Every few years, a handful of new vacation hotspots emerge. Right now, it seems like everyone and their mother is trekking out to Japan, Portugal, and… Maine? Indeed, there’s no need to leave the country to visit one of this year’s buzziest travel destinations. The Northeastern corner of the United States has seen its fair share of love recently, thanks to its breathtaking scenery and growing recognition for fine dining that stretches far beyond those world-famous lobster rolls.
The Longfellow Hotel in Portland is capitalizing on Maine’s growing reputation in the luxury space. Named for the Portland-born poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the charming boutique hotel opened in May 2024 in the historic West End neighborhood, built on the grounds of a former gas station. Uncommon Hospitality, in conjunction with the design firm Post Company, ensured that the region would be represented in even the smallest of details, from the Maine-based artists whose work lines the walls, to locally sourced wood pieces scattered throughout the lobby and each of the 48 rooms. And expect plenty of nods to its namesake: the top-floor Henry’s Study offers a peaceful place to work outside of one’s room, while the lobby bar, the Five of Clubs, pays homage to Longfellow’s five-man literary society.
With the ever-growing conversation surrounding “third spaces”—community spaces beyond the workplace and home—the hotel seeks to bring that spirit of long, unhurried conversation to their own Five of Clubs, situated just off the lobby. In addition to a robust wine and beer menu, the bar offers dynamic, flavorful drinks (their most popular is the Esmeralda, a mezcal cocktail infused with poblano, mint, lime, and cilantro, though you can’t go wrong with their take on the gimlet) and shareable bites like the ricotta crostini drizzled with hot honey and pine nuts, or a kale Caesar salad topped with crispy shawarma-spiced chickpeas—all of which could make for a perfect pre-dinner snack. (The Longfellow is mere minutes away from well-regarded restaurants like Chaval, whose Siberian caviar and aioli-topped fingerling potatoes and buttery churros with fleur de sel caramel dipping sauce are not to be missed.)
In the morning, guests can enjoy breakfast at the Twinflower Cafe. For those who don’t wish to take coffee to go from the counter-service spot, enjoy a leisurely morning meal in the lobby’s ample seating—the avocado toast sprinkled with nori and fresh herbs was a favorite—and enjoy the company of Portland locals and their four-legged friends.
An emphasis on wellness is imbued into every aspect of The Longfellow. The peaceful, cool-toned rooms are outfitted with thick glass to diffuse outside noise, as well as blackout shades, a bedside noise machine, and thick wool blankets made on Swans Island to ensure a restful sleep. (In the future, they will also offer light-proof bags for guests to put their phones in overnight.) Sustainability is also of critical importance: the bathrooms are stocked with unbleached bamboo toilet paper and tissues, and guests are encouraged to help themselves to shaving kits, bamboo toothbrushes, and sewing kits from a communal pantry to avoid waste.
The hotel’s crown jewel is the spa, Astraea, which has an overarching emphasis on sleep, relaxation, and immunity—even offering PMS packages available to anyone whose vacation is interrupted by their period. The infrared sauna suite, which comfortably accommodates two, was a particular highlight. (The hotel recommends the Nordic method: 30 minutes of sauna, followed by a 30-second to three-minute cold shower, and a 10-minute rest, though guests are encouraged to do whatever feels intuitive.) Meanwhile, there’s a wide range of massages to help visitors unwind, from the Mindful Dreams treatment that aims to achieve more restful sleep, to the Grounding Earth session that includes guided breath work.
Perhaps the most innovative component of the spa, however, is the meditation room, which is equipped with two Mind-Sync chairs. The vibrating, zero-gravity lounge chairs have undergone 13 years of clinical testing for stress reduction in active military personnel and insomnia. Guests are offered a range of restorative meditation guides—including “Soul Soak,” “Emotional Reset,” and “Neo-Nap”—that range from 20 to 60 minutes. The vibro-acoustic chairs, plus Astraea’s addition of a weighted blank and eye mask, make for an utterly unique and regenerative experience.
For those wishing to explore more of the historic city, the Longfellow’s 2025 BMW—complete with massage capabilities in the seats—is available to shuttle guests around town on short notice. But given the emphasis on relaxation, nobody would blame you for staying put.
