Inn at St John Portland In-Town

We were three young women travelling together and never felt unsafe, despite what some other reviews said. The staff were always glad to help with questions. Our ground-floor room was quiet, with no road noise apart from a couple of blue light vehicles, obviously. The old-fashioned room and decor suited us, and we were thrilled to have a bath. There was also a fridge and microwave, plus coffee and hot water available around the clock. They put out cookies in the evening, and breakfast had a big range of options in a self-serve buffet, which worked for us. Parking is behind the hotel, with another lot just a two-minute walk away if the first one is full. It’s thoughtful to provide that instead of leaving guests to pay or hunt for street parking. I’d definitely recommend the hotel.

The first impression was charming, but that didn’t last. The lobby may have been the nicest part of the inn, and the steep stairs up to the third floor were quite a workout and felt dangerous. There’s no elevator, so don’t stay here if you need one. Our room was outdated, with a small, uncomfortable bed and old carpet. The AC didn’t work until it suddenly started on its own the next day. There was no bathroom in the room. We had to get dressed and go into the hallway to use our private bathroom, which had its own key. It was inconvenient, and I can’t imagine sharing a bathroom with everyone else on the floor and having to wait. The shower pressure was almost nonexistent, the vent was dirty, and there were too many nooks and crannies that looked as though they’d been caulked over and over. Housekeeping never made the bed or replaced the bath towels. Because the AC wasn’t working, we had to open the window. The location felt sketchy, and noise from the hospital on the corner and a bar across the street kept waking us: revving engines, people yelling and arguing, and sirens. Parking was a joke. There’s a tiny lot behind the building, and if it’s full you have to try the street or a lot a block away. Creepy, old, outdated.

The atmosphere at Inn at St John made the stay for us. It has a quirky vintage look, cozy New England character, and a personality you don’t get at a chain. The rooms were comfortable, everything was clean, and the little housekeeping touches made it feel especially warm and personal. The staff were welcoming from check-in to checkout, and the GM was kind, helpful, and clearly cared about guests having a good visit. Breakfast and coffee were complimentary, parking was easy, and the location made it convenient to explore Portland’s restaurants, shops, and waterfront. We’d happily return and recommend it to anyone after an affordable, memorable stay in Portland.

For the price, it was about what I expected. The room was a good size, the bed was comfortable, and it was quiet. Breakfast was good, the staff were friendly, and dogs are welcome. The older feel didn’t bother me, though some updates would help. The rooms look pretty old and visibly dirty, the carpet needs replacing, the shower is tiny, and the blankets are thin.