Hampton Inn Bangor

Hampton Inn Bangor sits on Haskell Road just off the main commercial strip - close enough to everything, far enough from highway noise. It's the kind of place where families consistently return, where business travelers know what they're getting, and where the free breakfast alone warrants the stop. With an 8.8 / 10 rating across 463 reviews, the hotel has built a reputation on three things: cleanliness that actually holds up, a breakfast spread that doesn't disappoint, and staff who treat you like you're expected.

This is not a design statement. The rooms are straightforward, the pool is indoors and heated year-round, and the lobby doesn't try too hard. What it does try for - and nails - is dependability. The property appeals equally to families with kids, couples on their way through, and anyone who values a clean bed and a real breakfast over frills.

The breakfast is genuinely the best thing about it. Not hotel-adequate breakfast. Not "better than expected for the price." Guests return explicitly to eat here again. Multiple reviews call it the best breakfast encountered at any hotel stay. The buffet includes fresh pastries, fruits, juices, a waffle maker, a coffee bar, and hot options that actually change - one recent guest, Michael from the area, noted it as a top-five hotel experience in years of travel, crediting the breakfast and cleanliness equally. It's complimentary and included every morning.

The rooms are consistently described as spotless. "Cleanest hotel I've stayed at" appears more than once in the reviews. Rooms are spacious for a three-star property, with two queen beds as the standard, king beds available, and rollaway beds with real mattresses (not the usual thin sofa-bed kind). Non-smoking throughout. Some guests have flagged aging details - wallpaper peeling in one room, an AC unit that runs loud - but the baseline of cleanliness and maintenance is clearly a house standard.

The location works for most trips through Maine. Bangor International Airport is five miles away; the downtown core with restaurants and the Cross Insurance Center is minutes away. For families heading to Orono Bog Boardwalk or exploring interior Penobscot County, the location is genuinely convenient. One German visitor called it ideal for New England discovery, praising the proximity to local attractions beyond the coast.

Staff are trained to be present. Guests mention friendly, helpful, professional front desk staff repeatedly. The property replies to reviews with genuine care, and individual staff names surface in replies. The team restocks the breakfast area consistently, handles special requests (like cribs, though one guest did report a missed delivery), and maintain a 24-hour desk for any issue.

The heated pool keeps kids engaged year-round. Many family reviews mention kids loving the pool, and the fact that it stays open and warm all year is a real advantage in a Maine winter or shoulder season. One guest traveling in January specifically appreciated that the kids got their winter swimming in. The pool does occasionally close early or need maintenance - note the minor exceptions in reviews - but when it's open, it's warm.

The property centers on the Room with Two Queen Beds, which represents the majority of the inventory and is what most guests book. Rooms are larger than typical for the three-star category, with modern flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and refrigerators. Bathrooms are standard with showers and hairdryers.

• Room with Two Queen Beds (Non-Smoking) - The core offering; spacious layout, comfortable beds (though a couple of guests noted firmness is on the higher end)
• King Room with King Bed (Non-Smoking) - For couples or solo travelers wanting more space
• King Room with Sofa Bed (Non-Smoking) - Extra flexibility for groups or families with older kids
• Queen Room with Two Queen Beds and Roll-In Shower (Mobility & Hearing Access) - Fully accessible

One honest note: A handful of guests mentioned mattresses that felt either too firm or, in one case, starting to sag. The majority found beds comfortable. Tea and coffee makers are in all rooms, and rollaway beds are equipped with real mattresses, which matters if you're traveling with kids.

Pool & Grounds · Heated indoor swimming pool open year-round with shallow end and loungers · Free on-site parking with accessible spaces · Beach chairs and towels provided

Food & Drink · Complimentary daily American buffet breakfast with fresh pastries, fruits, juices, waffles, hot options, coffee bar, and kid-friendly selections · Shared lounge with TV and vending machines

Fitness & Wellness · Fitness center with Peloton and hand weights · Facilities for guests with mobility needs

Practical · Free WiFi throughout · Business center · 24-hour front desk · Express check-in/out · ATM on-site · Elevator access · Air conditioning and heating in all rooms

Family-Friendly · Family rooms available · Non-smoking throughout · Kids appreciated during check-in and stay (complimentary cookies and beverages noted in reviews) · Flat-screen TV in every room

Winter (November–March) The peak season for this property. Families and couples dominate reviews. The heated indoor pool is especially valued. Breakfast is busy but well-stocked. Note: Winter parking can be tight after heavy snow, and at least one guest flagged uneven shoveling.

Spring (April–May) Lighter traffic. Good for couples and solo travelers heading to Acadia or interior Maine attractions. Breakfast and cleanliness standards hold steady. Weather is cool but the pool remains heated.

Summer (June–August) The property sees a mix of tourists exploring New England and families using it as a base. Pool is warm and well-used. Breakfast remains strong. One guest mentioned pool maintenance issues in August; likely routine.

Fall (September–October) Steady leaf-peeping traffic. Couples especially value the location and breakfast. Pool is heated but cooler outside temperature keeps use moderate. Service remains reliable.

"Breakfast was delicious. The girls loved the pool."

• Heather, United States · Family · 9/10

"Breakfast and location were perfect."

• Danielle, United States · Family · 10/10

"Cleanest hotel I've stayed at. Best breakfast I've encountered at any stay. In my top 5 across years of travel."

• Michael, United States · Family · 9/10

"Everything was spotless. Front desk staff were friendly and responsive. Breakfast was fresh and tasty."

• Signa, United States · Family · 10/10

"This was our second stay. Last year was such a great experience, we wanted to stay here again this year. Very pleased again."

• Lucy, United States · Couple · 10/10

"The location was great for us. Room was lovely and clean, bed was comfortable, plenty of space. Breakfast nice, and waffle maker a bonus."

• M, United Kingdom · Couple · 9/10

Most criticisms are minor. A handful of guests flagged that the hot tub (no longer available) is missed. Pool upkeep occasionally lapses - a couple of reviews mention it needing cleaning or closing early. Parking can be tight during peak travel days. One guest noted that a door keycard reader malfunctioned. One couple received a room with aging finishes (wallpaper peeling). These are exceptions, not patterns. The baseline satisfaction is high, and the majority of negatives are about features (the old hot tub) or occasional lapses in maintenance rather than systemic failures.

Is breakfast really included? Yes. A complimentary American buffet is served daily with fresh pastries, fruits, juices, hot options, waffles, and a coffee bar. Most guests call it the best part of the stay.

Is the pool open year-round? Yes. The indoor pool is heated and open all year with a shallow end. It typically operates until 10 p.m., though one guest reported an early closure on a Friday evening. Check at the desk if pool time is critical to your stay.

Is there a restaurant or bar on-site? No. The hotel does not operate a restaurant or bar, but numerous restaurants and shops are within minutes by car. The front desk can recommend options.

How far is the hotel from Bangor International Airport? About five miles, roughly 10–15 minutes by car depending on traffic. Free parking is on-site, so no lot fees.

Is the hotel pet-friendly? The property is listed as pet-friendly in facilities, though very few reviews mention pets. Contact the front desk directly to confirm current pet policies and any fees.

Is there parking, and is it free? Yes. Free on-site parking is available with accessible spaces for guests with mobility needs. One guest noted that parking can be tight during peak travel times.

Are there accessibility features? Yes. The property has wheelchair-accessible rooms with roll-in showers, elevator access, and accessible parking. Call ahead to request specific accommodations.