Set to open in summer 2023, The Longfellow Hotel (Portland, ME), named after famed Portland poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, is the first independent full-service hotel to open in the city in 20 years. From Maine-based, family-owned hospitality group Uncommon Hospitality, the boutique hotel features a residential feel and is designed in partnership with New York-based design firm Post Company.
“Having been born and raised in Maine, we felt passionate about continuing to elevate the hospitality offering in Portland through a focus on design and holistic wellbeing,” says Tony DeLois, co-founder and COO of Uncommon Hospitality. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Post Company and our Maine-based architectural and development team to create a destination that will complement Portland’s vibrant restaurants, artistic culture, and the natural beauty of the region.”
The five-story building located in and inspired by Portland’s historic West End neighborhood features 48 rooms, including 44 king rooms and four suites, some of which come with French balconies or bay windows. It is located across the street from Uncommon Hospitality’s Francis Hotel, an historic mansion that was restored and reimagined as a hotel in 2017.
With a nod to Maine’s rustic environment, The Longfellow incorporates materials related to the state’s unique environment. The lobby, serving as the heart of the hotel, features a communal lounge with casual seating and an intimate bar handcrafted by local millworkers. “Maine is known for its rugged coastline, historic and quaint towns and cities, and salt-of-the-earth personae,” says Post Company partner Jou-Yie Chou. “Our design for The Longfellow is intended to provide a convivial setting that invites guests and locals alike to relax, rejuvenate, and celebrate together among friends.”
At The Longfellow, food and beverage will be curated by local purveyors. Twinflower Café, a wellness-focused venue, will serve healthy breakfast and lunch options along with espresso drinks and fresh juices. Five of Clubs, a European-style lobby bar, will serve classic cocktails, local seafood, and charcuterie in the evenings. Both the cafe and bar will be operated by Siobhán and Mike Sindoni, owners of the Wayside Tavern, located in The Francis Hotel.
Wellness will also be on the menu at Longfellow Hotel. Astraea, named after the namesake star goddess representing all that is good in the world, is an 1,800-square-foot spa with two treatment rooms, two private infrared sauna rooms, and a meditation experience room with state-of-the-art Mind-Sync Harmonic Sleep Loungers. The spa is one of the first in the Northeast to feature the loungers as part of its treatment menu. The Irish product line, Voya, is inspired by ancient tradition of seaweed bathing and complements the historic seaport city and Maine’s natural wonders.
“Inspired by the natural elements, Astraea is a place to find connection with yourself,” says spa director Melissa DeLois. “Our spa meu is all about feeling your best and being present—body and mind. Whatever your wellness goal, we have a treatment to help you get there. From being cocooned in a Voya seaweed body wrap to a calming meditation session, we create experiences that are deeply supportive of our guests’ wellness goals.”
The spa will feature a boutique retailing Voya products and handcrafted items by Maine artisans and producers. A portion of proceeds will be donated to local nonprofit Full Plates Full Potential to provide food security for children in Maine.
“We love that more people have been discovering Maine, and we wanted to provide a beautifully designed, wellness-focused hotel to serve as the ultimate home base for those exploring the area,” says Nate DeLois, co-founder and CFO of Uncommon Hospitality. “The smaller size of our hotel will allow us to provide personalized service and introduce our guests to all the things we love about this dynamic city. We can’t wait to open our doors to travelers and locals and are proud to have The Longfellow be part of Portland’s continued vibrancy as a creative getaway for generations to come.”
