Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Portland

The Ramada Plaza sits on Riverside Street, a mile and a half from downtown Portland, positioned as a straightforward choice for travelers who want convenience over character. It's not trying to be anything it isn't - no farm-to-table restaurant, no design moment. What it offers is solid: a heated indoor pool with two hot tubs, three attached dining spots, free parking, and a location that puts the airport less than three miles away. Families and couples return here repeatedly, citing the on-site facilities and lack of fuss.

The hotel opened as a mid-range property and has aged honestly. Some guests note the carpets and bathroom grouting could use refreshing, but the bones are there, and the staff - consistently praised across reviews - keep things clean and welcoming. If you're transiting through Maine for a night, arriving late and leaving early, or you have young kids who need a pool to burn energy, this is a practical answer.

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The pool and hot tub setup keeps families coming back. A warm, year-round heated indoor pool, two hot tubs, and beach chairs in the aquatic area make this the standout feature. Multiple guests specifically mention the relief of having this amenity after a long drive, and families with younger kids cite it as reason enough to book.

Staff go out of their way to help. "Friendly and courteous" appears in review after review. Early check-in requests are granted. Front-desk staff know the locals and can recommend where to eat outside the hotel (important, given the attached restaurants are divisive). This personal touch is genuine and repeated.

On-site dining means no car needed. Three restaurants and a bar are attached to the property - the Stacks pancake house, a casual dinner spot, and a pub-style bar called Zero. Quality varies wildly across guest experiences, but availability is the point. If you arrive hungry and don't want to drive, you're covered.

The location works for airport runs and highway travel. Riverside Street is an easy shot to I-95 and Portland International Jetport (2.5 miles). Guests heading out at 4:30 a.m. for early flights note the quick drive and parking right outside ground-level rooms as huge wins. Couples heading downtown (2 miles) or to Westbrook (1.7 miles) report good convenience.

Rooms are spacious with good bathroom privacy. King and double-bed options with balconies and reasonable square footage. Some guests note outdated finishes, but the space itself is there, and beds are frequently praised as comfortable - though pillows draw consistent criticism and should not be relied upon.

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The hotel comprises King and Double-bed rooms spread across a multi-floor layout accessible by elevator. Rooms are carpeted, air-conditioned, and include a desk, tea/coffee maker, and balcony or terrace access. Bathrooms are private with shower or tub, free toiletries, and a hair dryer. Some ground-floor rooms open directly onto the parking area, which guests with early flights appreciate.

• King Room – Non-Smoking: The most common configuration, frequently booked by couples and families.
• Double Room with Two Double Beds – Non-Smoking: Standard family layout, spacious enough for multiple people.
• Business Double Room with Two Double Beds – Non-Smoking: Identical to above; designation reflects booking category.
• Business Queen Room – Non-Smoking: Fewer mentions; appears as an occasional variant.
• Deluxe King Room – Non-Smoking: Slightly larger or upgraded finish; minimal review data.

Honest caveat: Carpets and grouting in bathrooms show their age, and several guests note this without it being a dealbreaker. Pillows are soft to the point of offering little support; bring your own or ask the front desk for a firmer option. One guest found sheets and towels inconsistent on a longer stay, though this was an outlier.

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Food & Drink · Three attached restaurants and a bar serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner · Wine and champagne available at the bar · Room service not mentioned in reviews.

Pool & Aquatic · Heated indoor pool open year-round · Two hot tubs (availability and maintenance vary by visit) · Beach chairs and loungers supplied · All ages welcome.

Business & Practical · 24-hour front desk · Business center and meeting facilities · ATM on-site · Fax and photocopying · Car rental desk · Free WiFi throughout · Free parking (accessible spots available) · Laundry facilities available for a fee · Baggage storage · Wake-up service.

Family Friendly · Kids' meal options at restaurants · Family rooms with adjoining connections · Flat-screen TV in all rooms · Non-smoking policy throughout.

Safety & Accessibility · Facilities for guests with disabilities · Elevator access to upper floors · Key card access · Safe in rooms · Fire extinguishers, CCTV outside and in common areas, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detector.

Room Amenities · Air conditioning and heating · Desk · TV with cable and satellite · Telephone · Iron available · Toiletries and hair dryer provided.

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The indoor heated pool is the property's calling card. Guests report it's genuinely warm and large enough for families to spread out. Two separate hot tubs flank or are adjacent to the pool area; however, maintenance and cleanliness are recurring friction points. Multiple guests found one or both hot tub jets non-functional or partially filled, and several noted poor sanitation. The property does schedule maintenance (one guest saw the facility close for upkeep), but reviews suggest inconsistent follow-through on depth, temperature, and jet functionality between stays.

Beach chairs and loungers are supplied, and the facility welcomes all ages - though a few solo travelers noted the noise level during family hours can be substantial. The pool is open year-round.

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Winter (November–March) · Peak season for business and airport-adjacent travelers. Pool and hot tubs are heated and active. Holidays see family groups booking. Shoulder season (November, early December, and March) offers lower rates and fewer crowds while maintaining full amenities.

Spring (April–May) · Moderate traffic. Outdoor trails and parks around Westbrook and Cape Elizabeth become accessible. Spring foliage peaks in May. Restaurant attached to hotel; breakfast at the Stacks pancake house is available.

Summer (June–August) · Highest rates and occupancy. Families arriving for coastal Maine vacations. All facilities at full capacity; pool area can be loud with children. Nearby Old Port and beaches in full swing.

Fall (September–October) · Leaf-peeping season drives higher rates, especially late September and mid-to-late October. Weather is mild. Pool and hot tubs remain heated. Good window for value-conscious travelers in early September or late October.

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"Room was comfortable and clean. Bed was great." - Linda, United States · Family · 8/10

"The pool and hot tub and friendly accommodating staff." - Adam, United States · Couple · 9/10

"Rooms pool was warm hot tubs were amazing." - Doble, United States · Family · 9/10

"Very spacious room with balcony, nice pool, friendly staff." - Ernur, Turkey · Couple · 8/10

"Convenient to everything." - Walt, United States · Couple · 8/10

"Very pleasant stay for the price. It's not a five-star hotel but it's clean and comfortable." - Rasheedah, United States · Solo · 8/10

Recurring minor issues deserve mention. Multiple guests reported hot tub jets that don't work or are only partially functional, and several found the tub water temperature unreliable or the basin inadequately filled. Cleanliness inconsistencies pop up - one guest found used coffee packets and debris behind furniture, another found a bottom sheet on inside-out, and a couple found hair in bedding. These are outliers within the broader "clean and comfortable" consensus, but they happen. Pillows are soft and don't provide support; this is not a one-off complaint. Front-desk friendliness is nearly universal, though a handful of guests encountered brief coldness at arrival (usually early morning or late night). On-site restaurant quality is divisive: some praise the Stacks breakfast and attached pub; others found burger-and-pizza menus limiting and prices high for families (one guest noted $142 for breakfast for five people).

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• 2.5 miles to Portland International Jetport – Direct route via I-95; standard car-rental agencies on-site to arrange.
• 1.5 miles to downtown Portland and Dock Square – Walk, cab, or quick drive to waterfront shops, bars, and the Old Port district.
• **2 miles to Back Cove Historic District – Scenic loop trail popular for running and walking.
• 1.7 miles to Westbrook – Neighboring town with its own dining and shopping; home to Westbrook College Historic District.
• Short drive to Cape Elizabeth – Lighthouse tours, rocky coastline, and Two Lights State Park.
• 2.6 miles to the Arts District – Gallery crawls and creative venues.
• Golf course within 2 miles – On-site facilities note this option for day trips.
• Nearby hiking trails – Several guests mention close access to outdoor trails suitable for a morning walk before checkout.

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Is breakfast included? No. The Stacks pancake house is on-site and open for breakfast, but it's an à la carte restaurant, not complimentary. Several guests mentioned breakfast prices felt steep, particularly for families. Solo travelers and couples often found it convenient; families sometimes grabbed food elsewhere. No minibar in rooms, but vending machines for snacks and drinks are available.

Is there a shuttle to the airport? Not mentioned in reviews. The airport is 2.5 miles away and easily accessible by car or taxi. The front desk can arrange car rentals on-site if you need a vehicle for your stay.

Are hot tubs included with the room? Yes, use of the pool and hot tubs is included. Both are heated and open year-round, though maintenance can cause temporary closures. One guest's stay ended just before the facility closed for scheduled upkeep.

Is parking free? Yes. Free parking is included for all guests. Accessible parking spots are available. Guests towing trailers or arriving with large vehicles noted the attached restaurants can make maneuvering difficult.

Can I bring my dog? The property lists itself as pet-friendly. One guest mentioned wanting to walk their dog but found the outdoor space too small; no explicit pet policy details are noted in reviews, so confirm fees and restrictions with the front desk before booking.

Do rooms have a microwave or kitchenette? No. Rooms include a tea/coffee maker but no microwave. One guest flagged this as a limitation for longer stays or those with dietary needs.

Is WiFi free? Yes. Free WiFi is available throughout the property and is noted as a standard amenity.

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