with an adjacent rain shower. It's the perfect place to wind down after a day in the city.

As its name implies, the Canopy is set right along the Portland waterfront, providing easy access to the Old Port neighbourhood. What’s more, the city centre is just four blocks away, providing easy access to great shops and restaurants without sacrificing the view of the harbour.

There are plenty of things to love about the Canopy, including free Wi-Fi and pet-friendly rooms – but for me, what makes this property one of the best hotels in Portland is its fleet of rental bikes. I love exploring a city on two wheels, and Portland’s low-key nature and compact centre makes it one of the most bicycle-friendly cities on the East Coast.

Cycling aside, this top-rated hotel in Portland has a rooftop bar with outdoor seating, which is the perfect way to end a Portland day.

I adore that The Francis is locally owned and on the National Park Service’s Registry of Historic Places. With just 15 rooms, each uniquely designed and decorated, this historic mansion has to be experienced to be believed.

But don’t think that because The Francis is set in a historic building it’s outdated – the property was fully restored and renovated and comes with perks like a complimentary arrival drink and an in-room pour-over coffee setup. Features like this make The Francis one of the most unique hotels in Portland.

I also love that The Francis is far enough away from the buzz of the city centre to be relaxing, yet sits among Portland’s finest bakeries and restaurants. Don't miss a visit to the neighbouring Tandem Bakery or the Wayside Tavern.

This guesthouse on Carleton Street is the neighbouring sister property of the Blind Tiger on Danforth Street. Like the Danforth location, this property is based in a 19th-century home in the beautiful West End neighbourhood. It also ranks among the best hotels in Portland for its unique, local feel and in-room guides curated by local tastemakers.

What I love about Blind Tiger on Carleton is that it’s set in a residential area, so when you visit, you feel like a local. That being said, thanks to the city’s more compact size, it's still within walking distance of plenty of fun spots, including the shops and restaurants of Congress Street.

I also adore the interiors at Carleton Street, which include vintage furniture pieces collected by the owners, plenty of art and bold, fashionable light fixtures and wallpapers.

Tucked between Portland city centre and the Old Port is this upscale, 4-star property that is easily among the best hotels in Portland. Everything at the Portland Harbor Hotel is customized, so no two rooms are the same and the customer service experience is exceptional.

This boutique hotel in Portland is outfitted with 103 rooms that are decorated in a modern, nautical style and feature deep soaking tubs – some suites even have fireplaces.

But my favourite part about this property has to be the terrace, which is lined with greenery and set under twinkly lights. In the summer, you can dine al fresco in the crisp Maine air, and in the winter you can cozy up in one of the themed (and heated) igloos that take over the terrace.

Although you might not see it at first, this modern hotel is an ode to Portland’s Old Port neighbourhood, which is famous for its cobblestone streets and working fishing wharfs. The rooms feature local touches and the menu at the hotel restaurant, ALTO, includes Maine comfort foods.

Every aspect of the Cambria is bright and welcoming, but none more so than the fourth-floor outdoor terrace, where you can feast on items from the ALTO menu and enjoy views of the Old Port. Fire pits and a full-service bar round out the offerings.

In the winter, après-ski-themed igloos take over the outdoor terrace, and as a keen skier, I couldn’t love their choice of theme more. For me, it’s the little things like this that make the Cambria one of the best hotels in Portland.

Portland is almost surrounded by water, so it’s hardly surprising that most hotels here don’t have a pool. But as someone with kids, I love a good hotel pool, and that amenity alone makes the Courtyard by Marriott one of the best hotels in Portland – at least in my opinion.

In addition to an indoor pool and hot tubs, this property has a fitness centre and a chic bistro that does it all – breakfast and coffee in the morning and dinner and cocktails at night. The hotel is also wonderfully located between Portland city centre and the waterfront, acting as a well-situated basecamp for the day’s adventures. (P.S. There’s also a free airport shuttle).

There are plenty of hotels in the heart of Portland, but I particularly love the location of The Westin. It sits smack dab in the middle of Portland centre and just a few buildings away from the Portland Museum of Art.

From your perch in this upscale hotel, which ranks among the best hotels in Portland, you’ll be minutes from everything the city centre has to offer. It’s also worth mentioning that The Westin offers free guest parking and an airport shuttle (two huge perks in Portland). And, as its name promises, you can see the harbour from the beloved rooftop cocktail bar and several guestrooms.

The décor is basic but modern, with large windows that let in plenty of light. Plus, kids stay free – a major bonus if you’re travelling with little ones.