BETHESDA, Md.—Autograph Collection, Marriott International’s exclusive portfolio of hotels, will welcome a new boutique property to its collection. The Press Hotel, located in Portland, Maine, is housed in the historic Portland Press Herald newspaper building and will be Portland’s first lifestyle, boutique hotel when it is scheduled to open in May 2015.
Driven by the vision of local developer Jim Brady, The Press Hotel will capture the essence of Portland by getting under the city’s cultural skin and showcasing Maine artisans, craftsmen, and local culinary talent. A front-desk “letterpress art wall” sculpture will welcome guests in the main lobby. There will also be a “Mainer” art gallery, open to the public. The gallery’s signature piece will be an installation made from antique typewriters. The hotel will also celebrate the city’s local authors and arts community, and has commissioned all of the artwork for the hotel to local painters, textile makers, and wood-workers.
“We are excited to welcome The Press Hotel to Autograph Collection, which was selected for its bold originality, rich character and uncommon details,” said Julius Robinson, vice president, Autograph Collection. “Autograph Collection is known for delivering extraordinary hotel experiences that are Exactly Like Nothing Else, and we believe that The Press Hotel will deliver on this promise.”
Located at the corner of Exchange and Congress Streets in the Old Port neighborhood, the hotel’s brand identity and ethos stem from its location in the historic Portland Press Herald building. Referencing the building’s history, architecture group Stonehill & Taylor, responsible for the hotel’s design, worked closely with Portland Press Herald editors to select content from the newspaper’s pages to incorporate into various aspects of the design.
The hotel’s 110 guestrooms include a penthouse suite with exclusive rooftop access and 360-degree views of the city; four private function rooms will also be available for groups and special events. The guestroom design is inspired by a 1920s writer’s office including a vintage-style journalist desk and playful newsroom references throughout. Each bathroom will feature a reeded glass door similar to those in historic newspaper offices. Wood floors with herringbone area rugs give a residential feel and prints by Portland-area artists will decorate the walls. A woven wall tapestry by renowned local artist Angela Adams has been designed exclusively for the hotel.
In line with Autograph Collection’s overall specialized consumer offerings, guests of The Press Hotel can expect touches like customizable ‘do not disturb’ signs, “Hot off the Press” French-pressed coffee, and typewriter-key shaped coasters. Author’s quotes will also be featured anywhere from closet walls and in-room safes, to meeting spaces and the lobby bar.
The Press Hotel will be home to the 65-seat restaurant M.C. UNION, by chefs Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier. Menu details will be available later this spring and will feature takes on recognizable ‘Americana’ favorites from coast to coast, that will highlight the chefs’ California and Maine backgrounds. The lobby bar, The Inkwell, will feature handcrafted vintage cocktails.
The Press Hotel will partner with Portland institutions including MECA (Maine College of Art), The Telling Room, the Portland Public Library and The Salt Institute to offer guests exclusive insider access to some of the city’s entertainment, art programs, creative community gatherings, and trade workshops through partnerships and a lecture series at the hotel itself.
The Press Hotel is the 79th property to be added to Autograph Collection’s portfolio of worldwide hotels.
