Are you ready for a summer getaway? How about a scenic road trip along the picturesque New England’s coast? Colwen Hotels, managers of some of the most prestigious hospitality brands in the country, created a plan for such a trip. The itinerary covers accommodations in their hotels in three coastal cities: Boston (Somerville, MA), Portsmouth, NH, and Portland, ME. You can book hotels directly on their website, New England Coastal Road Trip, and enjoy additional benefits, such as gift boxes with travel snacks and essentials at every destination.
We recently stayed at the AC Hotel by Marriott in Portsmouth, NH and at the Portland Harbor Hotel, in Portland ME.
AC Hotel, Portsmouth, NH
This new lifestyle hotel is located in the newer and trendy area of Portsmouth, a short walking distance to the bustling waterfront and vibrant downtown. The hotel’s interior is modern and airy, and is accented with original art, reminiscent of a hip SOHO gallery. The hotel also features a state-of-the-art fitness center, as well as an elegant lounge with modern furniture and a glass enclosed fireplace — the perfect spot to relax with a drink after a day of sight-seeing.
Guestrooms are spacious and contemporary, appointed with sitting areas, work desks, glass enclosed showers and all amenities.
Make sure to experience the hotel’s European inspired buffet breakfast, a generous spread featuring daily tarts and quiches, freshly baked croissants, artisan cheeses, charcuterie, yogurts, and fruit. You may also order a la carte items such avocado toast and specialty egg dishes. Complete your sumptuous breakfast with a cup of Nespresso coffee and a pastry.
For dinner, make reservations at the hotel’s Rooftop at Envio, a spacious restaurant with an outdoor terrace, offering sprawling views of the Piscataqua river and its iconic bridges. Considered one of Portsmouth’s hot spots, it features a modern menu with locally sourced ingredients. Order the Lobster Roll Duet served on two buns and dressed with lemon aioli, chives, and micro celery. If you are hungry, order the Beef Tenderloin, a succulent cut with a tri-color peppercorn crust, served with spring asparagus, mushrooms, fingerling hash and house chimichurri.
Some Portsmouth Highlights
Portsmouth was settled in 1623 and it has a long history of maritime trade and ship building. Take a leisurely stroll in the Old Harbor area, once a thriving mercantile seaport, now home to busy waterfront restaurants, galleries, and boutiques. If you want to learn more about the area’s rich past visit the Strawbery Banke Museum, a 10 acre historic neighborhood dotted with gardens, period buildings and costumed role-players.
Portland Harbor Hotel, Portland ME
This boutique hotel is located in the Old Port district in center of downtown Portland, withing walking distance to every attraction. An AAA Four Diamond hotel, it features newly refurbished rooms with sleek wood floors, new furniture, and nautical vibe and motifs.
No two rooms are alike, but they all feature modern marble and glass baths and all amenities you would expect in a top-rated hotel. On every floor you’ll find a sitting corner with a touch-screen Starbucks machine that brews complimentary coffee every morning.
The hotel’s central hub is a verdant courtyard with a cozy firepit and several tables where you can enjoy al fresco dining in their restaurant, Harbor Bistro+Terrace.
Hotel restaurants are not generally considered top dining choices, but this is Portland, the new foodie destination of America, and the Harbor Bistro+Terrace is in a class by itself. It offers locally sourced coastal cuisine, creative small plates for sharing, a raw bar selection and fine entrees. We particularly enjoyed the perfectly grilled Faroe Island Salmon, served with fingerling potato coins, rainbow chard and maple mustard butter, and the Beef Tenderloin, a melt-in-your-mouth steak accompanied by Boursin mashed local potatoes, jumbo asparagus, oyster mushroom and a black pepper demi-glace. A sublime dining experience.
Some Portland Highlights
Within a few steps from the hotel, you’ll be in the middle of downtown and the waterfront area. Once the heart of a busy 19th century commercial port, the cobblestone streets are now lined with unique boutiques, specialty stores, gift shops, galleries, and gourmet restaurants. You may also explore waterfront activities such as a ferry trip to neighboring islands, a a harbor or whale watching tour, or a sail on a working lobster boat and learn about the famous Maine crustacean.
Additional Portland attractions include the Portland Museum of Art, Longfellow House, and Victoria Mansion, to name just a few.
A visit in this part of Maine will not be complete without a stop in charming Ogunquit, where you can browse the shops in Perkins Cove and take a walk along Marginal Way, the picturesque trail perched high above the rocky Atlantic shore. Also visit Kennebunk, shop the quaint stores, and have a taste of the award-winning Lobster Roll at The Clam Shack. Also make sure to explore some of Maine’s iconic lighthouses.
So pack your car and enjoy a coastal New England road trip.
