Aloft by Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront ME

Chris at the bar went out of his way to give us a full PDF guide to Portland’s best hot spots, bars, and food, which made exploring much easier and more fun. The whole hotel felt spotless, fresh, and modern, like everything was brand new. Staff were friendly, welcoming, and accommodating from start to finish. We had an amazing stay at the Aloft Marriott in Portland, Maine, and would happily return. Highly recommend it to anyone visiting Portland.

The location is very walkable, with great restaurants and shopping nearby. We booked a king bed with an ocean view, but when we arrived before check-in, we were told the room wasn’t ready, which was understandable. Almost as an aside, they then said the king room wasn’t available and offered a two-queen ocean-view room plus two drink credits. When we came back almost an hour after check-in time, another person told us the room still wasn’t ready and again offered two drink credits. We didn’t complain, but didn’t like how it was handled. It felt like we were just handed credits while being bounced around, with no apology or care. There’s also little privacy in the room: the bathroom is separated by only a partial wall and barn door. Sound carries badly, too. We could hear footsteps upstairs and neighbors opening and closing shades. We barely slept.

Aloft rooms have an open layout, so the bathroom isn’t fully separate from the sleeping area. That may not work well if you’re sharing with someone you don’t know well and want privacy. I stayed with a good friend last weekend. The hotel was clean and comfortable, and the staff were friendly, but there was plenty to want improved. We got upgraded to a fourth-floor corner room with a nice water view, though two walls were floor-to-ceiling windows and it felt like a fishbowl. We kept the blackout shades down most of the time, since changing or using the shower felt exposed to people on the sidewalk. Noise was the worst part. The walls seemed very thin, and we heard kids running in the hall at 3 am, doors slamming, and people shouting. The toilets were loud, and the bathroom behind the beds was separated only by a screen that didn’t reach the ceiling, which was jarring when either of us used it. I don’t think either of us slept much. The room was pretty affordable, so I guess you get what you pay for, but next time I’d spend a little more for better insulation and a more traditional layout.

The shuttle around town was an unexpected treat, and Mark and Elton were really friendly and helpful as they drove us around. The bartender suggested some local places, and the front desk gave us a list of spots and even printed it for us. The hotel was really clean, nice, and comfortable, and the staff were my favorite part. That shuttle service is a rare gem. Definitely recommend.