Casco Bay Hotel Ascend Hotel Collection

I was here in late October so I can't compare what its like during peak-crazy tourist season. But I had a really good experience ! The free shuttle will pick you up at the PWM Jetport and was a quick >10min ride back to the hotel. The hotel and room was pretty standard, everything was clean, the shower was solid and the TV/channels and internet were as well. No complaints. The bed was also good and there was a fridge and microwave in the room. Very quiet, plus free breakfast that I didn't get up in time to eat. But what i REALLY liked is there's a mall right next door and a bus stop (!!) about 100 yards from the front door where the bus will take you right to downtown Portland. I used it since I flew in and Amtrak'd out and didnt rent a car for such a short trip. Amtrak is about halfway between the airport/hotel and downtown - I used Lyft to get the Downeaster to Boston the next day and it was all simple. There is also a Hannaford (really good grocery store) and some other food places within about a 10min walk from the hotel. I spent the day in downtown Portland, stopped at Hannaford on the way back, walked back to the hotel and ate my food and watched College Football on the good TV at night - was a very good one night stay and I would definitely stay here again if I make it back to Portland.

Not at all what I expected. The name is rather deceptive, as it is nowhere near the bay; it is by the shopping mall, and they sell St. Johns Bay there, so, technically... My room was already paid for, and they tried to charge another $50 to my card for "incidentals", which has become common, but still obnoxious. The shower floor had a crack in it that had been waterproofed, which was fine, but it was discolored indicative of a lack of cleaning. The rod holding up the heavy glass shower door was bent, so the door did not fit properly, leaving a sizable gap between the door and the wall. Let's talk about the dogs. This is a very pet-friendly property, which is a problem. The lobby doubles as the breakfast area, meaning that the eating areas are contaminated with dog dander. Pet-friendly is one thing, but allowing pit bulls?? There have to be limits to the pets, or at the very least, do a better job segregating them from the non-pet people. This is a family-run property, and it shows, but not in a good way. In my experience, family-owned lodging tends to be on the cheaper end in terms of quality, and this property was not an exception. The breakfast bar was sub-par. The orange juice was more like orangish water, being completely nasty and disgusting. Thankfully, the cranberry juice was okay. The waffle batter dispenser kept clogging. The plasticware dispensers were loaded upside down, with the non-handle part of the utensil being exposed; nasty and just plain lazy. The lobby where they serve breakfast has a side door you can go out but not in, so people prop it open. That happened when I was eating breakfast, so I had to shiver for five minutes even though the door is visible from the desk and the desk clerk did nothing. I finally took the initiative and removed the prop. The lobby got so cold that they had to break out industrial-size space heaters to warm it up. On a positive note, you can see your car from your window regardless of which side of the property you are on.

Avoid !! Dirty, common areas , doors etc needs serious attention. Black mold in shower. Did not take shoes off as floor felt sticky. Breakfast was a joke as it was mainly sugary cereals, waffles etc. found a banana for my breakfast. Shuttle communications did not work. Driver was as frustrated as customers. Ill defined entry. AVOID. Thank goodness it was a short overnight stay only. My understanding is they use temporary foreign workers for busy season

Loved this hotel. Clean and very comfortable. I don’t understand some of the other reviews. This hotel is very nice for an over night. Very relaxing bed. I hated to get up. Nicely appointed however basic. All you need. We would stay again if ever in the area.

Horrid experience! Staff were unwelcoming and made me feel like an intruder. Staff forget, it is visitors like me who stay at the property that pay their wages. No visitor’s, no jobs! I would NOT recommend a stay here. You can do better than stay at this unwelcoming hotel.