Portland Regency Hotel & Spa
Portland, Maine
20 Milk Street, Portland, Maine 04101
Original Property Opened in 1895
Historic Hotels of America member since 1991
Portland Regency Hotel & Spa is Portland, Maine’s premier hotel, boasting first-class elegance through 95 upscale rooms and creative, locally sourced cuisine. Situated in the heart of the “Old Port District,” the hotel is surrounded by a variety of picturesque shops, galleries, and restaurants that reflect Maine’s maritime heritage.
Built in 1895 as an armory for the Maine National Guard, this Neo-Gothic Romanesque building was decommissioned in the 1950s. Subsequently used as a warehouse, it was purchased in 1984 for conversion into the Portland Regency Hotel & Spa, and it quickly became the centerpiece of the city’s historic Old Port Exchange. With the exception of added outdoor decks to the top-floor guestrooms, the building’s exterior has been preserved intact, and its architectural elements create unique features in many of the spacious, traditionally appointed rooms. In 2003, Portland was named one of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Discover
- Marvel at the Portland Regency Hotel & Spa’s many unique fireplaces, turreted corners, and odd-shaped windows. The distinct, red-brick building was once the State of Maine Armory and displays the late-19th-century architectural style known as Romanesque Revival.
- Discover the heart of the Old Port District in Portland, Maine. Wander through a variety of specialty shops, galleries, and restaurants that have been converted from warehouses and commercial buildings in the area’s historic maritime neighborhood. The hotel sits on Boothbay Square, a cobblestoned public square which still features a watering trough installed in 1902 to supply water for horses.
- Take in stunning views of Portland Harbor just beyond the hotel’s front door. The Portland Regency Hotel & Spa is only a couple of blocks away from the most active parts of the city’s historic seaport. The state’s coastal fishing communities included the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Maliseet, and Mi’kmaq, who lived off the bounty of Casco Bay. The state’s coastal fishing communities later included Scotch-Irish, Germans, and migrants from southern New England who depended on the sea in this coastal frontier from the early-17th to the early 19th-centuries.
Explore
- Explore Maine’s Atlantic coast, known to sailors as “Downeast.” Maritime winds require sailing downwind and eastward into northern ports like Portland from southern ports like Boston. Tour charming lighthouses or embark on a sailing tour of Casco Bay. To see the coast’s most majestic residents, Portland Regency Hotel & Spa recommends Odyssey Whale Watch, which provides educational tours of the bay and the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the magnificent whale population that lives within it.
- Explore the Portland Observatory, one of Portland’s historic landmarks. Built in 1807, this historic maritime signal tower is the only known surviving tower of its type in the United States. On very clear days the view from the cupola’s balcony extends from the seaward horizon as far inland as Mount Washington, 85 miles away in New Hampshire.
- Enjoy a classical music performance of the Portland Symphony Orchestra. The ensemble was established in 1923 by a small group of musicians who sent out invitations to join their organization to neighbors in the area. The Portland Symphony Orchestra is now recognized to be one of the top orchestras of its size in the country.
Experience
- Visit the Portland Museum of Art and experience its vast collection of modern art. Located in the center of the city’s downtown area, this museum houses an impressive collection of art and decorative items from the 18th century onward. Many of the world’s most famous artists, including Monet, Picasso, and Maine native Marsden Hartley, are represented here.
- Take the kids to Portland's Children Museum and Theatre. Kids of all ages can immerse themselves in the interactive exhibits and programs at this museum, which features permanent exhibitions on everything from car repair to animal care and space travel. The theatre offers award-winning child-led performances throughout the year.
- Experience a tour of the Victoria Mansion. This National Historic Landmark was once the stately summer home of hotelier Ruggles Sylvester Morse. It was designed in a lavish Italianate style, with frescoes and elegant verandas. Since 1941, it has functioned as a museum with seasonal tours and can also be rented for private events.
Taste
- Experience all the charm of the farm without leaving downtown at seasonal dining events at Portland Regency Hotel & Spa’s Garden Café. Sip on summer cocktails when the warm Maine breezes call, or taste festive autumnal treats, like pumpkin whoopie pies, as the leaves change in Portland’s city squares.
- Embark on a flavorful journey at Ironside Whiskey Bar. For whiskey aficionados, this refined bar at Portland Regency Hotel & Spa offers over 360 unique whiskeys and bourbons from around the world.
- Taste the bounty of Maine in Portland. Maple syrup, blueberries, and fresh lobster grace menus across the city, while Maine malthouses provide malted barley for craft breweries and local bakeries. Eighteen95 at Portland Regency Hotel & Spa proudly features regional cuisine.
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
Featured Offers
Friends of Historic Hotels of America receive up to 15% off the Best Available Rate using the code NHP.
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
