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Maine’s
largest city of Portland
offers
plenty of options for tourists
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Spotlight on Travel - Mike Cohen
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PORTLAND, Maine- When we first began
making plans to vacation in Maine, our search for accommodations
started in Old Orchard Beach.
Very quickly, however, I realized that
the offerings there were overpriced and lacking any of the name brand
properties. It was then
that someone from the
tourism industry pointed me in the direction of Portland, only 20
minutes away and an excellent base. There were also some excellent
hotels to choose from, with the Embassy Suites heading the list.
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The Embassy Suites in
Portland is close
to beaches and attractions
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Portland (www.portlandmaine.com)
is Maine's business, financial and retail capital and the largest city
in the state. Seascapes and cityscapes blend harmoniously in Portland,
perched on a peninsula, jutting out into island-studded Casco Bay. The
metropolitan hub of Maine's south coast region, Portland is a
progressive, lively city incorporating the character of yesteryear into
a modern urban environment.
With a metro population of 230,000,
the Greater Portland area is home to almost one quarter of Maine's
total population. The city itself has 64,000 residents. In the
Old
Port, great brick buildings, once warehouses for local merchants, now
hold a myriad of original shops, galleries and restaurants.
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The Portland Lobster
Company overlooks
Portland Harbour in heart of the Old Port
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Portland
boasts a thriving arts scene and an exclusive Downtown Arts District.
As one of the premier cultural centers in northern New England,
Portland’s visual and performing arts rival those of regions much
larger in size. Stroll through the world-class Portland Museum of Art,
or wander the cobblestone streets in search of local galleries.
I highly recommend you make advanced
accommodation reservations, especially, if you plan to visit between
mid-June and mid-October. The Embassy Suites Portland, Maine hotel
www.portland.embassysuites.com
recently completed phase two of a
multi-million dollar renovation, with the construction of all new guest
suites, a revitalized lobby/atrium and restaurant.
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Portland combines the
character of yesteryear
within an urban environment
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Centrally
located and right next to the Portland Jetport, the Embassy Suites
is just four miles from the famed Old Port, where a number of
restaurants, shops, bars, and nightclubs provide endless entertainment
– and a short drive from factory outlet shopping in Freeport,
Maine. Moreover, the hotel is just a few miles from Maine’s
beaches (try Crescent Beach) and scenic walking, hiking, and biking
destinations. More importantly, it is an easy five minute drive to the
beautiful Maine Mall, Border’s Bookstore and known chain
restaurants such as Ruby Tuesday’s, IHOP, Friendly’s and
even a Tim Horton’s.
All accommodations feature two flat screen televisions, a refrigerator,
microwave oven and coffee maker, complimentary wireless high-speed
Internet access, two telephones and a comfortable work area with desk
While relaxing at the hotel, take advantage of the indoor swimming pool
and whirlpool, a state-of-the-art hotel fitness center, a hotel
business center, meeting rooms, onsite dining at Café
Stroudwater, complimentary parking, a complimentary cooked-to-order
breakfast, a nightly hotel manager's reception and a complimentary
shuttle to and from the Portland International Jetport. The hotel is
located at 1050 Westbrook Street.
For several years, the Portland Lobster Company (www.portlandlobstercompany.com)
has offered the very freshest Maine seafood, live entertainment and the
best view in all of Portland. The restaurant was recommended to me and
this place was a real surprise, the most unque “lobster”
eating experience in my life for sure. When we arrived manager Ethan
Morgan explained the procedure. He handed us small menus and pointed
towards the specials of the day on a board. Inside you get in line
cafeteria style and place your order. Once that is done you are given a
larger beeper shaped like a lobster and asked to find a picnic table on
the outdoor tented dock overlooking the Portland Harbor in the heart of
the Old Port. It was not a long wait. The menu here includes "Maine's
Best Lobster Roll," lobster dinners, steamers, fried claims and
chowder, salads and wraps, appetizers and local desserts.
The lobsters were terrific and nicely cut up, served with fries. They
also make a nice caesar salad and crispy fried Maine shrimp. The fried
scallops are also highly recommended. Located on the waterfront
on bustling Commercial Street, there is usually live music as
well. Of course, this is mainly a warm weather destination, opened from
May until late November.
Mike Cohen’s email address is info@mikecohen.ca.
Log on to his travel advice column at www.sandboxworld.com/travel
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