Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Maine

The hotel stands out for its exceptional proximity to the airport, offering a seamless travel experience with its efficient shuttle service, while surprisingly maintaining a quiet atmosphere despite its location. Guests consistently highlight the spacious rooms, the excellent staff, the amazing breakfast, and the complimentary evening reception as key features that enhance their stay. This makes the hotel an ideal choice for business travelers seeking convenience, families looking for comfortable and amenity-rich accommodations, couples on a getaway, and especially travelers with early flights or layovers. To maximize your experience, be sure to take full advantage of the generous complimentary breakfast and evening reception, and rely on the highly praised efficient airport shuttle for stress-free airport transfers. The hotel's commitment to guest comfort and convenience is a recurring theme, making it a memorable choice for many.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of well-regarded facilities and amenities designed to enhance guest comfort and convenience. The fitness center is frequently praised for being well-equipped, featuring modern machines including Peloton bikes, providing an excellent environment for workouts. The indoor pool is generally described as clean and warm, offering a good size for relaxation, though some guests found it a bit small, and there were instances where it was unexpectedly closed for maintenance, disappointing some families. Most guests appreciate the reliable free Wi-Fi connection throughout the property. Additional conveniences include readily available ice machines on floors and a sundry store for quick purchases. The lobby and seating areas are noted for their comfortable and inviting ambiance, often featuring a cozy fireplace and board games, creating a pleasant social space. While elevators were occasionally mentioned as slow, the overall array of amenities, including laundry facilities and in-room Netflix and YouTube streaming, contributes positively to the guest experience.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on cleanliness and room comfort is generally positive, with many describing rooms as very clean and spotless. However, some guests noted minor issues such as occasional stains on carpets or upholstery, and a few instances of mold in bathrooms or dirty curtains. The room size and layout consistently receive high praise, with guests appreciating the spacious suites that often feature a separate living room and separate bedroom, equipped with a mini-fridge, microwave, sink, and two TVs. Most guests find the beds comfortable and conducive to a good night's sleep, though a few found them either too soft or too firm. Despite the hotel's proximity to the airport, noise levels from planes are surprisingly minimal, with rooms often described as quiet; however, some guests reported hearing noise from adjacent rooms or hallways. Bathrooms are generally clean, but some are noted as small, and issues like slippery tubs or inadequate shower pressure were occasionally mentioned. A common point of concern is the effectiveness of the blackout curtains, with several guests reporting significant light leakage into the rooms.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining and food quality receive widespread acclaim, particularly for the complimentary breakfast. Guests consistently describe it as amazing, often calling it the best hotel breakfast they've experienced, with a wide selection of hot and fresh options including made-to-order omelets, French toast, bacon, sausage, and various cold items like fresh fruit and iced coffee. The evening reception or happy hour is another highly appreciated feature, offering free drinks and a variety of snacks such as chips, salsa, and cheese trays, creating a pleasant social atmosphere. The on-site restaurant and bar are generally well-regarded, with many guests praising the food quality and the good vibe, noting dishes like steak tips and seafood bake. However, some guests found the food selection not always exciting or experienced long waits due to staffing. While room service is available, a few reviews mentioned issues with food arriving cold. Additionally, some guests expressed dissatisfaction with the high cost of snacks purchased from the vending areas.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location and accessibility are primarily defined by its exceptional proximity to the airport, often described as being right next door or within a short, walkable distance. A major highlight is the free airport shuttle service, which is consistently praised for being quick, prompt, and efficient, with friendly drivers ensuring stress-free transfers. While the hotel is ideal for airport access, its proximity to downtown Portland receives mixed feedback; many guests note it requires a 10-15 minute drive, and some were disappointed that a previously advertised downtown shuttle service was no longer available, necessitating reliance on ride-sharing or public transport. Parking is a significant point of contention; while ample and well-lit, a new daily fee of $13-15 for self-parking surprised and frustrated many guests who were not informed at booking, especially given the suburban location. Despite some concerns about the immediate surrounding area, the hotel's location is generally considered safe and convenient for travelers.

Staff & Service
The staff and service at the hotel consistently receive overwhelmingly positive feedback, standing out as a major highlight of the guest experience. Guests frequently describe the team as amazing, excellent, and very friendly, highlighting their accommodating and helpful nature. The check-in and check-out process is often noted as smooth, quick, and efficient, with many appreciating the option for virtual key access via the hotel app. Staff members are praised for going above and beyond, assisting with various issues from booking discrepancies to car troubles, and promptly addressing concerns like room cleanliness by offering alternative accommodations. While the overall service is exceptional, some guests provided mixed feedback regarding housekeeping service, with a few instances where rooms were not vacuumed, glasses not replaced, or soap dispensers not refilled unless specifically requested. Despite these minor points, the staff's professionalism, attentiveness, and welcoming demeanor are consistently lauded, making guests feel valued and well-cared for throughout their stay.

Additional Information
For guests seeking additional information, the hotel offers several notable features and policies. It maintains a pet-friendly policy, accommodating furry companions, though a fee of around $125 is typically applied for pet stays. Many guests appreciate the Park Stay Fly deal, which allows them to leave their vehicle for an extended period at the hotel for a slightly higher room rate, providing convenience for longer trips. The property has undergone recent renovations, giving it a modern and updated feel, though some areas still show signs of needing minor repairs. While many guests perceive the hotel as offering good value for the amenities and service provided, especially when considering the included breakfast and evening reception, some found the overall cost, particularly with the added parking fee, to be on the pricier side, leading to a feeling of being "nickel and dimed." Guests should also be aware of specific hotel policies, such as the cancellation terms and occasional restrictions like not taking pictures in the buffet area.