PORTLAND, ME—Autograph Collection Hotels has added The Press Hotel, a lifestyle boutique hotel here, to its growing portfolio. The Press Hotel brings the collection to 82 hotels worldwide, and the brand anticipates welcoming its 100th hotel by the end of 2015.
“This year, Autograph Collection Hotels has significantly expanded to include Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in Hawaii, Triada Palm Springs, Cotton House Hotel in Barcelona and Kameha Grand Zurich, and we are excited to add The Press Hotel to our collection. The Press Hotel, with its rich history and original character complements Autograph Collection Hotels’ ‘Exactly Like Nothing Else’ mantra,” said Julius Robinson, VP, Autograph Collection.
The newly added Press Hotel, located at the corner of Exchange and Congress Sts. in the Old Port neighborhood, is inspired from its origins in the historic Portland Press Herald Building. Driven by local developer Jim Brady, the hotel celebrates the city’s local authors, arts and culinary community through the work of local painters, sculptors, textile makers and woodworkers who were commissioned for the property, according to the brand.
Setting the tone for guests’ first-impression on arrival is a “letterpress art wall” at reception. In the main lobby, the signature piece is a two-story installation of antique typewriters conceptualized and executed by students at the Maine College of Art (MECA). Additionally, the hotel features an art gallery comprising works by Maine artists, open to the public.
The hotel’s 110 guestrooms include a Penthouse Suite with rooftop access and 360-degree views of the city. Four private function rooms are available for groups and special events. Interior design firm Stonehill & Taylor is responsible for The Press Hotel design along with local architectural firm Archetype.
Referencing the building’s history, Stonehill & Taylor worked closely with the Portland Press Herald editors on selecting content from the newspaper’s pages that is weaved into various aspects of the design, including the custom hotel corridor wallpaper comprised of enlarged newspaper headlines. The carpet is scattered with typewriter letter keys.
Each guestroom is inspired by a 1920s writer’s office, including a vintage-styled journalist desk and newsroom references. Bathrooms feature a reeded glass door similar to those in historical newspaper offices. Wood floors with herringbone area rugs, throws by Brahm’s Mount and bedding by Cuddledown (local Maine-based companies) give a residential feel.
Prints by Portland-area artists decorate the guestrooms, including a woven wall tapestry by local artist Angela Adams. Branding touches will be found throughout the hotel such as “Hot off the Press” French-pressed coffee, typewriter-key-styled bar coasters and “Beat-reporter” note pads. Guests will find authors’ quotes all over the property, fromin-room safes to meeting spaces to the lobby bar.
The Press Hotel is home to the 65-seat restaurant Union. Executive Chef and Portland native Josh Berry created a menu that takes a fresh look at classic dishes using contemporary preparations and regional ingredients.
The lobby bar, named The Inkwell, will feature handcrafted vintage cocktails and small bites in the evenings prepared by culinary team at Union. The 24-seat indoor Inkwell lounge area will also have seasonal outdoor seating.