Inn at St John

About as expected for the price. Cons: Rooms pretty old and visibly dirty. Carpet needs to be replaced. Shower tiny. Thin blankets. Pros: good size room, comfy bed, and quiet. Good breakfast. Friendly staff. Dogs welcome. Overall: I liked the older feel, but a few updates would go a long way.

Adorable hotel. Check-in was a breeze. 24 hour coffee/tea/fruit was nice to have. Fluffy bathrobes were a nice touch. Perfectly clean and comfortable room. We were in the room right next to the breakfast area and there was no problem with noise at all. Way better experience than staying at an overpriced big box hotel. We will definitely be back!

I’m sharing in hopes of helping someone else learn from my mistake. I booked a standard (traditional) room through Hopper under the guidance of having a “private bathroom.” I booked based on a value for a very quick overnight stay before a 5am flight. When I arrived, I was given one key to my room “up three flights of stairs with no elevator.” I quickly realized there was no bathroom in the room but there was a “private” bathroom two doors down in the hallway that required a second key I wasn’t given. When I went back downstairs to share my reservation details, I was informed that the listing said “hallway bathroom,” which it doesn’t. Added photos for confirmation of that. I was traveling as a solo female and didn’t feel comfortable having to use a hallway bathroom outside of my room. I asked for a refund and was told no. After calling Hopper and asking for support and talking with the manager, I was able to get a refund. The rooms are very outdated and I had to unplug something to be able to plug in my phone as there was only one outlet. For $120, the value still didn’t match what is offered. I stayed at the Francis down the road and it was a wonderful option!

After reading some of the reviews, im not going to lie, I was a bit worried. People, if you pass on this hotel, you'll be missing out on staying at a beautiful, lovely-staffed, hotel. Honestly, I can't think of one single thing to complain about. The room was spacious and beautiful and very clean. The staff was very friendly, happy and helpful. Fresh coffee 24/7. Delicious continental breakfast. The surrounding food and beverage establishments are great. The price can't be beat. We were on the ground level. Could barely hear the outside noise or traffic. Probably the most quiet hotel I've ever stayed in. Kudos, Inn at St John!! Didn't want to leave!

I highly recommend the Inn at St. John's. The staff are very friendly and helpful and the place has a warm and homey feel. I also appreciate the price of their economy rooms--$89/night is hard to beat, and I never had to wait to get into the shared bathroom. The rooms are comfortable and well-kept and the bathrooms very clean. I've come to Portland three times lately to do complicated elder-care things, and twice I've stayed in the Inn at St.John's; I can't fully describe why, but I found it a much more comforting place to come back to than the more expensive chain hotel where I stayed the other time.

The online presence is misleading and the location is in the worst part of Portland with the food pantry across the street from the building. Not safe for women traveling alone or people with children. You’ll spend out the wazoo in Ubers to get around or have to learn the bus. The beds were insanely uncomfortable, sheets starchy and rough, and pillows flat. The carpets looked like they needed cleaning or replacing and the owners covered up imperfections with childlike stickers on the wall in the bathroom. The staff are mainly nice but the second day they didn’t turn down our beds and did it the first day. The staff aren’t knowledgeable about what’s in the area, suggesting we go eat at the always empty beer hall across the street (couldn’t think of a better rec in portland?). Breakfast choices are mostly pre packaged convenient store food, even the eggs are packaged, and everything has added sugar. There’s no meat options or protein. There’s also no tables for groups larger than 2, and there’s no space to comfortably get around the breakfast area. They have cookies and stuff all the time in that area but I’m pretty sure they’re pre packaged as well and not home made - nothing in that in is. The inn has potential but the owners either didn’t think we were worth the investment or service or just don’t care. I’m getting too old to sacrifice my comfort for “charm”.

This was our 8th anniversary and first time in Portland and my husband and I were very surprised there was no elevators or handicap accessible. The room was in the corner on the second floor and our bathroom was down the hallway. The stairs were at such an angle and height it was tough and painful walking up and down. The breakfast we were disappointed with. Very outdated and I would not recommend for older people. The parking was also a problem if there are not any spaces left you had to park on in another parking lot a street over in a questionable neighborhood. Need to make a lot of changes before I ever stay here again. The only good thing about this place was the little wine bar next door which was delicious and highly recommended Bread and Olive. The only reason why we booked here was because it was reasonably priced and close to the places we wanted to go to. Very shocked and disappointed.

We stayed at the Inn at St. John, and my partner woke up with multiple bites that appeared overnight during our stay. She had no bites prior to checking in. The timing and pattern were consistent with bed bug exposure, and the bites continued to develop in the days immediately following checkout. The issue was reported the day of checkout through Hotels.com, and we have documentation showing that the concern was submitted that same day. While the bites were not verbally reported at the front desk at checkout, bed bug reactions are often delayed and do not always present immediately, which is why the issue was raised once it became apparent. Management later stated that inspections found no evidence and dismissed the concern entirely, suggesting alternative explanations such as flea bites or exposure elsewhere. While we understand that inspections were conducted, it is widely known that bed bugs can be difficult to detect, particularly in early cases, and inspections do not guarantee absence. What is most concerning is not just the bites, but the response. Rather than acknowledging the possibility or showing empathy, responsibility was immediately deflected and no resolution or accommodation was discussed. This is especially troubling given that there are other Google reviews describing similar bite-related experiences. This review is not about compensation — it is about principle and transparency. Future guests deserve to be aware of reported issues and how management responds when concerns are raised. I recommend reading the reviews carefully before booking. Edit: Hello, I want to clarify several inaccuracies in your response. First, I did not threaten to leave a bad review in exchange for compensation. I reported a health and safety concern promptly through the proper channels and documented it on Hotels.com the day of checkout, including photographs of the bites. Any review I leave is an accurate account of my experience, not retaliation. Second, the fact that an inspection occurred hours after checkout does not conclusively rule out bed bugs. Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to detect, and absence of evidence at a later inspection does not negate a guest’s lived experience, symptoms, or contemporaneous documentation. Your own decision to take the room out of service initially suggests the concern was taken seriously at the time. Third, suggesting that our dog was the cause is speculative and inappropriate. The bites appeared after the stay, were clustered, and were consistent with bed bug exposure. No such issue existed before our visit. This situation was never about “getting money.” It was about accountability, transparency, and preventing other guests from experiencing the same issue. Multiple prior guest reviews referencing similar concerns further reinforce why this warranted serious consideration rather than dismissal. I stand by my review and the facts as documented. Jeffrey

Salvation Army chic! Pretty much sums up this motel, I mean hotel! From the online pictures I expected something totally different. This place is a dump. The wonderful bathroom with the jacuzzi tub was like sitting in a rain forest. The shower head dripped all night. It helps if you let the head hang so it is closer to the drain. Less noisy that way. Coffee is served promptly at 6am. Not a minute earlier, and on the second day, it was late!The house keeping came yesterday and refreshed our room. She tossed the cover up on the bed ("with no effort whatsoever") and gave us new towels. I hope they were new, hard to tell with the smell of them. The washcloth in the shower was still where we left it. Oh,one they say they offer parking, that is a kind of a fib. They have a very small parking lot. Not big enough for a fraction of their rooms. When it is full they tell you to park on the street. Good luck finding a space. We kept coming back early to get a spot and then walked around so we wouldn't lose it. There aren't really any decent places to eat unless you walk a half a mile up a hill and then they are still limited. Remember is you leave your parking space you are screwed. The hospital and neighbors take all the spots up asap! The evening staff was pretty nice. The morning/ day staff not so much. They pretty much ignore you. Oh, and the Mexican restaurant that was recommended, Margaritas is HORRIBLE it's like eating an old frozen tv dinner for the seventies found in your dead great grandma's chest freezer. skip this dump. We spoke to other guest while getting coffee, they had other complaints. Oh, the mattresses!!! I am so not going there!

Pros: friendly front desk staff, Gilmore-Girls-esque Inn vibes (more on the gothic grandma side of things than a brightly lit coastal New England feel, in my opinion), rooms that stay a sweet, sweet 68 degrees even in the midst of a godawful heatwave. Wifi. Affordable! The room came with towels, a sink, a bathrobe, a bed, and a mirror. Cons: No elevator--not suitable for those who would not be able to climb many flights of stairs with a suitcase (or two) in hand. A SHARED bathroom in the hall of my room, rather than inside my room. I guess shame on me for not reading the description better, but it wasn't exactly obvious when I booked it. The bathroom was clean, at least. Uncomfortable mattress, but not unbearable. If you're looking for an affordable stay at a kitschy place, this is for you. If you're looking for luxury or a cozy B&B experience, definitely look elsewhere.

We stayed at Inn at St. John. It was very clean and comfortable. The staff was so very friendly and courteous, the breakfast was convenient and good. The location makes it easy to quickly get around. We walked to the Old Port area, the Western Promenade historic area and to downtown Portland from the Inn. The Inn is dog friendly, and the staff enjoyed out pup. The Inn is close to Maine Medical Center if you have someone there in the hospital. I recommend the Inn for your stay in Portland.

My friend and I really enjoyed our stay. The workers were very welcoming and the room was clean! The shared bathroom shower was a bit small, but overall we were very satisfied with the cleanliness, friendliness, and yummy breakfast!

This is a beautiful hotel. The price was economical and the service friendly. Next door to a few restaurants and close to coffee shops - also nice cozy little breakfast room to have coffee and read in

Very cute place with cute ( but a bit cramped) rooms. Very good housekeeping with cute handmade designs in the Kleenex boxes, etc. It was nice to have great coffee choices and a small breakfast in the morning. Also having cookies at night ( or anytime,) is always great. We had 2 rooms on the 1st floor which was great because there is no elevator here. It's also not super close to the fun part of Portland. Overall we ( the 4 of us) were very happy here. The bed was too hard though so maybe newer beds would be helpful too.

We had a fantastic stay at this Inn. Our room was very comfortable and the staff were friendly. Definitely recommend a stay here!

Looking for a place to stay in Portland, ME, I ended up choosing the Inn at St John because they seemed affordable, are pet friendly ($10 per night), provided free breakfast and free parking and looked like it was in a good area to where I wanted to stay. My husband, our little girl dog and I ended up staying here a few nights and had a wonderful time. We had a queen size bed with a private bathroom (there is a more budget friendly option to have a shared bathroom for those interested). We were lucky to be placed on the first floor, actually right by the back entrance of this Inn (because this Inn doesn't have stairs I am glad we didn't have a hard time bringing in our luggage to our room). The room itself seemed to be a little smaller than a standard hotel room and kind of reminded me of staying in a friend's guest room. But that bathroom we had was pretty big. I thought our bed was pretty comfortable. Our room was nice and clean and had a television, microwave and fridge. It was nice that coffee and hot/ cold water is available all day. Also in the evening, guests can help themselves to chocolate chip cookies (individually wrapped in saran wrap). One evening, I had taken the last cookie and then later on my husband had seen madeleine cookies placed out, which he ended up getting a few. The complimentary continental breakfast was great during our stay with various pastries, muffins and other baked goods (bagels, bread, etc). There was also fruit, yogurt, cold and hot cereal (instant oatmeal packets in which you can either add cold water and heat up in the microwave or you can just add hot water and let it thicken on its own). There was also fruit juice and milk available. I do want to mention that the parking lot this Inn has is rather small. However, I was told that if there is parking spots left in the lot, that I was able to park on the street, even though there are street signs that state not to park there. The employee who checked me in said she has never had a guest complain about that. But wanted to make mention this. Luckily each night, I was able to find a spot but we stayed during off peak season (early November). For the price of this place (before tax, it was under $100 a night), I thought this hotel was very nice and would stay here again.

A great bargain for the price! Comfy room in a historic and cozy hotel. Free parking. Free continental Breakfast. Tea and coffee available all day. Would stay again.

We stayed at this small inn for 2 nights recently and were assigned room 1A that required a walk up of 26 stairs as there is no elevator in the inn. Not a big problem, but a serious consideration for the elderly or anyone with disabilities. The room featured a king bed, refrigerator, and a en suite bathroom with little counter space and a mini sized shower. The inn is situated a stone's through away from a hospital where there is on going construction, but it did not interfere with our sleep. The staff, one and all, were very pleasant and helpful. There is a very small parking lot to the rear that gets filled up early so be prepared to park on the street or at Union Station Plaza (spaces 5 - 19). A continental breakfast of modest quality and variety is offered each morning with fresh baked cookies set out mid-afternoon.

Solidly mediocre - I really don't understand the 4-5 star ratings from other reviews. Clean and functional with pleasant staff but not charming. Dilapidated 80s/90s catalog furnishings, stained ceiling tiles and odd layout leave a lot to be desired for the price. While Portland is small, this accommodation is not walkable to anything most guests would want to experience during the summer months.

Zero stars. We walked from parking in the street in front of the medical center. There was a small parking lot first come first serve. Noisy sirens and traffic outside our window. Mattress was hard as a rock and sagging as if it was the same age as the inn. Beautiful decor and true to era but not worth the money. It was our anniversary. The men behind the desk could care less about our disappointment. We did not stay longer than five minutes and checked out. They did not apologize nor offer refund nor discount for our discomfort. Do yourself a favor and stay at the Hampton Inn or Hilton, they are close to the shops and restaurants-walking distance.

This hotel was charming, clean and the staff was super friendly. Large parking lot in the back (complementary parking). As it is a very old establishment (part of the quirky charm) there are quite a few winding stairs if you have a room on the upper levels. We got a Queen bed with a private hall bath. Private hall bath was perfect for two people. Would definitely go back!

This hotel, although cute in pictures, is located right across the street from a medical center so you will hear all sorts of sirens at all hours. On top of that, hotel staff is at a minimum so there's a good chance your check-in won't be on time and anything you need from the hotel won't be taken care off on time if at all. The employees of this hotel also are unaware of the their own policies. When I reached out to Hotels.com about an issue with the hotel, the manager, "Terry", flat out lied about the circumstances. He is both rude, inflexible, and is a poor ambassador of this hotel. There are plenty of other hotels to stay at in the area that are nicer, cheaper, and in a better part of town. You can do better. PS - Terry threatened to call the cops if I posted this review. Said he had my contact information and everything if I did. Oh well, Terry. That's a great way to treat customers.

We liked the Inn at St. John enough to stay there twice. The first night, day 1 of vacay, we had a wonderful room that had a private bathroom, comfortable beds and was ready to roll with a pack and play for our little kiddo. What do you need to know if you're wanting to book this place? Each room is different and not every room has a private bath. They're descriptive online and when you call, but some have shared space. No elevators! It was up some steep stairs, and I was nursing a shoulder injury with a heavy bag, so that wasn't ideal, but it's kinda European all the same. Plus they offered to carry it up but this thing was like 60 pounds and I was out of cash to tip so we soldiered through. Location: Less than 10 from the airport, which was great as we made our way around Portland upon landing. Private parking in the back which is nice in a busier area. Also Portland isn't huge and is easy to navigate many things from here by car, but not by foot. Street noise was noticeable on our last night of vacay as we had a ground floor room, right by the continental breakfast area. Not only were there car sounds, but also ambulance sounds and sirens as a med center was nearby. We also both awoke as they stocked up the continental breakfast since we were right there. Breakfast consists of yogurt, granola bars, fruit, coffee, cookies and the basics. It was good for what it is, and they have cookies available there throughout the day. So it's a funky, different experience but we all liked it well enough, and I found the staff to be extremely friendly.

This is a cute and cosy little inn. Don't come here expecting a fancy B&B, you will be disappointed. We stayed here for just a night and it was not bad. The inn has few hostel style rooms with shared bathrooms, some rooms with private bathroom within the room and some with private bath outside the room. When I booked the room, I made sure it had a private bath but didn't pay attention that the bath was not inside the room. It's not a big deal but something to keep in mind, the bathroom was just down the hall and at the time we stayed it didn't seem like any other rooms down the hall were occupied. Our room was comfortable, the whole inn and the rooms has vintage victorian decor. Our room even had one of those old dial phones. They also don't have elevator which I thought wasn't a big deal at first since we were on the 2nd floor but could be a dealbreaker if you are on the 4th floor and have a lot of luggage. The stairs are pretty tight and steep, even without bags I was kinda afraid of tripping over. Breakfast was minimal, bagels, muffins, scones, fruits and such. They did have complimentary cookies and apple cider in the evening which was good. Parking can be a bit of a pain, the lot seems to be full most times to the point that we decided to walk to dinner, instead of having to look for alternative parking.

I can't say enough about the front desk clerk. She was beyond helpful and very accommodating. She deserves a gold star. The hotel was lacking for the price we paid. Yes it's old and decorated in grandma motif but I wasn't even worried about that once I sat on the bed. The mattress was so hard that I at first thought it might be "faux" for staging. The sheets were also very subpar - rough scratchy sheets. I travel a lot and it was the WORST bed I've ever slept on. THE WORST. The bathroom was tiny (for girls trying to do makeup with no counter). The staff was stellar, the room was sparkling clean but the mattress needs to be upgraded immediately.

This is perhaps the most disappointing hotel/etc we have ever experienced! Add in the cost, it becomes one of the worst experience period! To start, we received no hello, welcome, anything from the staff. No information on the place or the area or what's around. Just "name, and picture ID." These people just don't care about guests! We were then put on a floor a few stories up. Up steep stairs with terrible footing. There are no elevators-So know this going in. We were given a room with a double bed and a shared bathroom. This is our fault for not paying good attention. The room is gross and musty, and in general not nice at all. It's 2022 and they have a terrible tv with cheap cable with a bad lag. So watching tv is not worth it. The worst part is the bathroom and shower!! Wow, just nasty! If you are going to have a shared bathroom, it should be cleaned multiple times a day and the shower curtains changed daily at least-they just stunk of sour and mustiness. The toilet was leaking on the floor. And the toilet is for a child. The shower as well, it is maybe 40 by 40 by 70 and very uncomfortable. Below average water pressure too. Also, people don't know how to 'share' a bathroom and keep it somewhat clean for others. They have a small continental breakfast with not much to offer, but ok. It is a tiny area, so you will be bumping into others or waiting to get through. There are only 3 tables to sit at. We feel totally cheated and left really upset. I would advise anyone just to stay at one of the properties near the downtown area. It's not worth the price to be treated with such obliviousness and in such bad conditions.

I have a weakness for historical properties when I travel, and The Inn at St. John is quaint and charming enough to satisfy this requirement. It is also reasonably priced. I imagine some folks would gripe about the bathrooms in some rooms being in a hallway outside the rooms, but c'mon! Think of the history of this building! It used to be a boarding house once. The staff was always friendly and really quite helpful. The only grouse I have is with the location: the inn is on Congress St, but on the quieter 900 hundred block of that bustling street. This may be a boon for some, but I had to travel a bit to find liveliness. I do recommend the inn, though! It's a unique property worth checking out.

This is a nice, affordable place, a little off the beaten path, but still close to a few good spots and a short Uber from downtown proper. The bay window giveth and the bay window taketh away. Looks great (see picture) and is part of this old building's charm. Unfortunately, it overlooks the main street and there was a lot of traffic noise. Fortunately, it calmed down later in the evening, but there is a medical center across the street and up a block, and the fire house is a few blocks up the street towards town. (In case of fire, there will be a quick response!) Needless to say, if you are not a city dweller, be prepared to wake up a few times. The people were really great. Breakfast is basic. BUT you are a short walk from Holy Donuts (a Portland must do); just down the side street where the hotel parking lot is, turn right and go just past the ice arena. The rooms are clean and comfortable. Most, including ours, have a private hallway bathroom (see picture). From the exit map, it looks like there are 2 rooms on the floor with in-room bath and a couple with a shared bath. It wasn't as bad as I expected and there were terry robes to put on in the 10-foot stroll. (Only saw another guest once.) Overall, a positive experience; would stay again.

Funky, fun and awesome. Definitely not the four seasons. The place is adorable yet it also looks like some builder got drunk and started putting walls up in the weirdest places. Some rooms are huge while others are not so huge. It's not that big but you can get lost in the hallway. Don't take this the wrong way, these are all good things. The place is clean but not sterile. Dog friendly! Yes, they let you bring your dog and don't act like they are doing you a favor. It's like they recognize that people have dogs, like to travel with them and that they are cleaner and less destructive than humans. Breakfast every morning and the neighborhood is great. Some of the best coffee shops in the world within a few blocks.

Cute, quaint Inn! About 7 min from the main Portland strip/restaurant area. The decor will make you appreciate the historic touch of the area. I enjoyed eating breakfast on the sidewalk tables, however it was a little noisy at this time while the hospital down the street is doing construction (I know they can't control this)! Provided yummy treats (I had an amazing brownie) after breakfast was served. You will have a short 5 step walk to the bathroom if that's the room you choose. Staff was so very friendly and gave a warm welcome and recommendations of sites to explore!

This place was great. Super duper friendly staff. Very nice rooms. Very comfortable bed. Great pillows. Pizza place across the street. Breweries within walking distance. I've read complaints about some rooms not having private bathrooms. That's an easy fix. Don't book that room. Get one with a private bathroom. That's what I did. I'll stay here again next time I'm in Maine.

I can appreciate that people go for "charming" and "historic" when they book hotels but at its price point, this place is not worth it. I maybe should have understood or inquired more what a shared bathroom meant but the descriptions when booking I don't feel were super clear. In my humble opinion a shared bathroom (for the whole floor) means this is nothing more than a decorated hostel or dorm but I'll be fair and say maybe that's okay for some people. Bed was awfully lumpy. Ac unit on low was like a loud, full arctic blast but if you didn't turn it on it would feel like a sauna. I couldn't sleep a wink. Also the included parking isn't guaranteed; I had to find street parking. I was lucky as we were only staying one night on the weekend so street parking was free, but you might have to move your vehicle around if you were not just there on a Saturday night.

Amazing staff! This Inn has a rustic, old feeling. It has been maintained pretty well for it being over 100 years old. The room and private bathroom were well kept and clean. Only reason I give it a 4 and not a 5 is because I believe more minor fixes can make this Inn 5 stars. In the hallway near our room, the vacuum was there. The stairs are also pretty steep, can be an issue for some people and definitely an issue for people who need handicap accessibility. In the morning, we saw a plastic tub of towels and blankets. Kind of felt like they wanted us to check out as soon as possible. The room did need better air condition, and it felt musty in the room. Overall, it was worth the price we paid. The staff gets 5 out of 5.

Great location just a tad outside downtown. Friendly staff and clean rooms. We had a private bathroom just down the hall, also very clean.

We enjoyed our 3 nights at the Inn. The building itself from the outside appeared to have once an been amply spaced apartments back in time. Inside, the apartments had been neatly divided into unique rooms to serve the needs of the Inn. Very The room and 3 other unoccupied rooms that I was allowed to view were all very well appointed, each unique. This Inn is located in the West Battery (if I'm not mistaken) and off the touristy stretch of Commercial, Middle, and all the groovy side streets of Portland. We fund this to be nice and driving down or taking a taxi to the Old Port not a problem. The Inn offers a nice Continental breakfast, which by the 3rd morning become less attractive. The dining area is cramped and the options the same day after day. The coffee & bottles of water were my favorites. Parking...small lot and if it's full you're directed to park in a rear lot of an Asian Restaurant. We used it twice, could see our vehicle, and it was easy to access. The price is right and I would seriously consider stay at the Inn again.

I'm giving 3 stars because of the great customer service and past memories and I just can't give them a 2 but honestly this was a 2.5 star at best stay and I likely won't stay again in the future. The Inn really needs some TLC. Its age is showing. I called in advance to ask what a private bathroom meant as that was the only room type available and I had reservations about having a bathroom outside of the room. I was assured it was right across the hall. It was right across the hall - right across from another person's room. I'm a shy person and I really didn't like going down the hall to get to the bathroom, especially at night. On our second night, we had young people next door who were basically in the hallway and I felt weird walking by them and knowing they were basically outside of the door. The bathroom wasn't in great shape. You had to really wait and push down the button for the toilet to flush. The towels didn't look very clean with black smudges on the face cloths. The shower was falling apart and actually did fall apart! The faucet to turn on the water and set the temperature fell right off as I tried to turn it on my second morning. We were able to fix it but yikes. The room wasn't great. It was very clean and the maid actually cleaned it while we were there which surprised me as everywhere I've stayed since the pandemic hit have not had in room cleaning while you were staying. It had a good fridge, slow microwave and okay television. The bed was horrible. I almost went home after the first night as I woke up with serious back pain from a sloping mattress and bad pillows. We switched sides and pillows the next night and it was better. There was also a weird whistling sound that I thought was someone singing running through the pipes all night. And, there was a lot of noise coming from the hospital nearby that I don't remember from our previous stays and tons of noise from a new Dunkin' behind the parking lot. Low light of our stay was walking through that lot to get to the car and seeing a man peeing in the bushes. Classy. The continental breakfast and plentiful water and cookies was nice. The stairs have that carnival feel so be careful on them. One kid fell down while we were at breakfast. On our check-out, we came down to tarps and a huge hole in the ceiling over reception as they had a water pipe burst (again, the place needs TLC). It wasn't worth the price and location doesn't seem as good as it was a few years ago. I'll be staying in the downtown center next time I return to Portland for a getaway.

We reserved a room with a private detached bathroom for one night when we were traveling through Portland. It was exactly as advertised and staff was polite and safe during COVID. My only complaint was the room was extremely hot and we actually had to open the windows because heat was still coming even though the heater was still off. There is no elevator so it was a struggle up the flights to get to the third floor but it was advertised online so we knew what to expect.

How refreshing to find an inn! We arrived by Amtrak in May 2022 - Station was close by, but not walking distance. Staff was friendly and helpful. Being an old inn, there was no elevator. I'm surprised no staff offered to bring up our luggage (we are in our 60s and 70s). Room was delightful, bed comfortable and we had a large bath. Our daughters stayed in a larger room with a charming bay window, but smaller in-room bath. Included breakfast was fine. Coffee, tea, cookies available off the lobby 24 hours a day (yum). We like to walk and enjoyed going up the hill to many restaurants and shops. Not close to the wharf, however, perhaps many more tourists there. Rather far to walk if you don't have a car like us. Would happily stay here again.

Needed last minute one night stay, so they had availability $350. Do Not stay in room 108, truly it's 10 feet from a busy street. The A/C unit had a problem , it seemed like when the compressor kicked in a bad bearing made a loud constant noise, so we turned it off. By 6 AM the trucks and cars are rumbling by we don't have the AC on we try it again it's rumbling the trucks and cars are rumbling not a good combination . We checked out early the owner/manager said he spent $3000 on windows, it was a fairly new AC unit and they had not had very many complaints about the car noise. He said he would look into it, we ask for a discount he said he would look into it. Remember this room cost $350. We are not happy. The water is hot and the towels are clean

The WORST hotel we ever stayed !!!!! Fortunately only one night. No elevator, very narrow steps to get to upper floors. Definitely not for older people or people with mobility problem. Our room, on 3rd floor was the size of a walk-in closet, reminding us of FIRE TRAP. Bathroom fan which goes on with light was unbearably loud. The staff is pathetic, especially general manager Terry, what a piece of work - nasty, rude, hostile just name it. When we complained he came without wearing a mask, yelling right in our faces. How can they get good rating is beyond me. My suggestion is DO NOT STAY at this hotel !!!!!!

This Inn was very cozy and welcoming. The staff was so pleasing and courteous. They were willing to help with bags and whatever we needed. The Inn is Victorian in style and reminds me of small hotels I have stayed in Europe. My fiancée and I were comfortable and had great privacy after an exhausting camping trip. Tip for newcomers: make sure you are aware when booking if you have a private bathroom and size of bed, some rooms only have a double bed with a shared bathroom. We had to switch rooms a week before because I wasn't paying attention. The manager I talked with about changing rooms was very accommodating and super helpful. The actual beds are harder than I personally like but that is completely subjective. Our room (8B) had a smart TV with access to Netflix which has an unexpected plus!

When owning a home in Portland I would drive by this place all the time and I wondered how it was - well, I found out - Coming back to Maine to visit friends I booked the Inn for 2 nights - the service was stellar, on and off site parking (bonus), the place is spotless and the room was very cozy I booked the room with a bathroom in the room - everything is so well thought of - chocolate on the bedside table, small ref in room, coffee in room, tv in room, bathroom was great and a good size - all the amenities I needed. Next door is Salvage BBQ (my fav btw) overall the place is just fantastic - the morning breakfast is great and many options - great coffee Def will stay again when back in town - no elevator but that didnt bother me at all

It's hard to believe that the Inn at St. John was under $150 per night considered the wonderful customer service, clean furnishings and lovely historic experience. The hotel is conveniently located within a brisk 15 minute walk of Congress Street. Travelers will be impressed by the warmth and personable nature of the front desk staff. For example, I came back to the hotel from a long walk and was immediately greeted with a cold bottle of water! The staff also made excellent dinner recommendations. If you're interested in the building's history, definitely talk with Dan or Chris. The rooms are petite and appointed with simple, old-fashioned decor, however, I was comfortable for 1 night on my business trip. Breakfast, coffee and 24/7 cookies are included and cannot be missed.

2.5 rounded up to 3. The Inn at St. John is on a quiet end of Congress St away from the Old Port area of Portland. The neighborhood is a little run-down but the inn itself is well kept up and with a certain historic charm. According to the website the inn was built in 1897 and has been in continuous use as an inn since that time. First impressions mean a lot to us and I was quite disappointed by the lack of warmth or even a proper greeting upon check-in. Miles was the name of the man at the desk and he wasn't the least bit friendly or welcoming. He essentially asked us if were were checking in (no hello, no welcome) and when we said we were he got down to business, handed us a key and that was the end of it. The inn is very much in keeping with its Victorian history. Everything down to the wallpaper and furniture feels like you've take a trip back in time. The doors and moldings all seem to be original and in a good way I felt like I was in someone's great-grandmother's house. Our room had a comfortable king size bed. The pillows were a bit too soft for my husband. I wished there had been an additional blanket on the bed as the evening was a cool one even though it is June. The en suite bathroom (some rooms have a bath in the hall which would not have been to our liking) was quite large. This was one area that although very clean felt too dated for me. There also were too few towels that were not of good quality and need to be replaced. There are a couple of rooms for guests on the first floor but as the web-site points out, the remainder of the hotel is accessible only by stairs and steep ones at that. The hallways are narrow and there is a bit of navigating to do even after you've climbed the main staircase. There is free parking in the back of the hotel but not as many spots as there are rooms. Overflow parking is in the lot next door at a Chinese restaurant with which the inn has an arrangement. We spent most of our time during the day and evening in the Old Port part of Portland which is either a long walk (you're about 2 miles away) or a very short drive from this inn so consider that if you are thinking of making a reservation here. Our stay was okay for just the one night that we booked, but ultimately this location and this place are not for us. If I hadn't been here with my husband, I would not have felt so great returning back here late at night especially after parking in the closed Chinese restaurant lot. There wasn't anything or anyone in particular that unnerved me when we returned that night. It was just the general run-down aspects of other buildings and houses around this inn. I've learned to trust my intuition about these things. Enough said. As well, I'd rather spend my money at a more welcoming hotel with staff that seem happy to see guests and who are eager to be of help. That's what the hotel/inn and B and B business is about. Miles, at the concierge desk needs to go back for some customer service training or find another line of work not involving customer service. Sorry to seem so harsh but that's how strongly I feel about these kind of first impressions. Staff can make or break a hotel experience. I will say, that the woman at the desk when we were checking out was quite lovely. I'm sorry I didn't get her name.

This hotel has personality and that's why I absolutely adored it! My husband and I stayed at the Inn at St. John for 2 nights this past summer as we traveled through Maine. Portland was our first stop and this Inn was by far my favorite place of the whole trip. The staff is super friendly and always acknowledged my husband and I as we came and went. There was always cold water, hot chocolate, tea, coffee, and snacks available throughout the day. The breakfast was the standard bagels, muffins, yogurt, etc. but it was still great. The little room had cute tables to sit at and it was quite comfortable. Yes it's an old hotel, and yes there is no elevator. No big deal to us. We had a room where the bathroom was separate. I thought this would annoy me, but it didn't bother me at all, everything was just so charming! The room was a nice size and super comfortable. The bathroom was clean, the water was warm, and the towels were fluffy. There is a small parking lot behind the hotel, and one night all the spots were taken so we had to park on the street (where there are parking restrictions on some days), but it was no big deal. If you don't mind walking, you can easily walk to downtown Portland and just keep your car parked in their lot. I loved this hotel and when we go visit Portland again I will be sure to stay at the Inn at St. John.

This truly is one of the cutest hotels I've stayed in. First of all, it is the oldest operating hotel in Maine, and if you're looking for that "Victorian-styled yet possibly haunted feel" this is it. What caught my eye was the great reviews and the fact that they are dog friendly, but upon arriving there, one of the best amenities is the fact that the employees are so nice! I realized I accidentally booked a double room for me, my boyfriend and my dog (which means zero comfortable sleep for the 3 of us), and the man at the front desk immediately offered to upgrade us to a king for free! During the day they have coffee, tea and cookies available, and in the morning there's a continental breakfast with pastries, fruit and bread/bagels. The only reason I took a star off is because we stayed in a room at the front of the hotel which looks directly at a hospital with ambulance sirens and emergency helicopters blaring all night long. It was pretty hard to sleep. Consider investing in some sound proof windows or shades to improve the overnight experience?

My favorite inn ..very cute quite each room is different and its awsome it's like a maze everytime.i look forward to a different room experience...staff very very friendly could not ask for more...always forever be a returning guest

@@ road trip post @@ Pros: * "Cheap." Straight up initially decided to stay here because they were the cheapest option in the Old Port/downtown area. * Options of full bed with private bathroom, queen bed with private bathroom, or semi-private/shared bathroom. We chose a private, but friends stayed in a room with a shared bathroom and were pleased. Looks like it was basically only used by them and was in good condition. * So charming! Good natured staff, room had a European old inn feel. * Water, coffee, tea, pastries, etc. available for no extra charge in front lobby. * Quick walk to downtown area (about half a mile, uphill though). * Several parking options: a) main parking accessible from Valley St.; b) Overflow lot is the Chinese restaurant's parking lot (but you need to get a sign from the hotel); c) street parking. * Mini fridge in room. Cons: * Our private bathroom was very clean, but tiny tiny. Don't stay here if you're looking forward to a bubble bath (expect small shower).

We had a great stay. We had a room on the third floor with an in-room bathroom but for less money you can get a private hallway bath or a shared bath. The inn also allows dogs which we love - though we decided to leave our dog with family. They have great amenities - continental breakfast (during Covid everything is individually wrapped) and coffee, tea, and cookies available all day. Our room was small but comfortable - we had a TV with cable and a fridge for storing our leftovers when we ate out. Everything was clean and the air conditioner kept us plenty cool in a heat wave. The front desk staff was always friendly and helpful with recommendations. The location is good - it's right across from the hospital and close to all major attractions. We would recommend Inn at St John.

This is an amazing inn in many ways. First, the people are incredibly friendly and helpful. The lobby and rooms are lovely, clean and well-kept. It is a small Victorian inn. In my case, honesty is the most important value. I was in a hurry to meet friends and did not double check the safe. Later, I found that my garnet necklace and matching earrings were missing. It took me a while to mentally backtrack where they may have been left. This particular jewelry was important to me. It was purchased in the Czech Republic, a country that l love. The design is unusual and quite modern. Garnet is my birthstone. One more important fact: it was a gift from my husband. I knew the inn was full. I did not have high hopes of retrieving it. Still, I called. I was told they would look for it. I requested that they e-mail me as I was still traveling. That evening I received a message. Good luck! They found the jewelry and offered to mail it to me. I was elated. The grey cloud of sorrow which had hung above my head since I discovered the jewelry was missing lifted. I was SO happy! The staff at the inn is amazing. They were honest, took the time to search for the items that were left behind and offered to send them to me. This is fantastic customer service coupled with friendliness and a sincere desire to help guests. I will definitely stay there again. Thank you everyone at the inn. You're awesome! Needless to say, I would recommend this inn.

This place is fairly bare-bones, but quaint. Very Victorian. My girlfriend and I have stayed here at least 5 times. Be warned that they do *not* have an elevator, so if you have mobility issues, make sure to spend a little extra money to stay on the ground floor, maybe in the superior king suite. That suite has its own bathroom, unlike the rooms on the upper floors, where you'd have to share a hallway bathroom. It is also right across the street from the Greyhound bus station and Pizza Villa pizzeria and bar and right next to an asian market. Great place for us :) Oh, and the staff are really nice and helpful as well..

Stayed here for a long weekend and was more than satisfied. Got a double bed with a private bath. Seemed like the most affordable place in town. - free breakfast (pastries, fruit, coffee, tea, yogurt) til 10am everyday, 11am on Sundays - sink in your room, and bathroom/shower in the hallway outside of your room, which wasn't a problem at all. - the hotel is a maze. It was fun figuring out how to get to the lobby. - atmosphere is cute and homey. - 20 minute walk to downtown/a few minutes drive. - they provide: bathrobes, shampoo, conditioner, soaps, shower caps, lotion, and makeup remover. - parking in back, but if full, you can park at Lang's or on the street. - staff was very friendly and helpful. - Asian grocery store, Rite-Aid, and pizza place within a block. - cookies in the lobby every afternoon!

Do not stay in this hotel- I stayed in June 2021 and the woke up with my upper body covered in bed bug bites, manager refused a refund and outright denied any there would be bed bugs/ mites (did not even bother to look at my proof, just kept denying) in the hotel, disgusting place and truly terrible staff from the desk clerk to the manger. Absolute shame anyone would spend money here!!!!

This place was wonderful and enjoyable. A very good value.I had my doubts about sharing a bathroom which was down the hall. It turned out to be no problem at all. The bathroom was very clean as was my room. The room was very small but nice. Wonderful antiques and a very comfy bed. A delicious continental breakfast was included. Excellent choices and fresh as well. The staff was very friendly and helpful.I would definitely stay here again when visiting Portland.

My partner and I just got married (!) and we dawdled on finding a place to stay right after until the last minute. The Inn at St John ended up being the only place that had a room for the correct nights - but I'm glad we ended up here! The location seems a bit sketchy, but it's very convenient. It's incredibly close to 295, it's just a block away from Hadlock Field, and the walk to downtown is very doable. My husband and I left our car in the lot and walked all over the place and loved it! You can't even get lost, because it's right on Congress St and you just walk right down that road! The interior is very quirky and fun. No elevators, as they say on the website, but the stairs are a real maze and the architecture is really really neat. Our room is quite large and has a lovely bay window. The bathroom is in the hallway, but that was less of a problem than I thought it would be. There are always cookies and coffee set out in the lobby area and there's a continental breakfast in the morning. I dont eat gluten, so I stuck to the yogurt and fruit, but the muffins looked great and we walked a couple blocks up to the Holy Donut (also highly recommend) for gluten-free donuts. All in all this has been a very pleasant stay in a fun quirky and comfotable place with everything we needed.

We have been to Inn at St John many times and every time we are greeted with friendly customer service and clean rooms. It has a very cozy, European feel and provides a breakfast of bagels, english muffins, muffins, and more. We keep coming back to Portland and this is the place we always stay. When you revisit a place so often and it continues it's exceptional service, then you know you can trust your stay there. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g40827-d77371-r527731214-Inn_at_St_John-Portland_Maine.html#

Couldn't have had a nicer cozier stay. Staff was amazing, rooms were clean. Service was impeccable. Everything about our stay was great. The building itself was so fun with lots of fun wallpaper and a historic feel. Would 100% stay again. Great location too!