The Press Hotel in Portland, Maine, is decorated with a newspaper theme honoring the building's former life as home to the state's largest paper. ©Hilary Nangle

Checking in: The Press Hotel, Portland, Maine

The Press Hotel, on the corner of Congress and Exchange Streets, is within easy reach of most of downtown Portland's must-see sights, must-eat restaurants,...
If you're seeking budget-friendly lodging near Sugarloaf, check out the Hostel of Maine. courtesy photo

Cheap sleeps: Budget-friendly lodging in Western Lakes & Mountains

Finding cheap sleeps in Maine's Western Lakes & Mountains region is easier than on the coast. Accommodations here tend to be less expensive and...
The Seacroft Inn in downtown Bar Harbor offers budget Acadia lodging.

Cheap Sleeps: Budget lodging near Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park

Yes, you can find budget lodging in Maine's Acadia region, which comprises the Blue Hill/Deer Isle Peninsula, the Ellsworth area, Mount Desert Island (home...
For an authentic seafaring heritage experience, stay at The Inn at the Wharf sited in a former sardine cannery on Lubec's waterfront. ©Hilary Nangle

Cheap Sleeps: budget-friendly lodging on Maine’s Down East Coast

For budget-friendly lodging in down east Maine, check out these inexpensive accommodations that provide character, are clean, and pass my sniff test. (Updated June...
The Old Granite Inn is contemporary inside and has one room for less than $100 in peak season. ©Hilary Nangle

Cheap Sleeps: Penobscot Bay, budget-friendly lodging near Camden, Rockland, & Searsport

Yes, you can find budget-friendly lodging along the western shoreline of Maine's Penobscot Bay. These have passed my sniff test.

Cheap Sleeps: Budget-friendly lodging in Mid-Coast Maine

It's getting harder and harder to find budget lodging I can recommend along Maine's mid-coast. (updated May 4, 2025) The Federal, Brunswick It's by no means...
For a budget-friendly stay in Greater Portland, consider the retro Maine Idyll Motor Court in Freeport.

Cheap Sleeps Greater Portland: inexpensive lodgings in Portland & Freeport, Maine

These properties in Greater Portland Maine offer budget lodging with a bit of, uhm character. (Updated March 7, 2024) Black Elephant Hostel, Portland, Maine This family-owned and...

Cheap Sleeps: budget-friendly lodging on Maine’s southern coast

It's not easy to find budget-friendly lodging on Maine's Southern Coast. The region's proximity to Boston and easy access have made it especially popular....
The Percy Inn not only has well equipped rooms, but also a great location in downtown Portland as well as free onsite parking. ©Hilary Nangle

Checking in: Portland’s Percy Inn is a great choice for independent-minded travelers

The Percy Inn delivers everything an independent-minded traveler needs. This handsome, 1830 Federal-style row house is sited downtown Portland, Maine, just a few steps...
Original architectural elements enrich a stay at The Francis, a 15-room boutique hotel in Portland, Maine. ©Hilary Nangle

Checking In: The Francis, Portland’s newest boutique hotel

I'm sure late 19th-century Maine architect Francis Fassett would be pleased with The Francis, Portland's newest boutique hotel. Fassett designed the Congress Street home...
After the ride, return to relax at the ranch. ©Hilary Nangle

Arizona’s White Stallion dude ranch delivers all-inclusive fun

I rekindled a childhood love of riding horses, savored warmth and sunshine, and appreciated the one-price-covers-almost-everything rates at the White Stallion Ranch in Tucson,...

Perfect Maine foliage escape: Waterford Inne

UPDATE: The Waterford Inne has new owners I don't think one could find a more classic country inn in a more perfect location for leaf...
Bernie surveys his domain at the Inn by the Sea, Cape Elizabeth. ©Hilary Nangle

Bernie, Maine’s dog-friendly expert, makes his final post

Last Friday I said a final goodbye to one of my favorite travel companions and my resident expert in dog-friendly experiences. Bernie, my 11-year-old Leonberger,...

Explore Maine’s Katahdin Woods & Waters and Moosehead regions

Explore Maine's Katahdin Woods and Waters and Moosehead Lake regions either from a convenient base between the two or by looping through via a gravel road connection.

Escape to Maine’s Attean Lake Lodge

With spring comes the realization that summer's around the corner, and it’s time to get cracking on planning a family vacation. But where, you...