Bangor hotels

I certainly expect to be comfortable at a Comfort Inn, but I didn’t expect suites with cathedral ceilings. Such a lovely design choice makes this Comfort Inn one of the most unique hotels within Bangor’s city limits. It’s such a pleasantly distracting feature that you could almost forget that the outdoor patio has a cosy firepit.

When the weather turns, those cathedral ceilings go a long way to keeping the guest rooms from feeling stuffy. If my preferred King Suite isn’t available, then the Double Queen guestroom works like a charm. I tend to keep the desk side of the room as a working/getting ready area, while the side nearest the bathroom is more convenient for relaxing.

Less than three miles from Bangor International Airport, Fairfield Inn by Marriott is a great option for red-eye arrivals and early-morning departures. The cure for jet lag is found at the indoor pool and the hot buffet breakfast.

I love the colourful aesthetic Fairfield Inn locations are known for; the pops of vibrant hues act as a wake-up call as much as the free coffee in the lobby does.

Not only is Fairfield Inn by Marriott at the I-95/I-395 interchange, but it also has fantastic neighbours. The petrol station across the street has EV chargers, the Tim Hortons has fresh coffee for late-night drives, and The Lobstah Buoy has fresh Maine lobster.

With Bangor Municipal Golf Course around the corner, it’s one of the best hotels in Bangor for a relaxed outdoorsy holiday.

The Best Western White House Inn is on the western outskirts of Bangor. Unlike the eastern side of town that encroaches on the university, this side of the city is supremely serene.

The tranquillity continues inside this Best Western, with many suites featuring in-room fireplaces. I’m not sure which room is cosier: the King Suite with the hot tub, or the King Suite with the woodsy wilderness theme.

If you haven’t caught the hint, these rooms ooze New England charm. I think this is one of the best hotels in Bangor for getting acquainted with the region. A night in the Captain Lafayette-themed suite and a morning spent eating a stack of pancakes with regional maple syrup are enough to make you feel right at home.

Few accommodations say 'Welcome to Bangor' as extravagantly as the Hollywood Casino. Right on the Penobscot River, it’s one of the best hotels in Bangor for anyone seeking a lively experience.

Wow is an understatement for how jaw-dropping the 1,000+ square foot Deluxe Suites are. I love the oversized work desk, but it doesn’t get much use – the two-person whirlpool tub in the luxurious bathroom gives a tempting reason to stop working and enjoy a long soak.

The events calendar is packed with live music and comedy. I’m not one to spend much time watching live harness racing, but I will certainly spend time in the casino. Slots, poker, and other table games add a bit of excitement to your stay. The on-site restaurant is also extensive, serving 99 different beers and made-to-order pizza.

Residence Inn by Marriott is on the south side of Main Street, perfectly positioned beside the Cross Insurance Center, home of the Bangor State Fair. The Maine Savings Amphitheater is a few blocks away, and downtown Bangor is only a few blocks further.

But it’s not just the prime location that makes this one of the best hotels in Bangor. The on-site rustic Timber Kitchen & Bar is a fantastic beer and burger spot. I love how spacious all of the suites are; even the studios have a generous layout, with separate sleeping, working, and relaxing spaces. The greatest perk that few hotels in Bangor have: fully equipped-kitchens that make it even more homey.

Hilton Garden Inn Bangor has one key amenity that many of its contemporaries lack: an airport shuttle. Bangor isn’t a sprawling city, so having an airport shuttle helps visitors avoid having to hire a car. Whether it’s for a short stay or a business trip, this is one of the best hotels in Bangor for those visiting for a conference, concert, or quick weekend getaway.

Short stays are effortless, thanks to conveniences that keep you comfortable and well cared for. A business centre and meeting rooms cater to remote workers, while the indoor pool and fitness centre keep an at-home workout routine from getting off-track.

The on-site Irish pub even offers room service. Pro tip: the Premium King Suite includes drinks and snacks to quell those midnight munchies.

Being comfortable from the moment you get out of the car is one reason I like the Courtyard by Marriott. The covered pull-through lane by the front door is great for unloading your luggage and children without having to deal with the rain or snow.

Convenience doesn’t stop at the lobby, either: the small market and laundry facilities are two wonderful additions to this hotel. The on-site restaurant, The Bistro, is open for breakfast and dinner, while the market is the place to go for lunchtime snacks. The ability to do a load of laundry before check-out is another great perk that ticks one thing off of my to-do list when I get home.

Having access to a one-bedroom suite with a separate room for lounging and working is another reason this comfortable overnight stay is one of the best hotels in Bangor.

Hampton Inn’s King Suites have what I consider an underrated feature: an end-of-bed bench. A small addition, granted, but the extra seating is ideal for getting ready comfortably when four other people are sharing the space. More functional space is found with the dedicated workspace and sleeper sofa. Even when the room is full up, it never feels cramped.

The indoor swimming pool and hot tub are perfect for a getting in some laps or enjoying a relaxing soak. Hampton Inn Bangor is roughly a ten-minute drive from the city centre, and hopping on Interstate 95 is so easy that the drive feels much faster.

I also like that the Hampton Inn is the last building on a dead-end road; this is one of the best hotels in Bangor that’s close to the highway but doesn’t feel like an 'off the highway' roadside hotel.

Country Inn at The Mall is one of the top-rated hotels in Bangor, and I also think it’s one of the best hotels in Bangor when preparing for a trip out to Acadia National Park.

The hotel’s proximity to Bangor Mall and dozens of other retailers makes it easy to grab last-minute outdoor gear. It’s also surrounded by restaurants. Feel free to bring leftovers back to your hotel room, which has a mini fridge and microwave.

The Country Inn at the Mall is set in one of the busiest areas of town, though it’s also right around the corner from the quiet Bangor City Forest. I recommend taking a few hours to walk the boardwalk over the bogs. Waking up to a hot continental breakfast and winding down with complimentary tea from the lobby perfectly bookends any day spent exploring.

Black Bear Inn is one of the best hotels in Bangor for those visiting the University of Maine or the Maine Forest and Logging Museum. Technically, Black Bear Inn is located north of Bangor, in Orono, but trust me when I say the extra 12-minute drive is well worth it.

It’s easy to hibernate in this comfortable hotel’s cosy rooms, each with handmade Amish hickory furnishings. Booking the King Suite, with its in-room whirlpool, comes with the temptation to soak and watch the seasons change beyond the window panes.

But as a parent, I’ll usually check into the Family Suite. A pair of twin beds and a king are ideal (though the king will inevitably have my whole family sleeping in it). I love the massage chair in the room; it’s a nice perk that makes any stay more comfortable.