Where to Stay, Eat, and Play in Portland, Maine

Portland is Maine’s most populous city, perched on a coastline of pure beauty. Whether you’re looking to enjoy the last moments of summer on the beach or simply eager to explore a new seaside scene, Portland provides the best of both worlds. Sandy coves on the rocky shorelines offer secret summer escapes without the crowds, while downtown, the streets are lined with alfresco dining and beer gardens.

The Portland Head Lighthouse is breathtaking, and so are the stunning sailboats out at sea, but the city is equally rich with charm on its quaint cobblestone streets lined with art galleries and antique shops. When it comes to dining, note that approximately 90% of the entire country’s supply of lobster is sourced from Maine, so the chances of scoring the freshest lobster roll you’ve ever had are high in Portland. For the best place to find a lobster roll, and the best hotels and activities, read on. 

Where to Stay

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One of Blind Tiger’s spacious guest rooms. Photographed by Read McKendree.

Read McKendree

Nestled a few blocks from downtown Portland, Blind Tiger offers nine unique guest rooms housed in a mansion built back in 1823. From the spacious suites outfitted in an effortlessly cool aesthetic that still feels warm to the lounges adorned with refined vintage furniture and modern art accents, every room is proof that age is just a number. Unlike traditional hotels that can feel too tired or trying, Blind Tiger embodies cozy and chic with ease. After raiding the pantry stocked with gourmet snacks galore, don’t forget to check out the former speakeasy turned billiard room for a round of pool.

A multi-story floor to ceiling wall stacked with typewriters welcomes guests to the Press Hotel. Once the Portland Herald Press headquarters, the hotel elegantly embeds its journalism history with contemporary and clever twists. Below the lobby, a permanent gallery featuring local Maine artists is a must-see, as is the fully stocked state of the art gym ready for a sweat session on the go. Perhaps the most centrally located hotel in Portland, the Press Hotel is a few steps from just about everything. While the walls are literally inked with wit and wisdom from the past, the hotel is writing a new story rooted in exemplary service and style.