Every once in a while, you discover a hidden gem that you are not sure you want to share with others. The Press Hotel is one of those finds. The Press Hotel is located in what was once the Gannett Building, housing the offices and printing plant of the Portland Press Herald, the state’s largest newspaper. The tapestry brick and stone building was constructed in 1923, and the newspaper operated there until 2010. The hotel nods their hat at journalists everywhere and makes you want to get out your laptop and start writing.
Portland, Maine is one of my favorite coastal towns on the east coast. It offers everything you could want… restaurants, beaches, lighthouses, shopping, museums…something to do in all seasons. I had been wanting to visit The Press Hotel for years, and I finally had my chance to spend four luxurious nights here when I attended the Women in Travel Summit. The hotel is in Portland’s Old Port…my favorite section of town. One of the main reasons I was at this conference was for inspiration, and I couldn’t think of a better place because The Press emits a vibe that screams creativity…plus it will make you wish old-fashioned type writers were still popular.
It all begins in the lobby…where you know you’ve just stepped into a unique hotel. The first thing you’ll notice is a wall that is erupting with old typewriters. This focal wall immediately brings you back in time and sets the tone for your stay.
Those typewriters are also carried into the decor of the lobby sitting areas, where you can actually type on them as you sip on a cocktail or relax with a book.
The reference to the written word is shown in the details…letters sprawled onto pillows, newspapers as backdrops of tables.
There are plenty of spots to get your creativity on!
And there are many nods to travel as well.
It had the most unique hallways I’ve ever seen, as headlines from old Portland Press newspapers spill onto the floor!
I could not have had a more pleasant experience with the people at the front desk. They had many great recommendations of places to eat and things to see. They remembered I was here for a conference and each day asked how it went. They all went above and beyond to make me feel welcomed throughout my stay, and that is especially appreciated when I am traveling alone.
This gorgeous hotel offers 110 rooms and suites that all have the feel of a 1920’s writer’s office. I stayed in a Superior King room. What I first noticed when I walked into the room were the oversize windows that filled the room with natural light.
I loved the journalist vibe that surrounded me, and I couldn’t think of a better place to inspire me while I was at a travel writer’s conference. It screamed creativity! The room had an amazing vintage-style journalist desk and a comfortable leather writer’s chair.
This was the perfect place to have a cup of coffee in the morning and get some writing done before the conference.
My favorite piece in the room was this chair! How amazing is it!!!
The room had wooden floors and herringbone area rugs. I loved that the room had local artwork and woven wall tapestries. All around the room were quotes used to describe the items in the room.
My bathroom was enormous! It had a huge glass shower
Check out my favorite quote!!
And a large vanity
The hotel provides cozy robes and the quotes even carry into the closet…
The hotel has an art gallery with some fun pieces devoted to the written word.
There is also a fitness room, but I’ve got to admit that I didn’t even step foot into this room…hey…don’t judge me…lol!
Union
Union, which opened in 2015, is one of the hottest new restaurants to join Portland’s culinary scene. They partner with farms across New England to bring you the region’s finest ingredients. They are committed to using sustainable Maine products. Maine native chef Josh Berry offers years of experience to his kitchen and they produce amazing meals. I wish I had a night where I could have eaten there because it looked amazing and the crowd was bustling each night. Take a peek at the menu.
Inkwell
If you love a good coffee shop, then this is the best place to grab a table, order a latte, and get some work done. This was once the busy city room of the Portland Press Herald, and you can still feel the energy while you browse the tables displaying Pres Herald headlines from the last 150 years. I started each morning with an amazing chai latte.
Later, the room transforms into a fun place to have a hand-crafted cocktail, a microbrew, or some small plates. I ended my night here several times and even had my new friends meet me here for drinks one night. Since it was Seaweed Week in Maine while I was there, I had the chance to try this delicious cocktail made with Maine seaweed. It was fabulous!
Tips for Planning your Stay
My room was about 275 square feet.
The hotel is five miles away from the Portland International Jetport.
Love a good happy hour? OFF THE RECORD – HAPPY HOUR” $5 house wine favorites, $5 well drinks and $5 16oz local rotating drafts Sunday through Thursday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in INKWELL Bar & Lounge.
There is complimentary coffee in the Inkwell lobby from 6am-12pm.
The hotel offers complimentary Wi-Fi.
Valet parking is $32 per night.
They offer complimentary bikes to hotel guests from Memorial Day- Columbus Day. They also provide helmets and locks.
It is part of the Marriott Autograph collection so you could use points for your room if you’re a member.
119 Exchange Street
Portland, ME 04101
207-573-2425
Give them a follow:
Website: https://www.thepresshotel.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Press-Hotel/485142134906434
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepresshotel/
A warm thank you to The Press for making me feel so at home during my stay. I’ve waited years to stay here and it did not disappoint. It would be my number one recommendation of a place to stay while in Portland and I can’t wait to return with my family. As always, all experiences and opinions are 100% of MyTravelingKids.com.
