The Best Portland, Maine, Hotels

AC lounge serves local beers and tapas, complimentary shuttle service available, fitness center

The AC Hotel is a clean, modern hotel located in the heart of Old Port and walkable to the Casco Bay Island ferry service. Guest rooms are uncluttered, but don't mistake that for minimal. Features are thoughtful and refined, with a focus on openness and large picture windows that look out over the bay. The hotel has a lounge that serves tapas and a restaurant where you'll find Spanish egg tarts and a curated selection of meats and cheeses, a nod to the hotel's founder, Antonio Catalán. 

Heated indoor pool, 24-hour shop in lobby with snacks and travel essentials

While there are many hotels that share its Old Port location, which is close to Portland Maine restaurants and shops, The Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Waterfront has a few amenities that make it a logical pick for families. Rooms come with thoughtful touches for traveling families, like fridges to store kid-friendly snacks, and are spacious enough to accommodate cribs or Pack and Play setups. The 24-hour lobby store is helpful for forgotten necessities or post-dinner snacks. While hours are reduced and room service isn't available as of May 2022, the on-site restaurant gets rave reviews, particularly for the breakfast eggs and sausages. The hotel is within walking distance of top family-friendly activities in Portland, including the Children's Museum of Maine.

Lockers and luggage storage available, free local coffee, kitchen on-site for guest use

A four-story apartment building turned hostel that's run with love and care, the Black Elephant combines a budget price point with flexible booking and attention to detail. A stay here puts you right in Old Port, within walking distance of Portland Maine breweries, bars, and Casco Bay ferries. 

The hostel owners, a mother-daughter team, wanted to create a safe and welcoming atmosphere for female travelers while making it clean and comfortable for guests of all genders. Common areas are decorated in a boho style with bright colors, bold patterns, and a maximalist ethos. Choose from dorm beds in coed or single-gender rooms or private rooms or suites, which tend to have private bathrooms attached. This hostel is inclusive and welcomes guests of all ages, and some rooms can even be booked out for private groups (an option that is ideal for families).

Picnic baskets and blankets available for guest use, Lather bath amenities and waffle robes, in-room wood burning fireplaces

Formerly known as The Danforth, Blind Tiger is part of the Lark Hotels boutique hotel collection. Rooms are done in a crisp neutral palette and blend modern conveniences with historic furnishings. Essential oil diffusers, wood-burning fireplaces, and a corkscrew and glasses set the mood for a romantic getaway. While wine is not included in the room rate, guests can venture downstairs to find a pantry stocked with make-your-own cocktail ingredients, which can be enjoyed in the basement speakeasy. Alternatively, guests can pack a picnic lunch and set out to explore the West End. 

The Blind Tiger may be ideal for a romantic getaway, but there are some travelers it's not meant for by design. Most rooms have a hard capacity of two, including children, so family travelers should look elsewhere. The same goes for pet parents: only service pets are welcome. While the location is more off the beaten path than other properties, it's ideal for those looking for an intimate getaway.

Excellent farm-to-table restaurant UNION on-site, cocktail-and-coffee bar in the lobby, art gallery on-site, CO Bigelow bath amenities

The Press Hotel spotlights its former life as a newspaper building by putting journalist desks, typewriters, and other copy-centric decor in rooms and common areas. Alongside, you'll find local art and natural materials like hardwood and leather. It's a must-stay for writers and art appreciators; the location is walkable to the Portland Museum of Art and many of the funky independent shops that give this city its quirky charms. 

The Press Hotel is LEED-certified and shows a deep commitment to sustainability, making it a perfect pick for the eco traveler. Green design features are woven into rooms and common areas, from dual-flush toilets and automated lighting in rooms to a rooftop beehive.

Jacuzzi tubs in every room, some accommodations have private decks

To reach The Inn on Peaks Island, you'll need to hop a 15-minute ferry across Casco Bay (which leaves from the Portland waterfront). Once there, settle into one of the seven rooms, each named for a local island, and enjoy the quieter pace of island life. Peaks Island offers more activities than its neighboring islands; you can kayak, bike, charter a boat, get local ice cream, or enjoy lawn games. The large rooms have a cottage feel; the biggest, a four-bedroom apartment-style suite sleeps eleven. The onsite pub-style restaurant serves lobster rolls, local haddock tacos, and Maine craft beers. This inn is perfect for family reunions, destination weddings, and other special events, making any New England vacation unforgettable.

Heated bathroom floors, in-room wet bars, access to share kitchenette

Best Bower is run by local restaurateurs who are passionate about the city's buzzy food scene and have curated a thoughtful, private guesthouse in the East End. While there are only six rooms, two accommodate groups of up to five and there is an option to privately rent out the guesthouse, making this a good group stay. Best Bower emphasizes privacy and independence with keyless entry and staff don't disturb guests as a rule, but there are coordinators on-site to assist if a need arises. The setup is more akin to an Airbnb than a hotel, which is a perk depending on your personal tastes. 

Rooms are minimal with custom furnishings and local art. The courtyard has cafe seating, perfect for your morning coffee or the cheese plate available from the provisions menu. The guesthouse is next to the Portland Observatory and is walkable to the East Promenade park, a favorite sunset spot, and many fine restaurants. Use it as a base camp to discover the neighborhood, an under-the-radar gem for many years that’s finally broken out.