The Francis Hotel, Portland - Reviews, Room Options & Prices 2025

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About the Hotel

747 Congress Street, Portland, Maine, United States, ME 04102

“The Francis Hotel's location made exploring Portland's charm effortless and good.”view full review

The Francis Hotel, a 5-star Victorian Gothic mansion designed by architect Francis Fassett in 1881, features Mid Century Modern furniture and local artwork within Portland's arts district. The locally-owned boutique property offers 15 unique rooms in a restored historic building with preserved period details.

Distinctive Room Options

The Francis Hotel's accommodations range from 350 to 600 SF suites with separate sitting areas to cozy queen rooms. A 425 SF suite provides a private terrace with sunset views, while the accessible Garden King room features custom-built furniture.

Local Dining Experiences

Burundi Star Coffee sources beans directly from Burundian farmers, offering fresh baked goods from The Purple Whisk and Norimoto Bakery. Wayside Tavern, located next door, serves French and Italian cuisine featuring local seafood.

Wellness and Recreation

The on-site spa provides customizable massage therapies and treatments. Guests receive complimentary access to a local fitness center and can explore hiking trails at the 90-acre park surrounding Portland Head Light.

Culture and Access

Portland Museum of Art, the state's largest art institution, lies within walking distance. The Francis Hotel sits 6 miles from Portland International Jetport, with city's best bakeries, bars and restaurants in close proximity.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

King Room Disability Access

Max:

2 persons

33 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Garden view

Shower

Heating

room details

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Standard King Room

Max:

2 persons

29 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Standard King Room Deck

Max:

2 persons

26 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Garden view

Shower

Heating

room details

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Price and Room Availability Calendar

Check availability and prices for your dates now!

Getting around

A guide to all available transportation options

City Centre

Portland 1.5 km

Airports

Portland International Jetport (PWM) 5.6 km

Augusta State (AUG) 89.2 km

Facilities

Experience a variety of amenities at the boutique hotel, crafted to ensure your comfort and unforgettable moments

Delicious Dining Experience

“I had a meal in the attached restaurant, and though the menu had a quirky touch, the food was absolutely delicious! The vibe was great, making it the perfect spot for a cozy dinner.” view full review

Comfortable and Cozy

“Our suite was ready upon arrival, and I loved the very comfortable bed and pillows. The design of the room was well thought out, making it spacious and inviting, a perfect retreat after a long day.” view full review

Good Shower

“The bathroom featured a dual-shower head that was fantastic! The cute tiles and quality soaps/lotions really made the experience special, contributing to a luxurious stay.” view full review

Unique and Thoughtful Decor

“Each room has a unique style that's full of charm. I was in a lovely attic room with adorable decor and high-end fixtures, showing that attention to detail is key here.” view full review

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
Express check-in/ -out
Concierge desk
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Wheelchair access
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Allergy-free rooms
Lift
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key access

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Pet amenities available
Housekeeping
Welcome drink

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities

Children

Cots
Board games

Facilities for people with disabilities

Toilet for disabled
Bathroom for disabled

Spa & Leisure

Leisure/ TV room

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Sitting area
Patio
Terrace
Tea and coffee facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries
Sink

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Parquet floor

Location

747 Congress Street, Portland, Maine, United States, ME 04102

Map view

747 Congress Street, Portland, Maine, United States, ME 04102

City landmarks

Museum

Portland Museum of Art

760 m

Museum

Victoria Mansion

1.0 km

Museum

Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine

960 m

Museum

Wadsworth-Longfellow House

1.1 km

Baseball Stadium

Hadlock Field

880 m

Museum

Portland Observatory

2.2 km

Landmark

Cumberland County Civic Center

940 m

Museum

Portland Fire Museum

730 m

Museum

Museum of African Culture

900 m

Park

Deering Oaks Park

1.8 km

Landmark

Commercial Street

1.9 km

Landmark

John Ford

1.3 km

Landmark

Old Port

2.0 km

Landmark

West End

640 m

Public Building

Portland City Hall

1.2 km

Library

Portland Public Library

1.0 km

Landmark

Western Promenade

990 m

Baseball Stadium

Portland Sea Dogs

670 m

Gallery

Space

950 m

Mall

Renys Department Store

760 m

Landmark

Greater Portland Landmarks

760 m

Landmark

Congress Square Park

760 m

Church

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

1.6 km

Square

Monument Square

1.2 km

Museum

International Cryptozoology Museum

2.9 km

Nearby

Congress Street

Arts District

470 m

Museum

Neal Dow House

260 m

693 Congress Street

Gorham Bike & Ski

350 m

Gallery

She-Bear Gallery

510 m

Church

State Street Church

530 m

Restaurants

Roma Cafe

140 m

767 Congress St

Bramhall

130 m

769 Congress St

Tandem Coffee and Bakery

100 m

742 Congress Street

Rossobianco

210 m

3 Deering Ave Bramhall Square

Hot Suppa

280 m

703 Congress St

Pai Men Miyake

410 m

188 State Street -200

King of The Roll

410 m

675 Congress St

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

62%

enjoyed the hotel and would happily stay again

6.2/10

Nice

Rooms

8.0

Location

7.8

Service

8.6

Dining

8.4

James

United States, April 2025

5.4/10

My stay at The Francis Hotel was quite enjoyable. The beautifully restored hotel provided a charming atmosphere, and I loved the immaculate cleanliness throughout. On the downside, I found the location a bit further from downtown than I expected, which made for longer walks than anticipated to reach some attractions.

Rooms

8.0

I appreciated the spaciousness of my room and the stunning shower experience. However, it could use a few repairs, as the shower head had a broken knob and the bathroom showed some wear.

Service

10.0

The staff were incredibly welcoming and attentive. They provided helpful recommendations and personalized touches that made my stay feel special.

Location

7.0

While the location had its charm, I found it to be a bit of a trek to downtown attractions. That said, it was pleasant to explore the nearby quiet neighborhood.

Dining

8.0

There were fantastic food options nearby, especially the bakery and coffee shop just across the street, which I loved for my breakfast treats. However, I wish there were more dining options available on site.

Facilities

7.0

The facilities were well-maintained, and I appreciated the amenities like the welcome drink and the cozy common areas. However, I experienced a minor issue with hot water running out during my shower.

William

United States, February 2025

5.8/10

My stay at The Francis was wonderful, with a charming atmosphere and comfortable bedding that made it feel like home. The location was perfect for exploring the city, with excellent dining options nearby. However, I did experience some issues with the parking situation, as the instructions could have been clearer. Overall, it was a nice experience that I would happily repeat. 😊

Rooms

8.0

The Standard Queen Room was spacious and immaculately clean, without any carpet, which I really appreciated. The shower was excellent, contributing to my overall comfort.

Service

7.0

The staff were generally warm and attentive, offering helpful local recommendations which enhanced my experience. However, I encountered some impersonal service at times, particularly upon checking in.

Location

9.0

The location was fantastic, allowing me to walk to many restaurants and shops with ease. It felt vibrant and lively, giving me a great sense of Portland's charm.

Dining

9.0

I loved the nearby bakery and coffee shop options. The local wine and cookies I ordered for the room were fantastic, adding a sweet touch to my stay.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel provided free parking, though finding it was a bit tricky due to unclear instructions. Housekeeping was great, and I enjoyed the cozy lobby area.

Bruce

United States, January 2025

6.6/10

I recently stayed at The Francis Hotel and had a mixed experience. On the plus side, I found the room clean, and the bed very comfortable. However, I was surprised by the lack of decor, leading to a rather plain vibe. Additionally, the location was a bit inconvenient for my needs as I found myself driving to reach attractions that I was interested in. Overall, I felt the hotel had potential, but my expectations weren't fully met. 🤔

Rooms

6.0

My room was quite clean and the bed was really comfortable, but it felt threadbare and lacked artwork. I noticed the furnishings were minimal, which gave it a stark look.

Service

8.0

The staff were welcoming and accessible, and I appreciated the modern text communication for concierge service.

Location

6.0

While the location had some restaurants nearby, it was not as walkable as I hoped for visiting the main attractions. I had to drive over a mile to the waterfront area.

Dining

7.0

I enjoyed the nearby dining options, though I was disappointed that the bakery across the street was closed during my visit.

Facilities

6.0

The overall atmosphere of the hotel was charming, though improvements in aesthetics and maintenance are needed in some areas.

Oscar

United States, November 2024

7.0/10

I absolutely loved my stay at The Francis! The beautiful restoration of the 19th-century architecture gave it such a unique charm. The staff were incredibly accommodating, but I did find the check-in process a bit confusing since I wasn't sure I had to text the concierge upon arrival. Overall, the comfort of the room, especially the fantastic bed and the cleanliness, really stood out.

Rooms

10.0

My room was spacious, super clean, and had these lovely wood floors. I even had enough space to practice yoga! The bed felt amazing, ensuring I had a wonderful night's sleep.

Service

9.0

The staff were so friendly and helpful, offering great suggestions for dining nearby. They even surprised me with complimentary welcome drinks! However, I appreciated having to communicate with them via text; it was just a lot.

Location

10.0

The Francis is perfectly located for exploring Portland. I could easily walk to nearby restaurants like Empire and even popped over to Tandem Bakery for breakfast across the street. Such a convenient spot for a date night!

Dining

9.0

Having Tandem Coffee right across the street was a major win! The fresh scones delivered to my room made for a great start to the day. However, it was odd that some nearby places were closed on Monday.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel had a lovely atmosphere, with beautifully designed common areas and a relaxing vibe. I enjoyed the cleanliness throughout, though sometimes it felt like it could be more modern with additional amenities like hooks in the restroom.

Suzanne

United States, November 2024

7.0/10

I found The Francis to be a charming boutique hotel with an impressive atmosphere and comfortable beds. The location is a bit further from downtown Portland than expected, but it's a fantastic area to explore. However, the noise from neighboring rooms can be a downside for light sleepers.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms are well-furnished and clean, creating a cozy retreat, but noise from above can be disruptive.

Service

9.0

The staff were consistently attentive and friendly, making me feel welcomed during my stay. However, I did find the text communication a bit excessive at times.

Location

7.0

The Francis is located in a creative district, which offers good dining options nearby, though it is not as directly convenient to the city's main attractions.

Dining

9.0

Having Tandem Coffee right across the street was perfect for my mornings. The food options nearby were excellent, enhancing my overall experience.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel was immaculate, and I appreciated the thoughtful welcome gestures. However, I found the parking situation a bit tricky due to limited spaces.