Quick outline
- Why I brought my dog, and what we care about
- Three hotels I actually stayed in (what went right, what bugged me)
- Where we walked and found grass, water, and coffee
- Fees, rules, and little surprises
- Who should pick which hotel
- Final take
Meet my test buddy
I travel with Penny, my 45-pound rescue mutt. She’s sweet. She’s also chatty. If a door clicks, she lets me know. So hotels get a real test with us. We went to Portland, Maine, on a foggy July weekend and stayed at three places that take dogs. I booked, I paid, and I took notes. Simple as that.
If you’re still scanning options, Tripadvisor’s full list of pet-friendly Portland hotels is handy for cross-checking rates and recent reviews.
And yes, I packed extra bags, a chew, and her soft crate. I’ve learned my lesson.
For another property that embraces four-legged guests with style, take a peek at The Hotel Modern to see how some hotels elevate the pet-friendly experience.
Want the spreadsheet-level detail on every Portland hotel I inspected with Penny? I broke it all down here.
The Press Hotel (Autograph Collection) — artsy, calm, and kind to dogs
This one sits in the Old Port near Tommy’s Park. The theme is old newsroom, so you’ll see typewriters and fun wall art. It sounds fancy, but it felt warm, not stiff.
- Check-in: The front desk smiled at Penny first. They handed me a small treat bag with two biscuits. Nice touch.
- Room: Hardwood floors (love that for dogs) and a big window. Bed was cloud-soft. The AC didn’t roar, so Penny slept hard.
- Dog stuff: No dog bed in the room, but bowls came up fast when I called. Housekeeping asked about our schedule so they wouldn’t knock. That’s rare and so helpful.
- Potty breaks: We used Post Office Park and the little green by City Hall for quick morning breaks. For real exercise, we walked to the Eastern Prom Trail. It’s a straight shot and gorgeous by the water.
What bugged me:
- Late night street noise. Not wild, but the Old Port can hum. Ask for a room away from the elevator stack and higher up. We did, and it helped.
What I paid for pets on that stay:
- My bill showed a one-time pet fee (it was 75 bucks when I went). Fees can change, so ask when you book.
Bottom line: If you want style and quiet floors, this is a strong pick. Penny gave it the slow tail wag. That’s her “yep.”
Aloft Portland, ME — budget-happy and dog-first vibe
Aloft sits near the waterfront. It’s modern, a bit playful, and not fussy. The lobby felt like a lounge, with people playing cards and sipping something cold.
- Check-in: They handed me an ARF bag (Aloft’s dog kit). It had a toy, a collapsible bowl, and a roll of bags. Penny wore the little bandana like a boss.
- Room: Simple and clean. Platform bed. Space to set up the crate by the window. The mini-fridge kept Penny’s fresh food fine.
- Dog stuff: We bumped into other pups in the elevator, which made Penny happy. The hotel felt like it expected dogs, not just “allowed” them.
- Walks: We did a quick loop on Commercial Street before coffee. Watch those gulls; they will yell at your dog like tiny pirates.
What bugged me:
- Sound traveled a bit. We heard a door slam at 11 p.m., and Penny gave a one-woof review. I turned on the fan for white noise. Problem solved.
What I paid for pets on that stay:
- No pet fee on my date, which is wild in a good way. Double-check when you book; rules change.
Bottom line: If you want easy, central, and dog-forward, Aloft hits the mark. Not plush, but it’s friendly and bright.
The Westin Portland Harborview — big hotel perks, steady and comfy
This one’s up by Congress Square Park. It’s a classic big hotel with a polished lobby and quick elevators. The staff ran like a tight ship, which I like when I’m juggling a leash and a latte.
- Check-in: Smooth. The front desk asked about Penny’s size and offered a Westin dog bed. It was clean and fluffy. Bowls too.
- Room: Larger than the others. I could roll out my yoga mat and still have space for the crate. The blackout curtains? Chef’s kiss for morning snoozers.
- Walks: Congress Square Park is right there for fast breaks. For longer walks, I took State Street down toward the West End’s shady blocks. Pretty homes, calm streets, and less foot traffic.
What bugged me:
- Valet felt a bit hectic at peak time. I waited ten minutes with Penny doing her “we’re going? we’re staying?” tap dance. I plan around early or late next time.
What I paid for pets on that stay:
- My bill showed a nightly pet fee. Not tiny, not shocking. Call ahead for your dates.
Bottom line: If you like hotel structure (gym, quick service, steady housekeeping) and you want extra space, this one delivers.
Where we actually walked, ate, and got coffee
- Morning miles: Eastern Promenade Trail to Fort Allen Park. Flat, breezy, and easy to turn around when paws get hot.
- Quick greens: Tommy’s Park and Post Office Park in the Old Port; Congress Square Park by the Westin.
- Coffee: Bard Coffee near Tommy’s Park gave Penny a pat and me a strong Americano. Arabica was another steady stop.
- Food with patio space: The Thirsty Pig has a friendly patio and staff who didn’t flinch at a wagging leash. I kept a mat so Penny had a “place” to chill.
Tip: Keep a collapsible bowl clipped to your bag. Portland has many shops with water bowls outside, but they go empty on hot days.
Craving a bigger road trip? My notebook also covers a handful of refreshingly cool hotels upstate New York that passed the same dog-mom sniff test.
Fees, rules, and little surprises
- Fees change. I’ve seen one-time fees and nightly fees, and sometimes none. Ask what it covers (extra cleaning, a dog kit, or just the policy).
- Size limits are real at some places. If your dog is a big floof, say the number out loud when you book. Saves drama at check-in.
- Housekeeping: Hang the “do not disturb” or ask the front desk to flag your room as “pet inside.” You don’t want a surprise knock. Penny will testify.
- Elevators: If your dog is door-reactive, ask for a room at the end of the hall and wait for an empty elevator when you can.
- Crates: Hotels like them. I use a soft crate. It helps Penny settle, and it’s polite if I step out for five minutes.
I also like to skim BringFido’s Portland lodging page to see each hotel’s latest fee and weight limits before I click “reserve.”
If city sidewalks are more your speed than seaside strolls, see how Penny and I fared at the Belnord Hotel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side—a no-frills spot that still kept the bowls full.
Who should pick what?
- You want style and quiet floors: The Press Hotel.
- You want a friendly price and easygoing staff: Aloft Portland.
- You want space, a gym, and big-hotel rhythm: The Westin Portland Harborview.
Honestly, you can’t go wrong if you plan your walks and bring your own basics.
Tiny gear list that saved me
- Soft crate and a thin travel mat
- Two rolls of bags (you’ll need them)
- Collapsible bowl and a spare leash
- A high-value chew for elevator waits
- Small towel for wet paws (Maine fog is no joke)
Solo travelers with pups sometimes look for a little human company after the evening dog walk. If you’re curious about meeting other adults while your four-legged sidekick snoozes, a quick scroll through InstaFuck can line up a spontaneous, no-strings meetup in whatever city you’re exploring, offering an easy filter by location and availability so you can be back in time for the next potty break.
Final take
Portland is great with dogs. People say hi. Patios make room. Parks are close. Each hotel had a different feel, but all three treated Penny like part of the booking, not a problem to solve. That matters.
If you want my single pick? The Press Hotel for calm nights and pretty rooms, Aloft for wallet-happy stays, and