PORTLAND, Maine——Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide announced the debut of its Westin brand in Portland, Maine following the strategic conversion of a landmark property in the heart of the city’s Arts District. Owned by Rockbridge and managed by New Castle Hotels and Resorts, The Westin Portland Harborview is the state’s first Westin hotel, featuring 289 guestrooms and suites, two dining outlets, a day spa, and all of the brand’s signature amenities. Formerly known as the Eastland Hotel, The Westin Portland Harborview completed an 18-month, $50 million restoration and renovation project prior to raising the Westin flag.
“As one of the oldest and most prominent landmarks in Portland, we are excited to revitalize the hotel and reintroduce it as a Westin while maintaining its rich history,” said Jim Merkel, Rockbridge CEO. “The Westin Portland Harborview will be a top lodging destination along the eastern seaboard and will serve as the anchor for downtown Portland’s historic Arts District.”
Built in 1927, The Westin Portland Harborview was stripped to its earliest “bones” of concrete, bricks, and steel and restored with an eye toward preserving the historical integrity of the hotel and its façade, while incorporating all the Westin brand’s distinctive services and amenities. The project was financed, in part, through historic tax credits provided by U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation.
“For nearly a century, the Eastland was a beacon of hospitality in this port city, and we believe it was worth the extra effort that comes with restoration to ensure that The Westin Portland Harborview would remain a distinctive part of Portland’s tourism landscape,” said Gerry Chase, president and COO of New Castle. “The result is a hotel that will feel familiar to Westin guests, but is still uniquely Portland. I am confident that this is exactly the right combination to ensure the hotel’s success for the next chapter in its storied history.”
As part of the renovation project, the public spaces at The Westin Portland Harborview were redesigned to reflect their earliest incarnation. The ballroom, host to the city’s most prestigious events and social occasions, has been restored right up to its vaulted ceiling and mezzanine spaces. The Top of the East rooftop lounge has been restored and expanded so it can reclaim its position as the top local gathering spot. Even the hotel’s oversized lobby chandelier has been reimagined for the present.
All guestrooms and suites reflect the elegance of the original, while embracing contemporary comforts including the Westin Heavenly Bed and the Heavenly Bath and in-room, high-speed Internet access. The hotel also will offer the Westin brand’s signature SuperFoodsRX menu, which includes nutrient-rich options.
The Westin Portland Harborview is home to the city’s newest day spa, Akari, as well as a signature Westin Workout Studio, complete with New Balance gear lending and running maps. The hotel offers two restaurants including C2, named for the hotel’s Congress Square location and the historic significance of the neighborhood, and Top of the East, the highest point in the city, open nightly for cocktails and light fare.
