Recognized as one of America’s coolest small cities, Portland Maine is a pretty cool town. Right in the center of it all sits the Portland Harbor Hotel, a cozy comfort hotel in the heart of the Old Port District. This is where cobblestones and historical 19th century brick buildings are home to many locally-owned, one-of-a-kind boutiques, art galleries, microbrews, and award-winning restaurants. The city really has something for everyone, and you won’t want to miss strolling down Exchange, Fore, and Wharf Street to take in everything the city has to offer.
We were excited to visit the area from Boston, and jumped on I-95 and headed North. With a quick stop in Ipswich for a fried clam fix, we landed in Portland in just a few hours. Our base of operations for the next few days would be the Portland Harbor Hotel, located a block from the waterfront, and in the heart of the Old Port district.
Valet parking is $22 a day, but the hotel also offers a complimentary shuttle if you arrive by airport or rail, making it an easy decision to leave the car at home. They also offer personal car service to all downtown restaurants and attractions, as well as free bicycles to use, should you want to explore the city on your own.
As for rooms, there are several styles to choose from. On the top floor, the eastern facing rooms have bay views and the courtyard is reminiscent of European luxury properties, especially at night with a glowing firepit that sits in the garden. The courtyard view rooms offer well-appointed décor and an added amenity of a built-in sound system. Our room was a junior suite with a spacious separate sitting area and two televisions, large bathroom with deep soaking tub and a separate granite glass-enclosed shower. Local artist’s works are used in all of the hotel’s rooms with a focus on sleek yachts from days gone by, and serene ocean scenes. The themed nautical rooms were comfortable with all of the amenities you would expect.
Two of the most appreciated amenities at the property, in our opinion, are the beverage nooks on every floor offering chilled still and sparkling water, and a Starbucks coffee dispenser. And the hotel makes it easy if you just want to stay in, with their room service that offers an identical menu (and prices) as the hotels’ Blue Fin North Atlantic Seafood restaurant, which has a cool vibe.
BlueFin North Atlantic Seafood Restaurant
Executive Chef Gil Plaster offers up delicious food and we sampled a number of dishes for dinner. The Casco Bay lobster salad, which was handpicked Maine lobster, was served on a bed of perfectly seasoned and dressed arugula salad with a buttermilk yogurt dressing. This made for a perfect lobster appetizer. Next up was the lobster popover which was delicious. It’s their signature dish that was loaded with lobster, and lemon thyme dressing, served with fries, and slaw.
For dinner we had the scallops and seared tuna dishes. The seared scallops were served with a parmesan risotto, wild mushroom cabernet demi, crispy shallots, and beet honey. The perfectly-crusted ponzu glazed tuna prepared rare, was served with bok choy, soba noodles, miso, and an amazing wasabi aioli that really brought out the delicate flavors of the tuna. If we lived in this neighborhood, we’d probably come by once a week to have this dish—it was so clean and light, yet complex. We loved it!
Seared Tuna Loin, Ponzu Glazed with Bok Choy, Soba Noodles, Wasabi Aioli, and Miso
Seared scallops with parmesan risotto, wild mushroom cabernet demi, crispy shallots, and beet honey
Seared Tuna Loin, Ponzu Glazed with Bok Choy, Soba Noodles, Wasabi Aioli, and Miso
For breakfast, we recommend trying one of the classic or seasonal seafood benedicts. Overall, the food at BlueFin was excellent, and the restaurant is a destination worth seeking out and returning to often. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, you’ll be well taken care of either in the dining room, the courtyard, or in the privacy of your own room.
If you’re looking for some casual bits, try The Highroller Lobster Co., or Black Cow Burgers.
Activities
Since we only had a few days to explore Portland, we didn’t have enough time to take in everything the city has to offer, but now that the crowds are gone, it’s the perfect time to visit, and we’re already planning our next trip! And if you need enticing, here are some awesome activities to do during your visit:
Shopping
The Old Port is chock-full with shops, both locally-owned and nationally-recognized. The area is perfect for window shopping within walking distance from the hotel.
Casco Bay and Lighthouses
No trip to Maine would be complete without a lighthouse visit. Lucky for you, Portland and Casco Bay are home to several.
Sporting Events
Maine is a sport-fan filled state and Portland is home to the Red Claws – a minor league affiliate of the Boston Celtics. Their home games are played right at the Portland Expo Center and are fun events for basketball fans and families alike.
Outdoor Fun
Portland offers so many fun outdoor activities from hiking, bicycling and fishing, to sailing and paddling. Don’t worry about rental equipment or getting lost, as local outfitters will help you get you geared up and out to enjoy the Maine environment.
Hope to see you there!!!
Portland Harbor Hotel
468 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101
https://www.portlandharborhotel.com/
(207) 775-9090
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