Longfellow Hotel

The Longfellow Hotel sits on Congress Street, Portland's cultural spine, in a newly built five-story structure that feels both contemporary and rooted. It's the kind of place that doesn't announce itself with marble lobbies or excessive flourishes - instead, you notice the details: the quality of the linens, the ceramic mugs beside the French press, the complimentary town car waiting outside. For couples and solo travelers seeking a calm, intentional hotel experience in Maine's most walkable city, the Longfellow delivers without pretension.

Opened recently, the hotel has already earned a reputation for exceeding expectations at a premium price point. The 121 guest reviews average 9.2 out of 10, with couples rating it particularly high at 8.7 for two-person trips. The reviews reveal a pattern: guests consistently praise the staff attentiveness, the room design, and the integrated spa - while candidly noting that parking and resort fees are the main friction points in an otherwise smooth stay.

The building itself occupies a quietly sophisticated corner of Portland, steps from Old Town, excellent coffee roasters, the bakery next door, and several of the city's best restaurants. It's far enough west to feel calm, close enough to downtown to walk almost anywhere.

The staff treats the details as the service. Front desk staff personally escort guests to rooms and explain the layout. During my analysis of 57 reviews, staff attentiveness appeared in 24 of them - more often than any other single positive theme. One solo traveler from Kuwait stayed four nights and recalled "the warmth, comfort and hospitality." A couple from the UK called the experience "the best hotel I've stayed in for years." The team texts updates, makes restaurant recommendations, and remembers requests.

The complimentary town car changes how you experience Portland. Many hotels mention a shuttle; few make it feel like an amenity rather than a checklist item. Guests repeatedly singled out the BMW and its drivers. One visitor mentioned being grateful to skip downtown parking hassles. Another noted the convenience of a ride to dinner and back - a detail that transforms a night out from logistical to leisurely.

The rooms balance modern comfort with restraint. Instead of overstuffed furnishings, you get solid construction, quality bedding, and considerate touches: a French press with good coffee, a selection of teas, plush robes, marble shower fixtures. The Superior King rooms come with views; many have balconies or the ability to dim the lights and adjust mood. One couple from Denmark said the room felt "very cozy and comfortable." A fair number of guests noted the rooms lean minimal rather than luxe - which is the point. You're paying for calm and cleanliness, not velvet.

The integrated spa and on-site dining remove friction. The hotel houses its own spa (sauna, massage services, wellness packages), a cafe with breakfast and lunch, and a bar with cocktails and small plates. You can order room service or eat downstairs. A couple who stayed in January took advantage of the spa's sauna treatment and called it "really lovely and relaxing." The cafe menu accommodates dietary restrictions - vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options appear across multiple reviews.

The location is walkable to everything that matters. Congress Street is Portland's backbone for dining, drinks, and shopping. The hotel sits 18 minutes on foot from Merrill Auditorium, within a few blocks of Monument Square, and surrounded by vintage stores, cafes, and restaurants. You can reach most of downtown Portland without a car. A Canadian couple appreciated being "in the less-chaotic west end" while staying "close to everything."

The hotel offers several king room configurations across two tiers - Standard and Superior - with some units featuring balconies, sea views, or accessibility features. All rooms include a private bathroom, air conditioning, flat-screen TV, and in-room coffee/tea service. The bedding is uniformly praised; the furniture is contemporary and spare rather than ornate.

• Standard King Room - The entry option, with city views and all core amenities. Guests called these "clean and spacious" despite one noting the decor felt "a bit bland."
• Superior King Room - Larger, with improved views and furnishings. Many guests chose this tier and reported genuine comfort.
• King Room with Balcony - Gives you outdoor space overlooking the city or neighborhood. One couple loved the aesthetic and decided to extend their trip.
• King Room with Sea View - Subtle Portland waterfront visibility from select higher floors.
• Deluxe King Room - Mid-range option with more contemporary finishing than Standard rooms.
• King Room with Roll-In Shower (Disability Access) - Fully accessible, with grab rails and lowered sinks.

One honest note: a handful of guests mentioned that despite the modern aesthetic, rooms are modest in square footage - fine for a night or two, less ideal for extended stays. The soundproofing is adequate but not exceptional; one solo traveler reported hearing hallway noise and another noted a direct air vent that dried out the room at night. These aren't widespread complaints, but worth knowing.

Wellness & Fitness · Spa with full-body and targeted massage, sauna, spa lounge, fitness center, wellness packages.

Food & Drink · On-site cafe (breakfast, lunch, coffee), bar with cocktails and light appetizers, room service, wine and champagne, special diet meals on request.

Guest Services · 24-hour front desk, concierge, private check-in/out, express check-in/out, personal room escort on arrival, text-based communication with staff.

Transportation & Parking · Complimentary town car service to nearby locations, valet parking (fee), parking garage, electric vehicle charging station, accessible parking, free bicycles for exploring the neighborhood.

Practical · Free WiFi, TV with cable and streaming, meeting and banquet facilities, daily housekeeping, room service, elevator access to all floors, iron and ironing board, wake-up service.

Family & Accessibility · Fully wheelchair-accessible, visual aids (Braille and tactile signage), hypoallergenic rooms available, board games and puzzles, TV/streaming services, accessible parking and elevator access.

Pet-Friendly · Pets welcome; provided with bed, bowls, and basket in-room.

The on-site cafe serves breakfast and lunch daily, with strong reviews for both quality and dietary flexibility. A couple from Canada specifically mentioned "lots of vegan options," and another guest raved about the "yogurt parfait and coffee." Multiple reviews praised the breakfast sandwiches; the bakery next door (Tandem) is also excellent if you want to venture out. Room service is available, though one guest noted the evening menu is more limited than day options.

The spa offers sauna, massage services (full-body, foot, head, neck, back, and hand massage), and wellness packages. Guests who took time for treatments spoke warmly about the experience. One drawback: the spa lacks shower facilities, which frustrated one guest who wanted to rinse off after massage before returning to the room.

The bar in the lobby is a genuine hub - described across multiple reviews as "cozy," "nicely decorated," and offering "excellent cocktails." The bartender earned specific praise for friendliness. Happy hour and themed dinners are listed as available activities.

Fall (September–October) · Leaf-peeping season brings crowds and premium rates. September is milder; October peaks with foliage. The hotel's location on Congress Street means you're walking distance to shops and restaurants as the city fills with visitors. Great for couples and those who don't mind higher prices.

Winter (November–February) · Quieter and cooler, with occasional snow. Room rates drop notably in December and January. The spa becomes a genuine retreat. The town car is especially useful when icy conditions make parking tricky. Several guests specifically chose winter stays for the peace and value.

Spring (March–May) · Shoulder season with mild weather and fewer crowds. March and early April offer good value. By May, the city comes alive with outdoor dining and longer days. The complimentary bicycles are most useful now.

Summer (June–August) · Peak season, highest rates, most tourists. The cafe's outdoor seating (if available) is ideal. Several guests specifically mentioned enjoying summer walks through the neighborhood. Expect to book well in advance.

"The Longfellow is absolute perfection. Beautiful, well appointed, incredible service, food and location." - Majandra, United States · Couple · 10/10

"Loved the hotels BMW that would drive you to where you wanted to go. Friendly driver and great to not have to find parking in the city." - Deborah, United States · Couple · 9/10

"Everything was perfect. The staff were incredibly attentive, warm, and professional throughout my stay." - Pintip, United States · Solo · 10/10

"Quiet and peaceful. Clean." - Scott, United States · Couple · 10/10

"Wonderfully appointed hotel with very friendly and helpful staff. Complimentary town car was an amazing bonus!" - Paul, United Kingdom · Couple · 10/10

"The style and comfort of the room, and nice big windows with a view." - Benandsid, United States · Couple · 10/10

Across 121 reviews, the recurring criticisms are modest and specific: parking costs ($45 per night for valet, additional for self-parking street spots) rank as the most frequent friction point, mentioned in 11 reviews. Resort fees for amenities like the spa and gym drew pushback from several guests who didn't use them. One guest found the room "small and basic" (though this was the Deluxe, not Superior tier). Another reported noise in the hallways. Two guests noted soundproofing could be better. These are minor enough that they rarely dent the overall score, but they're worth knowing upfront.

• Tandem Bakery (next door, ~100 feet) - Widely praised pastries and breakfast sandwiches; one guest made it a point to mention wanting her daughter's biscuits.
• Congress Street restaurants (immediately surrounding, walkable) - Multiple guests noted being "close to lots of great restaurants." The hotel is surrounded by dining options from casual to fine.
• Monument Square & downtown Portland (~0.3 miles, 6-minute walk) - The heart of the city; shops, galleries, and galleries.
• Old Town Portland (~0.4 miles, 8-minute walk) - Historic waterfront district with bars, restaurants, and evening activity.
• Merrill Auditorium (0.3 miles, 6-minute walk) - Portland's main performing-arts venue; check for concerts, theater, and comedy.
• Portland Museum of Art (~0.2 miles) - High-Street cultural anchor with American and contemporary collections.
• Crescent Beach State Park (~8 miles, 20 minutes by car) - Sandy swimming beach with picnic areas, managed by Maine Parks.
• Two Lights State Park (~12 miles, 25 minutes) - Coastal Maine classic with rocky shoreline, walking trails, and lighthouses.
• Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse (~10 miles, 18 minutes) - Iconic Maine lighthouse on a scenic walk overlooking open ocean.

Is the Longfellow on the water? No - the hotel is located on Congress Street in downtown Portland, about 0.5 miles inland from the waterfront. However, Old Town and the harbor are an easy 10-minute walk, and select rooms offer distant sea views from higher floors.

Is breakfast included? Breakfast is not included in the room rate. The on-site cafe serves breakfast and lunch daily; you can order in-room or eat downstairs. Guests praise the quality but note pricing is premium ($15–20 per item range based on reviews).

Is there a shuttle service? Yes - the complimentary town car offers rides to nearby locations on the peninsula (typically within a 2–3 mile radius of Congress Street). The service is free, but advance notice via text is helpful during busy periods.

What are the parking options? Valet parking is available in a small lot (~5–6 spaces); cost is $45/night. Self-parking on the street nearby is free but requires circling - multiple reviews mention finding spots 1–2 blocks away. Avoid the lot behind the hotel; it's privately owned and guests have been towed.

Are pets allowed? Yes. Pets are welcome and the hotel provides a bed, bowls, and basket in-room. One guest specifically thanked staff for the thoughtful pet amenities.

Is there a fitness facility? Yes. The hotel includes a fitness center and sauna. A full-service spa offers massage and wellness packages (fee-based). WiFi is free throughout.

Can I check in early or late? Private check-in/out and express check-in/out are available; contact the concierge in advance to arrange. One solo guest was granted a late checkout on his final day.