The 519-room Grand Lucayan is a sprawling, beachfront resort for travelers craving features galore in one spot. This four-pearl establishment is a 15-minute drive from the airport, and across the road from Port Lucaya Marketplace. On-site dining and drinking include a dozen restaurants, cafes, and bars. There’s a state-of the-art spa and fitness center, a huge (albeit unheated) serpentine pool, golf course, tennis courts, water sports, and large-scale event spaces. Modern, island-inspired guest rooms and suites come in a choice of decor options -- all with balconies or patios, and water or garden views. But hefty add-on fees and long service waits are a drawback, as are “all-inclusive” rooms that aren’t all-inclusive. Those seeking a smaller-scale luxury stay could check out the nearby Pelican Bay at Lucaya.
The 519-room Grand Lucayan is a sprawling, beachfront resort for travelers craving features galore in one spot. This four-pearl establishment is a 15-minute drive from the airport, and across the road from Port Lucaya Marketplace. On-site dining and drinking include a dozen restaurants, cafes, and bars. There’s a state-of the-art spa and fitness center, a huge (albeit unheated) serpentine pool, golf course, tennis courts, water sports, and large-scale event spaces. Modern, island-inspired guest rooms and suites come in a choice of decor options -- all with balconies or patios, and water or garden views. But hefty add-on fees and long service waits are a drawback, as are “all-inclusive” rooms that aren’t all-inclusive. Those seeking a smaller-scale luxury stay could check out the nearby Pelican Bay at Lucaya.
The Gorges Grant Hotel is a mid-range property in the waterside town of Ogunquit, Maine. While fairly large, the 81-room hotel maintains a bed and breakfast feel, with New England-style landscaping and a cozy lobby with a fireplace and couches. Rooms are spacious and homey, with armchairs and flat-screen TVs. There's a heated outdoor pool surrounded by leafy trees, an indoor pool with whirlpool, and an expansive breakfast restaurant on premises. While a little ways out from the village center, the Gorges Grant Hotel is still within walking distance of restaurants and shops, and a short trolley ride or moderate walk to the beach. For a waterfront hotel in the same class, travelers could try The Beachmere Inn.
The Gorges Grant Hotel is a mid-range property in the waterside town of Ogunquit, Maine. While fairly large, the 81-room hotel maintains a bed and breakfast feel, with New England-style landscaping and a cozy lobby with a fireplace and couches. Rooms are spacious and homey, with armchairs and flat-screen TVs. There's a heated outdoor pool surrounded by leafy trees, an indoor pool with whirlpool, and an expansive breakfast restaurant on premises. While a little ways out from the village center, the Gorges Grant Hotel is still within walking distance of restaurants and shops, and a short trolley ride or moderate walk to the beach. For a waterfront hotel in the same class, travelers could try The Beachmere Inn.
Spread over 60 acres, Hidden Pond resort features 36 suite-like bungalows and two-bedroom cottages. While each has it's own personality, they are all bright, homey, and sophisticated, characterized by pops of color and lodge-like touches (such as stone fireplaces adorned with antlers, and a lamp made from a tree branch). The spa is set up to resemble a tree house, and free yoga classes are held at the organic farm (where guests may also pick fresh flowers and veggies). Another outstanding feature is the outdoor bar and grill that sits on a "sand bar," with chairs circled around fire pits. This upscale boutique hotel attracts couples with its tranquil environment and top-notch restaurants, as well as families with its cottages that include full kitchens and washer/dryers. The hotel also provides a free shuttle to the beach, which is just a five-minute drive away.
Spread over 60 acres, Hidden Pond resort features 36 suite-like bungalows and two-bedroom cottages. While each has it's own personality, they are all bright, homey, and sophisticated, characterized by pops of color and lodge-like touches (such as stone fireplaces adorned with antlers, and a lamp made from a tree branch). The spa is set up to resemble a tree house, and free yoga classes are held at the organic farm (where guests may also pick fresh flowers and veggies). Another outstanding feature is the outdoor bar and grill that sits on a "sand bar," with chairs circled around fire pits. This upscale boutique hotel attracts couples with its tranquil environment and top-notch restaurants, as well as families with its cottages that include full kitchens and washer/dryers. The hotel also provides a free shuttle to the beach, which is just a five-minute drive away.
The lower-middle-range Bar Harbor Grand Hotel is a good choice for travelers seeking to stay in a quiet yet convenient location in downtown Bar Harbor. Opened in 2003 as a replica to a circa 1875 hotel, this quaint, 71-room hotel is on a quiet, tree-lined street that’s a four-minute walk to the seaside town’s Village Green. The hotel’s traditional decor can lean toward dated, but the rooms are large and include mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Breakfast is included in the rates, and the hotel has a heated outdoor pool/whirlpool, a fitness center, a laundry room, and free parking. Be aware that this property is not open year-round. Travelers could also consider the Best Western Acadia Park Inn, which has lower rates but a less-convenient location.
The lower-middle-range Bar Harbor Grand Hotel is a good choice for travelers seeking to stay in a quiet yet convenient location in downtown Bar Harbor. Opened in 2003 as a replica to a circa 1875 hotel, this quaint, 71-room hotel is on a quiet, tree-lined street that’s a four-minute walk to the seaside town’s Village Green. The hotel’s traditional decor can lean toward dated, but the rooms are large and include mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Breakfast is included in the rates, and the hotel has a heated outdoor pool/whirlpool, a fitness center, a laundry room, and free parking. Be aware that this property is not open year-round. Travelers could also consider the Best Western Acadia Park Inn, which has lower rates but a less-convenient location.
The charming Bar Harbor Inn is situated on the town's waterfront within walking distance of downtown's shops and dining. The mid-range hotel has 153 quiet rooms with homey decor, like matching wooden bedroom sets and floral bedspreads. A continental breakfast buffet with pastries and fruit is included in room rates, and the property features a restaurant with terrace dining. The scenic setting makes it a popular wedding destination, and an outdoor pool and a spa are on site as well. The inn is eternally popular, but couples seeking a cozier atmosphere could consider Mira Monte Inn, where there are just 17 rooms and lovely outdoor seating areas.
The charming Bar Harbor Inn is situated on the town's waterfront within walking distance of downtown's shops and dining. The mid-range hotel has 153 quiet rooms with homey decor, like matching wooden bedroom sets and floral bedspreads. A continental breakfast buffet with pastries and fruit is included in room rates, and the property features a restaurant with terrace dining. The scenic setting makes it a popular wedding destination, and an outdoor pool and a spa are on site as well. The inn is eternally popular, but couples seeking a cozier atmosphere could consider Mira Monte Inn, where there are just 17 rooms and lovely outdoor seating areas.
The Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland is an upscale boutique property that reopened in 2015 after a multimillion dollar revamp resulting in fresh, hip interiors and a theme based on local wines. The downtown location puts most of the city's attractions within easy walking distance, including the waterfront and Pioneer Square. The 117 rooms are also chic and stylish, almost all with differing layouts, and some feature hot tub terraces. However, past guests have complained of street noise in lower-level rooms and many views are drab. The on-site Italian eatery is excellent, and a free nightly wine tasting is a real draw, though rates are generally on the high side. For a comparatively stylish but more affordable option (albeit with smaller rooms) check out the Hotel Lucia next door.
The Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland is an upscale boutique property that reopened in 2015 after a multimillion dollar revamp resulting in fresh, hip interiors and a theme based on local wines. The downtown location puts most of the city's attractions within easy walking distance, including the waterfront and Pioneer Square. The 117 rooms are also chic and stylish, almost all with differing layouts, and some feature hot tub terraces. However, past guests have complained of street noise in lower-level rooms and many views are drab. The on-site Italian eatery is excellent, and a free nightly wine tasting is a real draw, though rates are generally on the high side. For a comparatively stylish but more affordable option (albeit with smaller rooms) check out the Hotel Lucia next door.
A chic, highly Instagram-able boutique property, the upscale Hi-Lo Hotel, Autograph Collection opened its doors in 2017. Housed inside Portland's historic Oregon Pioneer Building in the downtown area, the property combines industrial elements like rutted concrete walls with softly hued, mid-century-inspired decor. That contemporary, minimalist aesthetic continues into its 120 rooms and suites done up in on-trend furnishings, plus 49-inch flat-screen LED smart TVs, heated tile floors, coffeemakers with free coffee and tea, and 24-hour pillow menus. Hotel features are as well-considered as the decor: There are meeting/event spaces, an all-day lobby bar, a tiny lobby shop selling local goods, and a modern Mexican restaurant that focuses on Oaxacan flavors. By comparison, Ace Hotel Portland offers a better downtown location and slightly lower average rates, but its bathrooms are small, with external sinks, and some rooms share bathrooms.
A chic, highly Instagram-able boutique property, the upscale Hi-Lo Hotel, Autograph Collection opened its doors in 2017. Housed inside Portland's historic Oregon Pioneer Building in the downtown area, the property combines industrial elements like rutted concrete walls with softly hued, mid-century-inspired decor. That contemporary, minimalist aesthetic continues into its 120 rooms and suites done up in on-trend furnishings, plus 49-inch flat-screen LED smart TVs, heated tile floors, coffeemakers with free coffee and tea, and 24-hour pillow menus. Hotel features are as well-considered as the decor: There are meeting/event spaces, an all-day lobby bar, a tiny lobby shop selling local goods, and a modern Mexican restaurant that focuses on Oaxacan flavors. By comparison, Ace Hotel Portland offers a better downtown location and slightly lower average rates, but its bathrooms are small, with external sinks, and some rooms share bathrooms.
The 136-room Hyatt Place Portland Airport/Cascade Station is one of the newer places to stay near Portland International Airport. This mid-range business property is located in a development that looks like an upscale strip mall. It's a short walk to restaurants, shopping, and public transportation but is a bit far from Portland's most popular attractions. Rooms are spacious and have living/work areas with sofa beds, but bathrooms are small. A free hot breakfast is included in the room rate, and there's also a pool that's long enough for laps, a 24-hour fitness center, a small business center with computer stations, and meeting rooms. Travelers might also want to check out the nearby Radisson, another mid-range property with similar facilities and rates.
The 136-room Hyatt Place Portland Airport/Cascade Station is one of the newer places to stay near Portland International Airport. This mid-range business property is located in a development that looks like an upscale strip mall. It's a short walk to restaurants, shopping, and public transportation but is a bit far from Portland's most popular attractions. Rooms are spacious and have living/work areas with sofa beds, but bathrooms are small. A free hot breakfast is included in the room rate, and there's also a pool that's long enough for laps, a 24-hour fitness center, a small business center with computer stations, and meeting rooms. Travelers might also want to check out the nearby Radisson, another mid-range property with similar facilities and rates.
The Ace Hotel Portland has as many quirky, bohemian characteristics as its sister properties in New York and Palm Springs. This boutique emphasizes style over space or luxury, featuring touches such as reclaimed school chairs, nightstands made out of books or suitcases, turntables, and stacks of vinyl records. Bathrooms have Malin+Goetz toiletries but are on the smaller side, with tiny exterior sinks and mirrors. Some rooms have shared bathrooms. Hotel highlights include a local, organic breakfast in the breakfast room, a great happy hour scene at the Clyde Common lobby bar, and coffee at the Stumptown Cafe. This pet-friendly hotel has a great central location for exploring Portland on foot.
The Ace Hotel Portland has as many quirky, bohemian characteristics as its sister properties in New York and Palm Springs. This boutique emphasizes style over space or luxury, featuring touches such as reclaimed school chairs, nightstands made out of books or suitcases, turntables, and stacks of vinyl records. Bathrooms have Malin+Goetz toiletries but are on the smaller side, with tiny exterior sinks and mirrors. Some rooms have shared bathrooms. Hotel highlights include a local, organic breakfast in the breakfast room, a great happy hour scene at the Clyde Common lobby bar, and coffee at the Stumptown Cafe. This pet-friendly hotel has a great central location for exploring Portland on foot.
Nonantum Resort occupies two buildings: the historic Carriage House Inn, with Victorian-style rooms, and the Portside Lodge, which features bright rooms decorated with paisley prints. Room decor varies incredibly, and some rooms are more pleasant than others, but all feature flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. A popular wedding spot, the hotel is on a beautiful piece of land overlooking the water, but visitors are given a limited window to enjoy the resort -- the hotel closes for four months during the off-season. During the summer, families enjoy the activities-packed kids' club, small pool, and kayak and bike rentals, and can also make use of the hotel's free shuttle service that will go to any destination -- including local beaches -- within a five-mile radius.
Nonantum Resort occupies two buildings: the historic Carriage House Inn, with Victorian-style rooms, and the Portside Lodge, which features bright rooms decorated with paisley prints. Room decor varies incredibly, and some rooms are more pleasant than others, but all feature flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. A popular wedding spot, the hotel is on a beautiful piece of land overlooking the water, but visitors are given a limited window to enjoy the resort -- the hotel closes for four months during the off-season. During the summer, families enjoy the activities-packed kids' club, small pool, and kayak and bike rentals, and can also make use of the hotel's free shuttle service that will go to any destination -- including local beaches -- within a five-mile radius.