The Press Hotel | Downtown, Portland, Maine, United States

Photographer: Leah Fisher Photography

Photographer: Leah Fisher Photography

Photographer: Leah Fisher Photography

Photographer: Leah Fisher Photography

Photographer: Courtesy of The Press Hotel

Photographer: Courtesy of The Press Hotel

Photographer: Courtesy of The Press Hotel

Photographer: Courtesy of The Press Hotel

Photographer: Courtesy of The Press Hotel

Photographer: Courtesy of The Press Hotel

Photographer: Courtesy of The Press Hotel

Photographer: Courtesy of The Press Hotel

Photographer: Courtesy of The Press Hotel

Photographer: Courtesy of The Press Hotel

Photographer: Courtesy of The Press Hotel

Message & Request Pricing

Fabulously decorated by local artists, this modish Portland hotel gives new life to the brick-and-stone former home of the state's largest newspaper while paying tribute to it in design.

Even in the beating historic heart of Rose City, guests can feel stress melt away in the hotel's hip restaurant, bar, or spa. And between the four community rooms, the boutique inn offers a space for any gathering, whether you're looking to brainstorm, laugh, or straight up party with 12, 40, 70, or 130 guests.

The Lowdown

Type: Art Gallery Banquet Hall / Event Facility Boutique Hotel Historic Building Penthouse / Rooftop

Views: Cityscape Ocean

Style: Contemporary
Cultural
Romantic
Urban
Whimsical

Best type of Celebrations

Rehearsal Dinner / Welcome Reception

Venue Setting

Taking inspiration from 1920s writer’s offices, each of the hotel’s exquisite 110 guest rooms and suites feature a vintage-styled journalist desk, wood floors with herringbone area rug, and 100% local artwork, including a woven wall tapestry by Angela Adams. The historic building boasts oversized windows in every guestroom, providing natural light and fresh Maine air during your stay. Playful newsroom references abound, including thought-provoking quotes and occasional one-liners in the most unexpected places. All of our unique rooms offer pleasing amenities.

Capacity

Seated: 140

Buffet: 140

Standing: 200

Fees

(Prices listed here are estimates only & are subject to change)

Price range: Join the party and sign in to view pricing

Does this include catering fees?: No

Estimated price per head: from $30 to $250

Additional charges: ME State Sales tax 8%, Service Charge 20%

Insurance: N/A

Connect

Request a Venue Tour

Call: 207-808-8802

Event Logistics and Amenities

(Essential event logistics and amenities to ensure a seamless and memorable experience for you gathering)

Celebrations hosted here since: 2014
Curfew: No Curfew
Venue spaces: Outdoor Venue Space Only
Catering: Client Must Use The Catering Provided By The Venue
Alcohol: Provided By Venue For Fee – You Must Use The Venue For All Alcohol Services
Music: Indoors & Outdoors
Smoking: Non-smoking Venue
Eco/Green Events: Yes

Amenities

A/V Equipment
Wifi
Dining Chairs
Dining Tables
Onsite Restrooms

Inside Scoop

Room 701, our Penthouse suite has exclusive access to our roof top deck which showcases breath taking 360 degree views of the Portland cityscape and harbor. The open-plan 1200 square foot room and deck provide stunning photo opportunities and a dramatic place to have your first look! Our professional event staff will coordinate everything from flowers to on site hair & beauty services to table & room design. Portland’s newest farm-to-table (and sea-to-table) hotspot features creative takes on recognizable “Americana” favorites from coast to coast. Best known as the originators of the farm-to-table, James Beard Award winning Chefs Mark & Clark, offered sustainable cuisine before it was a trend. The chefs stay true to old world techniques that include growing and foraging their own crops, curing their own meats and making their own cheese.

Venue Features

The scene:: Magnificently reborn, The Press Hotel is located in what was once the Gannett Building, housing the offices and printing plant of the Portland Press Herald, the state’s largest newspaper. The tapestry brick and stone building in Portland’s historic Old Port District was constructed in 1923 and an adjoining structure added in 1947. The newspaper operated there until 2010. Aptly named The Press Hotel, it retains virtually all of the building’s architectural details, including its vintage exterior lettering and the newspaper’s “City Room” re-purposed as the Inkwell Bar. Many of its artifacts have also been salvaged, including a scale used for weighing the huge rolls of newsprint right down to the ounce. This unique piece will find a new home in the Fitness Center (naturally).
Design:: Interior Design Firm Stonehill & Taylor worked on the conversion of this historic building into a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel to be a new four-star, lifestyle boutique. Stonehill & Taylor took inspiration from the site’s unique history in their design narrative. Referencing letterpress type cases, rectangular frame motifs are found throughout the design of the public areas, guestrooms, and function space. The reception desk pops from its surroundings featuring a custom sculptural wall commissioned by a local artist, a collage of enlarged letter blocks. The corridors are lined with digital wall covering containing custom graphics, a pattern comprised of historic headlines from the Portland Press Herald. The property is historically sensitive, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable.
Standout venue features:: The Press Hotel offers a truly unique and unimagined event space and experience to enhance and ensure all your wedding festivities are utterly memorable. We will design a celebration that is distinctively personal and representative of you, in the same spirit in which we strive to capture that indefinable essence of Portland. From the ceremony, to the Penthouse Suite and private rooftop deck, to the post wedding brunch, we can customize every aspect and deliver a remarkably authentic occasion. Our full service wedding planners will inspire, harmonize, & streamline all aspects of your event allowing you to enjoy every moment.
Extra perks:: Every aspect of your celebration will be enhanced by our spirited touch. Host your wedding ceremony and reception with us, and we'll customize a guestbook for you with our vintage typewriter and long sheets of paper for your guests to leave their well wishes for the happy couple.

Food Restaurants, Cafes, Bars, Lounges

This section provides insights into our diverse culinary and social offerings.

Join us at M.C. UNION, Portland’s newest farm-to-table (and sea-to-table) hotspot. Founded by James Beard award-winning chefs Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier, M.C. UNION features creative takes on recognizable “Americana” favorites from coast to coast, uniting the pair’s California and Maine childhood culinary memories. The restaurant features an open kitchen and dinning room for 65, Lounge and Bar Seating for 35, and a Chef's Table for 5. A large communal table for 12 provides the perfect setting to enjoy your company while sharing thoughtfully prepared dishes.

Once the Portland Press Herald’s busy city room, the Inkwell Bar echoes the energy and intellect of its former occupants. Serving hand-crafted vintage cocktails, Portland microbrews and small plates, this lobby space features tables emblazoned with Press Herald headlines spanning 150 years. The Inkwell Bar is open daily for specialty coffees and pastries (6:30 – 11 am), along with cocktails and light fare (11 am – midnight).