United States Maine The Best Portland, Maine, Hotels The AC Hotel, our top pick, boasts waterfront views and a great restaurant By Lindsey Danis Lindsey Danis Instagram Twitter Vassar College Emerson College Lindsey Danis is a queer travel writer based in the Hudson Valley. Lindsey's work has appeared in AFAR, Condé Nast Traveler, Longreads, and other publications. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines and Justine Harrington Justine Harrington Twitter University of Arkansas Justine Harrington is a TripSavvy writer based in Austin, Texas, where she covers topics spanning travel, food & drink, lifestyle, culture, social advocacy, and the outdoors. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 01/24/23 Share Pin Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Portland routinely tops lists of the best places in New England to eat, dine, stay, and play, but the city's hotels tend to get less attention than other destinations in the Northeast. These vetted Portland, Maine, hotels deliver large rooms, bountiful amenities, enviable views, and hospitality that’ll make you rethink that antiquated adage about taciturn Mainers. While ships cruising the Atlantic coastline dock during the busy summer months, Portland manages to maintain its small city feel and sea town character year-round. It's ideally located for day trips throughout the state, so consider calling Portland your home base and venture toward midcoast Maine's rocky beaches, the art scene in Rockport, or to Freeport, where you’ll find the flagship L.L. Bean store. Or stay local to enjoy charming neighborhoods well-stocked with quirky shops, farm-to-glass cocktail bars and breweries, and some of the best seafood restaurants in New England. The Best Portland, Maine Hotels of 2023 Best Overall: The AC Hotel Best for Families: The Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Waterfront Best Budget: Black Elephant Hostel Best for Couples: Blind Tiger Best for Art and Design Lovers: The Press Hotel Best Island Getaway: The Inn on Peaks Island Best Boutique Hotel: Best Bower The Best Portland, Maine, Hotels View All The Best Portland, Maine, Hotels Our Top Picks The AC Hotel The Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Waterfront Black Elephant Hostel Blind Tiger The Press Hotel The Inn on Peaks Island Best Bower See More (4) Final Verdict Compare the Best Portland Hotels How We Chose These Hotels Best Overall : The AC Hotel The AC Hotel See Rates on Kayak.com Why We Chose It This waterfront hotel in Old Port is within walking distance of Portland's best tourist attractions. Notable Amenities AC lounge serves local beers and tapas, complimentary shuttle service available, fitness center Pros Modern rooms with open floor plans Great location with unbeatable views to match Pet-friendly rooms available ($50 charge/night up to $150 max) Cons Lower-floor rooms can be noisy due to nearby construction sites On-site parking costs more than other nearby options 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. Best for Families : The Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Waterfront Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront See Rates on Kayak.com Why We Chose It The Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Waterfront combines a great location in Old Port with family-friendly amenities, including an indoor pool and in-room refrigerator. Notable Amenities Heated indoor pool, 24-hour shop in lobby with snacks and travel essentials Pros Family-friendly amenities include in-room mini fridges, microwaves, and coin-operated laundry Connecting rooms available Pet-friendly rooms with $75 deposit Cons Airport shuttle and room service temporarily unavailable On-site parking costs more than other nearby options 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. Best Budget : Black Elephant Hostel Courtesy of Black Elephant Hostel See Rates on Kayak.com Why We Chose It Not just for backpackers, this hostel is clean, modern, and affordable. Notable Amenities Lockers and luggage storage available, free local coffee, kitchen on-site for guest use Pros Friendly staff happy to make personalized recommendations Location is close to major cities attractions Cons Nearest parking is a block away Sometimes guests can hear street noise 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). Best for Couples : Blind Tiger Blind Tiger See Rates on Kayak.com Why We Chose It Located in a quiet part of town yet still walkable to Portland’s attractions, this cozy boutique hotel looks like it was plucked from an Instagram feed. Notable Amenities Picnic baskets and blankets available for guest use, Lather bath amenities and waffle robes, in-room wood burning fireplaces Pros Complimentary breakfast Free parking available on the premises Complimentary all-day snacks and coffee Cons Some guests complain about noise from creaky stairs 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. Wood-burning fireplaces with 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. Best for Art and Design Lovers : The Press Hotel Courtesy of The Press Hotel, Autograph Collection See Rates on Kayak.com Why We Chose It This newspaper building turned hotel is close to Portland's buzzy art scene and committed to sustainability. Notable Amenities Excellent farm-to-table restaurant UNION on-site, cocktail-and-coffee bar in the lobby, art gallery on-site, CO Bigelow bath amenities Pros Helpful and attentive staff Well-appointed common areas with fireplaces Part of the Autograph Collection Hotels, which have excellent reputations Cons Rooms run small Sensitive sleepers may hear the City Hall bell ring every hour 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. Best Island Getaway : The Inn on Peaks Island The Inn on Peaks Island See Rates on Kayak.com Why We Chose It Attentive hospitality and views for days make you feel like you're on your own private island getaway. Notable Amenities Jacuzzi tubs in every room, some accommodations have private decks Pros Spacious rooms Amazing location on beautiful Peaks Island Free parking for 36 hours Cons Restaurant closes during the off-season Service can be hit-or-miss when the inn is hosting a wedding 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 up to sixteen. 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. Best Boutique Hotel : Best Bower Best Bower See Rates on Kayak.com Why We Chose It Set on Munjoy Hill near Portland's Observatory, this boutique hotel is your gateway to Portland’s trendy East End neighborhood. Notable Amenities Heated bathroom floors, in-room wet bars, access to share kitchenette. Pros Entire guesthouse can be rented out for a private group stay Keyless entry for a contactless stay Cons No restaurant, though provisions can be preordered for your stay 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. Final Verdict Portland boasts multiple vibrant neighborhoods for travelers looking to dive into the city's food and craft beer scene. Most travelers will want to be within walking distance of Old Port, a hub of shopping, dining, and drinking. For these travelers, The AC Hotel is the clear choice, with waterfront views, nice amenities, and an unbeatable central location. Alternatively, there's the family-friendly Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Waterfront, which has good in-room amenities and a pool for the kiddos. For those seeking a quieter stay in a neighborhood that blends historic homes with trendy shops, or for foodies wanting proximity to hot new eats, Best Bower in the East End is the logical crash pad. Compare the Best Portland Hotels Property Resort Fee Rate Free WiFi The AC Hotel Best Overall None $ Yes The Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Waterfront Best for Families None $$ Yes Black Elephant Hostel Best Budget None $ Yes Blind Tiger Best for Couples None $$$ Yes The Press Hotel Best for Art and Design Lovers None $$ Yes The Inn on Peaks Island Best Island Getaway None $$$ Yes Best Bower Best Boutique Hotel None $$$$ Yes How We Chose These Hotels We reviewed more than two dozen hotels in Portland, Maine, to select the best options for all kinds of travelers. When deciding, we evaluated the property's amenities, rooms, and service, factoring in reviews from recent guests to understand the atmosphere travelers can expect in 2023. We also considered available dining options on-site, proximity to Portland breweries and other attractions, and different types of experiences these stays offer guests. A snowy street in wintery Portland. DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images Was this page helpful? 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