Month: December 2025

When the final evening of the year arrives in Portland, The Press Hotel offers a New Year’s Eve that feels both timeless and distinctly local – stylish rooms, an Old Port address, and on-site dining that makes planning effortless. Tucked at 119 Exchange Street, the hotel places you steps from galleries, boutiques, and cobblestone charm, with everything you need for a seamless celebration under one roof.

Check In, Dress Up, Exhale

From the moment you arrive, the hotel’s newsroom-inspired design sets a celebratory tone. Guest rooms and suites pair custom furnishings and local artwork with comforts like spa-style bathrooms and rain-head showers – ideal for slipping into party attire, pausing for a toast, and unwinding after midnight. If you’re making a weekend of it, a larger suite gives extra room to get ready and lounge between outings.

Start the Evening at Inkwell

Kick off the night in Inkwell, the lobby lounge where polished cocktails and a relaxed, design-forward setting make an easy pre-dinner meet-up – or a late-night nightcap once the countdown is done. Its location just off the elevators keeps the whole evening conveniently anchored at the hotel, so you can celebrate without bouncing across town. For current hours during holiday periods, check the hotel’s page for Inkwell before you go.

Dinner Plans, Solved: UNION

For the main event, book a table at UNION, the hotel’s signature restaurant known for an “altogether local” approach to Maine’s seasons. With breakfast on weekdays, weekend brunch, lunch on weekdays, and dinner nightly (later seatings on Friday and Saturday), it’s simple to design the evening you want – an early dinner before you wander Old Port, or a leisurely, late seating to linger into the night. Holiday weeks are popular; reservations are suggested.

Your Countdown, Your Pace

One of the joys of staying downtown is choice. You might begin with cocktails at Inkwell, continue to UNION for a chef-driven dinner, and then step out to feel the city’s energy before returning for a final toast. Or keep everything close: celebrate entirely on property, then ride the elevator home to a quiet, comfortable finish. Either way, you’ll wake up in the heart of Portland—no driving, no logistics, just a beautifully paced New Year’s Eve.

Make It a Weekend

New Year’s Eve is the headline, but The Press Hotel shines all weekend long. Start the next morning slowly with weekend brunch at UNION, or fuel up with weekday breakfast if you’re extending your stay. With lunch on weekdays and nightly dinner service, you can map easy meet-ups with friends and family without leaving the building – a welcome luxury when winter weather rolls in.

Why The Press Works for New Year’s

Design & comfort. Rooms that feel artful yet relaxing make getting ready—and winding down – part of the pleasure.

All under one roof. Inkwell for cocktails; UNION for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner—all on site and downtown.

The Old Port address. Step outside to Portland’s historic core, then return to a quiet, refined retreat when the night ends.

A Few Planning Tips

• Reserve early. Secure your dinner at UNION and confirm Inkwell’s hours for your preferred time.
• Plan your flow. Consider an early dinner before exploring the neighborhood – or a later seating that carries you toward midnight.
• Stay put. With dining and drinks on site, your most important commute of the night is an elevator ride.

Whether you’re clinking glasses in the warm glow of Inkwell or savoring a locally minded dinner at UNION, The Press Hotel turns New Year’s Eve into an experience that’s celebratory, convenient, and unmistakably Portland. Book your downtown stay, set your reservations, and welcome 2026 with style – right here at The Press.

In Portland’s Old Port, the holidays feel a little brighter at The Press Hotel – where cozy lights, thoughtful design, and locally driven cuisine come together under one roof. Whether you’re planning a sparkling cocktail hour or a celebratory dinner, the hotel’s lobby lounge, Inkwell, and its signature restaurant, UNION, make it easy to gather, toast, and savor the flavors of the season.

Inkwell: Craft Cocktails in a Story-Filled Setting

Set just off the lobby, Inkwell blends the hotel’s newsroom-inspired aesthetic with a relaxed, modern lounge atmosphere – ideal for pre-dinner drinks, a nightcap, or an unhurried catch-up with friends. Expect a creative bar program served with polished, welcoming service in a stylish, softly lit space. If you’re mapping out an evening, it’s the perfect first (or last) stop before or after dinner at UNION.

Guests love Inkwell for its comfortable seating nooks, refined cocktails, and easy proximity to the elevators – meaning you can keep the festivities close to “home” when you’re staying on property. When planning around peak holiday dates, check the hotel’s channels for current hours and any seasonal offerings; the lounge often pairs well with dinner reservations next door.

UNION: Altogether Local—and Perfect for Celebrations

Next door to the lounge, UNION showcases Maine’s seasons with a menu built around regional farms and fisheries. It’s an inviting choice for everything from a festive brunch to an elegant dinner, with hours that support holiday-week flexibility: breakfast on weekdays, weekend brunch, and dinner nightly (with later seatings on Friday and Saturday). Reservations are suggested during busy periods.

Beyond the reliable cadence of breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner service, UNION’s ethos remains constant: thoughtful technique, local sourcing, and attentive hospitality. The restaurant’s focus on Maine ingredients makes it a natural fit for celebratory dining when you want dishes that feel of-the-moment and distinctly of place.

How to Plan a Holiday Evening at The Press

Start with a toast at Inkwell. Ease into the night with a crafted cocktail in the lobby lounge – an atmospheric backdrop for exchanging gifts, sharing cards, or simply settling into conversation before dinner.

Move to UNION for dinner. With dinner served nightly and extended hours on weekends, you can choose an early reservation before a show or a later seating for a leisurely, celebratory pace. UNION’s service style and “altogether local” approach set the tone for a meal that feels special without being fussy.

Make it a weekend. If your plans include out-of-town guests or a staycation, pairing dinner with a room at The Press Hotel keeps everything effortless – brunch at UNION the next morning is an easy way to keep the celebration going.

Why It Works at The Press

A cohesive experience. From lobby lounge to dining room to guest rooms, you’re celebrating within one thoughtfully designed space – no driving across town, no juggling multiple reservations.

Local flavor, polished service. UNION’s kitchen centers Maine’s ingredients and presents them with an elegance that suits the season, while Inkwell’s lounge vibe keeps things warm and convivial.

Old Port address. Steps from galleries and boutiques, The Press Hotel places you in the heart of Portland’s wintry charm – ideal for an afternoon of wandering before you settle in for cocktails and dinner.

Whether you’re clinking glasses over a cocktail at Inkwell or gathering around a table at UNION, the holidays at The Press are all about easy elegance: local flavors, inviting spaces, and a pace that lets you truly enjoy each other’s company. Plan your evening, make your reservations, and let the season shine – right here at The Press Hotel.