If you love authentic, historic charm, you will simply adore Portland. Maine’s largest city, Portland has a great range of comfortable, affordable lodging. From the contemporary convenience of new national brand hotels and the old-world charm of restored grandeur to pastoral beachfront inns, Portland graciously lays interesting choices at your fingertips. Most accommodations are located near the downtown waterfront district, with a few hotels near the airport, and many lovely waterfront accommodations near Old Orchard Beach, 30 minutes to the south.
Many nationally recognized hotels have a presence here, equally suitable for your leisure or business stay in Portland. Prices are in line with the average across the nation for cities of similar size and status, but you’ll think them a bargain for this small city with an endearing coastal personality.
Notable bed and breakfast inns abound in the Old Port District near the center of the city. Lovely wood frame Victorian-style homes turned bed and breakfast inns boast expansive porches, rooms full of antiques, and hosts that provide your afternoon tea, gourmet meal, library, art gallery, and a wealth of wisdom about the area.
The Inn by the Sea is an iconic 61-room coastal luxury hotel at Crescent Beach. Appealing to your soulful side, the inn and spa welcome your every care while smoothing every wrinkle, encouraging you to relax and enjoy this idyllic setting. Views of the rocky beach, lighthouse, and beautiful countryside encourage your total exhale while vacationing in Portland.
Hotels in Portland, Maine
Portland makes a scenic and vibrant destination, from rugged coastline to enchanting shops. Best of all, tracking down the very best hotels in Portland, Maine, can be as easy as pie - Maine blueberry pie, perhaps. Travelocity can help you narrow down your many local lodging options, so you can find the very best deals on Portland, Maine, hotels online and get started enjoying your trip around Portland. The former state capital may still hold the claim to being Maine's largest city, but it still retains some of the incomparable New England charm of a small town. Add in world-class museums, historic monuments and unique natural beauty all around and you have a destination to please all tastes.
Many of Portland's "must-see" attractions are conveniently located within walking distance of some of the best hotels in Portland, ME. Get an idea of where you want to go, and you can more easily narrow down your accommodations through Travelocity. In the Old Port area, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's childhood home draws literary and history buffs, while the Maine Historical Society showcases local artifacts and object of interest at their center, just next door. The Victoria Mansion is another shining example of Portland's well-preserved past, built in the 1850s and still outfitted with many original furnishings. The Portland Observatory stands out as one of the most recognizable icons on the Portland horizon. Built in 1807, it is the only known historic maritime signal tower anywhere in the United States and one of the few Portland structures to have survived the Great Fire of 1866. Another local record holder, Portland Head Light was commissioned by none other than George Washington and stands today as the oldest lighthouse in the United States. For younger visitors, the Children's Museum of Maine calls Portland home, combining educational and entertaining exhibits on a wide range of kid-pleasing themes.
Portland's Old Port district encompasses many of the city's most noteworthy places of interest, including the Portland Museum of Art and more. The museum, itself, attracts at least as much attention as its collections, inside. Designed by I.M. Pei, the museum is widely credited by locals for recharging Portland as a new creative hub for art and architecture. When the weather permits, you can't beat a walking tour of the historic district. For cheap tickets to various attractions, book one of the many Old Port packages offered by local tour groups. Then put on some good walking shoes and hit the cobblestones, making your way from one attraction to the next. If your idea of a good trip involves plenty of hitting the pavement, you may enjoy one of the many themed walking tours, which focus on specific aspects of Portland history, such as ghost walks focused on the city's allegedly "haunted" past. For even more excitement, plan an active vacation in Portland to include cycling, kayaking or even stand-up paddle- boarding. All are possible right in town, whether along well-tended local bike paths or in beautiful Casco Bay. If you want to venture a bit further out of town, take advantage of public bike trails like the Eastern Prom Trail, an old rail corridor that's perfect for waterfront biking or jogging.
Visitors can enjoy the same waterfront sights with numerous tour operators bring visitors on leisurely circuits around the Old Port and greater Portland area. More unusual options include riding on a special, submersible vehicle, which lets you transition straight from city streets right into the harbor. Gourmets and gourmands can get to know local flavors by joining many culinary-themed tours around town, which show off the city's best restaurants, specialty shops, and breweries. For art lovers, the area around Congress Street is home to numerous galleries. That's where you'll also find the Maine College of Art campus and the cutting-edge collections of the Portland Institute of Contemporary Art. To really pamper yourself properly, follow up a lunch of Maine lobster rolls with a decadent trip to one of the city's many spas. Or for another relaxing alternative, book a ride on one of the many sailing cruises or whale watch trips. Many run year-round, though few compare with the beauty of an evening or star-lit cruise in the summer months.
When planning your trip, bear in mind that Portland, like most of Maine, has a marked high and low season for tourism. Many Portland, Maine hotels offer much lower rates during the off-season months, with prices spiking in the summertime. To balance good weather with low prices, it may be worth scanning Travelocity's array of Portland, Maine lodging in the "shoulder season", whether late spring or early fall.
Many Portland, ME hotels are situated in easy access of the city's most sought-after attractions. To surround yourself with history, opt for lodgings in the Old Port district. Bear in mind that the many restaurants and bars in the area can make for a lively nighttime scene, making it a popular place to stay if you love being in the center of things, but less advisable for peace and quiet. Another cluster of hotels line Congress Street and the West End area; a vibrant nexus of Portland's arts scene. For business travelers, still more hotels put you close to the local airport, but not too far from the center of town.
While Portland can feel world away from big city bustle, travel arrangements can be quite simple. Travelocity provides up-to-date listings of all the most advisable hotels in Portland, Maine. Plus, Portland International Jetport is only 15 minutes from the city's downtown, making it easy to fly straight in and take a short cab ride to your hotel.
Whatever brings you to Portland, be it business or leisure, from the invigorating Atlantic coastline, to the local history, to the mouth-wateringly fresh local lobster, "The Forest City" has something to offer - take the time to stop and enjoy this beautiful area. Book a room with confidence through Travelocity's collection of the best values all over town. Once you do, all that remains is to decide where you'll visit first.