Inn at Portland

The Inn at Portland sits on 5 acres just off the highway between downtown Portland and the airport - a no-frills motel that doesn't pretend to be anything else. It's the kind of place couples and families book for a night or two when they need a clean bed, a hot shower, and a reasonable bill. The rooms are spacious by motel standards, the pool draws families in summer, and the free parking and Wi-Fi are practical touches. But honesty matters: the carpets are old, the hallways carry a persistent musty smell that guests mention often, and the continental breakfast is basic at best.

The 6.1 score reflects this trade-off. Guests who arrive with modest expectations - a place to land after a ballgame or a drive to Acadia - tend to leave satisfied. Those expecting polish or modernity leave disappointed.

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Value-conscious travelers who want a bed without the frills. The price is genuinely lower than comparable chains in the area, and repeat visitors explicitly praise the cost-to-comfort ratio for a single night. This is where you book if you're passing through, not lingering.

The pool is a working amenity in summer. It's the single bright spot for families. Multiple reviews call it clean and a good size - though several note it runs cold and isn't heated. Open seasonally, it justifies a 2-night family stay in July and August when downtown options are booked solid.

Beds are consistently comfortable. Across dozens of reviews, the mattresses and linens earn praise. It's the one thing the hotel does right at scale. Don't expect luxury, but you won't wake with a bad back.

The room itself is honest space. King and queen configurations are genuinely spacious compared to boutique hotels; bathrooms work; showers run hot; and most guests report the rooms themselves feel clean on arrival.

Location near PWM airport is real. A 10-minute drive from Portland International Jetport makes this useful for early flights or rental-car pickups. The highway access is fast - you're not navigating downtown traffic.

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The hotel offers traditional motel-style rooms across a few configurations: king, queen, and double-queen family options. Rooms include a desk, flat-screen TV, air conditioning, and a work area - standard business-travel basics. Bathrooms have bathtubs with showers, towels, and free toiletries.

• King Room – Single bed, largest footprint, most requested
• Double Room – Two double beds, slightly more compact
• Queen Room with Two Queen Beds – Family-friendly, good for groups

One honest caveat: the carpets are worn and show age. Several guests noted stains and threadbare patches. If that bothers you, inquire about room condition at check-in or consider a property with newer finishes. The hallways, while clean by standard, carry a persistent damp or musty odor that reviewers link to old carpet and ventilation - this is the property's most consistent complaint and worth noting.

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Food & Drink · Continental breakfast (cereal, toast, muffins, juice, hard-boiled eggs, fruit); bar and restaurant on property

Practical Services · Free Wi-Fi in rooms · Free parking · Business center · Wake-up service · Laundry facilities · Tour desk

Room Basics · A/C and heating · Desk and work area · Flat-screen TV with cable · Refrigerator and microwave · Coffee machine · Iron and ironing board · Private bathroom with bathtub/shower

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The pool is the property's main summer draw. It's clean and a decent size for a motel, though the water runs cold and it's not heated. Open seasonally (typically May through September), it's a practical option for families and a reason to book a 2-night weekend stay with kids. The hotel lists activities like bike tours, walking tours, and even cooking classes on its roster, though reviews don't mention these often - treat them as bonus rather than core offerings.

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Summer (June–August): Peak season. Pool is open and draws families. Temperatures 70–80°F, occasional rain. Acadia tourism surges, so this hotel fills quickly as an airport alternative. Book ahead if you want the pool.

Shoulder Season (May, September): Pleasant 55–70°F weather. Pool may still be open (confirm when booking). Fewer guests, easier parking. Fall foliage begins in late September.

Fall & Winter (October–April): Pool closes. Quieter, cheaper, easier to book same-day. Foliage peaks in early October; leaf-peeping season draws day visitors. Winter is slow; heating works well (one guest noted this specifically), but expect occasional snow and ice.

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"Walking distance to main st. Decent overnight stay."

• Debbie, United States · Couple · 7/10

"The bed was comfortable. Price point was decent compared to other places in the area."

• Andrea, United States · Couple · 7/10

"Friendly staff, nice and quiet atmosphere. It was a convenient location."

• Guilmette, United States · Family · 7/10

"Great location for easy access to Portland and places to eat."

• Amy, United Kingdom · Couple · 7/10

"For an old building very clean. Heating worked well."

• Karen, United States · Family · 6/10

"The pool was a good size. The chicken place next door was amazing."

• Heather, Canada · Family · 6/10

The most common criticism isn't the age of the building - it's the smell. At least 25 guests mention mildew, mustiness, or damp odors in hallways and rooms, often despite noting the rooms themselves are clean. A few guests also flag the breakfast as minimal or poor compared to other hotels in the price range. Neither is a deal-breaker for a one-night stop, but both matter if you're planning a longer stay. The staff, by contrast, earns consistent praise for friendliness and accommodation (one guest mentioned being allowed early check-in without question).

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• Portland International Jetport – 3.3 miles, ~10 minutes by car
• Downtown Portland waterfront – 4 miles, ~12 minutes; walkable Old Port with shops and restaurants
• Portland Museum of Art – 4 miles; 2–3 hours if you stop
• Two Lights State Park – 20 miles south; coastal trail and lighthouse
• Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse – 15 miles; short walk from parking
• Acadia National Park – 120 miles north; day trip or overnight gateway (reviews mention using this hotel as a stepping stone)
• Casco Bay Islands ferry – 4 miles; day cruises from downtown
• Asian restaurant next door – One reviewer praised it warmly; no name given but it's walkable

The hotel's neighborhood isn't charming. It's business-park adjacent, with a cannabis dispensary and tobacco shop nearby - reviews mention this frankly, especially guests with families who find the surroundings industrial. Upside: quick highway access means you're not trapped in the locale.

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Is breakfast included? Yes. Continental breakfast is complimentary: cereal, toast, muffins, juice, hard-boiled eggs, and fruit. One caveat: multiple guests expected more - waffles, hot items, or more bagel flavors. It's not bad, but don't expect a hot cooked meal.

Is there a shuttle to the airport? Not mentioned in reviews or facilities. Plan for a 10-minute drive ($15–25 rideshare or rental car). The distance is short enough that a rideshare is often cheaper than a shuttle fee.

Can I open the windows in my room? Rooms have air conditioning but limited window operation. One guest noted the inability to open windows in summer, relying only on A/C. If you prefer fresh air, ask about room location at check-in.

Is the neighborhood safe? Reviews are mixed. The location is industrial and near a busy highway; a few guests felt unsafe or noted the cannabis dispensary and vape shop nearby as a concern. There was one mention of "drug addicts in the back of the hotel." It's not a dangerous area in a city-crime sense, but it's not a walkable neighborhood - you'll want a car.

What's the wifi reliability? Free Wi-Fi is listed as available, but one guest mentioned the internet being out for a week during their stay. Generally stable, but not guaranteed for a long-stay backup plan.

Is there a restaurant on-site? Yes. The property lists a restaurant and bar, but reviews don't detail them. Guests mention the Asian restaurant next door as better; no guest reviews the in-house dining.

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