LivAway Suites Portland-Scarborough

LivAway Suites opened recently in Scarborough with a straightforward pitch: kitchenettes, spacious rooms, and free parking at a mid-range price. The property sits in an industrial pocket of town, roughly equidistant from Portland and the beach - close enough to attractions but deliberately set apart, which suits travelers planning to stay put for a week or two rather than those seeking walkable charm. The reviews split sharply: guests on longer stays (a week or more) consistently rate it 9–10, while short-stay visitors - particularly a chaotic October opening weekend - report maintenance gaps and overbooking chaos that tarnished first impressions. The property is still working out staffing and systems.

Kitchenettes with full refrigerators make long stays manageable. The suites include a microwave and full-size fridge, which reviewers on week-plus stays praised specifically. You're not eating every meal out or relying on a mini-bar. One guest on a 17-night stay gave top marks; another on a seven-night stay highlighted the kitchenette as a decisive factor. This is genuinely useful for families or anyone staying longer than three nights.

Rooms are genuinely spacious and modern. Multiple reviewers noted the generous size - "big and comfortable" appeared across several stays. The building is brand-new, and the finishes reflect that. Solo travelers, couples, and families all found the space livable. The downside: novelty doesn't equal maturity in operations.

Free parking and proximity to I-95 mean easy airport and attraction access. Portland Jetport is 2.5 miles away; Old Orchard Beach is 9.9 miles; Funtown Splashtown USA is 8.1 miles. If you're renting a car and need a base for a family vacation, the location works. Free on-site parking removes the friction of some downtown Portland hotels.

Friendly staff appear genuinely invested on calm days. When the hotel wasn't in crisis, guests noted helpful, accommodating service. The problem isn't attitude - it's operational capacity.

The suites are divided into a few categories: King Suites (the dominant room type), Queen Rooms, and Studio units with disability access. All include air conditioning, private bathrooms with full tub/shower, flat-screen TV, a dining area, and microwave. Linens and towels are provided.

• King Suite: Most common option; spacious, full kitchenette with fridge and microwave.
• Queen Room: Similar layout to the King, slightly smaller footprint.
• Studio - Disability Access: Accessible configuration, also well-reviewed on recent stays.

Know this going in: Noise isolation is minimal. Rooms are on hard floors (not carpeted), and sound travels freely from the floor above. Light sleepers have explicitly requested top-floor rooms in reviews. The building is new but not soundproofed.

Parking & Convenience: Free on-site private parking with lighting · Smoke-free property · Elevator (note: the "ding" audible from some rooms)

In-Room: Flat-screen TV · Heating and air conditioning · Wardrobe/closet · Dining area · Microwave

Practical: Private bathroom in every room · Free toiletries (though see the "Good to Know" section below) · Pet friendly

Fall (September–October): Peak season for Midcoast Maine getaways and foliage. Note: Early October 2025 saw major overbooking and cancellations; the property has since stabilized. By late October, stays are smooth.

Winter (November–February): Off-peak for beach visitors, but ideal for extended stays. Multiple recent reviews (17 nights, 7 nights, 2 nights) from January through March scored 9–10, suggesting the property has found its rhythm.

Spring (March–May): Moderate demand, good weather emerging. Old Orchard Beach reopens attractions gradually. Parking lot is full on weekends but manageable midweek.

Summer (June–August): Not heavily represented in reviews, but logically strong for Funtown and beach day-trippers.

"Rooms are big and comfortable. The hotel is new." - Curtis, United States · Solo traveler · 9/10

"The full fridge and kitchenette. Honestly I can't find anything wrong." - Katie, United States · Group · 10/10

"Room size, parking area with lights, pillows. Comfortable room." - Deirdre, United States · Solo traveler · 8/10

"Clean and friendly staff, accommodating to our needs." - Marie, United States · Group · 10/10

"Close to a lot of things; rooms were spacious." - Mellen, United States · Couple · 6/10

Recent reviews (January–April 2026) have been uniformly strong (eight 10s, two 9s), suggesting operational issues from the October opening have been resolved. However, two persistent minor complaints surface across earlier stays: limited housekeeping supplies (shampoo, conditioner, hand soap occasionally absent) and sporadic maintenance issues (water temperature, ice machine, refrigerator noise, air-conditioner leaks). These appear tied to staffing ramp-up rather than systemic problems, but are worth awareness on a short stay.

Is there an ice machine on-site? Yes, but early reviews noted it occasionally out of service. Call ahead if you need ice for a specific reason (medical, etc.).

What toiletries are provided in rooms? Rooms include free basic toiletries, but early stays reported inconsistency - shampoo or conditioner sometimes unavailable. Bring your own to be safe, especially on extended stays.

Is breakfast included? No. The property does not offer breakfast service. The kitchenette and nearby restaurants (including breakfast spots in Scarborough and Old Orchard) are your options.

Is the property pet friendly? Yes, pets are allowed. No specific pet fees or restrictions are mentioned in the reviews or property details.

How far is the hotel from Portland and the beach? Portland Jetport is 2.5 miles away; Old Orchard Beach Pier is 9.9 miles; Funtown Splashtown USA is 8.1 miles. All are 10–20 minutes by car.

Is the location walkable? No. The property is in an industrial/commercial zone of Scarborough. You'll need a car to reach restaurants, shops, and attractions. It's not a downtown hotel.

Is hot water reliable? Mostly yes, though a handful of recent stays flagged cold showers or inconsistent water temperature. If this is a concern, contact the front desk immediately upon arrival.