If you're simply looking for something central, Hilton has unveiled a brand-new waterfront hotel across the street from the city's island ferry dock. The Hilton Garden Inn, 65 Commercial St. (tel. 207/780-0780), though cut from a cookie-cutter plan, is convenient to the Old Port's restaurants, bakeries, and pubs -- not to mention the islands of Casco Bay. Double rooms run $89 to $289 per night.
The Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring St. (tel. 207/775-2311), offers great views of the harbor from half the rooms. Peak-season rates run about $150 to $170 per night. Budget travelers seeking chain hotels can head toward the area around the Maine Mall in South Portland, about a 10-minute drive from downtown. Try Days Inn (tel. 207/772-3450) or the no-frills Coastline Inn (tel. 207/772-3838).
The new Extended Stay America, 2 Ashley Dr., Scarborough (tel. 207/883-0554; fax 207/883-1705; www.exstay.com), is a few minutes' drive south of the Maine Mall and 6 miles from downtown Portland. At this branch, doubles start at about $50 nightly.
