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Close your eyes and picture a summer setting—and if it includes the sights, sounds, and smells of the sea coupled with al fresco meals and sun-drenched activities, take this as your sign to book a trip to Portland, Maine. This coastal city is beloved for its Old Port and storybook lighthouses, and while lobster rolls and clam chowder are famously on offer, the food scene is diverse and thriving, so be sure to swing by a couple of food trucks while in town and don’t miss out on the craft beer scene, either.
Whether you spend your days at sea on a whale-watching tour or strolling through the maze of picturesque cobblestone streets, booking a charming home base for your getaway is a must. Ahead, explore the best places to stay while in Portland, Maine, from quaint bed and breakfasts to boutique hotels housed in historic buildings.
Longfellow Hotel
This 48-room Small Luxury Hotels of the World property finally opens its doors this summer in Portland’s historic West End. It’s the first independent, full-service hotel to open in the city in two decades and is owned and operated by Uncommon Hospitality, with design by Post Company. The hotel’s food and beverage amenities will include wellness-focused Twinflower Café and a European-style lobby bar named Five of Clubs. The spa, Astraea, will be a particular highlight with private infrared sauna rooms and experiences tailored toward massage and meditation. Longfellow will also offer a complimentary house car that can provide guest transportation into the Old Port—a must when visiting.
Amenities: Restaurant, spa, bar, bicycle rentals
Address: 754 Congress St, Portland, ME, 04102
The Blind Tiger
Arranged across a pair of renovated 19th-century homes in the West End, this boutique property blends the coziness of a guest house with the amenities of a discerning hotel. Blind Tiger on Danforth is set in a Federal-style mansion house, while Blind Tiger on Carleton occupies an 1869 Victorian townhouse. The rooms are decorated with local artwork, vintage furniture pieces, and layers of decor accents collected over time, adding to the nostalgic feel. While here, be sure to borrow the property’s picnic blanket and baskets for a day in the sun, or head for the historic speakeasy turned billiard room for an after-dinner tipple.
Amenities: Breakfast, billiards, fitness center, on-site parking
Address: 163 Danforth Street, Portland, ME 04102
Black Point Inn
This beachfront hotel is located a few minutes from Portland proper in the Prouts Neck area, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on three sides. The property was originally built in 1878, and now offers 25 rooms and suites, each with individual furnishings and design schemes. There are several areas for guests to sprawl out, from the Sun Porch (stocked with games and books) to the Legendary Cliff Walk (a 1.75-mile trek that winds along the shoreline). Bikes, kayaks, and a pool are also among the offerings, as well as The Chart Room, the hotel’s main restaurant with breathtaking food and locally sourced cuisine.
Amenities: Restaurant, fitness center, tennis courts, private beach, swimming pool
Address: 510 Black Point Road, Scarborough, ME 04074
The Press Hotel
Housed in the historic headquarters of the Portland Press Herald, this Autograph Collection hotel spills across seven different floors with nods to the building’s history (think typewriters and printing press motifs). Even the rooms and suites take design cues from the newspaper; each one comes with a vintage-style ‘journalist’ desk, wood floors, herringbone area rugs, and local artwork. The hotel’s Union restaurant is hyper-focused on sourcing local ingredients from land to sea, including honey harvested on their very own rooftop.
Amenities: Restaurant, bar, fitness center, airport shuttle
Address: 119 Exchange Street, Portland, ME 04101
Inn by the Sea
A picturesque oceanfront resort merely a few minutes from Portland, the Inn by the Sea is quintessential Maine. Book one of the property’s Beach Suites to enjoy an outdoor patio and deck overlooking the water, and be sure to begin each morning with a peaceful stroll along the mile of sandy beach. The hotel’s restaurant, Sea Glass, offers an afternoon tea service complete with a lobster roll and front-row views of the sparkling Atlantic Ocean.
Amenities: Restaurant, bar, swimming pool, fitness center, spa, private beach
Address: 40 Bowery Beach Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
Pomegranate Inn
Vibrant and eccentric, this bed and breakfast is a celebration of color and print. It’s housed within an 1884-era building and each room flaunts unique qualities, such as fireplaces with intricate hearths, large windows, and painted murals. And because this is a B&B, expect a lovely breakfast each morning consisting of fresh bites such as an egg and asparagus scramble served with fresh pastries and coffee.
Amenities: Breakfast, fireplaces, pet-friendly
Address: 49 Neal Street Portland, ME 04102