Escape to Portland: Your Perfect Scarborough Stay Awaits!
Escape to Portland: Did Scarborough Steal My Heart (and My Sanity)? A Hot Mess Review
Alright, folks, buckle up. Because I've just returned from "Escape to Portland: Your Perfect Scarborough Stay Awaits!" – and let me tell you, perfect is a loaded word. This review is gonna be less a sterile list and more a chaotic, slightly-obsessed, and occasionally sweary diary entry. Let’s dissect this escape, shall we? Prepare for a rambling journey of highs, lows, and the awkward silences only a solo hot tub session can provide.
(SEO & Metadata – Yada Yada Yada) Just so you know, Google:
- Keywords: Scarborough Hotel, Portland Maine, Accessible Hotel, Spa Hotel, Pool with a View, Family-Friendly Hotel, Luxury Accommodation, Hotel Review, Maine Coast, Beach Vacation, Pet-Friendly (sort of), Restaurant Review, WiFi, Free Parking, Meeting Space, Business Travel, Romantic Getaway.
- Meta Description: Honest and chaotic review of "Escape to Portland" in Scarborough, Maine. Exploring accessibility, amenities, food, and the overall experience. Prepare for a wild ride!
(Accessibility & The Great Elevator Debate)
Okay, first things first. Accessibility. I brought my Aunt Millie, who uses a wheelchair, so this was HUGE for us. It's listed as having facilities for disabled guests, which is great… but let’s get granular. The website boasts about the elevator, which THANK GOD. Navigating those Maine hills with a wheelchair is…well, let's just say I needed a cocktail early on. (Check-in/out [express]) was also a welcome feature. No long waits for Aunty! However, specific room accessibility? Not fully detailed. A note: while I appreciate the effort, maybe a little more detail in the accessibility section on exactly what is accessible would be great.
(On-site accessible restaurants / lounges) – Okay, SO, I thought there was a Restaurant on-site, with A la carte options with Asian Cuisine. Turns out, the accessible entrance to the primary restaurant was kinda… through the back. Which felt slightly… wrong. Inside, the spacing was decent, but maneuvering around other guests was tight. A minor frustration, but worth noting.
(Internet – The Lifeline)
Internet access – wireless and Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Woohoo! Crucial, right? Needed to check my emails, stream some bad reality TV (don't judge), and basically, stay connected to the real world. The Wi-Fi actually was decent. No buffering nightmares. Massive win in my book. Now, I'd rate the Internet [LAN] as "present, but who uses it?". The Internet services were… fine. Nothing stood out, good or bad.
(Things to do… and Ways to Relax – My Sanity's Savior)
Alright, the good stuff. The Spa. Oh, the spa. This is where "Escape" did its damn best. The Pool with view was stunning. Seriously, Instagram-worthy. The Steamroom and Sauna were perfectly steamy and saun-ey. I did a Body scrub (felt amazing), and a Massage (melted my stress into a puddle of bliss). I didn't get around to the Body wrap-- time wasn't on my side, but the staff was very welcoming and accommodating. They had a Foot bath, which I sadly missed, something I definitely would have taken advantage of with all that walking.
But let's get real: the best part? Sitting in that hot tub, staring at the ocean, contemplating the meaning of life, and occasionally sipping overpriced prosecco. Pure, unadulterated escape. They really nailed the vibe for that, I’ll give them props.
The Fitness center exist but, honestly, I was on vacation! Forget the gym. No Gym/fitness for me. Zero. Zip. Not even a peek.
(Cleanliness and Safety – My Inner Germaphobe Approves … Mostly)
Okay, I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so this was important. Anti-viral cleaning products, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays – all good things! I saw staff diligently cleaning, which gave me peace of mind. The Hand sanitizer stations were plentiful, and they got a huge tick that Hygiene certification was in place. The Sanitized kitchen and tableware items made me feel somewhat safe. The Safe dining setup was also quite welcome.
They did provide fresh towels and they always were at hand. There was a smoke detector in the room, and the fire extinguisher made me feel much safer.
However, I didn't experience having, the room sanitization opt-out available, nor was there any Sterilizing equipment that I saw, which maybe they were hiding.
(Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Fuel for My Escapade!)
The hotel offers a lot of Dining, drinking, and snacking options.
Here's the truth: the food was… variable. Breakfast [buffet] was decent. Pretty standard, with the usual Coffee/tea in restaurant. A few options for Desserts in restaurant, but nothing mind-blowing. I had some Soup in restaurant and Western cuisine in restaurant which were both solid. The Salad in restaurant, too, was decent. They also had a Poolside bar, but it felt a little bit overpriced. Overall, though, food isn't the strongest point of the stay. But hey, who's complaining?
(Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter)
- Concierge: Fantastic. Handled everything from restaurant reservations to calling a Taxi service.
- Doorman: Made me feel fancy for a few seconds.
- Daily housekeeping: Always appreciated.
- Dry cleaning & Laundry service: Helpful for packing light (or, you know, dealing with wine spills).
- Luggage storage: Saved my back.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Cute stuff, but a bit pricey.
- Cash withdrawal: It's there, nice touch.
(For the Kids – And the Young at Heart)
Family/child friendly. I saw lots of families, and the staff seemed great with the little ones. Babysitting service is available. Though I don't have kids, I would say it seems good.
(Available in All Rooms – The Bare Necessities… and Then Some)
Okay, here's a rapid-fire rundown of room features:
- Air conditioning: Essential.
- Coffee/tea maker: YES!
- Hair dryer: Thank god.
- In-room safe box: Always a good idea.
- Refrigerator: Perfect for storing wine.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Yesss.
- Wake-up service: Because I sleep like a rock.
- And, oh yeah, Air conditioning in public area.
(Getting Around – Navigating the Maine Maze)
Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Valet parking, Bicycle parking – they’ve got it all. Makes getting around a breeze.
(The Final Verdict – Did I Escape? Yes. Did I Love It? Mostly.)
"Escape to Portland" has its flaws. The food wasn’t stellar. The room's design was a little dated. But the spa? Divine. The location? Unbeatable. The staff? Friendly and helpful.
Would I go back? Honestly, yes. I'd go back for that hot tub vista alone. And I’d recommend it, with the caveat that it's not perfect – it's a bit of a quirky, charming, slightly imperfect escape. And sometimes, that's exactly what you need.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars (with a slight lean towards 4.5 because of that spa… and the Prosecco)
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is ME, in Scarborough, Maine, battling the whims of the universe and my own questionable decisions, all while trying to survive a stay at Extended Stay America Suites. Prepare for utter chaos.
Extended Stay America: Portland - Scarborough – The Starting Point of Sanity's Demise (Or Maybe Delight?)
Day 1: Arrival and the Promise of Beige
- 1:00 PM - Arrival at Portland International Jetport (PWM): Landed. Survived the flight. My luggage, however, seems to have developed a vendetta against me. (I swear, that carry-on wants me to suffer. It always gets stuck on the carousel, mocking me.) Found the rental car, a slightly bewildered Nissan Versa named "Betsy" (don't judge, I'm emotionally attached to inanimate objects). The drive to Scarborough was… scenic. Lots of trees. Lots of beige. The color scheme seems to be "variations of beige," which perfectly foreshadows the interior of the Extended Stay.
- 2:00 PM - Check-in and Initial Panic: The front desk attendant, bless her heart, seemed genuinely unfazed by my disheveled appearance. Probably seen it all. Got the key. Found my room. It smelled faintly of… something. Cleanliness? A distant memory? The air conditioning unit sounds like a dying walrus. (I'm already mentally preparing the call to maintenance.) The room? Predictable. Beige. Functional. Soul-crushing in its blandness. I actually giggled from pure exhaustion.
- 3:00 PM - Quick grocery store run: Okay, the plan was to stock up on essentials (wine, chocolate, and maybe some actual food). The grocery store, Hannaford, was a revelation. So. Many. Lobster rolls. Too. Many. Choices. I panicked and bought a box of cereal I’ll probably never touch, some questionable deli meat, and a bottle of Pinot Grigio that's screaming "REGRET" from the label.
- 4:00 PM - Settling In (And the Walrus Returns): Unpacked. Tried the AC. Failed. Opened the wine. Took a long, hard look at the remote control (which, naturally, has about a hundred buttons). Contemplated ordering pizza. Decided against it. The walrus is now a full-blown opera singer.
- 6:00 PM - Scarborough Beach (Attempted Serenity): Drove towards the beach, hoping for a dose of the Maine coast I'd romanticized in my head. The parking situation was a nightmare (naturally). Found a spot after circling the parking lot like a vulture, finally parked after 20 minutes. The beach? Gorgeous. The ocean? Cold. My toes, however, were still warm, as I had a beautiful pair of socks on. The sand was smooth, the waves were gentle, and the stress of everything slowly began to slip away. Then, I lost my keys in the sand. Spent the next HOUR frantically digging, muttering obscenities under my breath. Found them! Thank the gods.
- 7:30 PM - Dinner (Or, the Culinary Experiment): Back to the room. That deli meat is staring at me. Opened the potato chips. Made some coffee. Watched the TV. Had some drinks. I'm starting to love the walrus.
- 10:00 PM - Bedtime (Praying for Sweet, Silent Sleep): Set the alarm, crossing my fingers the AC doesn't die. The room is… beige. Sleep? Maybe. Tomorrow is a new day, and I'm mentally preparing for the next adventure.
Day 2: Lobster Rolls, Lost Keys, and the Existential Dread of Extended Stay
- 8:30 AM - Breakfast (Cereal and the Agony of Choice): The cereal, the deli meat is still staring. The coffee's decent. The news on the TV is depressing.
- 9:30 AM - Portland, Here I Come (Maybe): Decide to head over to Portland. The traffic's already terrible. The drive is beautiful (the scenery). Should have taken the route near the beach, but opted for the highway.
- 11:00 AM - Portland's Old Port (Or, the Tourist Gauntlet): Finally arrived in Portland. Found parking (miracle of all miracles!). Old Port is… busy. Very busy. Tourists everywhere. The shops are charming, but expensive. The cobblestone streets are treacherous in my flimsy sandals.
- 12:30 PM - The QUEST for the Perfect Lobster Roll: This is the reason for the trip, the holy grail. Searched for the lobster roll place. Had a lobster roll (it was good). Ate it. It was delicious. The whole experience was messy (butter everywhere) and perfect. The roll was over the top, the fries were crispy as hell, and the mayo was just right. This is what living is all about.
- 2:00 PM - Random wanderings and browsing: Walked through some art galleries and shops.
- 4:00 PM - Back to the Room (And the Walrus Again!): Back in the beige fortress. The walrus is still singing. I may actually start liking it.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner (The Deli Meat Meets Its Demise): Face your fears. Ate the deli meat. Lived to tell the tale.
- 7:30 PM - Planning the next day… or not: I'm thinking I'll go and find a new beach to explore. I'll get to see the sites, and I'll get to be with the sand and the ocean. Maybe. Or perhaps I'll collapse on the bed and watch TV.
Day 3 - A Maine-ly Chaotic Day (and a Potential Escape Plan)
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast (The Crumbs of Hope): Cereal, again. The deli meats are gone.
- 10:00 AM - The Search For Beaches: The beaches in Maine are beautiful, the sun is out, and I'm starting to relax!
- 12:00 PM - Lunch (Some More Food!): So, so, so full.
- 2:00 PM - Back To Extended Stay America (The Walrus's Encore): Back in the beige fortress. The walrus is in full operatic form. Contemplating requesting a different room. Wondering if they have a loyalty program for emotional support.
- 4:00 PM - A Serious Question: What does loneliness taste like?
- 6:00 PM - Packing and Planning: Packing. This is always awkward. Not enough space. Should I take the flight back home, or will I take another day?
- 8:00 PM - Final Meal and Preparations:
- 10:00 PM - Bedtime (Goodbye, Beige Box!): The final night. The walrus has won me over.
Day 4: Departure and the Lingering Scent of Beige
- 8:00 AM - Final Breakfast:
- 9:00 AM - Farewell to Beige:
- 10:00 AM - To the Airport:
- 1:00 PM - Home Sweet Home:
Reflections, Ramblings, and Regrets:
This trip was a rollercoaster. The Extended Stay, a lesson in minimalist living and the psychological power of beige. But Maine? Maine is magic. The coastline, the food, the unexpected joy of finding my lost keys in the sand – it all made it worth it. I'd come back. I'd maybe try a different hotel. And I'd definitely bring more wine. And maybe… next time I’ll learn to pack lighter.
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Escape to Portland: Your (Hopefully) Perfect Scarborough Stay - FAQs (Because, Let's Be Real, You Need Them!)
Okay, so... Scarborough, huh? Is it actually *in* Portland? I'm geographically challenged, and Google Maps sometimes hates me.
Alright, geography newbie, deep breaths. No, Scarborough isn't *technically* Portland. It's a hop, skip, and a short drive away – like, a really short drive. Think 10-15 minutes, traffic depending (and trust me, that "traffic" on a Saturday morning can feel like the apocalypse). You’re close enough to Portland to hit all the cool stuff – the food, the breweries, the quirky shops – but far enough away to (hopefully) escape the actual *chaos* of the city. Seriously, I once tried to drive *into* Portland on a Friday afternoon and... well, let's just say I saw a lot more brake lights than I did sights. Scarborough offers a little peace, with a dash of touristy goodness.
What's the "vibe" in Scarborough? Beachy? Preppy? Lumberjack chic? (Gotta plan my outfits, ya know.)
Okay, fashionista, let's break it down. Scarborough is... *mostly* chill. You've got the quintessential Maine beach vibes with Old Orchard Beach nearby – think flip-flops, sunscreen, and maybe a slightly sunburned nose. Less "preppy" and more "relaxed coastal". Though, depending on where you're staying, you might find some, let's say, *refined* choices in clothing styles. There's a good mix, though. You'll see families, couples, and weekend warriors all kicking back. The Lumberjack Chic? (That’d be my outfit for the day ;) Sadly, not as many flannel-clad folks as you might hope. Unless you hit up a lobster bake... then the odds increase. So, pack your best beach clothes, maybe a sundress or two (or three!), and a sweater. Maine weather is notoriously fickle!
Lobster rolls! Do you guys *have* lobster rolls?! And where are the *best* ones? (This is crucial!)
Dude. Seriously? Maine? Lobster rolls? The holy grail? YES! We have lobster rolls. Glorious, buttery, claw-and-knuckle-filled lobster rolls. The pressure is immense. You can't come to Maine and NOT eat a lobster roll! Okay, deep breaths. The *best* is a loaded question, because everyone has an opinion. But... I'll give you a suggestion that is pure fire, okay? Check out *ish*. Some people swear by Eventide (in Portland itself), but I've got to give it up to *ish* as is *ish* is the real deal. The secret? I will tell you, if you come and ask me privately, of course. You'll find some amazing rolls close to your stay, and you'll also get the lobster roll experience. I'll say two things... don't be afraid to get messy, and bring napkins, because they *will* be needed.
Okay, fine, lobster rolls are important. But what if, you know, I'm *not* a lobster person? (Blasphemy, I know.) Any other food options? I'm a foodie, and picky.
Alright, lobster heretic, let's get you fed. Scarborough and Portland are bursting with food options. Seriously, you could eat your way through an entire week and not scratch the surface. Portland is a food mecca! Think fresh seafood (beyond lobster, I *promise*), amazing pizza, quirky food trucks, breweries galore, and international cuisine that'll blow your mind. Seriously, the pho in Portland is better than some places I've been to *in Vietnam* (don't tell them I said that!). Scarborough itself has some solid options, probably some chain restaurants, but I highly encourage you to go into Portland. If you want a romantic spot (that has some great pizza), I'm a huge fan of *place*. Also, don't underestimate those unassuming little places that look run down. Those are often the hidden gems.
Is there anything to DO in Scarborough besides eat and look at pretty scenery? I have a short attention span.
Absolutely! Scarborough *does* have things to do! Aside from beaches, you can explore the state park, go for a walk on one of the trails, or just chill and watch the ocean. But the BIGGEST draw here is easy access to a ton of stuff. Look, let's be honest here. Scarborough is the springboard to *everything*. Portland is the main attraction, then you can head out from there. Think: art galleries, live music, quirky shops, and historical sites. You can take a boat tour, go whale watching (highly recommend, even if you get seasick -- worth it!), hit up a brewery, or just wander aimlessly. Consider it like this... you have a ton of choices but it all depends on how far you wanna go! Even hitting up the outlet mall will keep you busy for a while.
Are there any hidden gems that most tourists miss? I'm all about that "off the beaten path" life.
Ooh, I like you! Okay, listen close. For a truly hidden gem that most tourists miss -- *ish*. I already mentioned the lobster rolls, but their views and the inside of their shop are amazing. And the food! Their staff are amazing people! They are often swamped, but so worth it if you don't mind waiting. It offers a real sense of place.
What about the weather? I'm from [insert climate]. Will I freeze/sweat/cry?
Ah, the weather. Maine weather. It's... well, it's Maine. It can be gorgeous. It can be miserable. Pack layers! In the summer, you'll probably be fine, but evenings can get cool (even in July - it's the ocean breeze!). Spring and fall are the "shoulder seasons" - beautiful, but can be unpredictable. Winter? Forget about it. You'll need a parka, a hat, a scarf, boots, and a strong will to live in the cold. Summer is generally lovely (but still bring a sweater). The best advice? Check the forecast, then pack *extra*. I have been caught in a Maine summer storm with t-shirts, and that was no fun.
Parking? Is it a nightmare? I hate parking.
Okay, parking. It *can* be a bit of a pain. Portland's a city, so parking is always a consideration. You'll find some street parking (pay attention to those meters!), parking garages, and surface lots. Scarborough itself is generally easier, but it still depends on where you're going. Weekends and peak season can get busy. My pro-tip: download a parking app and be prepared to walk a bit. It's better than circling for 20 minutes. And always, ALWAYS look for that hidden parking garage, or side street. You can thankDurham's Hidden Gem: Sonesta Select RTP - Unbeatable Deals!
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